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Microsoft is shaking up the conventional Office model by testing a new, ad-supported version of its productivity suite. If you’ve ever hesitated at the subscription fees for Microsoft 365 or wondered whether a “free” Office experience is possible, this experiment might catch your interest. In this article, we dive deep into what this test version entails, how you can access it, and what it might mean for Windows users and the broader productivity ecosystem. What’s New? Free, But with a...

Westcon-Comstor is raising the bar on technical support for Microsoft partners by rolling out a revamped suite of cloud assessments designed to optimize environments, boost security, and drive cost efficiencies. In an era where cloud solutions power everything from Windows 11 productivity to AI-enabled innovation, these new offerings are set to empower partners and streamline digital transformation. A New Era of Partner-Centric Cloud Support In today’s dynamic IT landscape, digital...

Microsoft is once again reimagining the Windows 11 experience. In the latest preview build—number 22635.4950 currently running in the Beta channel—the tech giant is testing two key features that may soon redefine how we interact with our PCs. These improvements include a smart file sharing interface and a versatile revamp of the Start menu layout, each designed with productivity and user flexibility in mind. In this article, we’ll break down these new features, assess their potential impact...

Battery life is more than just a metric—it’s the lifeblood of your mobile productivity. If you’ve ever found yourself frantically searching for a way to squeeze a few extra hours out of your device’s battery, then you’re in for a treat. A major upgrade to the popular third-party utility, Battery Flyout, promises to revolutionize how Windows 11 users monitor and manage their battery health, and it comes with exciting enhancements tailored specifically for ARM64 devices like the Surface Pro 11...

Windows 11’s modern design has many devoted fans, but it’s no secret that a sizable portion of users long for the familiar, left-aligned taskbar and classic Start menu that defined earlier Windows eras. Enter Windows Vista 2025 Edition—a clever, community-driven Windhawk theme that promises to resolve one of Windows 11’s most contentious design shifts without sacrificing the operating system’s modern benefits. In this article, we dive deep into what Windows Vista 2025 Edition offers, how it...

Microsoft is redefining the search experience with its new Bing Copilot—a cutting-edge, AI-powered search mode that promises to transform how we retrieve and interact with information online. With the integration of advanced language processing, Bing Copilot refines search queries, provides context-rich summaries, and even displays the reasoning behind its results, offering a fresh perspective on web searches. Meanwhile, industry chatter suggests that Google is preparing to launch a similar...

Modern laptops are engineered for productivity on the go—but nothing kills mobility faster than a battery that drains in a matter of hours. For many Windows 11 users, the mystery of disappearing battery life is a daily frustration. Today, we explore the common culprits: resource-hungry applications and background processes that can silently sap your battery. We'll walk you through built-in Windows 11 tools to monitor and manage battery consumption, offer expert tips for balancing performance...

Microsoft’s aggressive expansion into AI and cloud services has taken an intriguing turn. According to a recent report from DatacenterDynamics—based on TD Cowen channel checks—the tech giant has canceled data center leasing agreements totaling roughly 200 megawatts (MW) of capacity. This move, which involves curtailing new AI data center leases in the United States while reallocating international investment, raises several vital questions about capacity planning in the era of artificial...

Windows Update is the heartbeat of your system—ensuring you stay secure, stable, and ready for cutting-edge features. But just as a hiccup can ruin the perfect rhythm of your favorite song, an error like 0x8024800a can throw your update process into disarray. In today’s guide, we’ll break down what this error means, why it happens, and—most importantly—how you can fix it with a series of easy-to-follow steps. So grab your admin rights and let’s troubleshoot like pros! What Is the 0x8024800a...

Microsoft is no stranger to pushing the boundaries of technology—even if those bounds sometimes stretch a little too far. With its newly unveiled Majorana 1 chip, the tech giant has once again ignited a firestorm of controversy in the quantum computing arena. For Windows users and tech aficionados alike, this announcement is as tantalizing as it is contentious. A Look Back: The 2018 Embarrassment Quantum computing promises to revolutionize the way we process information, harnessing the...

Microsoft is quietly testing a new twist on its classic productivity suite—a free, ad-supported version of Office that can be installed on your local drive. However, there’s a catch: you can create new files locally, but saving is restricted solely to OneDrive. In this article, we break down the key details of this test build, explore its potential implications for users and the industry, and offer some expert insights into what this could mean for the future of Office. The Test Build...

The tech world was abuzz this week as the latest episode of the Windows Central Podcast dropped a bombshell statement—"the Surface you know and love is dead." In an engaging blend of insight, speculation, and forward-thinking analysis, hosts Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden took listeners on a journey through the evolution of Microsoft’s iconic Surface lineup. From radical design overhauls and unconventional Windows 11 updates to hints at quantum chip advancements and HP’s bold acquisition of...

The intersection of cutting-edge technology and age-old agricultural practices has never been more exciting. In a recent Business Today feature, Microsoft Chairman Satya Nadella showcased a transformative initiative in Maharashtra’s Baramati, where small-scale farmers are harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize crop yields. Adding fuel to the conversation, Elon Musk—known for his bold takes on technology—chimed in with a succinct and stirring message: “AI will...

In a chilling reminder that even well-secured infrastructures may harbor hidden vulnerabilities, a recent report by SC Media has revealed that a botnet of over 130,000 compromised devices is systematically targeting Microsoft 365 accounts. The attackers are leveraging a combination of stolen credentials and the often-overlooked vulnerability in non-interactive sign-ins to bypass traditional security measures—including multi-factor authentication (MFA). In this article, we’ll dive into the...

Microsoft has long been synonymous with productivity, and for decades, its Office suite was available only through subscriptions or one-time purchases. Now, in a twist that seems almost too good to be true, the tech giant has unveiled a free, ad-supported version of its core Office apps for Windows users. But—as with most freebies—the offer comes with some notable caveats. Let’s dive into what this means for Windows users, how to set it up, and the pros and cons of embracing this new model...

For many Windows users, the idea of migrating to Linux can feel like stepping into unfamiliar territory. But what if you could enjoy all the benefits of Linux—its speed, security, and openness—while still basking in the comfort of a Windows-like interface? Enter Free10, a repackaged version of the Q40S Linux distribution that’s tailor-made for those who appreciate the familiar look of Windows 10—or even miss the nostalgia of Windows XP. In this article, we dive into what makes Free10 a...

Voice typing in Windows 11 offers a convenient way to turn your spoken words into text—ideal for jotting down ideas, drafting emails, or simply keeping your hands free. However, many users have experienced hiccups when the feature doesn’t perform as expected. In this article, we’ll walk you through common issues with voice typing, detail step-by-step troubleshooting methods, and explore how these challenges tie into broader trends in Windows productivity. Understanding Voice Typing in...

In today's fast-paced digital world, both the tools we use and the people behind them are evolving. Whether it’s switching from “groovy” to “lol” in everyday conversation or rethinking traditional software models, change is in the air. Recent discussions on Windows Forum have highlighted one such evolution—Microsoft’s experiments with free, ad-supported Office apps for Windows—while events like the University of Colorado Boulder’s “From groovy to lol—A ‘lunch and learn’” remind us how...

Microsoft’s latest experiment in productivity software is stirring up conversations among Windows users. In a move that could reshape how we access core office tools, free, ad-supported versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are now available on Windows. This development, initially spotlighted by Paul Thurrott on Thurrott.com, introduces a lightweight alternative to the traditional Microsoft 365 desktop suite. What’s New? Microsoft has quietly rolled out free, ad-supported desktop apps for...