If there is anything more annoying than Microsoft's suite of apps staring you in the face every time you open your computer, it's Windows Updates. Whether you just sat down or were deep in the middle of work, these updates feel like something you need to schedule your life around. But after years of complaints, Microsoft seems to have finally listened, and it is making updates easier to control.

According to Microsoft's blog post, there are now four ways to control Windows 11 Updates. The first, which rolled out earlier this year, lets you skip installing updates during Windows setup on your device. If you skip, you go straight to the desktop without waiting, though you will not have the newest features or security updates right away.

The new rollout introduces the ability to pause updates more flexibly. Microsoft is adding a new calendar-based system that lets users choose a specific day of the month as their monthly update day. The pause period can be up to 35 days, but once it's over, you don't have to update. Users can extend the pause end date as many times as needed, with no limit on resets. Not the best decision for device security, but at least the control is finally yours.

OneXPlayer has released its Panther Lake-powered Super V 14-inch 2-in-1 gaming tablet that was initially unveiled at CES 2026. YouTuber ETA Prime benchmarked the tablet in several games and found performance to be excellent, achieving well over 60 FPS at the tablet's native 2880x1800 resolution in AAA games.

The Super V comes in just one configuration for now, featuring a Core Ultra X7 358H with four P-cores, eight E-cores, four LPE-cores, and a turbo boost frequency of up to 4.8GHz. The integrated Arc B390 is based on Intel's Xe3 architectures and comes with 12 EUs clocked up to 2.5GHz. Memory and storage are comprised of 48GB of LPDDR5X operating at 8533MT/s, a single internal M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 1TB SSD, and an external Mini SSD slot. The Super V is the first OneXPlayer device to pack an external Mini SSD slot. The shell of the device is made out of CNC aluminum with a thickness of 13mm. The display features a 14-inch AMOLED screen that covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, with a 120Hz variable refresh rate and a resolution of 2880x1800.

ETA Prime tested the tablet in Geekbench, Cinebench R24, Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption 2, Forza Horizon 5, Black Myth: Wukong, Spider-Man 2, and an unnamed indie game. Geekbench saw the Ultra X7 358H in the SuperV achieve 2,743 points in the single-core benchmark, and 16,596 points in the multi-core benchmark. Cinebench 2024 achieved 121 points single-core and 1225 points multi-core. For most of the gaming tests, the tablet was benchmarked at its maximum 60-watt TDP.

NVIDIA has rolled out OpenAI's latest frontier model across its global workforce, with CEO Jensen Huang calling it a milestone in the "age of AI." Over 10,000 NVIDIA employees in engineering, product, legal, finance, and marketing were given early access to Codex, an agentic coding tool powered by GPT-5.5.

Engineers have been using the GPT-5.5-powered Codex for several weeks now, reporting big efficiency gains in software development and maintenance. "Debugging cycles that once stretched across days are closing in hours," says NVIDIA. Teams are also using natural-language prompts to deliver end-to-end features more reliably and with fewer wasted cycles than prior models.

Huang encouraged employees to adopt Codex in an internal email, describing AI agents as teammates boosting productivity across all roles, not just engineering. "Chatbots answer questions. Agents do work," Huang wrote. "Let's jump to lightspeed. Welcome to the age of AI." Employees have echoed that sentiment, describing Codex as both "mind-blowing" and "life-changing."

Updated drivers. Active antivirus. A router with a strong password. Everything is locked down tight. Most tech-savvy people stop there and assume the job is done. It is not. A hacker does not always need to breach your device to steal your personal information. Sometimes your data is already sitting in public view - harvested by a data broker long before any breach ever happens.

Clearnym fills the gap that cybersecurity software ignores. Their opt-out guides walk through exactly how to remove your personal information from people search sites and data broker databases. Beyond guides, Clearnym automates the entire removal process, submitting opt-out requests on your behalf and monitoring for re-listing so your personal data does not quietly reappear. It is the protection layer that no antivirus covers. Learn how to protect what lives outside your devices - because that exposure is just as real.

For a hacker to get into your financial accounts does not always need malware. They need your name, phone number, and the answers to your security questions. That information sits on people search sites right now. Thieves use it to pass verbal verification at your bank and gain access to your bank accounts without touching a single device.

AMD has officially launched version 1.2 of its Extended Profiles for Overclocking (EXPO). This release adds support for more memory profiles, CUDIMM, and other features. AMD overclocking tool developer 1usmus confirmed that this revision adds support for module geometry, allowing users to mix and match various memory capacities. CUDIMM and CSODIMM support are also part of the EXPO 1.2 roadmap, though CUDIMM support remains limited on current firmware.

For those unfamiliar, AMD's EXPO profiles make memory overclocking simple by offering pre-made speed and timing profiles that can be enabled to boost memory performance. With newer CUDIMM memory standards, which use a Client Clock Driver to stabilize higher memory frequencies, AMD has so far only offered support in "Bypass mode," which disables the onboard clock tuner and prevents sticks from running at higher rated speeds.

EXPO 1.2 does not change this yet. CKD bypass mode stays in place for now, although support is improving. The developer notes that the existing AGESA 1.3.0.0 and 1.3.0.1 BIOS releases include DDR5 CUDIMM support on AM5 motherboards, but it's not what you'd call "full." AMD is reportedly saving full support for Zen 6 and newer AM5 motherboards that are fully compatible with the memory technology.

In recent weeks, leaks and rumors have pointed to a standalone release of Valve's new Steam-branded hardware, specifically its second-generation Steam Controller. Now there's even more evidence suggesting a separate release for the controller. Komodo Station, the official distributor of Steam Deck and other Valve hardware in Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, has launched its Steam Controller product page.

Spotted by @gabefollower on X, the Komodo Station product page for the Steam Controller briefly went live before parts of it were later retracted. At the time of writing, only a short product listing remains, with a link redirecting back to Steam for more details.

Screenshots from Gabefollower show that the full product page lacked both a price and a release date. The product text matched Valve's own previous descriptions, such as "Your games at your fingertips" and "All the inputs to play all the games on Steam, wherever Steam is."

If you were planning to get your hands on the Framework 13 Pro, you'll have to sit tight until August. With the device up for pre-order, Framework has already burned through its early stock. As demand outpaces supply, Framework is already down to Batch 8, with more users choosing Ubuntu over Windows, per the company. This certainly shows that its "MacBook Pro for Linux users" appeal is quite real.

In a tweet on X (spotted by PC Gamer), Framework highlighted how the 13 Pro is flying off shelves. While the company had slated initial batches for June-July, it has pushed the latest batch back to August. In addition, buyers are choosing pre-built configurations with Ubuntu over Windows. As the Framework 13 Pro is Ubuntu Certified, buyers can select Ubuntu 24.04 LTS or Windows 11 Pro right out of the box, and it seems the Linux crowd is leading the charge.

Framework hasn't specified whether these numbers include the DIY Edition or just the pre-built models. On the DIY side, users typically bring their own storage and OS to save money, so most users rarely purchase a Windows key. Even when looking at DIY (Windows/No OS) and pre-built (Windows/Ubuntu) models together, Framework's claim that Ubuntu is leading the charge seems like a safe bet.

Discord Nitro will soon come with a lighter version of Xbox Game Pass, offering access to 50 games.

Xbox is teaming up with Discord to bundle services together in a cooperative partnership. New leaks say that Discord Nitro subscribers will gain access to a new special Game Pass tier called the Starter Edition. If you've been closely following the Game Pass stories, then the Starter Edition is the official name for the tier codenamed Triton, which was believed to be a first-party only offering at the time.

This so-called Xbox Game Pass Starter Edition offers 50 games from the all-you-can-play subscription service, including a smattering of catalog first-party games like Fallout 4, Elder Scrolls Online, Gears of War, Doom Eternal, and Dishonored, as well as hit indies like Hades and Stardew Valley.

Ubisoft has cleared the air on Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, confirming the remake will not follow the RPG path many expected.

During the Black Flag Resynced Showcase, Ubisoft directly addressed speculation by stating that the game remains a solo, character-driven adventure and went further, describing Resynced as "not an RPG". In a response that shuts down months of rumors, the team confirmed during the showcase that it is not an RPG, signaling a return to the more focused design of the original Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag.

That does not mean this is a simple remaster. Ubisoft is packing in a wide range of upgrades, including enhanced underwater exploration, a new dynamic weather system that impacts naval gameplay, and updated combat mechanics.

Microsoft is laying out a bold future for Xbox, and Project Helix sits right at the center of it all, with Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and the head of Xbox Game Studios, Matt Booty, outlining the brand's future in a new mission statement.

Following a major leadership shift that brought Asha Sharma and Matt Booty to the forefront, Xbox has detailed a sweeping strategy to redefine its platform. The company is dropping the Microsoft Gaming identity and returning fully to Xbox branding, while outlining a vision that spans console, PC, cloud, and mobile as a single connected ecosystem.

Project Helix is described as the next step in hardware, designed to lead in performance while allowing players to access both console and PC experiences in one place. But the bigger shift is philosophical. Xbox says it will focus on affordability, personalization, and openness, with flexible pricing models and experiences that adapt to individual players. This comes as rising development costs and changing player habits continue to reshape the industry.

Escape From Tarkov developer and creator Nikita Buyanov has been working on a new sci-fi shooter called Fragmentary Order for a few years now at the new Rant Gaming Studios. It's described as a "combat simulator" with vehicles, extraction mechanics, and all the action taking place on maps that are four or five times the size of those in Tarkov.

The game is currently in full production and will feature more realistic, advanced visuals thanks to being built on the latest version of Unreal Engine. In a new interview with GamesBeat, Nikita Buyanov opened up about the development process and confirmed that he and the team have received support from NVIDIA in implementing technologies like DLSS 4.5.

And with that, the interviewer asked Nikita whether the game would consider adding support for DLSS 5, and the answer might surprise you. Well, that is if you didn't bother to read the headline.

Xbox is promising a reset for the brand, and it all starts with making gaming cheaper and more personal than ever before. In a new mission statement, Xbox has said, "Xbox will be where the world plays".

Following a major shake-up in February that saw Phil Spencer retire and Sarah Bond step down, Asha Sharma has taken the reins and is already steering the company in a new direction. Alongside Matt Booty, Sharma confirmed that Microsoft Gaming branding is being dropped in favor of a renewed focus on Xbox, signaling a shift back to identity and clarity.

At the core of this new strategy is affordability, a word that continues to dominate conversations across the industry. Xbox says its future, including the upcoming Project Helix console, will focus on flexible pricing, accessibility, and personalization.

The Alienware Area-51 Gaming Desktop is Dell's flagship all-in-one desktop gaming PC, and based on the updated product page, it looks to be one of the first pre-built machines to offer AMD's new Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 CPU. This new "Dual Edition Processor" is for developers, creators, and gamers and is the first to include dual AMD 3D V-Cache technology, providing 208MB of total cache.

With a TDP rating of 800W and a price tag of $899 USD, it's definitely up there as a premium option for those looking for the very best. And even though it's an expensive CPU, adding it to the Alienware Area-51 Gaming Desktop also requires choosing the 360mm AIO cooler option. And when you pair it with GeForce RTX 5090 and 64GB of memory, this top-tier configuration is available for $6,149.99 USD.

Naturally, this configuration is good news for those who have been eyeing the Alienware Area-51 Gaming Desktop, and the company's claims that it delivers its best and most effective thermal solution to date. With a 200W CPU and 600W GPU, you'd definitely need exactly that - effective cooling.

With AMD continuing to gain market share with its consumer-focused Ryzen series of CPUs and its X3D line-up becoming the go-to series for PC gaming enthusiasts seeking absolute best-in-class performance, it's beginning to feel like Intel is getting left behind. However, AMD's perceived 'better than Intel' CPU performance in the PC gaming and enthusiast space is still a relatively new thing, and only a couple of generations old.

However, in a new interview with the German outlet PC Games Hardware, Robert Hallock, Intel's VP and GM of its enthusiast channel business, notes that much of this stems from performance left on the table. And by that, he notes that software optimization is one of the key reasons that Intel's latest CPUs might be falling behind when you take a glance at performance charts.

"I truly believe, and this might get me in trouble, but I truly believe that the general PC gaming market and especially enthusiasts, like really hardcore PC enthusiasts, are significantly underestimating the importance of software to the PC experience, like really, really seriously," Robert Hallock says.

InWin has launched its latest premium case, the COVALENT Full Tower Chassis, offering a stylish, high-performance option for gamers, AI enthusiasts, content creators, and those looking to build a commanding workstation. It's also versatile, offering either a tempered glass or a solid metal side panel, with the latter enhancing the case's impressive structural strength.

As a full-tower case, the COVALENT supports back-connect and large EEB motherboards, so it's well-suited for workstation builds as well as housing a formidable PC gaming rig. There's enough room to install multiple high-end GPUs in horizontal or vertical orientations, along with additional storage and other add-ons, with eight PCIe slots.

InWin notes that the layout has been designed for optimal airflow in "demanding AI and high-performance computing environments," including support for dual 420mm radiators and up to 13 fans. The COVALENT Full Tower Chassis ships with four large, pre-installed CV140 fans for balanced cooling out of the box.

Turtle Beach is expanding its lineup of PC gear with its brand-new Command Series of keyboards and mice. Now, what sets this new line-up apart from previous peripherals is its focus on performance, speed, and accuracy across gaming, content creation, and productivity. And with that, they feature an "integrated Command Touch Display" that lets users control apps, monitor performance, and even manage popular streaming tools like OBS and Streamlabs.

With six new devices, two keyboards, one keypad, and three mice, making up the all-new Command Series, not all feature the integrated display, but all are packed with impressive specs and features. Looking at the two new keyboards, the Command Series KB7 TKL Hall-Effect Wired Keyboard with Touchscreen and the Command Series KB5 Full-Size Mechanical Wired Keyboard with Touchscreen, the former includes a 4.3-inch Command Touch Display, while the latter includes a smaller 2.4-inch variant.

The Command Series KB7 TKL Hall-Effect Wired Keyboard's display includes built-in OBS and Streamlabs integration, as well as quick access to macros, system monitoring tools, audio controls, and more. As for the keyboard side, you've got premium Titan low-profile Hall-Effect switches, with adjustable actuation, double-shot PBT keycaps, textured WASD keys for gamers, and an aluminum reinforced shell. The low-latency wireless performance also supports 89K polling, with per-key lighting and a palm-rest that lights up, rounding out the stylish design.

Valve has provided an update for game developers to better track potential performance problems surrounding Deck Verified games on the Steam Deck. In a blog post, the game publisher introduced a new tracking system that tracks Steam Deck performance over a 30-day daily running average based on performance data from users playing Deck Verified games.

The tracking system plots the 30-day daily running average on a graph and is available to see from the partner dashboard for developers. As an example, Valve shared a graph of Portal 2's average frame rate, where the frame rate was around 70 FPS across all 30 days. Framerate data is taken only from users who have opted to allow their data to be submitted to Valve. Valve will also be implementing "variance data" into its running average at a future date to better identify fluctuating or inconsistent frame rates from Steam Deck users.

On the opposite end, Valve has also introduced user survey results giving Steam gamers a way to provide feedback on a Steam game's Deck Verified status. If a game is suffering from stability, input, performance, legibility, or other problems while running on the Steam Deck, users can provide feedback to help improve the game's playability on the handheld. This feedback is designed to be used with the aforementioned 30-day daily running average for developers, giving them a better way to judge if a game's Steam Deck experience has regressed or improved.

The current DRAM and flash memory crisis, which has seen massive price increases and shortages of consumer-facing products like DDR5 memory and SSDs, has been ongoing for months. It's all thanks to the current AI boom and hardware makers trying to keep up with the demand from data centers.

Now, this isn't another "everything's bad" story, but rather a follow-up to KIOXIA's recent announcement that it was launching a new affordable, value-focused series of SSDs for PC OEMs. Today, KIOXIA is expanding its consumer, client, and PC OEM lineup with the high-performance KIOXIA BG8 Series of SSDs, poised to deliver "PCIe 5.0 speed to the mainstream segment," and it's arriving at the perfect time.

KIOXIA is not only a leader in flash memory technology but also its inventor. The DRAM-less KIOXIA BG8 Series incorporates the company's impressive 8th-generation BiCS FLASH 3D flash memory with its innovative CBA (CMOS directly Bonded to Array) technology, delivering a 47% improvement in sequential read speeds and a 67% improvement in sequential write speeds. With read and write speeds of up to 10,300 MB/s and 10,000 MB/s, the new KIOXIA BG8 Series is poised to deliver Gen5 performance to the mainstream PC market.

We recently covered a report saying Sony plans to stop releasing its first-party PlayStation games on PC. This rumor gained further traction recently, as Sony made several changes to the PlayStation website, quietly removing any mention of PC from its marketing materials. However, it seems like not everybody is on the same page regarding Sony's decision.

Shuhei Yoshida, former President of Sony Interactive Entertainment, recently sat down with Back Pocket at ALT Games Festival in Australia for an interview, where he shared his thoughts on Sony's new direction. Yoshida maintains that PC ports are "largely positive" for Sony and don't have a meaningful negative effect on console or game sales.

Yoshida goes on to defend PC ports, saying that, rather than costing Sony financially, they could help recoup some of the initial development costs. This is because PC ports often arrive a year or two after the console launch, giving the game another sales cycle and media coverage. It is also important to note that Yoshida did not seem to think Sony would be moving toward shunning PC ports altogether. He also cast doubts on how Sony would continue to develop big-budget AAA games without help from PC ports.

Apple recently announced that CEO Tim Cook will step down on September 1, 2026, after nearly 15 years in the role. Josh Turner, Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, is expected to carry on the mantle. As his tenure of more than a decade comes to an end, Cook is taking stock of the journey, the missteps, and the triumphs that came with it.

According to Bloomberg, Cook spoke candidly to Apple employees during an internal town hall meeting held shortly after the announcement. The outgoing CEO picked the hasty launch of Apple Maps as his "first really big mistake." In 2012, Apple officially launched its in-house Maps application with iOS 6, replacing Google Maps on the iPhone.

However, the rollout quickly became one of Cook's biggest missteps. Apple Maps suffered from inaccurate directions, mislabeled landmarks, distorted roads, problematic 3D views, and poor performance across many regions, ultimately forcing Apple to issue a rare public apology. Scott Forstall, who led Apple's software division and oversaw the Maps project, was later pushed out of the company.