Copilot+ PC Archives

Winsage

July 3, 2026

Microsoft brags Copilot key has main character energy on Windows 11, but you can soon remap it

Microsoft promoted the Copilot key on social media, branding it as a button with “main character energy,” despite acknowledging that it has negatively impacted productivity for some users. The company plans to allow remapping of the key in an upcoming Windows 11 update. User reactions to the promotion were largely critical, with many expressing dissatisfaction and calling for the removal of the Copilot key. Microsoft had previously admitted that the key caused disruptions in productivity and accessibility workflows. Additionally, only 3.3% of Microsoft 365 users are paying for Copilot, indicating low adoption. Microsoft has distanced its flagship products from the Copilot branding and users have reported preferring alternatives like ChatGPT and Claude over Copilot.

Winsage

June 30, 2026

Huge 4th of July Windows Copilot+ PC deals now live at Best Buy up to $830 off: New Snapdragon X2 Elite laptops, 2-in-1s, more

Best Buy has launched a 4th of July event featuring significant discounts on various tech products, including Apple devices, Android smartphones, televisions, and Windows laptops and desktops. The sale includes new laptop deals starting at .99, with notable models like the HP OmniBook X 16-inch 2K OLED touchscreen Copilot+ PC priced at ,099.99 (regularly ,450). Key features of the HP OmniBook X include a Snapdragon X2 Elite processor, a 16-inch 2K OLED touchscreen, 24GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and Windows 11 Home. Other highlighted products include Dell and Acer laptops with various specifications and price reductions.

Winsage

June 30, 2026

Set up a new workstation with these All-in-One Windows Copilot+ PC deals up to $400 off at Best Buy

Best Buy is offering discounts on all-in-one (AIO) PCs, including models with Intel's Core 300-series processors. Notable deals include: - HP OmniStudio 27-inch FHD Touchscreen AIO PC with Ryzen AI 7 445, 16GB RAM, 1TB storage for ,219.99 (Reg. ,620) - HP OmniStudio X 27-inch QHD AIO with Core Ultra 7 356H, 16GB RAM, 1TB storage for ,520 (Reg. ,920) - HP OmniStudio X 27-inch 4K UHD AIO with Core Ultra 7, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD for ,300 (Reg. ,550) - Dell 27-inch 2K IPS touchscreen AIO with Core Ultra 7 3 355, 16GB RAM, 1TB storage for ,450 (Reg. ,660) - Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 27-inch 2K IPS LCD touchscreen with Core Ultra 7 355, 16GB RAM, 1TB storage for ,460 (Reg. ,700) - HP OmniStudio X 27-inch QHD AIO with Core Ultra 5 325, 16GB RAM, 512GB for ,100 (Reg. ,390) The HP OmniStudio AIO PC is available for ,219.99, down from ,620, featuring a 27-inch Full HD touchscreen, AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 processor, 16GB RAM, and 1TB storage. It includes Copilot+ support and AMD Radeon 840M integrated graphics.

Winsage

June 27, 2026

I refuse to upgrade to Windows 11, here’s what I’m doing instead

An old PC's motherboard has recently marked a decade of service, and while it performs well for web browsing and media streaming, the end of support for Windows 10 is approaching in October. Microsoft encourages users to upgrade to a new Copilot+ PC. The user contemplates several options: continuing to use the PC after the end-of-life date, switching to a Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) version of Windows, or attempting to install Windows 11. The user expresses dissatisfaction with Windows 11, feeling it lacks essential features and customization options. They also find staying with Windows 10 impractical due to the eventual phasing out of support. The user identifies Linux Mint as a compelling alternative, having found it compatible and customizable, and expresses hope that other Windows 10 users will consider transitioning to Linux Mint as well.

Winsage

June 25, 2026

Microsoft admits 8GB RAM is fine for Windows 11, after years of pushing 16GB as the baseline

Microsoft has revised its Surface buying guide, now recommending 8GB of RAM for everyday tasks, while stating that 16GB or more is necessary for fully utilizing Copilot+ PC features. Previously, Microsoft had advocated for 16GB as the minimum for a satisfactory Windows 11 experience. Earlier this year, Microsoft suggested 32GB of RAM for serious gamers but retracted this recommendation due to backlash over costs. The introduction of Apple's MacBook Neo with 8GB of RAM at an attractive price has influenced Microsoft's stance, leading to the launch of Surface devices with 8GB of RAM. The buying guide promotes 8GB for everyday tasks, while an AI store assistant suggests 16GB for a "future-proof" laptop. Historically, Windows 10 had a minimum RAM requirement of 2GB, with 4GB recommended for optimal performance, but Windows 11 has increased these requirements. Microsoft's investments in AI infrastructure have contributed to a RAM shortage. The Copilot+ PC branding aimed for a new hardware tier but has not met expectations. The introduction of the MacBook Neo has prompted reactions from PC manufacturers, and concerns exist about the optimization of Windows 11 on ARM architecture.

AppWizard

June 19, 2026

Friday’s Android app deals and freebies: Hyper Light Drifter, Flame Keeper, Dungeon Defense, more

An array of Android game and app deals is currently available, featuring titles such as Hyper Light Drifter – S.E., Flame Keeper, Dungeon Defense, To the Moon, Backflip Madness 2, and Graffiti Simulator. Early Prime Day offers include discounts of up to 36% on TCL NXTPAPER Android tablets and a notable discount on Lenovo’s new 2026 Yoga 7a 2-in-1 touchscreen OLED Copilot+ PC. Amazon has also launched early Prime Day device deals starting at low prices.

Winsage

June 14, 2026

What’s New With Windows 11 in 2026

Windows 11, introduced by Microsoft in 2021, has evolved into a simpler and more attractive platform while retaining familiarity. As of 2026, it continues to enhance features and address customer feedback. Microsoft now releases a new version of Windows 11 annually, with each version supported for two years for Home and Pro editions. Currently, versions 24H2 and 25H2 are supported and functionally identical, while the new 26H1 version is for laptops with Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 processors. The hardware requirements have become more lenient, and Microsoft has introduced a Copilot+ PC brand for high-end machines with advanced microprocessors. Updates have been revamped for a more predictable experience, and users can manage updates through new options. The user interface has been refined with a modern aesthetic, including Light and Dark modes, centered Taskbar icons, and an evolved Start menu. Windows 11 supports multitasking with familiar tools like Alt + Tab and enhanced Snap features. File Explorer has been updated with a modern interface and integration with OneDrive. The Microsoft Store has been redesigned for a broader selection of apps, and Microsoft Edge is bundled with Windows 11, although it has faced criticism for overriding user preferences. Windows 11 includes preloaded apps leveraging AI, such as Microsoft Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot, along with updated core applications. It supports gaming with a dedicated Xbox app and Game Pass subscriptions, and simplifies user account management with robust security features like Windows Hello. For power users, it offers a modern Terminal app and advanced configuration options in the Settings app.

Winsage

June 11, 2026

Microsoft is killing the Copilot+ PC advantage, brings Windows 11’s local AI to RTX 30+ PCs with 6GB vRAM

Microsoft has made its local Language Model APIs for Windows 11 accessible on non-Copilot+ PCs, requiring an NVIDIA RTX 30 series GPU with at least 6GB of VRAM. Copilot+ PCs, which debuted on June 18, 2024, require 16GB of RAM, an SSD, and a minimum of 40 TOPS NPU. The new APIs allow broader access to AI functionalities, including AI-powered text formatting, summarization, text rewriting, text-to-table conversion, and general prompt generation, through a compact language model called "Phi Silica." Users with compatible NVIDIA GPUs can utilize these features locally, enhancing privacy compared to cloud-based models. However, some features remain exclusive to devices with NPU chips.

Winsage

June 9, 2026

Hybrid AI Agents, Orchestration, and the Real Reason Microsoft is Fixing Windows 11 ⭐

Over the past weekend, the author reviewed session videos from Build 2026, focusing on Windows 11. The sessions were categorized into three areas: Windows app development, developer productivity, and agentic AI. The introduction of hybrid agents, which combine local AI sub-agents, was a notable development. Microsoft's partnership with Qualcomm led to the launch of Windows 10 on Arm-based PCs branded as Always Connected PCs, which evolved into Copilot+ PCs with Nuvia-powered chips for Windows 11. The Copilot+ PCs emphasize on-device AI experiences through powerful neural processing units (NPUs). The introduction of second-generation Snapdragon X2-based PCs is underway, although adoption is slower than expected. Microsoft confirmed that Windows 11 will integrate AI agents, including local AI agents and hybrid agents. The capabilities of local AI models are being enhanced, and Windows AI APIs will now support CPUs and GPUs. New Nvidia chipsets will enable large language models to run locally on PCs. The orchestration of local and cloud AI components is essential for efficient AI workload management. Microsoft is addressing user pain points to support a robust local foundation for hybrid AI, aiming to improve Windows 11 overall.

BetaBeacon

June 8, 2026

Monday’s Android app deals and freebies: House of Da Vinci 3, AVARIS3, Roundguard, Mindcop, more

The House of Da Vinci 3 is priced at , down from its regular price of .