Microsoft Articles | Tom's Guide

Is Windows Defender good enough for my new laptop?

By Paul Wagenseil, Anthony Spadafora published 29 June 22

Microsoft’s Windows Defender antivirus software now ships with all Windows 10 and Windows 11 laptops. But is it good enough?

How to password protect folders on Windows

By Dale Fox published 29 June 22

If you want to keep prying eyes away from your private files, check out how to password protect folders on Windows.

Xbox Series X review

By Roland Moore-Colyer published 27 June 22

Editor's Choice

Our Xbox Series X review tells you why it's the ultimate Xbox you really should go out and buy.

How to check VRAM on Windows

By Dale Fox published 24 June 22

Knowing how to check VRAM on Windows will let you see how much memory your GPU has for tasks such as gaming or video editing.

Microsoft's Photos app gets a new look in Windows 11

How to open HEIC files on Windows

By Dale Fox published 23 June 22

If you have an iPhone or iPad, it's easy to open HEIC image files on a Windows PC. We show you how in this guide.

Microsoft Teams reportedly getting games — wait, is this a good idea?

By Tony Polanco published 16 June 22

Microsoft has begun testing casual games on Microsoft Teams. We're unsure if this will hurt or help productivity.

Internet Explorer dies today — what you need to know

By Malcolm McMillan published 15 June 22

Microsoft’s Internet Explorer browser retires at midnight on June 15, 2022 for most users.

A person looks inquisitively at one screen of a dual monitor configuration, representing an article about how to fix a second monitor not detected

How to fix a second monitor not detected on Windows

By Dale Fox published 10 June 22

If you're wondering how to fix your second monitor not being detected on Windows, our simple guide holds all the answers.

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 promo image on a blue background

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 looks like a good value — but it's not

By Tony Polanco published 2 June 22

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 doesn't offer substantial upgrades from its predecessor. If you're willing to pay a little more, you can find better alternatives.

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go on a table with Black Friday deal image superimposed

Memorial Day laptop deal: Surface Laptop Go just hit lowest price ever on Amazon

By Richard Priday published 30 May 22

Amazon is selling the best Surface Laptop Go model for its lowest ever price for Memorial Day - just watch out which color you pick.

Xbox Series S review

By Marshall Honorof published 23 May 22

The Xbox Series S has a lot to offer, with gorgeous graphics and an enormous game selection. But it’s not the most future-proof gadget you can buy.

The Windows 11 Start menu, demonstrating how to change the Windows 11 Start menu

How to change the Windows 11 Start menu back to Windows 10

By Peter Wolinski published 5 May 22

If it's now broke, unfix it. We can show you how to change the Windows 11 Start menu back to the Windows 10 or Windows 7 layouts

How to customize the Windows 11 Start menu

By Roland Moore-Colyer published 27 April 22

Don't like the redesigned Windows 11 interface? Here's how to customize the Windows 11 Start menu.

Hacker who hit Microsoft, Samsung and Nvidia could be this 16-year-old

By Paul Wagenseil published 24 March 22

A 16-year-old living with his mother near Oxford, England may be one of the leaders of the Lapsus$ hacker crew that has stolen data from Microsoft, Nvidia, Samsung, Ubisoft and other companies.

Microsoft confirms it was hacked — what does this mean for you?

By Paul Wagenseil published 23 March 22

Microsoft admitted that the Lapsus$ hacking crew broke into its systems and took source code, but insists that no real damage was done.

Microsoft may have been hacked — what this means for you

By Paul Wagenseil published 22 March 22

The Lapsus$ hacking crew said it had stolen 37 GB of source code from Microsoft, but it still wasn't clear if that claim was true or what the source code could be used for.

Microsoft is blocking these macros in Office to boost your PC security

By Paul Wagenseil published 16 February 22

Microsoft will soon make it harder for end users to enable macros in Office files downloaded from the internet, which should have a huge effect on computer security.

Look out — this Windows 11 installer is really malware

By Paul Wagenseil published 9 February 22

Watch out for websites offering Windows 11 installations, because they might just be harboring the notorious RedLine information-stealing malware.

Microsoft won't fix these serious Teams security flaws — what you need to know

By Paul Wagenseil published 23 December 21

Microsoft is reportedly declining to fix three serious flaws in its Teams collaboration software, one of which could send users to a phishing or malware site.

Microsoft patches dangerous 'zero-day' Windows flaws — what to do now

By Paul Wagenseil published 15 December 21

Microsoft patched a flaw that is being used to distribute very dangerous malware, along with 66 other vulnerabilities, in December's Patch Tuesday round of software updates.

Microsoft Surface Pro Black Friday deals

Surface Pro Black Friday deals 2021 — best sales live now

By Denise Primbet published 26 November 21

Here are the best Microsoft Surface Pro Black Friday deals and where you can save today.

A screenshot of Microsoft Excel running on a Mac.

Macs exposed to zero-day flaw after Microsoft Office update

By Paul Wagenseil published 9 November 21

Microsoft fixed a 'zero-day' flaw for Office that was already being exploited by hackers — but only on Windows, leaving Mac users vulnerable to attack.

Microsoft Surface Laptop SE on a pale orange background

Microsoft launching Windows 11 SE and $249 Surface Laptop SE to take on Chromebooks

By Alex Wawro published 9 November 21

Microsoft is launching a student-focused version of Windows 11, Windows 11 SE, alongside a $249 Surface laptop in a bid for some of the K-12 market currently cornered by Chromebooks.

Black Friday laptop deal slashes $150 off Surface Laptop Go

By Denise Primbet published 26 October 21

Best Buy has the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go on sale for $150 off its original price.

The Microsoft Surface Go 3 with keyboard, at an angle

Microsoft Surface Go 3 review

By Henry T. Casey published 12 October 21

The Microsoft Surface Go 3 is a step back from the Surface Go 2, as performance and battery issues with Microsoft's latest tablet are frustrating.

Microsoft announced the Surface Laptop Studio, Surface Duo 2, Surface Pro 8 and other devices at its Surface event 2021.

Microsoft Surface event recap: Surface Laptop Studio, Surface Pro 8, Surface Duo 2 and more

By Philip Michaels, Roland Moore-Colyer published 5 October 21

Microsoft's Surface event revealed new Windows 11 hardware debuting next month. We recap all the announcements.

Surface Pro 8 vs Surface Pro 7: How much better is it?

By Alex Wawro, Henry T. Casey published 5 October 21

Microsoft's new Surface Pro 8 offers meaningful improvements over its predecessor — so let's explore whether you should upgrade.

Windows 11 Start menu: Here’s everything that’s new

By Brian Westover published 4 October 21

Take a tour through the new Start Menu on Windows 11, with new features, a slick redesign and a new home on the taskbar.

A picture of a man working on two monitors

How to add a second monitor in Windows 10

By Denise Primbet published 28 September 21

We've prepared a step-by-step guide on how to add a second monitor in Windows 10.

Microsoft Surface Slim Pen 2 unveiled with new features to rival Apple Pencil

By Alex Wawro published 22 September 21

Microsoft's Surface Slim Pen 2 has been unveiled — here's how this Apple Pencil rival complements new Surface hardware.

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