Category: Microsoft

Microsoft 365 is available in free and paid versions, so we’ve explored the differences and discovered which could be the best option for you

(Image credit: Claudio Scott / Pixabay)

Microsoft365 is available in lots of different guises for home and business users, but these productivity packages can get expensive – so it’s no surprise that lots of people turn to Microsoft 365’s free version instead.

There are usually compromises when it comes to free versions of paid apps, though. That means it can be difficult to know if these versions are worth the download or if you should just stump up the cash for a paid version instead.

To stave off the confusion, we’ve weighed up the free and paid versions of Microsoft 365 to find out exactly what you get with the free app – and to see how the paid products go further.

Microsoft 365 free: what’s included?

Microsoft 365 offers a free version designed for users who need basic functionality without the cost. This version, accessible online via Office.com, allows individuals to utilize stripped-down editions of popular applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote directly from their web browsers. These basic features are sufficient for light document creation, spreadsheet management, and presentations, making it an excellent option for occasional users or those with simple needs. Microsoft 365 provides a free version designed for users who need basic functionality without any cost. This version is accessible online via Office.com and allows individuals to use simplified editions of popular applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote directly from their web browsers. These basic features are adequate for light document creation, spreadsheet management, and presentations, making it a great option for occasional users or those with simple needs.

In addition to the free version, Microsoft offers a 30-day free trial of the entire Microsoft 365 suite. This trial enables users to explore the full range of premium applications and services, which include advanced features like real-time collaboration in Word, Power BI for data analysis, and sophisticated design tools in PowerPoint. During the trial, users can also take advantage of extensive cloud storage provided by OneDrive, allowing them to access files from any internet-enabled device.

Furthermore, Microsoft 365 Education is free for students and educators, subject to eligibility verification through participating educational institutions. This version includes additional tools designed for learning, such as Microsoft Teams for classroom collaboration and Intune for Education to manage devices securely. By utilizing these resources, educators can create a more interactive and engaging learning environment, while students gain exposure to essential software that can support their academic and future professional endeavors.

In addition to the free version, Microsoft offers a 30-day free trial of the entire Microsoft 365 suite. This trial allows users to experience the full range of premium applications and services, including advanced features such as real-time collaboration in Word, Power BI for data analysis, and sophisticated design tools in PowerPoint. During the trial, users can also explore the extensive cloud storage offered through OneDrive, which enhances productivity by enabling file access from any device with internet connectivity.

Moreover, Microsoft 365 Education is free to students and educators, subject to eligibility verification through participating educational institutions. This version offers access to additional tools tailored for learning, such as Microsoft Teams for classroom collaboration and Intune for Education to manage devices securely. By leveraging these resources, educators can create a more interactive and engaging learning environment, while students gain exposure to essential software that can support their academic and future professional endeavors.

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Microsoft 365: should you pay?

Whether to pay for Microsoft 365 depends on your needs, usage habits, and specific requirements.

A paid subscription may be worthwhile if you require regular access to the complete suite of desktop applications—such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. These desktop applications offer advanced features, extensive formatting options, and greater functionality than their online counterparts. Additionally, a subscription includes services like OneDrive, which provides cloud storage for your files, allowing you to access them from any device and collaborate seamlessly.

On the other hand, if your needs are more basic, and you primarily use the online versions of these applications for simple tasks like drafting documents, creating spreadsheets, or making presentations, the free version of Microsoft 365 might be sufficient. The online applications are user-friendly and accessible, though they may lack some advanced features in the paid version.

It’s also important to consider your budget. Subscriptions can range in price depending on your chosen plan, so reflect on whether this cost aligns with your financial goals. Furthermore, think about how frequently you will use the software. If you only need it occasionally, a pay-as-you-go approach or sticking with free alternatives could be a more economical choice. Ultimately, evaluating these factors will help you make an informed decision that best suits your needs.

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Microsoft 365: business versions

Microsoft 365 provides a comprehensive suite of business plans tailored to address the diverse needs of organizations of all sizes. These plans typically include essential productivity applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, serving as the backbone for daily operations. In addition to these core tools, Microsoft 365 enhances business functionality with features like business-class email, which includes custom domain names and advanced calendar sharing, facilitating professional communication.

One of the standout offerings is OneDrive, which provides secure online storage and file-sharing capabilities. This empowers teams to access documents from anywhere, collaborate in real time, and ensure data safety with automated backup features. Complementing these tools is Microsoft Teams, a versatile platform that fosters seamless collaboration through chat, video conferencing, and integrated file sharing, making remote work and communication efficient.

Moreover, organizations can use advanced security features to safeguard sensitive data from threats, depending on the selected plan. Features like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), advanced threat protection, and data loss prevention help businesses protect their information and maintain compliance with industry regulations.

Specialized applications, such as Access for database management and Publisher for professional-quality publications, are also available for those requiring tailored solutions. With varying tiers, businesses can select a plan that best suits their size, budget, and specific requirements, ensuring they have the tools to boost productivity, enhance collaboration, and maintain a competitive edge in their industry.

Microsoft 365 represents a versatile and scalable solution for modern businesses, ensuring organizations can thrive in a digital workspace.

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Microsoft 365 paid and free versions: what should you use?

When deciding between the paid and free versions of Microsoft 365, it’s essential to evaluate your specific needs and how you plan to use the software.

If your primary focus is on basic document editing and you primarily access Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for quick tasks, the free version available at Office.com may be all you require. This option provides online access to essential features, making it convenient for casual users or those who need to create and edit documents occasionally. The free version is ideal if you don’t need advanced functionalities, offline access, or extensive cloud storage.

However, if your work demands a more robust suite of tools, the paid Microsoft 365 subscription may be a better fit. The paid version offers the full desktop applications, ensuring you have access to the complete range of features, including advanced editing tools, formatting options, and powerful data analysis capabilities in Excel. Additionally, it includes business-class email through Outlook, making it suitable for professionals who need reliable communications.

One of the significant advantages of a paid subscription is the increased cloud storage via OneDrive, allowing you to store, share, and collaborate on documents seamlessly. Moreover, features like Microsoft Teams facilitate effective communication and teamwork, especially for those working in larger organizations or on group projects.

Consider your usage patterns, the complexity of your projects, and whether you often require offline access to documents when weighing your options. For instance, frequent travelers or remote workers might find offline functionality crucial, which is only available with a paid subscription.

In summary, the free version is fantastic for casual users or students, while the paid plans cater to professionals, business users, and anyone who requires a comprehensive suite of productivity tools. Make your choice based on how frequently you’ll use the software and the level of functionality that best suits your needs.

Older Intel CPUs are still supported with 24H2, despite some reports claiming otherwise

• Some reports mistakenly claimed Windows 11 24H2 has dropped support for Intel 8th, 9th, and 10th-gen CPUs
• Microsoft has made it clear this isn’t the case
• The confusion arose due to a support document which is correct, but aimed at PC makers, so it only applies to new, not existing, Windows 11 systems

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Windows 11hasn’t dropped support for some olderIntelprocessors with its latest incarnation, the (rather problematic) 24H2 update, despite some reports that are floating around claiming this is the case.

Windows Latestbrings this clarification, complete with word fromMicrosoftthat these older Intel 8th, 9th, and 10th-generation processors are still fully compatible with Windows 11 24H2, and nothing has changed in that respect.

So where did this errant idea originate? It came from an official list of supported CPUs for Windows 11, which was indeed very recently updated for the 24H2 release, whereupon the mentioned Intel chips were removed.

However, the key point is that this is a support document that lists processors that are okay to use for laptop and PC manufacturers in their new Windows 11 devices. The text clearly states: “OEMs [PC makers] may use the following CPUs for new Windows 11 devices.”

There’s a clear difference between CPUs recommended to go in new Windows 11 PCs, and chips that are inexisting PCs which are supported by Windows 11. Something has changed in the former case – those mentioned Intel processors are now considered too out of date to be included with a new machine packing 24H2 (even though they’re still technically okay) – but nothing has changed in the latter case with existing devices.

In short, you’ll be fine to upgrade to Windows 11 24H2 if you’re using an Intel 8th, 9th, or 10th-gen chip, there’s no need to worry on that score.

Windows Latest received a clarification direct from Microsoft with a statement that the “requirements haven’t changed” for Windows 11 24H2, and indeed they haven’t been modified since the OS was first released.

In a separate support article elsewhere on the Windows Hardware Development portal, regarding the CPU requirements for Windows 11 which are provided, Microsoft also notes: “Changes to the processors listed do not indicate or impact a customer’s existing Windows support and are intended for OEMs to determine processors which may be used in new Windows devices.”

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(Image credit: Shutterstock)

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Analysis: It’s easy to see where confusion crept in

That clears up the matter definitively, then. That said, there is something of an oddity in that theWindows 11 system requirements page– the official effort for consumers – links across to a ‘list of approved CPUs’ which is the aforementioned recommendations for OEMs, not consumers.

So, Microsoft could do with tidying up its support literature here, as it’s easy to see how someone might become confused. If you don’t read the full text of the article, you won’t spot the reference to OEMs (and who reads everything these days?).

What are you supposed to do, then, as a consumer wondering about the exact CPU requirements for Windows 11? Well, Microsoft evidently doesn’t want you poring over any lists of supported processors, and instead recommends you run thePC Health Check app– which admittedly is an easy and hassle-free way to see if your computer does indeed support Windows 11. (Also checking for every possible requirement, not just the processor).

I’d still recommend Microsoft cleans up the mentioned support documentation, though, to ensure that any possible confusion is kept to a minimum, because clearly, as this episode illustrates, there’s some room for befuddlement.

The AI assistant’s speech goes globe-trotting

(Image credit: Microsoft)

• Microsoft’s Copilot Voice has been upgraded with 40 new languages
• The AI has also improved its real-time responses
• Microsoft wants to encourage people to engage with Copilot in their everyday lives

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MicrosoftCopilot Voice has become a lot more cosmopolitan. The AI assistant has added support for 40 new languages and improved its real-time responses in a bid to make conversations feel more natural and comfortable for users.

Copilot Voice debuted in October, adding a vocal component to the AI, but with more power than the previous standard form of voice assistant. It can handle multi-turn conversations, recognize interruptions, and even adjust its tone based on emotional cues. It’s also free, which is a pretty big selling point in a world where AI subscriptions are becoming the norm.OpenAIhas Advanced Voice Mode forChatGPT, whileGoogle’s Gemini Liveoffers its vocal interface.

The expanded language support is a big deal, especially for users outside of English-speaking markets. Whether you’re switching between languages or simply want an assistant who understands your native tongue better, this is a welcome change. This also points to Microsoft’s strategy for making Copilot more of an international AI assistant through the Voice feature.

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Speedy speech

https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=TechRadar&dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1890083543889465437&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.techradar.com%2Fcomputing%2Fartificial-intelligence%2Fyou-can-now-talk-to-microsoft-copilot-voice-in-40-more-languages&sessionId=85ae7a824ee0eaa3efb53ae4c594f6995c854414&siteScreenName=TechRadar&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px

In general, Copilot supports the following languages for prompts:

• Arabic
• Bulgarian
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Croatian
• Catalan
• Czech
• Danish
• Dutch
• English (United Kingdom)
• English (United States)
• Estonian
• Finnish
• French (France)
• French (Canada)
• German
• Greek
• Hebrew
• Hungarian
• Indonesian
• Italian

• Japanese
• Korean
• Latvian
• Lithuanian
• Norwegian (Bokmål)
• Polish
• Portuguese (Brazil)
• Portuguese (Portugal)
• Romanian
• Russian
• Serbian – Latin script
• Slovak
• Slovenian
• Spanish
• Spanish (Mexico)
• Swedish
• Thai
• Turkish
• Ukrainian
• Vietnamese
• Welsh

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Another key improvement is in real-time information retrieval. Voice assistants have always had a slight lag when pulling information from the web, often leaving users waiting while the AI “thinks.” With this update, Copilot Voice is now much faster and more responsive when answering questions, making interactions feel smoother and more natural. No more awkward pauses while you wait for an answer to a simple question.

The update also highlights Microsoft’s efforts to enhance Copilot’s place as a digital assistant, not just a glorified search engine. Copilot Voice might succeed after the failure of Cortana as Microsoft’s AI voice assistant. The gap between what people expect from an AI assistant and what they actually get is closing, and voice AI tools will likely be a major facet.

New choice for Copilot app is currently in testing

(Image credit: Microsoft)

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• Windows 11’s Copilot app has a new feature in testing
• It offers the ability to ‘auto start on login’ for the app
• This could be a handy timesaver for those who use Copilot regularly

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Windows 11has an incoming change for the Copilot app whereby it can be set to automatically load in the background when you start your PC.

PhantomOfEarth, who regularly posts bits and pieces of Windows-related observations and rumors on X, noticed the development.

As shown in the above post, there’s a new ‘auto start on login’ choice in the Settings for the Copilot app, which when enabled does just that – it automatically starts Copilot (in the background) when your system is fired up.

Right now, the option is still in testing (in version 1.25014.121.0 of the app), but providing there’s no pushback or problems, it should go live for all Windows 11 users before too long.

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(Image credit: Microsoft)

Analysis: The stumbling journey of the Copilot assistant

You might be thinking ‘who cares’ when it comes to this additional feature for Copilot, and that’s a fair enough point. I don’t imagine usage of the Copilot app is all that widespread, and indeed, I’d be surprised if it wasn’t a niche feature in Windows 11 – but for those people who do make use of the AI, this is still a handy little extra touch.

What it means is that they can invoke the Copilot app with the Alt+Space keyboard shortcut (assuming that’s also enabled), without having to wait for it to load up the first time this action is taken in a new computing session. (Because it will have already loaded up already, in the background).

The good news is that the option isn’t on by default, so Copilot isn’t being forcefully pushed into the background of everybody’s Windows 11 installation. You can either use this option, or just feel free to ignore it.

All in all, it’s a relatively minor change, and as with anything to do with Copilot, I’m waiting forMicrosoftto justify its existence in a more convincing manner. There were some big promises of an AI that could make sweeping system-wide changes based on simple requests back at the launch of the Copilot assistant on the desktop. However, all that appears to have been, well,swept under the carpetas time passed by, and Copilot was decoupled from the internals of Windows andmade a standalone app.

Maybe Copilot will be realized in this form eventually, but I can’t help but think that this destination feels a long, long, way off, given how things have progressed – or rather haven’t – with the desktop assistant thus far.

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ViaWindows Latest

Fixes for audio glitches, Auto HDR weirdness affecting PC gamers, and more

(Image credit: Getty Images)

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• Windows 11’s February 2025 cumulative update has arrived
• It packs a host of cures including the resolution of an Auto HDR bug that was messing up colors and causing games to crash
• Important audio fixes are also present, and the cure for a nasty problem with webcams

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Windows 11has a new cumulative update, and it brings forth some important fixes for bugs that have been annoying a good many people.

Bleeping Computerspotted the release notes for the February 2025 update for Windows 11 which emerged yesterday and should be available on PCs now. This is patch KB5051987 for Windows 11 24H2, but if you’re still on 23H2, it’s KB5051989.

The update cures one of the (many) bugs that gamers have found seriously frustrating, whereby colors are messed up by theAuto HDRfeature. This has now been resolved, as have thecrashes in games that were being reporteddue to this issue, as well.

Another major fix here is for the bug that killed the audio output of those using an audio DAC (digital-to-analog converter) with their PC, although this affected other users too (you were just more likely to run into the problem if you use a DAC).

DAC or no DAC (I feel a gameshow idea coming on), the bug has been squashed with the new update, as has another audio glitch which caused a ‘This device cannot start’ error to appear (though that was a less common problem, and not one I’ve heard of before).

Finally, remember theissues with USB webcams where they weren’t being detected properly? You can kiss goodbye to those camera woes, too, asMicrosofttells us that this bug (caused by the previous January 2025 cumulative update) is now a thing of the past.

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Analysis: Fixing the holes where the bugs get in…

You may recall that the AutoHDRfix arrived in the preview update for January (an optional affair at the end of last month), so the good news is that it hasn’t caused any problems in the final testing stages, and so can now be applied to Windows 11 PCs across the board.

Furthermore, it’s worth noting that the compatibility hold which was put on PCs that would’ve been affected by this bug has now been lifted, so if your computer was prevented from grabbing 24H2 due to this gremlin, you should be able to get the big update soon.

Whether you’ll want to make that leap yet is another question, of course, as 24H2 has proved quite problematic in terms ofvarious bugs manifesting since its launch.

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Hopefully we’re over the worst of all that, though, and as we can see here, Microsoft is now working at a fair old pace to resolve the miscellaneous glitches that have affected Windows 11 users who’ve moved to the latest version (which is now underway with a wider rollout).

Windows 11 or bust at this point

(Image credit: Microsoft)

The clock is ticking on Windows 10 as the decade old operating system will lose official Microsoft support in October. A decade is a long time, and in the last 10 years Microsoft has garnered a huge install base that will shortly need to move over to the successor; Windows 11.

With that in mind, here’s need to know about moving over to Windows 11 and what the end of Windows 10 means for your computer.

When does Windows 10 support end?

Windows 10 has been offered in several editions — Education, Enterprise, Home, Pro and Workstation — and all of those will stop getting official Microsoft support on October 14, 2025.

Starting on that date, PCs running Windows 10 will not receive security fixes via Windows Update. To extend that you’ll need to pay Microsoft for an Extended Security Updates (ESU) subscription. Without it, future security flaws will not be patched, making them potentially vulnerable to attacks.

That ESU purchase will only get you a year of support though. Businesses and education systems get to add three years of support, as corporations likely don’t want the hassle of transitioning after investing in the Windows 10 ecosystem.

One version of Windows 10 gets an exception to all of this, though. Anyone running Windows 10 Enterprise Long Term Servicing. There have been four editions since 2015 with the 2015 one ending support on October 14.

The 2016 version ends in 2026 and the 2019 edition, redubbed Long Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) will stop on January 9, 2029. Strangely, the LTSC 2021 edition only has a five-year cycle meaning it stops getting support on January 12, 2027.

Beyond that, if you insist on Windows 10, your PC will continue to run as normal, just a little more vulnerable.

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Will Windows 10 support truly end?

Unlike Windows XP, which received support until well after it ended support in 2014 or Windows 7 which still got some security updates up to 2021, Windows 10 may not got that kind of support.

Of course, the Microsoft End of Support page highly recommends an upgrade:

“Once a product reaches the end of support, or a service retires, there will be no new security updates, non-security updates, or assisted support. Customers are encouraged to migrate to the latest version of the product or service. Paid programs may be available for applicable products.”

The difference between Windows 10 and its predecessors is that users of older version had the option to upgrade.

However, transitioning from 10 to 11 may be more difficult.

Windows 11 has a more restrictive hardware requirement as even more recent PCs might not have the required Trusted Platform Module that Windows 11 claims is necessary.

You canrun Windows 11 on unsupported PCs, and Microsoft even has official instructions on how to do so via some technical loopholes and ominous warnings that updates aren’t guaranteed.

Based on Microsoft messaging, it does not appear that Windows 10 will get the same post-life support that XP and Windows 7 received.

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What are your options

Simply, there are five options available to you right now.

• Buy a new Windows 11 PC
  • The obvious one is to upgrade to a new PC, something that not everyone will have the money or will to do.
• Upgrade your operating system
  • If your PC supports it, transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11 before support ends
• Install Windows 11 on an unsupported PC
  • It’s doable, though Microsoft warns that there may be malfunctions
• Keep chugging along on Windows 10
  • Maybe your computer is more vulnerable to attack but Windows 10 won’t stop working any time soon.
• Install a non-Windows OS
  • Linux is out there, waiting for the curious. And there are other bootstrap systems you can try like ChromeOS Flex.

We’ll help you decide which Surface Laptop 7 to pick up

The first Copilot+ PC was theMicrosoft SurfaceLaptop 7, alongside the Surface Pro 11. Equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chipset, the Surface Laptop 7 was the first Windows laptop in a while to have a battery life worth bragging aboutandimpressively zippy performance.

Unfortunately, the Qualcomm-based Copilot+ PC wasn’t without issues. In ourSurface Laptop 7 review, we noted the display wasn’t as colorful as we’d like and a shallow keyboard that didn’t lend well to a positive typing experience.

Many Surface Laptop 7 users also noted issues with native app compatibility for Windows on Arm. Although this has improved since launch, it’s still an issue for Snapdragon-powered PCs today. It’s also a major reason some users are considering buying one ofMicrosoft’s new Intel-based Surface Laptop 7machines instead.

This new Surface Laptop 7 model, powered by Intel’s Core Ultra Series 2 (Lunar Lake) chipset, will be available to purchase starting February 18, 2025. For those with specific Windows apps that are only natively compatible with x86, it may be worth waiting for the Intel-based Surface Laptop 7.

To help you decide on a laptop that will help you with everyday tasks for years, we’ll compare Intel—and Qualcomm-based Surface Laptop 7 devices side by side, scrutinizing promised performance, battery life, and more.

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Surface Laptop 7 Intel vs. Qualcomm: Specs compared

	Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, Intel	Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, Qualcomm
Price	$1,499 starting	$999 starting
Processor	Intel Core Ultra 5 236V, Intel Core Ultra 5 238V, Intel Core Ultra 7 266V, Intel Core Ultra 7268V	Qualcomm 12-core Snapdragon X Elite, Qualcomm 10-core Snapdragon X Plus
RAM	Up to 32GB	Up to 32GB
Storage	Up to 1TB	Up to 1TB
Display	13.8-inch (2304 x 1536) 120Hz touch display; 15-inch (2496 x 1664) 120Hz touch display	13.8-inch (2304 x 1536) 120Hz touch display; 15-inch (2496 x 1664) 120Hz touch display
Ports	Surface Connect port, 2x USB-C (4) ports, audio jack, USB-A 3.2	Surface Connect port, 2x USB-C (4) ports, audio jack, USB-A 3.1
Battery life	Up to 20/22 hours video playback; up to 12/14 hours active web usage	Up to 20/22 hours video playback; up to 13/15 hours active web usage
Dimensions	11.85 x 8.67 x 0.69 inches (13.8-inch); 12.96 x 9.41 x 0.72 inches (15-inch)	11.85 x 8.67 x 0.69 inches (13.8-inch); 12.96 x 9.41 x 0.72 inches (15-inch)
Weight	2.97 lbs (13.8-inch); 3.66 lbs (15-inch); 3.64 lbs (15-inch, w/ smart card reader)	2.96 lbs (13.8-inch); 3.67 lbs (15-inch)

Surface Laptop 7 Intel vs. Qualcomm: Price and availability

There’s quite a significant price difference between Intel and Qualcomm variants of the Surface Laptop 7.

The Qualcomm-based, 13.8-inch model starts at $999, while its larger 15-inch sibling starts at $1,299. Meanwhile, the Intel-based, 13.8-inch model starts at $1,499—a staggering $500 more than its Qualcomm-based opponent. Although Microsoft didn’t give a starting price for the larger 15-inch model, we’re assuming it’ll start at $1,799.

You can now buy aQualcomm Surface Laptop 7through Microsoft or other retailers. However, if you want anIntel Surface Laptop 7, you’ll have to wait until February 18 to receive it.

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Surface Laptop 7 Intel vs. Qualcomm: Display and design

By looking at them, it’ll be difficult — if not nearly impossible — to tell the difference between an Intel-based Surface Laptop 7 and a Qualcomm-based one.

Microsoft’s Intel-based Surface Laptop 7 models.(Image credit: Microsoft)

Both Surface Laptop 7 models feature a sleek, MacBook-inspired look with the Microsoft logo centered on the top cover and a thin, lightweight chassis. They even come equipped with the same amount of ports, though the Intel-based Surface Laptop 7 is gaining a USB-A 3.2 port instead of the Qualcomm model’s USB-A 3.1 port.

Nothing new was said about the keyboard, so we expect the typing experience to be identical between Intel- and Qualcomm-powered Surface Laptop 7 iterations.

The top cover of Microsoft’s Qualcomm-based Surface Laptop 7.

Another identical component between both laptops are the display options. You’ll have a choice between a 13.8-inch (2304 x 1536) 120Hz touchscreen display and a 15-inch (2496 x 1664) 120Hz touchscreen display, whether you go with a processor from Qualcomm or Intel.

Surface Laptop 7 Intel vs. Qualcomm: Performance

Performance is one of the biggest categories in which these two laptops will differ, with one powered by Intel’s Core Ultra Series 2 (Lunar Lake) chip and the other powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite or X Plus chip.

Laptop‘sSurface Laptop 7 reviewunit featured a Snapdragon X Elite X1E80100 processor backed up by 32GB of RAM. When we ran the Geekbench 6 overall performance test, the laptop scored an impressive multi-core score of 14,426.

We haven’t been able to test one of Microsoft’s new Intel-based, 7th-gen Surface Laptops yet, so we don’t have our own Geekbench 6 scores to compare. However, We tested an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor in a Dell XPS 13 and an Intel Core Ultra 9 288V processor in an Asus Zenbook S 14 and received multi-core scores of 11,033 and 11,125, respectively.

It’s not clear whether these laptops were equipped with 16GB or 32GB of RAM, which could make a difference in multi-core scores. That said, based on our limited knowledge so far, it looks like Qualcomm has a leg up over Intel regarding raw performance power.

Surface Laptop 7 Intel vs. Qualcomm: Battery life

According to Microsoft, the 15-inch, Snapdragon X Elite-powered Surface Laptop 7 features up to 22 hours of battery life for video playback. The smaller 13.8-inch model can last up to 20 hours.Specs for Intel-powered Surface Laptop 7models suggest similar video playback estimates.

According to battery life estimates directly from Microsoft based on “active web usage,” theIntel-powered Surface Laptop 7can last up to 12 hours on the 13.8-inch model and up to 14 hours on the 15-inch model. Alternatively, theQualcomm-powered Surface Laptop 7can last up to 13 hours on the smaller model and up to 15 hours on the larger model.

In ourSurface Laptop 7 review, the laptop lasted 15 hours and 44 minutes on theLaptop Magbattery test, which involves continuous surfing through web pages over Wi-Fi at 150 nits of brightness.

For comparison, We ran a battery test on the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V chip in a Dell XPS 13, which lasted 17 hours and 29 minutes. These aren’t identical laptops, and processors behave differently within unique configurations. However, this helps us know what battery life with Intel’s new Lunar Lake chips could be like before we get our hands on one to test.

Surface Laptop 7 Intel vs. Qualcomm: App compatibility

We’ve come a long way since the first Copilot+ PC launched in July 2024 when it comes to app compatibility on devices running Windows on Arm.

According toresearch from Microsoft, 90% of the time people spend on Copilot+ PCs — which at the time were solely powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips — is spent in “native experiences including popular apps likeChrome, Zoom, Brave, Photoshop, Opera, Slack, Spotify, Private Internet Access, Surfshark, Windscribe, OpenVPN, and many others.”

TechRadarhas a massive list of apps supported natively through Windows on Arm, butSteamis the only one absent. So far, Valve hasn’t created a native Steam app for Windows on Arm, and there’s no telling when it’ll be available or if it’s even in the works. Currently, there are emulation workaround solutions, but gaming on a laptop running Windows on Arm is more complicated than on an x86-based laptop.

With growing native app compatibility, there’s a good chance this won’t be a deciding factor for much longer when buying an x86-based, Intel-powered laptop vs. a Windows on Arm, Qualcomm-based laptop.

But for now, I’d suggest listing all the apps you typically use regularly and confirming whether they have native app support for Windows on Arm before you buy.

Surface Laptop 7 Intel vs. Qualcomm: Outlook

Ultimately, the battle between an Intel-powered and a Qualcomm-powered Surface Laptop 7 is an extremely close one. Both processors are powerful enough to qualify the laptop as a Copilot+ PC under Microsoft’s guidelines, and they’ll both feature better battery life than we’ve seen in years from Windows laptops.

Until we get our hands on a Surface Laptop 7 with a new Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processor, we can’t definitively declare a winner or say whether one laptop will be better for most people. However, based on battery life and performance estimates we’ve seen thus far, the Snapdragon X Elite-powered variants seem to have a slight leg up over Intel models.

The only area where Intel wins out over Qualcomm right now is in regards to native app compatibility, and Qualcomm is quickly catching up. And a year or two from now, nearly all the apps people use on a regular basis could have native Windows on Arm versions.

Windows 11 Start menu tweaks give users in Europe more search control

(Image credit: Getty Images)

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• Microsoft is modifying Windows 11 search in the EEA to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act
• Start Menu search now separates local on-device results from web results, which remain powered by Bing
• Other DMA-driven changes include uninstalling Edge and disabling Bing search, but only for EEA users

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Microsoftis tweakingWindows 11’s search feature in the Start menu for users in the European Economic Area (EEA) to comply with new EU rules (specifically the Digital Markets Act, or DMA). Normally, when you search in the Start menu,Windows 11shows results from both your computer and the internet (usingMicrosoft’s search engine,Bing). But now, it looks like Microsoft will make those search results more obviously separate.

MSPowerUser reportsthat the change can be seen in a new Windows 11 Insider Preview Build, build number 27764. One Windows Insider and X poster @alex290292shared a screenshotshowing this new Start menu user interface (UI) with two sections in the search window; one labelled “Windows” and the other “Web search fromBing” (note that their Windows 11 language is set to German).

https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=TechRadar&dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1866954297369563644&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.techradar.com%2Fcomputing%2Fwindows%2Fwindows-11s-start-menu-search-gets-new-clearer-labels-as-microsoft-tries-to-avoid-eu-regulation-trouble&sessionId=775130652a4a6bb7fa18841643f9d99a92ad35df&siteScreenName=TechRadar&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px

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Windows 11’s search shake-up after a nudge from the EU

This change follows several other updates that give users more control over how they use Windows 11, including the introduction of custom web search providers’ results into Windows Search, and the ability to uninstall Microsoft Edge (the default web browser that comes preinstalled in Windows 11) from their device and disable Bing web search. These changes were also brought in to comply with the DMA, so while the EU isn’t letting up on its regulatory stance, Microsoft is playing ball for now.

The EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) is a set of rules designed to keep big tech companies from using their dominance to box out competition. Since Windows is hugely popular, Microsoft has to play fair and not use it as a way to force people into using its other services, like pushing Bing and Edge instead of letting users choose their own search engine or browser. That’s where the DMA steps in: to make sure companies like Microsoft don’t unfairly steer users toward their own products when they should be offering real choices.

Another intriguing change that we can expect to Windows 11’s Start menu soon is when you right-click on an app pinned there, you’ll see new ‘jump lists’ that pop up. As explained by MSPowerUser, a jump list is a flyout menu that provides quick access to recent files, folders, or tasks associated with an app by right-clicking its icon on the taskbar or Start menu.

Microsoft’s decision to separate Windows 11’s local and web search results might seem like a straightforward tweak, but it also highlights the company’s reluctance to make a simple change like this without being given a reason to by an external influence (in this case the EU). Integrating Bing tightly into Windows 11’s search features seems motivated by Microsoft’s business ambitions, namely wanting to direct more user traffic to Bing in the hopes of increasing user engagement with Microsoft services and getting higher ad revenues. Closing the gap with market leaderGoogleis also likely an ambition of Microsoft.

Separating Windows 11’s search results may be effectively disrupting these aims a little, but it’s in the interest of supporting greater user choice.

>>>G3HTA071H Battery for Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 1964

(Image credit: 123RF)

A welcome tidy-up (but only in Europe)

The fact that this update only applies to the EEA suggests that Microsoft isn’t keen on rolling it out more widely, likely because it would reduce the passive traffic Bing receives from Windows 11 users worldwide. From a user perspective, this change is a welcome improvement, particularly for those frustrated with how cluttered and inconsistent the Start menu search can feel.

The primary concern with the current setup is that it combines local and web results in a way that might not always serve users’ best interests.

Searching for a file or app on your PC, only to be met with a mix of content that’s actuallyonyour device and web suggestions (which often feel irrelevant) can be more distracting than helpful. By giving users a clearer distinction between on-device and online results, this change ensures that Windows Search serves its intended purpose, in particular finding what you need on your PC first, rather than acting as a disguised gateway to Microsoft’s services.

One theory is that it’s due to the Windows 11 24H2 update

(Image credit: 2p2play / Shutterstock / Microsoft)

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• Microsoft previously offered details on installing Windows 11 on an unsupported PC
• That workaround has been removed from the support document that hosted it
• This could be to do with the release of the 24H2 update, which is now widely rolling out

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Microsofthas just quietly removed information in its support documentation regarding installingWindows 11via a (not recommended) workaround, one that allowed the OS to be hosted on a PC that doesn’t meet the hardware requirements.

Specifically, this was a workaround for machines that aren’t up to speed for thesystem requirements of Windows 11in terms of having TPM 2.0, or not having a modern enough CPU. It involved tweaking the Registry of the OS in order to facilitate the installation.

TechSpotnoticed that Microsoft had made the change, linking to the new,altered support document, and also providing a link to the Internet Archive Wayback Machine’s captured version of theold document.

As you can see if you compare the two, the instructions for ducking around the TPM 2.0 or CPU requirements are provided with the old doc in the box labeled ‘warning’ which makes it clear that there are risks involved with both installing Windows 11 on an unsupported PC and modifying the Registry.

It appears that warnings aren’t enough, and Microsoft doesn’t want anyone at all using this fudge now, even at their own risk, given the change to the doc here.

>>>93HTA003H Battery for Microsoft 93HTA003H

Analysis: A decision prompted by Germanium?

Why has Microsoft made this change now, after leaving these workaround details in place for so long? Because as far as we are aware, this method still works.

One theory is that the recent release of Windows 11 24H2 may have changed the terrain that this workaround is built on, meaning that trying to dodge said system requirements could now be more problematic.

Remember, the platform that underpins Windows 11 was changed to an all-new affair with the 24H2 update, as Microsoft introduced Germanium. In short, that meant a lot of tweaks for the inner workings of theoperating systemthat can’t be seen, but are most definitely there (and needed forCopilot+ PCs). The changes may cause more potential problems with the above installation workaround (particularly given that one of Germanium’s main pillars is to bolster security, as well as performance).

So, perhaps the workaround is simply more likely to run into issues now, though we’ve not seen reports of this from Windows users to back up this idea (not yet, anyway). As already noted, we aren’t seeing any evidence that this method doesn’t actually work anymore.

Obviously, you can still view the instructions (via the Wayback Machine as noted), so if you want to make the move to Windows 11 on an unsupported PC, that can still be done (in theory). Indeed, we have a much morein-depth look at this process in a guide here, so if you’re serious about installing Windows 11 in this way, check that out.

In that guide, we still don’t recommend taking this course of action, due to the potential risks involved – which, if the above theorizing is correct, may be even more perilous now that Windows 11 24H2 is in town with Germanium in tow.

AsWindows 10’s End of Lifecomes ever closer, if you are still on the older OS due to not having a PC that supports Windows 11, then you need to start carefully examining your options. Clearly enough, Microsoft doesn’t think one of those choices should be to fudge Windows 11 on a PC with an old unsupported processor (or no TPM 2.0, or perhaps both).

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Whatever the case, it appears that the looming deadline forWindows 10support ending is making some people think about upgrading, andWindows 11 is suddenly becoming more popular. Expect more of that migration to come as 2025 rolls onwards.

One theory is that it’s due to the Windows 11 24H2 update

(Image credit: 2p2play / Shutterstock / Microsoft)

---

• Microsoft previously offered details on installing Windows 11 on an unsupported PC
• That workaround has been removed from the support document that hosted it
• This could be to do with the release of the 24H2 update, which is now widely rolling out

---

Microsofthas just quietly removed information in its support documentation regarding installingWindows 11via a (not recommended) workaround, one that allowed the OS to be hosted on a PC that doesn’t meet the hardware requirements.

Specifically, this was a workaround for machines that aren’t up to speed for thesystem requirements of Windows 11in terms of having TPM 2.0, or not having a modern enough CPU. It involved tweaking the Registry of the OS in order to facilitate the installation.

TechSpotnoticed that Microsoft had made the change, linking to the new,altered support document, and also providing a link to the Internet Archive Wayback Machine’s captured version of theold document.

As you can see if you compare the two, the instructions for ducking around the TPM 2.0 or CPU requirements are provided with the old doc in the box labeled ‘warning’ which makes it clear that there are risks involved with both installing Windows 11 on an unsupported PC and modifying the Registry.

It appears that warnings aren’t enough, and Microsoft doesn’t want anyone at all using this fudge now, even at their own risk, given the change to the doc here.

>>>93HTA003H Battery for Microsoft 93HTA003H

Analysis: A decision prompted by Germanium?

Why has Microsoft made this change now, after leaving these workaround details in place for so long? Because as far as we are aware, this method still works.

One theory is that the recent release of Windows 11 24H2 may have changed the terrain that this workaround is built on, meaning that trying to dodge said system requirements could now be more problematic.

Remember, the platform that underpins Windows 11 was changed to an all-new affair with the 24H2 update, as Microsoft introduced Germanium. In short, that meant a lot of tweaks for the inner workings of theoperating systemthat can’t be seen, but are most definitely there (and needed forCopilot+ PCs). The changes may cause more potential problems with the above installation workaround (particularly given that one of Germanium’s main pillars is to bolster security, as well as performance).

So, perhaps the workaround is simply more likely to run into issues now, though we’ve not seen reports of this from Windows users to back up this idea (not yet, anyway). As already noted, we aren’t seeing any evidence that this method doesn’t actually work anymore.

Obviously, you can still view the instructions (via the Wayback Machine as noted), so if you want to make the move to Windows 11 on an unsupported PC, that can still be done (in theory). Indeed, we have a much morein-depth look at this process in a guide here, so if you’re serious about installing Windows 11 in this way, check that out.

In that guide, we still don’t recommend taking this course of action, due to the potential risks involved – which, if the above theorizing is correct, may be even more perilous now that Windows 11 24H2 is in town with Germanium in tow.

AsWindows 10’s End of Lifecomes ever closer, if you are still on the older OS due to not having a PC that supports Windows 11, then you need to start carefully examining your options. Clearly enough, Microsoft doesn’t think one of those choices should be to fudge Windows 11 on a PC with an old unsupported processor (or no TPM 2.0, or perhaps both).

>>>G3HTA074H Battery for Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ Plus 1960

Whatever the case, it appears that the looming deadline forWindows 10support ending is making some people think about upgrading, andWindows 11 is suddenly becoming more popular. Expect more of that migration to come as 2025 rolls onwards.

The service will end on 28 February

(Image credit: SOPA Images / Getty Images)

Microsoft has announced plans to remove the free VPN feature from its Microsoft Defender app.

The VPN, and Defender app, is currently included in all Microsoft 365 Personal and Family plans at no additional cost, but will be removed on 28 February 2025.

The VPN certainly wasn’t challenging any of thebest VPNs, but it was a handy additional feature and better than no VPN protection at all.

Short lived

Microsoft’s VPN hasn’t been around for long, having only beenintroduced in August 2024, but the tech giant has seemingly decided it isn’t worth continuing and are diverting resources elsewhere – Copilot AI by the looks of it.

On one of itssupport pages, Microsoft said: “Our goal is to ensure you, and your family remain safer online. We routinely evaluate the usage and effectiveness of our features. As such, we are removing the privacy protection feature and will invest in new areas that will better align to customer needs.”

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It says no action is required by Windows, iOS, or macOS users to remove the VPN, but Android users will have to manually remove the feature if they no longer wish to see it. Not removing the feature won’t affect your device, or the remaining app protections, but the VPN will not be usable.

(Image credit: SOPA Images / Getty Images)

Other Microsoft 365 protection features will remain unaffected. These include personal information and credit monitoring, 24/7 identity theft support, and up to $1 million identity insurance coverage – services very similar toExpressVPN’sIdentity DefenderandCredit ScannerandNordVPN’sNordProtect.

The VPN’s removal comes asMicrosoft increases the price of 365 plans in the US by 45%. The prices of personal and family plans will increase by $3 a month or $30 for annual subscriptions.

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It appears as though the price hike is down to the inclusion of Copilot AI in the Microsoft 365 suite of apps. However users who don’t wish to access Copilot AI can opt to switch to the “basic plan” and won’t have to pay the increased subscription rate.