Windows 11’s Bing-free Search is showing up on more PCs, and it shows Bing was slowing it down all along

windowslatest.com Oct 28, 2026

Windows 11’s Bing-free Search is showing up on more PCs, and it shows Bing was slowing it down all along

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 28, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Microsoft has begun expanding its Bing‑free Windows Search rollout, allowing users to disable web and Microsoft Store suggestions in the Start menu search bar. The feature, first introduced in August 2026, is now available to more PCs via a toggle in Settings → Privacy & security → Search under “Show suggested search results.” Turning off these options removes Bing‑related widgets, ads and external results, leaving only local files, apps and accounts‑based content, though OneDrive and Outlook data remain unless their account toggles are also disabled. The change improves response speed and relevance, and users can still select alternative regional search engines. The update is not yet universal, but enabling “Get the latest updates” may broaden its reach for users seeking a faster, cleaner experience.

💡 Why It Matters

· By stripping out Bing, Windows Search becomes a leaner, locally‑focused tool, directly addressing long‑standing complaints about sluggishness and unwanted online clutter.

Capsules Microsoft

Read full article on windowslatest.com

Why nobody is reviewing games on Xbox

Infinity Ward celebrates strong Metacritic scores for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4—89 on PlayStation and 86 on PC—but the Xbox Series X version lacks a Metascore, showing “tbd” after only two critic reviews. journalists explain the gap stems from Xbox’s cumbersome review process. Reviewers must provide their Xbox Live Device ID, wait for manual whitelisting, and receive codes later than on PC or PlayStation, where redemption is immediate. The extra steps clash with tight embargoes and Q4 release volume, prompting most outlets to cover the game on PC or Steam instead. Even Windows Central, which aims to test within Xbox, resorted to PC for its review. The article calls for Xbox to streamline access for press and creators across future launches.

💡 The arduous access routine keeps Xbox titles off major aggregate scores, distorting public perception of the platform’s flagship releases.

windowscentral.com · Oct 27

Microsoft clarifies Surface Laptop Ultra display specs following local dimming concerns

Microsoft confirmed that the Surface Laptop Ultra’s Mini‑LED panel does support local dimming, featuring 5,400 LEDs arranged in 1,344 dimming zones. The company clarified that the display’s ghosting and blooming are inherent to its lower zone count compared to competitors like the MacBook Pro. Users can optimize performance by disabling HDR, enabling “Change brightness based on content,” and selecting the “Enhanced” display profile. The clarification follows mixed reviews and online confusion over the laptop’s backlight technology.

💡 The update resolves a key consumer concern, ensuring buyers understand how to achieve the best visual experience on the Surface Laptop Ultra. It also highlights the trade‑offs Microsoft made in its display design, informing future purchasing decisions.

thehackernews.com · Oct 27

Microsoft Authenticator Flaw Let Permissionless Android Apps Steal Work Account Tokens

Microsoft fixed a flaw in its Android Authenticator app (CVE‑2026‑80097) that allowed a permissionless malicious app to masquerade as a trusted Microsoft app, such as Teams, and obtain sign‑in tokens for a victim’s work account. The vulnerability enabled full access to email, files, and calendar via Microsoft Graph tokens. The flaw required the victim to complete a sign‑in step in Authenticator and was not publicly exploited. Microsoft released the patch in version 6.2606.4246, urging all users to update.

💡 The breach exposes a critical identity‑broker weakness that could let attackers impersonate legitimate Microsoft services, undermining enterprise authentication security. Prompt updates are essential to prevent potential unauthorized access to corporate data.

windowscentral.com · Oct 27

Windows 11 gets yet another Microsoft 365 promotion

Sean Endicott, a seasoned journalist at Windows Central, specializes in Windows 11, Surface hardware, Microsoft 365, AI, and the broader Windows ecosystem. With a First Class degree in Broadcast Journalism from Nottingham Trent University, he has reported on Microsoft’s software and hardware developments since 2017, producing breaking news, analysis, and the weekly Windows Wrap column. Endicott also coaches youth American football in Nottingham, earning the 2024 BAFCA Youth Coach of the Year award.

💡 Endicott’s dual expertise in tech journalism and community coaching exemplifies how industry specialists can influence both digital innovation and local talent development.

windowscentral.com · Oct 27

I wanted Windows 11 to stop opening Bing for a speed test,…

Microsoft is rolling out a built‑in internet speed test for Windows 11 via the Quick Settings panel, replacing the previous shortcut that opened Bing’s speed‑test page in Edge. The preview, available on the Experimental channel with build 26340.9767, lets users measure download, upload and ping directly from Quick Settings, the Wi‑Fi or Cellular flyout, or by right‑clicking the network icon. Results appear within the OS interface, using the active connection. If the option is missing, users can enable it in Settings → Windows Update → Insider Program → Feature flags and restart. The tool is powered by Ookla’s Speedtest service, as indicated by an in‑app tooltip linking to its privacy policy. The feature remains experimental, with no public release date announced.

💡 It eliminates an unnecessary browser hop, delivering a faster, more seamless troubleshooting experience that keeps users within the desktop environment.

windowscentral.com · Oct 27

Microsoft will finally replace Bing shortcut posing as a Windows 11 speed…

Microsoft announced that the misleading “Windows 11 Speed Test” shortcut, which previously opened Bing’s search page, will be removed in an upcoming Windows 11 update. The shortcut, discovered in early 2023, appeared in the Start menu and led users to a Bing‑powered web page that claimed to benchmark system performance, prompting criticism that Microsoft was covertly promoting its search engine. In a blog post, the company said the feature will be replaced with a genuine performance‑monitoring tool that integrates with the Settings app and provides real‑time metrics such as CPU, GPU, and memory usage. The change will roll out to Insider builds next month and reach general‑availability users by the end of the year, ending the controversy over undisclosed advertising on Windows.

💡 It forces Microsoft to confront user trust issues by swapping covert promotion for transparent system diagnostics.