Windows Central

Pathologic 3: The Xbox Play Anywhere "time-travel plague simulator" your therapist warned you about
Tue, 17 Feb 2026 20:13:22 +0000
Ice-Pick Lodge has created what they believe to be their magnum opus, and it's looking rather true.

Fallout 76 reveals its big Season 24 update, and it's coming soon with Bigfoot in tow ? here's the release date and everything we know about The Backwoods
Tue, 17 Feb 2026 19:34:53 +0000
Fallout 76's The Backwoods update is dropping with Season 24 in just a few weeks, and will bring Bigfoot to the multiplayer RPG.

Black Ops 7 just got the best Call of Duty post-launch content in ages, and there's not even an upsell
Tue, 17 Feb 2026 19:11:35 +0000
It might be the in thing to rip on Call of Duty on the internet, but they're cooking with Black Ops 7. The most recent content is some of the best in a long time.

Xbox Ally X's prices are rising in Japan, hinting that it could rise globally too ? fortunately, the Xbox Ally is still on sale for under $490
Tue, 17 Feb 2026 18:43:02 +0000
Reports have shown that the Xbox Ally X is now $200 more expensive in Japan, which could potentially lead to price hikes in the rest of the world. In contrast, the Xbox Ally hasn't changed prices yet and is still enjoying its 18% discount from January, taking its price below $490.

Xbox Game Pass reveals February 2026's second batch of games ? Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, Witcher 3, College Football 26, and more join the library
Tue, 17 Feb 2026 18:40:03 +0000
Microsoft has revealed the next batch of Xbox games coming and leaving Xbox Game Pass for the second half of February 2026. Among the new additions are Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, EA Sports College Football 26, and more.

Opinion: I can?t wait for gaming consoles to die (but not how you think)
Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:55:08 +0000
The problem isn?t consoles. It?s the pointless divide that holds everyone back.

Upgrading your PC costs a fortune in 2026 ? Steam?s new feature will let you see how your old rig handles games
Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:41:01 +0000
Steam?s upcoming features let reviewers share hardware specs and FPS data, addressing long-standing transparency issues.

Microsoft is on a win streak with nostalgia games ? Who thought we'd have new Age of Empires 2 and Diablo 2 expansions in the same week?
Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:12:29 +0000
For veteran gamers who have been at it for decades, this week's new content for Age of Empires 2 and Diablo 2 feels like time travel. Kudos to Microsoft for preserving these games the right way.

I'm sick of being told to "just not use" Microsoft's AI ? I'm already paying for it and so are you
Tue, 17 Feb 2026 16:39:41 +0000
The "AI Tax" is hitting consumers through electricity price hikes and hardware delays. Even if you don't use AI, you're still paying the bill.

AppControl has replaced Task Manager on all my PCs ? Why can't Windows match the level of hardware and software monitoring from a free app?
Tue, 17 Feb 2026 16:29:25 +0000
I decided to test out a new monitoring app for Windows called AppControl, and after only a few days of use, I've sworn off Task Manager. Best part? AppControl is completely free.

This Windows 11 optimization and cleanup app blends perfectly into your PC's UI ? and I never usually care about these 'debloaters'
Tue, 17 Feb 2026 15:18:31 +0000
Updates to Winhance for Windows PCs migrate the app to the WinUI 3 framework to blend with Windows 11's menu styling, offering batch bloatware removal and more.

World of Warcraft's inviting players to show off their Player Housing creations through a special collaboration with Pinterest ? here's how to do it
Tue, 17 Feb 2026 13:35:15 +0000
Player Housing has taken World of Warcraft by storm, and it's only in early access. So, Blizzard is driving up the hype for the full version by inviting players to show off their virtual homes through a special collaboration event with Pinterest.

Popular storage giant Western Digital runs dry on consumer storage ? AI data centers now take priority
Tue, 17 Feb 2026 13:29:13 +0000
Western Digital has confirmed it is sold out of hard drives for 2026, with firm purchase orders and long-term agreements driven by AI infrastructure demand. With cloud accounting for 89% of revenue, consumer supply is tightening and HDD prices have surged more than 45% since September 2025.

Windows PCs targeted by hackers in a fake CAPTCHA scam to spread malware ? Outlook account credentials are at risk
Tue, 17 Feb 2026 12:21:00 +0000
Hackers deploy StealC malware in Windows through fake CAPTCHA pages, targeting passwords, crypto wallets, and Outlook emails.

Steam Deck OLED stock shortages blamed on memory and storage issues ? will the RAM crisis affect Valve's Steam Machine PC?
Tue, 17 Feb 2026 12:11:00 +0000
Valve has acknowledged that Steam Deck OLED stock shortages are due to memory and storage supply issues, raising questions about pricing and how this will affect the Steam Machine.


  • Sn This one

  • Nascar

    Daytona 500 win special for Tyler Reddick spotter Nick Payne
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 20:26:07 +0000
    Nick Payne was resolute in advance of the Daytona 500.
    The fourth-year spotter of the 23XI Racing No. 45 team needed to do some soul searching too. It?s been well-documented that Tyler Reddick and Billy Scott did some reflecting over the winter to better understand what produced a winless season one year after a three-win final four appearance.
    Payne wanted them to know he was working too ...Keep reading

    Full entry list released for 2026 NASCAR triple-header at Atlanta
    Mon, 16 Feb 2026 21:45:38 +0000
    The provisional entry lists have been released for the upcoming triple-header at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta, Georgia. 
    The Cup race will feature 38 entries with the open teams of BJ McLeod (#78 Live Fast) and JJ Yeley (#44 NY Racing Team) joining the 36 chartered entries. Casey Mears and the No. 66 team originally planned to compete, but after damage suffered in Daytona Speedweek, they have ...Keep reading

    Every time the Daytona 500 champion only led a single lap
    Mon, 16 Feb 2026 20:07:17 +0000
    In 68 editions of the Daytona 500, NASCAR has seen plenty of surprise or unexpected winners. However, it wasn't until 2017 that the victor in stock car racing's crown jewel event only led the final lap of the 200-lap battle.
    While it did not happen once between 1959 and 2016, the phenomenon has now occurred four times in the last decade. It showcases just how unpredictable modern superspeedway ...Keep reading

    Winners and losers from a spectacular 2026 Daytona 500
    Mon, 16 Feb 2026 15:58:56 +0000
    The 68th running of the Daytona 500 is now history, with Tyler Reddick and 23XI Racing its anointed champions. 25 of the 41 starters took a turn out front, there was a 20-car pileup, the race somehow finished under green, and the rain held off!
    Before Reddick claimed the checkered flag drivers, like Carson Hocevar, Zane Smith, Erik Jones, Chase Elliott, Ricky Stenhouse Jr, and several others ...Keep reading

    Let the Chase begin: NASCAR Cup points after Daytona
    Mon, 16 Feb 2026 14:55:00 +0000
    It's far too early to start making championship predictions, but every point matters in this return to a more traditional NASCAR championship format. One year ago, we would have been saying 'Welcome to the Playoffs Tyler Reddick' because due to win and you're in, the greater points picture wouldn't have mattered that much.
    But it matters now! One race down, 25 to go before the Chase returns for ...Keep reading

    All the reasons why the Daytona 500 meant so much to Tyler Reddick
    Mon, 16 Feb 2026 03:40:29 +0000
    Tyler Reddick has romanticized so much about this moment over the past two decades because it was so unfathomable.
    He won the Daytona 500.
    But even after crossing the finish line, Reddick did not allow himself to feel literally anything. There was no immediate joy. No exuberance. He wasn?t even on the microphone?s button celebrating with his team.
    ?I didn't know if I'd won the race ...Keep reading

    Denny Hamlin has a Daytona 500 fuel saving pitch that involves The Clash
    Mon, 16 Feb 2026 02:35:04 +0000
    Once again, a general theme of the Daytona 500 and superspeedway racing with the NextGen car in general right now, is the amount of time drivers spend at half-throttle under green flag conditions.
    The reason they do this is because it is incredibly difficult to pass with the current generation car on these tracks when everyone is racing at full throttle. The cars are too equal and there is so ...Keep reading

    Inside the battle that decided the Daytona 500
    Mon, 16 Feb 2026 02:08:42 +0000
    In sequential order, this is how Tyler Reddick won the Daytona 500.
    Michael McDowell leads the field back to green. Carson Hocevar takes the lead and holds it at the white. Hocevar gets turned into the wall, contact with Erik Jones and spins across the field, taking Jones and McDowell with him.
    No caution.
    Ricky Stenhouse Jr. took the lead with Chase Elliott to his outside and Reddick ...Keep reading

    Carson Hocevar's last-lap 500 heartbreak ends his wild Daytona Speedweek
    Mon, 16 Feb 2026 01:36:52 +0000
    Carson Hocevar is still searching for his first win as a NASCAR Cup Series driver, and he nearly got it in the sport's biggest race.
    The 23-year-old was the only driver pulling triple duty in all three national divisions during Daytona Speedweek. Things started off well as he earned a runner-up finish in his Duel qualifying race, ensuring he would start the Daytona 500 from the sixth position ...Keep reading


    Fox News Headlines

    Fox Nation takes on streaming giants with Prime Video launch featuring exclusive content in February 2026
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 20:37:09 GMT
    Fox Nation launches on Prime Video with over 10,000 hours of exclusive streaming content and original programming for $8.99/month starting February 2026.

    CBS denies it blocked Colbert from broadcasting Talarico interview after host claimed network lawyers halted
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 20:34:24 GMT
    In a statement to Fox News Digital, CBS denied Stephen Colbert's claim that the network blocked him from broadcasting his interview with Texas Democrat James Talarico

    Your bedroom temperature could be putting your heart in serious danger, study warns
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 20:30:29 GMT
    Study finds bedroom temperatures above 75°F can stress the heart during sleep, with risks tripling above 82°F. Experts suggest keeping it cool for better heart health.

    Survivors in Rhode Island hockey shooting 'fighting for their lives' after trans gunman kills ex-wife, son
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 20:24:41 GMT
    Three people remain in critical condition after a deadly family shooting at a Rhode Island ice rink left two dead and survivors "fighting for their lives."

    Whoopi Goldberg shuts down any links to Epstein while addressing name appearing in files on 'The View'
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 20:23:31 GMT
    Whoopi Goldberg addressed her name appearing in the Jeffrey Epstein files during "The View" on Tuesday, firmly denying any connection to the convicted sex offender.

    Hockey rink shooting suspect warned about going 'BERSERK' in X post day before attack
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 20:14:15 GMT
    Robert Dorgan posted about going "BERSERK" before a hockey game attack that killed two, according to an account linked to the Rhode Island shooting suspect.

    Schumer, Dems' goal is to 'tie people down' so they can't campaign, Thune says
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 20:00:04 GMT
    Every day campaigning matters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., contended the Democrats are harming the GOP's ability to hit the trail.

    Judge orders migrant deported in 'error' free from ICE custody with criminal case looming
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 19:55:03 GMT
    The judge ruled that Trump administration officials have done "nothing" to prove Abrego Garcia's continued ICE detention would be in line with due process.

    Five injured, including firefighter, in church explosion following reported gas leak in upstate New York
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 19:52:43 GMT
    Five people were injured in church explosion in Boonville, New York after reported gas leak. Two people are in critical condition as the investigation continues.

    RICHARD FOWLER: I ran into Jesse Jackson ?and into history: the man who shaped a nation
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 19:48:02 GMT
    A personal encounter with Rev. Jesse Jackson reveals the civil rights leader's lasting impact on American politics through his Rainbow Coalition work.

    Hunt files police report against Cornyn campaign staffer over alleged family 'doxxing' incident
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 19:40:20 GMT
    Texas Senate candidate Wesley Hunt filed a police report after an opponent's campaign staffer allegedly posted his personal info on social media.

    Don't ignore Apple's urgent security update
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 19:32:37 GMT
    An Apple security update fixes CVE-2026-20700 zero-day vulnerability actively exploited by hackers targeting iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV devices.

    Trump won?t let Dem sewage 'failures' slide as Moore faces heat over infrastructure grade
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 19:29:46 GMT
    Raw sewage spill in Potomac River reaches bacteria levels 2,700 times safe limit after pipeline collapse, sparking political battle between Trump and local officials.

    Judge deals blow to Trump administration, orders slavery exhibit restored at iconic Philly landmark
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 19:25:26 GMT
    Federal judge orders National Park Service to restore slavery exhibit at Philadelphia's President's House, citing Orwell's "1984" in scathing ruling.

    Houston police investigate fatal shooting of 17-year-old at Valentine's Day house party
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 19:23:45 GMT
    Houston teenager Mariah Alatorre, 17, was reportedly killed in the crossfire at a house party on Valentine's Day, leaving her family searching for answers.


    Indy Car Racing

    Romain Grosjean rejoins Dale Coyne Racing, returns to full-time IndyCar competition
    Fri, 13 Feb 2026 21:12:52 GMT
    ?Grosjean will drive the No. 18 Honda and be partnered with 2025 Indy NXT champion and IndyCar rookie Dennis Hauger.

    James Hinchcliffe making NASCAR debut in Truck Series race at St. Petersburg
    Thu, 12 Feb 2026 21:54:38 GMT
    Hinchcliffe joins Dario Franchitti as former IndyCar drivers competing in the first street race in NASCAR Truck Series history.

    IndyCar announces historic deal with Honda, Chevrolet
    Thu, 12 Feb 2026 17:27:49 GMT
    Each Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) agreement will begin in 2027 and run for several years.

    Phil Krueger, 2-time Indy 500 starter, dies at 74
    Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:22:14 GMT
    Krueger, who entered ten Indy 500s from 1981 through 1991, died Feb. 9 after sustaining injuries from a fall at his home in Freetown, according to his obituary.

    President Trump announces new IndyCar race in Washington, DC
    Fri, 30 Jan 2026 21:18:50 GMT
    An executive order says the Freedom 250 will run near the National Mall in conjunction with the celebration of America's 250th birthday.

    Tim Cindric returns to Team Penske as Scott McLaughlin's race strategist
    Thu, 29 Jan 2026 22:56:09 GMT
    Cindric had previously been the team president and race strategist for Josef Newgarden.

    Indy 500 champ Josef Newgarden is still getting acclimated to seeing former teammates in new places
    Wed, 28 Jan 2026 19:36:15 GMT
    Newgarden is still trying to get acclimated to seeing longtime teammate Will Power and Ron Ruzewski, Penske?s ex-managing director, working together at a rival team.

    Alex Palou ordered to pay McLaren Racing $12M in breach of contract suit
    Fri, 23 Jan 2026 19:07:19 GMT
    It is not clear if Chip Ganassi, the team owner Palou drives for in IndyCar, is covering any of the losses.

    Why Colton Herta is leaving IndyCar for junior series F2
    Thu, 22 Jan 2026 21:43:19 GMT
    Herta says he hopes to race in the Indianapolis 500, despite potential conflicts with his F2 schedule.

    Will Power is determined to make Penske regret writing him off as he joins Andretti
    Mon, 19 Jan 2026 03:19:50 GMT
    Power's determination and experience are expected to boost Andretti's performance this season.

    Six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon receives a knighthood from New Zealand
    Wed, 31 Dec 2025 19:22:56 GMT
    ?I?ve been called a lot of things, but I never thought that ?Sir? was going to be one of them," Dixon said.

    Rahal Letterman Lanigan adds Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time world champ, to 2026 IndyCar lineup
    Wed, 26 Nov 2025 19:13:24 GMT
    Mick Schumacher is coming to America to jump-start his racing career.

    Valentino Rossi passes on McLaren's Indy 500 seat, Ryan Hunter-Reay steps in
    Sat, 22 Nov 2025 19:34:06 GMT
    Rossi is considered one of the greatest motorcycle racers ever and is the only road racer to have competed in 400 or more Grands Prix.

    Indy 500 winner Alex Palou has likeness unveiled on Borg-Warner Trophy
    Thu, 20 Nov 2025 00:13:54 GMT
    As he has for every winner of the "500" since 1990, renowned sculptor Will Behrends crafted Palou's image for the Borg-Warner Trophy.

    Ryan Hunter-Reay joins Arrow McLaren for 2026 Indianapolis 500
    Thu, 13 Nov 2025 23:25:31 GMT
    Hunter-Reay, the 2014 winner of the "500" and 2012 IndyCar Series champion, will drive the No. 31 Chevrolet.

    AJ Foyt Racing signs Indy NXT runner-up Collet for full 2026 IndyCar campaign
    Thu, 06 Nov 2025 20:56:35 GMT
    Caio Collet will drive the No. 4 Chevrolet with backing from Brazilian logistics company Combitrans Amazonia in all 17 IndyCar races.

    McLaren vs. Palou: A $20.7M lawsuit over broken promises and disappearing messages
    Wed, 05 Nov 2025 21:18:07 GMT
    Closing arguments have been presented in McLaren's lawsuit against IndyCar champion Alex Palou.


    ESPN Sports Headlines

    The Bilas Index: Ranking the top 68 teams in men's college basketball
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 11:06:27 EST
    With a month until Selection Sunday, Bilas reveals which teams he has at the top of the pecking order.

    Sources: MLBPA's Clark quits as CBA talks loom
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:53:05 EST
    MLBPA executive director Tony Clark resigned Tuesday, leaving the union without its longtime leader less than a year before the expiration of MLB's collective bargaining agreement, sources told ESPN.

    Cuban: NBA should 'embrace tanking' for fans
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:53:05 EST
    Mark Cuban, the former majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks, says the fan experience is chief among the reasons the NBA should "embrace tanking," and that affordability is key in the formula.

    Tiger won't rule out return at this year's Masters
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:53:05 EST
    Tiger Woods is not ruling out a return to professional golf as early as this year's Masters.

    L.A. mayor calls for '28 Olympics head to resign
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:53:05 EST
    The mayor of L.A. has called for Casey Wasserman to resign as head of the 2028 Olympics organizing team because of his ties to Jeffrey Epstein's former girlfriend.

    Twins' Lopez has UCL tear, likely to miss season
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:53:05 EST
    Twins ace Pablo Lopez likely will need season-ending surgery after being diagnosed with a significant tear in the UCL of his right elbow, GM Jeremy Zoll said.

    Scheyer claps back at DA over court-storming tiff
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:53:05 EST
    Jon Scheyer said he "could have said even more" in response to a local DA's claims that there was "zero evidence" to support the Duke coach's initial claim that staffers were punched in a recent court storming at UNC.

    Rousey makes MMA return, set to fight Carano
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:53:05 EST
    Ronda Rousey will return to MMA for the first time in nearly a decade when she faces Gina Carano on May 16 in Los Angeles at the Intuit Dome.

    Ukraine skeleton racer gets $200K gift after DQ
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:53:05 EST
    The Ukrainian skeleton racer who was disqualified from the Milan Cortina Olympics was given a gift of more than $200,000 on Tuesday to help him keep competing and advocating for his country.

    ? Which teams nailed the CFB transfer portal?
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:53:05 EST
    A look at the incoming transfers who will have the biggest impact on the best teams in 2026.

    Ideal fits for the NFL's 50 best free agents: New teams for Alec Pierce, Malik Willis, Riq Woolen
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 10:22:29 EST
    Which team makes the most sense for Pierce? Where do Willis and the QBs fit best? And where could defensive standouts excel?

    11 trades we want to see this offseason: Barnwell finds new homes for 15 players
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 10:22:29 EST
    DJ Moore and A.J. Brown to the AFC West? Kyler Murray in a new offense? Rams going all-in again?

    Champions League live updates: Balogun with brace vs PSG, Benfica host Madrid
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:54:35 EST
    Enjoy all the updates from today's knockout phase playoff first legs, including Benfica vs. Real Madrid and AS Monaco vs. Paris Saint-Germain.

    Why is the Champions League so easy for Premier League teams now?
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:54:35 EST
    The Champions League has been a walk in the park for Premier League teams. Why is that?

    Men's Bracketology: UConn retains its No. 1 seed -- for now
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 11:24:03 EST
    The Huskies remain on the top line with Houston's loss, but could they be better off as a 2-seed in the East?

    Women's Bracketology: Will Stanford miss the NCAA tournament again?
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 11:24:03 EST
    Teams with a high NET ranking are typically NCAA tournament locks. So why are the Huskers in the Last Four In?

    Shiffrin aims for Olympic gold in slalom -- and this time, she's the favorite
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 13:32:14 EST
    Mikaela Shiffrin was not expected to medal in Sunday's giant slalom. On Wednesday, she's the front-runner to win gold in slalom.

    2026 Winter Olympics: 'Blade Angels' take the ice, Forehand makes American history and more
    Tue, 17 Feb 2026 11:30:55 EST
    Tuesday at the Winter Olympics is headlined by Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito in the women's figure skating short program.