Two years of Windows Intelligence: The best of the best
Over the past two years with my Windows Intelligence column, I’ve delivered some of the best boots-on-the-ground reporting of my career, from Microsoft’s big Copilot event to tracking the evolution of AI tools from 2023 to 2025 to countless useful Windows tips and detailed analyses. I’m incredibly proud of the information I’ve been able to provide Computerworld readers.
Now, with the Windows Intelligence newsletter coming to an end and about to evolve into my own personal project, I wanted to revisit my favorite posts, the ones that should be of the most relevance to Windows users. They’re still useful today!
1. Understanding and using LLMs
Over the past few years, I’ve tracked the evolution of generative AI (genAI) tools, but I’ve tried to avoid the hype. Instead, I’ve called these tools what they are, noting that many people would probably use the early version of Copilot wrong because large language models (LLMs) are closer to story generators than assistants.
As LLMs have become more useful, I explained the secret to getting productive and interesting outputs — and demonstrated vibe coding through the creation of a helpful script I still use to this day.
The secret to using generative AI effectively
I made a better way to scroll in Windows. Here’s the script.
You’re probably going to use Microsoft Copilot wrong (2023)
2. Going hands-on with bleeding-edge tech
At Microsoft’s big Copilot event in New York City in 2023, I was on the ground with Paul Thurrott.
I’ve been going hands-on with tech myself, too: writing a post while wearing a VR headset, actually using the latest Copilot+ PC AI features at release, reviewing Copilot Pro AI features in Microsoft 365, and trying out an experimental version of that controversial Windows Recall feature for months before it was available to the public.
Hands-on with the Windows answer to Apple’s Vision Pro
Microsoft Copilot Pro review: Office joins the genAI revolution
Hands on with Microsoft’s Windows Recall: Not impressive yet
5 Copilot+ PC AI features you can use at launch
Arc browser for Windows — better than Chrome?
The AI future of Windows is here
3. Diving into the future of Windows
My Windows coverage has never just been about the present. It’s always been future-looking, too. I’ve focused on diving deep into new developments in Windows to really explain them in detail.
Whether it’s how Microsoft plans to connect apps on Windows to AI through MCP servers or how it is making Windows more resilient and improving Windows application software updates, I’ve tried to dig beyond the headlines.
How Microsoft wants AI agents to use your PC for you
No more blue screens: How Microsoft is making Windows more resilient
Microsoft is finally fixing app updates on Windows
How AI will transform your Windows web browser
4. Windows 10 journalism
With Windows 10’s end-of-support arriving in October 2025 — technically, though Microsoft is offering a bit of a reprieve — I’ve been focused on the world’s most popular version of Windows and what’s in store for it.
I’ve gone beyond the obvious — explaining why Windows 10 was still getting new features when Microsoft was about to end support and whether you could still upgrade, despite a host of swirling rumors.
Is Microsoft really axing Windows 10? Here’s what you need to know
Yes, you can still upgrade Windows 10 PCs to Windows 11
Why Microsoft keeps adding new features to Windows 10
8 ways to make Windows 11 work like Windows 10
5. Following — and explaining — Copilot’s evolution
I’ve been experimenting with Microsoft’s Copilot AI chatbot since it launched under the name “Bing Chat” in 2023. Copilot usually doesn’t get a lot of coverage in the tech press compared to ChatGPT.
With Microsoft betting the company’s future on AI, I’ve followed the evolution of Microsoft’s Copilot chatbot over time — with the last update being the company’s wild vision of Copilot as your life companion.
Copilot is getting a face, a room — and a place in your life
Why ChatGPT is crushing Microsoft Copilot
Copilot finally has a feature that beats ChatGPT on Windows PCs
Copilot AI comes to Microsoft 365 plans: Everything you need to know
6. Going beyond basic how-tos
It’s no secret that traditional how-to articles get less attention now due to rise of AI assistants — and search engines like Google providing AI-generated answers to queries.
But I still believe in the power of traditional tech service journalism. Rather than focus on simple instructional content that any AI can deliver, I put together broadly useful pieces based on my own PC use — things I personally turn to and recommend to upgrade your Windows experience.
5 dark mode upgrades for your Windows 10 or 11 PC
The ultimate guide to using multiple monitors with Windows
5 ways to control Windows with your voice
8 ways to protect your Windows laptop’s battery health
5 wizardly ways to integrate web apps with Windows
7. Busting Windows annoyances
While I love Windows — I wouldn’t trade it for macOS or ChromeOS, although I have a soft spot for desktop Linux — I do find Windows incredibly annoying. Out of the box, Windows is filled with ads, nags, and other inconvenient things that generally get in the way.
As always — as I have throughout my career, especially while growing How-To Geek, first as a writer and then as editor-in-chief — I focused on convenient ways to quickly make Windows work the way it should.
10 Windows annoyances and how to fix them
5 ways to fix OneDrive’s worst annoyances on Windows
10 ways to turn off Windows’ worst ads
5 ways to stop Windows Update from rebooting your PC
10 bad default settings you need to change in Windows
8. Security advice
Security is critical. As always, I’ve focused on practical tips for making Windows more secure. But beyond showing the various knobs and dials, I’ve always aimed to explain the underlying principles so readers can wrap their heads around what’s going on — not just what to click.
10 ways to boost Windows security
How to securely wipe a Windows PC
The complete BitLocker encryption guide for Windows PCs
9. Covering new Windows features
Here in my Windows Intelligence column — and beyond it, in my Windows Intelligence newsletter and my published tutorials on The Intelligence’s website — I aimed to cover useful new Windows features as they were released and became usable.
Much of the tech press writes about new features when they’re announced, but focuses less on them when they’re released. I made Windows Intelligence the place to discover the new features popping up on your PC.
The best new Windows 11 features of 2024
4 ways to use your phone as a webcam on Windows
8 easy ways to transfer files between Windows and your phone
10. Software recommendations
People have always loved useful free downloads. On Windows, that’s tough: Due to the way the operating system works, you’re putting a lot of trust in any application you download and run on your PC. It’s essential to have a trusted source recommend useful software. I’ve tried to recommend only the most useful, trustworthy tools I use myself.
10 PowerToys you should use on Windows
The best apps to restore the classic Windows Start menu and taskbar
The ultimate Windows app launcher
10 free upgrades for built-in windows apps
How to use the secret software installer on your Windows PC
Bonus: Going beyond simple productivity tips
Much of online tech media is focused on productivity advice. It’s been like this for a long time — endless articles about the best way to manage email, organize your task list, and generally get things done. I wanted to step beyond that to show users how you can embracing what works best for you.
Don’t let someone else define your ideal productivity system for you:
Embrace the chaos: A messy Windows productivity system is actually perfect
And finally: A hat tip to readers
While running the Windows Intelligence newsletter and writing up reader-submitted tips each and every week, I got a chance to see just which tips Windows users love the most. I appreciate all the readers who took the time to write to me — here are the results of their submissions:
Top 10 Windows productivity tips
But this isn’t an end. In the days to come, the Windows Intelligence newsletter will transform into something new. And my writing will continue, too. I’m always evolving. In an age of more and more AI-generated content on the web, I firmly believe there’s a need for serious service journalism and analysis backed with a real, informed human perspective. I’m proud of what I delivered under the Windows Intelligence banner — and I aim to keep doing it in new ways. Thanks for reading.Can Microsoft build massive AI data centers and meet climate goals without ‘greenwashing’? – ComputerworldRead More