This trick transformed how I use my PC

Plus lots of AI laptop news  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [Windows Intelligence](#) [Windows Intelligence](#) It's another big week for Windows, with the future of PCs taking shape — more details on what exactly an "AI PC" will be, ARM PCs, and more. But I've got some classic Windows PC tricks to recommend in this issue's Things to Try section, including a magical tool I've been loving lately. But first: It's time! As you might have noticed earlier this week, we're officially opening the gates for a handful of new members to join our Intelligence Insider club. 🎁 We're offering an exclusive package featuring both our Intelligence Insider membership and a Thurrott Premium membership at a discounted rate. The combined price is normally $150, but you can get both for just $99. That's 34% off the usual price. - Being an Insider gives you access to advanced, in-depth resources and personal advice you won't find anywhere else. - You'll have our searchable tip treasury and complete newsletter archive at your fingertips 24/7 along with all sorts of interactive info only available here. - And you'll have the option to customize your newsletter deliveries and erase all the ads and sponsored segments throughout our newsletters and website, if you'd like. - Plus you'll get access to Thurrott Premium benefits on Thurrott.com, including unlimited Premium-only articles, ad-free reading, and more. Beyond that, your membership directly supports our independent journalism model and allows us to continue doing what we're doing at a time when media outlets everywhere are struggling to survive. ⌛ We only open sign-ups to a small number of newcomers for a few short windows each year to ensure a truly exceptional, interactive, and personal experience. If you'd like to join, now is the time! ⭐ You can [read more about all the Insider perks we offer here](, or claim your exclusive offer with the link below — any time between now and this coming Sunday, March 31: [Claim Intelligence Insider + Thurrott Premium​ ($99/year)](=) As always, I'm grateful to write directly to you and appear in your inbox each and every week. Now more than ever, it's a privilege to be able to earn a living sharing interesting, useful info to people who share my passion for Windows and PCs. I hope you'll join! [Chris Hoffman, AUthor] Chris Today's read: ⌚ 3 Things to Know: 2 minutes ⌚ 3 Things to Try: 2 minutes ⌚ Top Thurrott Thoughts: 30 seconds ⌚ Just for Fun: 30 seconds ​ [] [3 Things to Know This Week] ​ 1. "AI PCs" are taking shape, will run Copilot locally ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: Intel and Microsoft are finally sharing their definition of an "AI PC" and what to expect in the future. They'll need a Copilot key on their keyboards — and they'll be able to run some Copilot AI tasks locally. 🔎 KNOW MORE: There's been a lot of back and forth about "AI PCs." The hardware to run more AI tasks locally has arrived, but Microsoft has been reluctant to share its vision. Now, we know a lot more. - Microsoft will require AI PCs to have neural processing units (NPUs,) a new hardware feature for accelerating AI tasks in a power-efficient way. - Those PCs will also need a Copilot key on their keyboard. If not, they can't be called AI PCs — according to Microsoft. Expect to see most PCs include this key going forward. - Intel has revealed that PCs will one day be able to run more Copilot tasks locally. That should mean a huge speed improvement in Copilot response times as well as privacy advantages. 📌 READ MORE: Read more about [Microsoft's AI PC requirements](), and [the improvements Intel says they'll offer](=). --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Google Chrome is ready for Windows ARM PCs ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: Qualcomm and Microsoft will soon launch ARM-based Windows PCs — supposedly, they'll actually be competitive this time, unlike previous ARM-based Windows PCs. And Google is getting ready for this, too. 🔎 KNOW MORE: Google just released a version of its Chrome browser that runs natively on Windows on ARM. That means it'll be faster, since it won't have to run through emulation. - That emulation layer is supposedly pretty good, but it does slow things down. A native version of Chrome means those ARM-based Windows PCs will do a better job of running the world's most popular web browser. - Qualcomm says its upcoming Snapdragon X Elite-powered PCs will be able to run PC games with "playable" performance, although the performance doesn't look particularly speedy. - Microsoft will supposedly announce ARM-based Surface PCs for consumers on May 20, which explains why the Intel-based Surface PCs it just announced are only being sold to businesses. 📌 READ MORE: Check out [the Chrome news](), or take a look at [how well PC games are performing on those upcoming ARM chips](. --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Windows 11's Moment 5 update arrives in preview form ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: Windows 11's next feature update, codenamed Moment 5, just launched in preview form ahead of its wider release on Patch Tuesday next month (that would be April 9.) 🔎 KNOW MORE: Moment 5 is available as a "Cumulative Update Preview" in Windows Update on Windows 11 PCs. You can install it now, if you like — or wait a few weeks and you'll get it automatically. - This update includes new cards for the lock screen: You can see Sports, Traffic, and Finance details on your lock screen instead of just Weather. (This change is coming to Windows 10 PCs, too.) - Snap Layouts is getting convenient one-click suggestions based on how you usually snap programs. (To see Snap Layouts, press Windows+Z, grab a window's title bar and drag it to the top-center of your screen and hold it there, or hover your mouse cursor over the Maximize button.) - Other improvements include more languages for features like Voice Access and improvements to the experience of using Windows 365 cloud PCs. 📌 READ MORE: Read [more details about Moment 5](). SPONSORED MESSAGE Discover the latest tech news in 5 minutes 🚀 [Cartoon of penguin drinking espresso](=)​ That’s right — in the time it takes for you to sip an espresso, you can [read the daily tech news roundup from Techpresso](=). Techpresso scans 60+ tech sources everyday, sniffing out the most important headlines and emailing the findings straight to your inbox. How’s that for saving time? Why Techpresso is the last tech email you’ll ever need (besides this one, of course!): - Unlike espresso, it’s totally free - Written in short, hard-hitting bullet points for easy digestion - Read by 90,000 professionals from Google, OpenAI, Meta, and more ➜ [Supercharge your morning routine and subscribe to Techpresso FREE with 1-click!]() [SUBSCRIBE WITH ONE CLICK​​​​​ ➜]() ​ [] [3 Things to Try This Week] 1. Install almost any Windows app without a browser I've been reviewing a new laptop, and I haven't once opened a web browser to download and install an application the old-fashioned way. I've achieved application-installation enlightenment, and it's transformed how I install software on my PC. ➜ It's all thanks to Winget, which I've highlighted before. But Winget doesn't have to be a whole "system" or different way of doing things. You can use it as little or as much as you want. This single command can install nearly any application without any clicking around and searching the web. ⌚ You can install an application in as little as 10 seconds. 💻 This works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. 📌 Discover how to use it in [my latest guide](). --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Stop Windows from hiding all those scroll bars Software seems to hide everything these days. That's the design craze: Options hidden away in menus, and scroll bars turning invisible until you mouse over them. ➜ But you can stop scroll bars from vanishing, if you like, by activating a quick setting in Windows. This works throughout Windows and in many third-party programs. ⌚ Turning this on will take about 6 seconds. 💻 This works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. On a Windows 11 PC, open the Settings app from your Start menu, select "Accessibility" in the left pane, and click "Visual effects." Activate the "Always show scrollbars" option. [The "Always show scrollbars" option on Windows 11.] 🔟 On a Windows 10 PC, open the Settings app from the Start menu, select "Ease of Access," and ensure "Display" is selected under Vision in the sidebar. Scroll down to the "Simplify and personalize Windows" section and turn off the "Automatically hide scroll bars in Windows" option. [The "Automatically hide scroll bars in Windows" option on Windows 10.] --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Make text look better for your PC's display Google Chrome will soon support ClearType on Windows! That's big news this week. ClearType is a Windows feature that can make text appear more readable on some PC displays. ➜ To tweak how text appears on your PC's screen, fire up the ClearType Text Tuner utility. Firefox and many other Windows applications obey the choices you make in this tool. ⌚ You can tweak how text looks in about 20 seconds. 💻 This tool is included on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. To get started, open the Start menu and search for "ClearType." Launch the "Adjust ClearType text" shortcut that appears. [Launching the ClearType Text Tuner on Windows 11 from the Start menu.] Click through the wizard to configure how text looks on your PC's display, choosing what looks best to you. It's that simple. [The ClearType Text Tuner on Windows 11.] 💡 You can [learn more about ClearType](=) on Microsoft's website. ​ [] [Top Thurrott Thoughts] Some standout links and expert analysis from our friends at Thurrott, who have been covering Windows since 1994: - ​[Behind Thurrott.com: Newsletters](=)​ - Read more about how I work with Thurrott.com. - ​[Phil Spencer Suggests Allowing Other Game Stores on Xbox](=)​ - Just like a PC! - ​[Artifact Never Shut Down and Now It May Keep Going]() - An AI-powered news app. - ​[EU Commission is Investigating Possible DMA Violations From Apple, Google and Meta]() - But not Microsoft. - ​[Apple MacBook Air 15-Inch M3: Fun with Multitasking](=)​ - I really do prefer Windows multitasking. ​ [And Just for Funsies...] April Fools' Day is right around the corner, so it's a great time to highlight an official PC prank utility from Microsoft. ​[BlueScreen Screen Saver](=) is a utility you can download from Microsoft. It's part of the SysInternals suite of utilities, most of which are actually useful and not just pranks. This is a screen saver file in SCR format. You can double-click it to see a blue screen error message on your PC, making it look like the PC has crashed. A single keypress will dismiss it. It's not the best prank on a modern PC, as the blue screen design is dated and looks straight out of the Windows XP era. But you can also install it as a screen saver and set it to automatically pop up whenever your PC isn't active. (Modern PCs default to not using a screen saver and just turning off the display — that saves power — but you can still use a screen saver if you prefer.) [A fake blue screen on Windows 10.] That old blue screen design certainly takes me back. I don't really suggest using this to actually prank someone. There's nothing funny about blue screens! But isn't is funny that Microsoft offers a screen saver like this? One last thing... If you're looking for a little weekend viewing, I recently spoke to Paul Thurrott about this newsletter and my favorite Windows PC tips. ​[Check out the video — and read Paul's behind-the-scenes look at how we work together](=). [[video preview]​](=) I hope you'll join [our Insider program]( to support us — and support Paul Thurrott's work, too! We'll leave the door open for new member sign-ups through Sunday. You can [claim Intelligence Insider with Thurrott Premium right here](=). Have a great weekend. 🤚 Wait! Before you go: What'd you think of this issue? [Thumbs Up]( [Thumbs Down]() Hit the thumbs-up or thumbs-down to cast your vote and let me know. Want less email? [Update your reading preferences](=) to opt out of any individual publications or unsubscribe entirely. New here and not yet subscribed? Take two seconds to [sign up for our newsletters](): Windows Intelligence, Android Intelligence, or Cool Tools (or all three!). Hungry for even more? 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