Draft:Windows Central

Windows Central features how-to and consumer buying advice for the latest technology, including laptops, tablets, desktops, CPUs, and GPUs. In addition to written content, Windows Central also publishes monthly video content showcasing the latest Windows features, including a weekly video and audio podcast about Microsoft and the broader technology industry.

Windows Central reviews are rated on a 5-star scale and are awarded "Recommended" badges if a product review achieves a minimum of 4 stars.

The publication has also reported on and verified a number of news leaks. Some notable examples include Microsoft Edge switching to Chromium{{Cite news |last=Bowden |first=Zac |date=14 December 2018 |title=Microsoft is building a Chromium-powered web browser that will replace Edge on Windows 10 |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-building-chromium-powered-web-browser-windows-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130035132/https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-building-chromium-powered-web-browser-windows-10 |archive-date=30 January 2025 |url-status=live |access-date=26 February 2025 |work=Windows Central}}, the existence of both Surface Neo{{Cite news |last=Bowden |first=Zac |date=3 June 2019 |title=Surface 'Centaurus' is another dual-screen Microsoft PC with Windows Core OS |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/centaurus |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915032711/https://www.windowscentral.com/centaurus |archive-date=15 September 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=26 February 2025 |work=Windows Central}} and Surface Duo{{Cite news |last=Bowden |first=Zac |date=29 June 2018 |title=Microsoft is working on a foldable mobile device with a focus on pen and digital ink |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-andromeda-foldable-device |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911004702/https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-andromeda-foldable-device |archive-date=11 September 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=26 February 2025 |work=Windows Central}}, Xbox Series X/S pricing and availability{{Cite news |last=Bowden |first=Zac |date=9 September 2020 |title=Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S release date and price finally revealed |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/xbox-series-x-and-xbox-series-s-release-date-and-price-finally-revealed |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130155122/https://www.windowscentral.com/xbox-series-x-and-xbox-series-s-release-date-and-price-finally-revealed |archive-date=30 January 2025 |url-status=live |access-date=26 February 2025 |work=Windows Central}}, and early details about the Microsoft Lumia 950 series.{{Cite news |last=Bowden |first=Zac |last2=Rubino |first2=Daniel |date=29 November 2018 |title=This is Microsoft's original vision for the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL (exclusive) |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/exclusive-microsofts-original-vision-lumia-950 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913210732/https://www.windowscentral.com/exclusive-microsofts-original-vision-lumia-950 |archive-date=13 September 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=26 February 2025 |work=Windows Central}}

In 2014, Windows Central was the first publication in the world to go hands-on with the Windows Phone 8.1 OS,{{Cite web |date=2 April 2014 |title=Windows Phone 8.1 Notifications |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D9wlCFSG2w |access-date=28 February 2025 |website=Youtube}} which showcased the new Start screen and Cortana features.{{Cite news |last=Sabri |first=Sam |date=29 November 2018 |title=Exclusive - Video hands on with Windows Phone 8.1! |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-officially-announces-windows-phone-81 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241114154800/https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-officially-announces-windows-phone-81 |archive-date=14 November 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=26 February 2025 |work=Windows Central}}

Windows Central is not a subsidiary of Microsoft; it is owned by the UK-based media company Future plc.

Windows Central launched under the name WMExperts and was founded by Smartphone Experts CEO Marcus Adolfsonn. The site's origins began at WMExperts.com and specialized in news, reviews, and editorial content about Microsoft's Windows Mobile platform. In 2010, the website was rebranded to Windows Phone Central, and moved to the domain WPCentral.com to reflect the rebranding.

As Windows Phone Central, the website expanded to cover Windows phone and tablet devices. In 2014, the website rebranded again, this time to Windows Central, and moved to the WindowsCentral.com domain as the publication expanded its content scope to include Windows PCs, Xbox, and general PC tech news. In 2019, Windows Central’s parent company, Mobile Nations, was acquired by Future plc{{Cite web |date=8 March 2019 |title=Future PLC’s U.S. Subsidiary Acquires Mobile Nations |url=https://golenbock.com/future-plcs-u-s-subsidiary-acquires-mobile-nations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250226163858/https://golenbock.com/future-plcs-u-s-subsidiary-acquires-mobile-nations/ |archive-date=26 February 2025 |access-date=26 February 2025 |website=Golenbock Eiseman Assor Bell & Peskoe LLP}} for $60 million.{{Cite web |date=15 March 2019 |title=Future acquires Mobile Nations |url=https://www.inpublishing.co.uk/articles/future-acquires-mobile-nations-14319 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112204733/https://inpublishing.co.uk/articles/future-acquires-mobile-nations-14319 |archive-date=12 January 2025 |access-date=26 February 2025 |website=InPublishing}} Future plc also owns the similarly named Android Central.

Daniel Rubino is the editor-in-chief, having been in the role in two different stints since 2010. Jez Corden is the executive editor, having joined the site in 2016. Corden oversees the site's Windows and Xbox gaming content.

Zac Bowden is senior Windows editor is host of the Windows Central Podcast.{{Cite web |date=26 February 2025 |title=Windows Central Podcast episode directory |url=https://windowscentral.libsyn.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241101193139/https://windowscentral.libsyn.com/ |archive-date=1 November 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=26 February 2025 |website=Windows Central Podcast}} Bowden also hosts videos on the site's YouTube channel, which has 426,000 subscribers as of February 2025.{{Cite web |date=26 February 2025 |title=Windows Central YouTube Channel |url=https://www.youtube.com/@WindowsCentral/featured |archive-url=https://archive.ph/PbkLt |archive-date=27 February 2025 |url-status=live |access-date=26 February 2025 |website=Windows Central - YouTube}}

As of 2025, Windows Central consists of eight full-time staff members and five contributors.

{{reflist|group=Future plc}}