PCWorld reports that Microsoft is working on performance improvements for Windows 11, targeting faster boot times and better responsiveness on machines with only 8GB of RAM. Windows Hello is also expected to see notable improvements, making everyday use smoother for budget PC owners. No specific release dates have been announced yet, but Microsoft appears committed to optimizing Windows 11 for lower-end hardware. Microsoft confirmed at IFA 2026 that upcoming updates for Windows 11 will include faster boot times. According to Mark Linton, head of Windows & Devices at Microsoft, the company has already made significant progress in both the startup times and responsiveness of Windows Hello, and further improvements are expected.

Meta has revealed its long-promised personal AI agent that requires "no technical experience" to set up. Called Muse, Meta says the agent is able to complete a wide range of actions on users' behalf, including online shopping, drafting and sending emails, planning trips and other productivity-focused tasks. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has previously said that he wants Meta to create agents that can work proactively to help people get things done, but in a more accessible format than other platforms like OpenClaw. Muse, which has its own dedicated apps and website, is more capable than the Meta AI assistant because it can handle complex tasks and work independently. "Once a person shares a goal with Muse, it helps them develop a personalized plan and coordinate their time and resources, then advances the work on its own," the company explains in a blog post.

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Somewhat paradoxically, this makes hard drives more attractive than SSDs. After all, if two products double in price (as SSDs and HDDs have), the absolute dollar gap between them gets much larger. So, if speed isn't your top priority, an HDD might make more financial sense today. That doesn't mean you should grab a spinning hard drive and install Windows on it for your gaming PC. (Please don't.) SSDs are dramatically faster and much better suited for operating systems, apps and the like.

Now the UK government plans to introduce new legislation that would see companies face fines and potential criminal liability, and signaled similar plans could extend to Snapchat and Instagram. In June, the UK government told Big Tech it had three months to make taking, viewing, or sharing images of child nudity on their devices impossible. "I expect tech firms to make that happen," said then prime minister Keir Starmer. "But if they choose not to, then we will act and change the law." That deadline arrived on Tuesday, and the government says that the likes of Apple and Google have failed.

We finally have a trailer for the long-awaited Sam Altman biopic, which is appropriately-named Artificial. It stars Andrew Garfield as the OpenAI CEO and the film is directed by Luca Guadagnino, who made Call Me by Your Name, Challengers and the Suspiria remake, among other movies. The trailer is actually pretty creepy, giving more of a horror vibe than a biopic. Harrowing music plays as Garfield puts on his best robotic Altman impression to sing the virtues of AI. He also calls it Pandora's Box and says "countries will fall" and "industries are gonna collapse."

Why wait for the future of technology to arrive when you can see it here and now? These are the highlights from Europe's biggest tech show. More information Adding us as a Preferred Source in Google by using this link indicates that you would like to see more of our content in Google News results. A humanoid robot from producer Midea is seen in front of the fair during the IFA Consumer Electronics and Home Appliances trade fair in Berlin, Germany, on September 5, 2026. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.

Look Up Back to School Mashable's Best: E-readers, robovacs, laptops, earbuds, smart home and more Mashable Selects Say More Trending Now Good Connection: Uplifting stories for a digital age Creator Playbook Switch Off Mashable Voices Safety Net Versus All Series You don't need to spend $300 to block out noise -- Anker's Q20i headphones are under $40 right now Soumya is a deals writer who covers consumer tech, shopping deals, and the products people use every day. With experience writing about everything from AI tools and software to smartphones and home gadgets, she enjoys breaking down product research into clear, useful recommendations. When she's not tracking deals, she's usually comparing products, digging through reviews, and figuring out what actually makes a purchase worth it. All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

Look Up Back to School Mashable's Best: E-readers, robovacs, laptops, earbuds, smart home and more Mashable Selects Say More Trending Now Good Connection: Uplifting stories for a digital age Creator Playbook Switch Off Mashable Voices Safety Net Versus All Series Soumya is a deals writer who covers consumer tech, shopping deals, and the products people use every day. With experience writing about everything from AI tools and software to smartphones and home gadgets, she enjoys breaking down product research into clear, useful recommendations. When she's not tracking deals, she's usually comparing products, digging through reviews, and figuring out what actually makes a purchase worth it. All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.