PCWorld reports on a quirky new Skyrim mod created by Ikea, adding furniture-themed content to the popular RPG. The mod, called Kallax Storageborn, features actor Matt Berry voicing a sentient Kallax shelving unit, alongside meatball helmets and Allen key weapons. Players can explore Ikea-inspired cave environments, with the mod available now through the Skyrim Creations website, marking an unusual but creative gaming expansion for the furniture brand. The Swedish furniture giant Ikea continues to venture into the world of gaming. A few weeks ago, they unveiled the new Yxstaby collection in collaboration with Microsoft's gaming division, Xbox, but the company has now brought its furniture into the gaming world in the form of an officially licensed mod for the hit game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The'Kallax Storageborn' mod introduces Ikea's classic Kallax shelving unit as a companion in the game, designed to help you carry around all the junk you collect in Skyrim. Actor Matt Berry, known for his role in the TV series, among other things, provides the voice of the Kallax shelving unit in the game. The developers at Kinggath Creations have also added "meatball helmets," an Allen key as a weapon, and an adventure that takes the player into two Ikea-inspired caves. The "Kallax Storageborn" mod can be downloaded from the Skyrim Creations website .

PCWorld reports that Windows 11 may soon natively support automatic light and dark mode switching, a feature previously only possible through Microsoft PowerToys. Microsoft appears to be testing this in experimental builds, with settings allowing transitions based on fixed times or location-based sunrise and sunset cycles. A potential release could arrive with the Windows 11 26H2 update in October, helping reduce eye strain and save power across devices. It appears Microsoft has finally decided to give Windows 11 a true, full-fledged dark mode. That's according to Windows Latest, which discovered this by taking a closer look at the new experimental builds of Windows 11. Windows Latest says it'll soon be possible for Windows 11 to switch automatically between light and dark modes, depending on requirements and the selected application. Until now, this has only been possible using Microsoft PowerToys or certain third-party programs. The absence of a true auto-switching light/dark mode in Windows 11 has been one of its biggest criticisms for years. Although Microsoft hasn't yet officially announced anything, the signs are promising.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. AI subscriptions are the electric bill. You're always going to pay for cloud AI, so why not invest in yourself? The AI pendulum has swung back and forth throughout the last few years, from ChatGPT and Copilot in the cloud, then back to local AI and the PC's newfound NPU, then back to independent agents like Claude. Now it's headed the way of the PC once again, abandoning privacy arguments (which still stand strong!) for a more straightforward argument: It's better for your wallet.

PCWorld reports that Microsoft used its Bing Wallpaper app to display full-screen ads promoting Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movie collections on Windows 11 desktops. The ads appear randomly based on user region, exploiting small print that allows Microsoft to show advertisements within wallpapers meant for scenic daily backgrounds. Reddit users expressed strong disapproval, especially given that Microsoft previously acknowledged showing too many ads to its users. Microsoft recently caused a stir among some users with an ad that fills the entire Windows 11 desktop background. It's a wallpaper that ends up on the computer via the Bing Wallpaper app.

PCWorld reports that Microsoft is finally addressing long-standing Windows 11 taskbar complaints through a new update packed with customization options. Users can now resize the taskbar, reposition it to any screen edge, and adjust Start menu layouts, restoring features many had missed. The update also cleans up Windows Search by hiding Bing and Microsoft Store clutter, while legacy tools like WMIC are being removed to modernize the OS. With yesterday's Patch Tuesday for September, Microsoft not only fixed a record number of security vulnerabilities but also released several new features for Windows 11, which you can try out now (or soon). Microsoft gradually rolls out new features across eligible Windows 11 PCs. That means most users will gain access to the new features within the next few days or weeks.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. It took entirely too long to get the taskbar back on top without mods. But at least I found a cool new program with community-supplied tweaks. This morning I woke up to a freshly rebooted desktop. A bit annoying, but that's just something that happens with Windows 11 -- it reboots to install an update after a while, sometimes even when you don't ask it to.

PCWorld reports that Microsoft's September update patches a record 973 security vulnerabilities, doubling the previous month's total, with 113 classified as critical. Two zero-day exploits are already being actively used by attackers, and flaws in Windows, Excel, SharePoint, and Windows Hello could allow remote code execution or privilege escalation. Users are strongly urged to update their Microsoft software immediately to protect against these serious risks. Yesterday was September Patch Tuesday, which means Microsoft released security updates addressing 973 new security vulnerabilities.

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.

PCWorld reports that Microsoft will end support for Office 2021 on October 13, 2026, leaving users without official security or feature updates and potentially vulnerable to threats. A third-party tool called 0patch offers unofficial micropatches that fix vulnerabilities without altering original software code, providing security coverage for up to three years.

PCWorld reports that Microsoft is making changes to Windows 11 to restore user control, including a repositionable taskbar and more Start menu personalization options. However, customization remains limited, with the Start menu offering only three fixed presets, and many restrictions from earlier Windows 11 versions still in place. Microsoft plans to scale back heavy Copilot AI integration and prioritize community feedback, though these shifts may have come too late for frustrated users.