
This week in Microsoft news: File Explorer ads, HoloLens issues, and more
We report on a broad range of news related to Microsoft and Windows. It’s easy to miss a few stories, especially if you also try to keep up on general tech news. Each Friday, we recap the biggest items of the week covered at Windows Central.
This week included the controversial appearance of an ad (or promo, if you prefer) within the File Explorer and poor expectations for the version of HoloLens that will soon enter testing with the U.S. Army. We also saw the announcement of a new Smart Camera for the Surface Hub 2, a popular Reddit app being optimized for Surface Duo, and news about Intel’s first Arc GPU.
Microsoft struggles with HoloLens for U.S. Army
Source: Microsoft
Sources close to the project expressed fear that the U.S. Army may ditch its $22 billion deal with Microsoft for AR headsets altogether. Negative feedback is expected for the current IVAS units, which are due for field testing in May.
New Surface Hub 2S Smart Camera
Source: Microsoft
The Smart Camera costs $800. That is more than the best webcams that people are used to for consumer usage, but it is actually cheaper than some competing products in the enterprise space. Logitech has a similar camera that costs $1,000. The camera is also included with the purchase of a $22,000 Surface Hub 2 after May 31, 2022.
Ads appear in Windows 11 File Explorer
Microsoft’s Brandon LeBlanc later explained that the ads in File Explorer were not meant to be externally published. Notably, he did not promise that there would never be ads in the File Explorer. Instead, he said that this specific implementation was not meant to be tested publicly.
Sync Reddit app optimized for Surface Duo
First Intel Arc GPU launching this month
Intel Vice President and General Manager Lisa Pearce explained that the first Arc GPUs will be on mobile PCs, such as laptops. More powerful devices will have Arc graphics in the future.
Samsung giving free monitors with Galaxy Book2 orders
The new Galaxy Book laptops have similar names but varying specs. To make sure you order the right one, check out our breakdown of the new Galaxy Book2 devices from the end of last month.




Ancient Windows 1.0 Easter egg unearthed, features Gabe Newell
Just when you thought the lore vaults of ye olde Windows 1.0 had been exhausted, a new entry appears. And it gets even more exciting: This particular nugget of knowledge contains a reference to none other than Valve’s very own Gabe Newell.