Microsoft Start: News & more

Smart news, weather and finance in one customizable feed

Microsoft Start: News & more aims to be a one-stop hub for staying informed, and it mostly succeeds with an impressive mix of curated journalism and personalization. At its core is a scrolling feed that aggregates stories from a wide network of reputable publishers. You can follow topics such as world news, technology, sports or entertainment, and the algorithm quickly learns what you actually click on, refining your feed over time.

The app goes beyond headlines with robust weather and finance sections. The weather hub provides hourly and 10‑day forecasts, radar-style visuals, air quality and UV index details, which makes it useful for planning your day rather than just checking the temperature. The financial area acts as a compact market dashboard, letting you track indices and favorite stocks at a glance, with quick access to related business news.

Short-form video is another pillar of Microsoft Start. A TikTok-like vertical feed serves bite-sized clips ranging from breaking news snippets to viral internet moments. It is ideal when you have a few spare minutes, though auto-playing videos and occasional sensational content can feel a little overwhelming.

The interface is clean and in line with Microsoft’s modern design, with smooth scrolling and snappy performance even on less powerful devices. Customization options—such as managing your interests, rearranging sections and choosing light or dark mode—help keep the experience tailored rather than generic.

On the downside, advertising is fairly prominent, and sponsored stories can sometimes blur into regular articles. Personalization is good but not flawless, occasionally surfacing clickbait-style pieces. Still, for users who want an integrated stream of news, weather, markets and quick videos in one place, Microsoft Start is a polished and dependable option.