Action Center Archives

Winsage

July 30, 2025

Windows 10 is ten years old and it had some of the best and worst ideas ever

Windows 10 was a significant advancement for Microsoft, introducing features like Cortana, a digital assistant, and Windows Hello, a biometric security feature. It celebrated its tenth anniversary but is set to retire in October 2025, with Microsoft ending support for it. Despite the rise of Windows 11, which faced criticism for its TPM 2.0 security requirements, Windows 10 maintained a strong user base until recently. Additional features included the Action Center and the Xbox App, while some elements from Windows 8 persisted. Cortana was designed to enhance user interaction, but Windows 11's changes have been viewed as less inclusive, impacting users with older PCs.

Winsage

May 16, 2025

I made the Windows 11 taskbar truly my own with these customizations

Windows 11 offers taskbar customization options that enhance user experience. TranslucentTB is a free tool that allows users to change the taskbar's color and transparency, adapting its appearance based on different scenarios. ExplorerPatcher enables users to restore the Windows 10 taskbar design, providing individual buttons for features and customizable flyouts. Windhawk is a modding tool that offers unique themes for the taskbar, transforming its appearance into styles reminiscent of other operating systems. Start11 allows users to pin folders to the taskbar for easier access. Windhawk also provides mods to enhance taskbar labels and customize the clock. ObjectDock offers a macOS-style dock as an alternative to the traditional taskbar, featuring animations and visual customization options.

Winsage

December 18, 2024

5 ways to make Windows 11 feel less annoying

Windows 11 has strict hardware requirements, a centralized taskbar, a redesigned Action Center, and advertisements on the Start menu, which frustrate some users. Users can make the following adjustments to improve their experience: 1. To silence account notifications, go to Settings > Personalization > Start and toggle off "Show account related notifications occasionally in Start." 2. To disable targeted Microsoft ads, navigate to Settings > Privacy & security > General and toggle off "Let apps show me personalized ads by using my advertising ID." 3. To remove the news feed from Widgets, press Windows key + W, click the gear icon in the Widgets board, select "Show or hide feeds," and toggle off the switch next to Feeds. 4. To hide ads in Microsoft Edge, open a new tab, click the gear icon, and set the Content setting to Off. 5. To remove Bing from Windows Search, open Registry Editor, navigate to ComputerHKEYCURRENTUSERSOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows, create a new key named Explorer, create a DWORD (32-bit) Value named DisableSearchBoxSuggestions, set its value to 1, and restart the PC.

Winsage

November 17, 2024

Microsoft Weekly: one dead Insider Channel, a big drop of Windows updates, and more

November 2024's Patch Tuesday updates have been released for Windows 11 and Windows 10, including KB5046617 and KB5046633 for Windows 11, and KB5046613, KB5046615, KB5046612, and KB5046665 for Windows 10. These updates address security vulnerabilities and resolve app crashes on Windows 10 and Task Manager issues on Windows 11. Microsoft has introduced new group policies to prevent auto-upgrades for Windows Server 2022 and 2019. Both Windows 10 and 11 will see a reduction in updates starting December 2024. Official Windows 11 ISO files for ARM devices have been released. The Microsoft Store will remove instant games from the Arcade tab on November 14, 2024, but will introduce Android games through a partnership with Tencent. A new "Edit with Paint" context menu option has been added for Windows Insiders. Windows 10's Beta Channel has been discontinued, transitioning users to the Release Preview Channel. Microsoft has reintroduced the MSN brand with a new logo. Microsoft Edge has been updated to version 131, and notable driver updates include Intel's 32.0.101.6297 and Nvidia's 566.14 WHQL. Upcoming game releases include Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on December 9 and S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2: Heart of Chornobyl on November 20. Blizzard announced remasters of Warcraft I and II. Age of Empires II's fifth anniversary has led to unlocked DLC packs for existing owners and Game Pass subscribers. The Game Pass library has added three Spyro games. Discounts on Xbox Series X|S consoles and controllers are available for the holiday season, along with a software update for Xbox consoles introducing new features. The Epic Games Store is offering free games, including Castlevania Anniversary Collection and Snakebird Complete.

Winsage

November 14, 2024

Microsoft is shutting down this Windows feature five months after it was announced

Microsoft has announced the discontinuation of the Windows 10 Beta branch, transitioning users to the Release Preview Channel as the sole testing channel for Windows 10. Users can manually switch channels through "Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program." This decision aligns with Microsoft's focus on Windows 11, while still allowing users to retain familiar Windows 10 features during the transition.

Winsage

November 13, 2024

You can now revive the old Windows 10 Action Center on Windows 11

Windows 10 and Windows 11 share a common kernel but have notable differences affecting user experience. Users miss the ability to reposition the taskbar in Windows 11, a feature available in Windows 10. The redesigned Action Center in Windows 11 has led some users to seek ways to restore the old Action Center from Windows 10. This restoration can be done without third-party applications by modifying the Windows Registry. Users can copy a specific registry key and save it as a .reg file to reinstate the old Action Center. The registry key is: [HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionControl Center] "UseLiteLayout"=dword:00000001 Backing up the Windows Registry before making changes is crucial. Manual editing is also an option, but a system restart is required for changes to take effect. This method currently works only for users on the Canary Channel with Build 27744. The decision to switch back to the old Action Center depends on personal preference, with some users valuing its calendar integration and consolidated notifications and quick settings interface, while others may prefer the separated panels in Windows 11 for better accessibility and management.