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Microsoft is changing the rules of the game: updates are no longer forced in Windows 11
Winsage
April 29, 2026

Microsoft is changing the rules of the game: updates are no longer forced in Windows 11

Windows 11 has introduced a new update management model that allows users to pause updates indefinitely, transforming the previous 35-day limit into a flexible option. This change addresses user frustrations regarding unexpected reboots and system instability caused by updates. Users can now choose to restart or shut down their systems without automatic updates being installed. This adjustment aligns with Microsoft's strategy to enhance user autonomy, although the company warns that neglecting updates can increase security vulnerabilities. The new features are currently available in test builds, with a wider rollout expected soon.
Microsoft Adds Policy to Let IT Admins Uninstall Copilot From Enterprise Windows 11 Devices
Winsage
April 27, 2026

Microsoft Adds Policy to Let IT Admins Uninstall Copilot From Enterprise Windows 11 Devices

Microsoft has introduced a policy allowing IT administrators to remove the Microsoft Copilot app from managed enterprise devices. This "Remove Microsoft Copilot App" policy will be available as a Policy CSP and Group Policy after the April 2026 Windows security updates for Windows 11 devices on the 25H2 update, specifically for Enterprise, Professional, and Education editions. The policy will uninstall Copilot under certain conditions: both Microsoft 365 Copilot and Microsoft Copilot must be installed, the user must not have manually installed the app, and the app must not have been launched in the past 28 days. Administrators can enable the policy through the Group Policy Editor or configure it via Microsoft Intune and SCCM after the April 2026 updates. The policy aligns with Microsoft's recent changes in managing Copilot, including the cessation of automatic installations and the cancellation of plans to integrate Copilot into system notifications and other features. The policy was initially available to Windows Insiders in January before becoming generally accessible in April 2026.
Review of 'DoNotNotify,' a free Android app that filters and blocks unwanted smartphone notifications.
AppWizard
April 5, 2026

Review of ‘DoNotNotify,’ a free Android app that filters and blocks unwanted smartphone notifications.

DoNotNotify is an Android app that allows users to manage their notification settings with a high degree of customization. Key features include: - Real-time notification blocking using Android's NotificationListenerService. - Creation of deny and allow lists for specific notifications. - Support for simple partial matching and regular expression patterns to filter notifications. - Scheduling rules to be active during specific time frames. - Over 40 pre-configured rules for popular applications. - Automatic addition of relevant rules when compatible apps are installed. - Customizable notification retention and review of received alerts. - Tracking of blocked notifications through a block history feature. - Ability to import and export rules as JSON files. - Offline operation without data collection. To install the app, users can download it from the Google Play Store, enable notification access, and manage rules through the app's interface. Users can create new rules based on their notification history and customize settings, although advanced filtering may require experimentation.
Microsoft will no longer auto-install M365 Copilot app on Windows PCs
Winsage
March 21, 2026

Microsoft will no longer auto-install M365 Copilot app on Windows PCs

Microsoft has temporarily suspended the automatic installation of the Microsoft 365 Copilot app on Windows PCs equipped with M365 applications due to user resistance. The rollout, which began in December, was intended to integrate AI functionalities across tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Users in the European Economic Area were excluded by default, and IT administrators had the option to opt out. Existing installations of the app will not be removed, and users can choose to uninstall it if desired. Microsoft plans to provide further updates before any future rollout.
Microsoft Won't Auto-Install Microsoft 365 Copilot App on Windows 11 Anymore After Backlash
Winsage
March 19, 2026

Microsoft Won’t Auto-Install Microsoft 365 Copilot App on Windows 11 Anymore After Backlash

Microsoft has decided against the automatic installation of the Microsoft 365 Copilot App on Windows 11 by default, influenced by user feedback. The automatic installation, planned for December 2025, is temporarily disabled, while existing installations remain unaffected. Admins can still deploy the app through other methods. The Microsoft 365 Copilot App is a rebranded version of the Microsoft 365 / Office Hub, which was initially intended to be automatically installed alongside the regular Copilot App. This decision faced backlash from users who preferred an opt-in option rather than automatic installations. In response, Microsoft is focusing on resolving existing bugs and enhancing core features in Windows 11, indicating a shift from its previous "AI-everywhere" strategy.
Microsoft says it won't auto install Microsoft 365 Copilot app on Windows 11, likely due to outrage over 'Microslop'
Winsage
March 18, 2026

Microsoft says it won’t auto install Microsoft 365 Copilot app on Windows 11, likely due to outrage over ‘Microslop’

Microsoft has announced a temporary halt to the automatic installation of the Microsoft 365 Copilot app on Windows 11 due to feedback from commercial customers. Initially, the company planned to auto-install the app starting in September 2025, but as of October 2025, it decided to pause this process after receiving negative feedback. Existing installations will remain unaffected, and administrators can still deploy the app through other methods. The Microsoft 365 Copilot app is designed to enhance productivity by optimizing Office applications using AI. Microsoft justified the automatic installation by highlighting the app's potential benefits, but user dissatisfaction led to the reassessment of this strategy. The company is also facing criticism for its aggressive promotion of the Copilot app, which has impacted its reputation in the AI landscape. In response, Microsoft is reevaluating its integration of Copilot within Windows 11 to address user concerns and improve the overall experience.
WinBoat is an open source tool that lets you seamlessly run Windows applications on Linux.
Winsage
January 1, 2026

WinBoat is an open source tool that lets you seamlessly run Windows applications on Linux.

WinBoat is an open-source tool that enables users to run Windows applications natively on Linux systems through virtualization technology. It can be tested on an Ubuntu 24.04 Linux PC using Docker and FreeRDP. Users can download WinBoat as an AppImage, grant execution permissions, and follow installation steps that include specifying installation location, Windows version, language, and system resource allocation. Key features include a refined interface, automatic installation, universal application support, file system integration, USB pass-through support, future GPU support plans, and compatibility with Podman. As of December 2025, WinBoat is in beta and may have bugs. User feedback has been mixed, with some comparing it to a Windows virtual machine and noting issues like browser freezing and the need for a Windows license.
Do Not Click—Microsoft Users ‘Accidentally’ Upgrade To Windows 11
Winsage
December 15, 2025

Do Not Click—Microsoft Users ‘Accidentally’ Upgrade To Windows 11

Microsoft has stated that it is not forcing a Windows 11 upgrade, but users should be careful as an accidental click could trigger an automatic installation that cannot be paused. Windows 10 PCs not enrolled in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program are unable to use the 'Pause updates for 7 days' feature, leaving them vulnerable to security risks. The ESU program is free and is designed to protect against vulnerabilities. Users have reported that their pause option is grayed out, which is unusual. Additionally, Microsoft has repositioned the 'Enroll in Extended Security Updates' option and replaced it with a prompt to download Windows 11, indicating a potential push for users to upgrade. Approximately 500 million Windows 10 PCs are still eligible for the upgrade, and there are no hardware limitations preventing the transition to Windows 11.
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