battery saver Archives

Winsage

October 28, 2024

Microsoft heard you like Windows updates, so it updated how updates update

Microsoft has unveiled Windows 11 version 24H2, also known as the Windows 11 2024 Update, which includes improvements to the update installation process, resulting in a 45.6% faster installation, 39.7% quicker restart times, and a 15.3% decrease in CPU consumption compared to version 22H2. Key enhancements include parallel processing of component manifests, optimized reading and parsing of component manifests, and scalable use of available RAM. Traditional feature updates are now approximately 200 MB smaller due to certain inbox applications being updated through the Microsoft Store. Notable features in the update include: - Integration of Phone Link with the Start menu. - Simplified layout for the taskbar system tray. - Revamped Quick Settings for improved speed and customization. - Windows Spotlight image as the default wallpaper. - Animated taskbar app preview thumbnails. - Support for HDR images as desktop wallpapers. File Explorer updates include: - Updated home tab layout with shared documents. - Ability to duplicate tabs via right-click. - Enhanced context menu layout. - Support for .7z and .TAR archive formats. - Direct viewing of Android phone file systems. New apps and features include: - A new Outlook app for email, calendar, and contacts. - Updated Copilot as a standalone web application. - AI features in Photos for generative erase and background editing. - A new Recall app for information retrieval using AI. - Paint with generative AI capabilities. Settings updates include: - Windows Update with checkpoints and hot patching. - Voice Clarity using AI to eliminate background noise. - Simultaneous configuration of power settings. - A new Energy Saver mode. - Configurable mouse scroll wheel direction. - Support for Wi-Fi 7 hardware. - A new PRISM emulation layer for x86 apps on Arm devices. - Enhanced performance for Arm-based devices. - AutoSR using AI to improve gaming performance. - Live Captions translating languages into English in real-time. - Advanced Windows Studio Effects for webcam enhancement.

Winsage

October 10, 2024

Windows 11 bug steals 8.63GB of storage space that you can’t get back

Users of the Windows 11 2024 Update are facing a storage issue where an 8.63GB set of files remains on their systems, found in the "Windows Update Cleanup" section of Temporary files. This problem has been reported widely across forums and confirmed through tests on multiple PCs. Despite this storage challenge, the update introduces several enhancements, including a revamped File Explorer, improved multitasking features, new archive formats, seamless access to Android file systems, an upgraded Outlook app, enhanced Photos app capabilities, optimized Windows Update processes, AI-driven Voice Clarity technology, customizable power settings, support for Wi-Fi 7 hardware, and various improvements to the Taskbar and Quick Settings.

BetaBeacon

October 3, 2024

The best Android games 2024 to play today | Stuff

Balatro is a new Android game that reinterprets the game of poker into a head-scratching roguelite puzzler.

Winsage

October 2, 2024

Windows 11 2024 Update even gives unsupported PCs a performance boost

Microsoft recently released the Windows 11 2024 Update, also known as version 24H2, which includes new features and performance enhancements for PCs. The update is generally available and reportedly improves performance even on unsupported PCs. Key features of the update include an updated File Explorer with a new home tab layout, the ability to duplicate tabs, a revamped context menu, support for .7z and .TAR archive formats, direct access to Android phone file systems, a new Outlook app, enhanced Copilot, AI-driven photo editing tools, improved Windows Update processes, AI-based voice clarity, simultaneous power settings configuration, a new Energy Saver mode, adjustable mouse scroll wheel direction, Wi-Fi 7 hardware support, a new PRISM emulation layer for x86 apps on Arm devices, integration of Phone Link into the Start menu, a simplified taskbar system tray layout, redesigned Quick Settings, and default Windows Spotlight images as wallpaper.

Winsage

October 1, 2024

Windows 11 24H2, the biggest update in two years, starts rolling out today

Microsoft has begun the rollout of the Windows 11 2024 Update (24H2), targeting users on versions 22H2 or 23H2 who opted for quicker access to new feature updates. The update introduces new features such as the Energy Saver, support for Wi-Fi 7 and 80Gbps USB4 Version 2.0 ports, text labels for common actions in the right-click context menu, and refinements in Quick Settings panels. For PCs meeting the Copilot+ program requirements (16GB RAM, 256GB storage, NPU with 40 trillion operations per second), advanced features like an enhanced Recall feature, improved Windows Search, "super resolution" for the Photos app, and generative fill and erase in Paint will be available. The 24H2 update is the most significant change to Windows 11 since the 22H2 update and retains the existing branding despite speculation about a "Windows 12." The update includes technical improvements to the compiler, kernel, and scheduler, enhancing performance and compatibility, particularly for the Arm-to-x86 app translation layer called "Prism." The official system requirements remain unchanged, but the criteria for unsupported installations have tightened, now requiring 64-bit PCs that support the SSE 4.2 instruction set and the POPCNT instruction, which may render some older CPUs incompatible.

Winsage

September 18, 2024

6 non-AI features I’m excited about on Windows 11 version 24H2 (2024 Update)

The Windows 11 2024 Update (version 24H2) introduces several new features: 1. Sudo Command: Users can enable the Sudo command to execute elevated commands without reopening the Windows Terminal as an administrator. It can be run in three modes: inline, with input disabled, or in a new window. 2. Energy Saver: A new mode to optimize power consumption for laptops and desktops, allowing users to extend battery life and reduce energy usage, configurable based on battery levels. 3. Archival Format Creation Support: File Explorer now supports creating archival formats like 7zip and TAR, alongside traditional Zip files, with a wizard for additional settings. 4. Color Profiles in Settings: Color profile management has been integrated into the Settings app, allowing users to import ICM or ICC files and switch profiles. 5. Windows Protected Print Mode: Simplifies printer setup by allowing connection to Mopria printers without third-party drivers, enhancing security and streamlining the process. 6. Wi-Fi 7 Support: The update includes support for Wi-Fi 7, requiring a compatible network adapter and access point, with updated Quick Settings for network management. The update is being rolled out gradually, with full availability expected later in the year, and some features may require new hardware.

Winsage

August 7, 2024

More of this please, Microsoft – we want to see more quality-of-life improvements for Windows 11 like better Voice Access and power-saving features

Windows 11 has released a new preview build in the Dev channel, designated as build 26120. This build includes enhancements for Voice Access, featuring an upgraded spelling and corrections experience that allows users to dictate corrections letter by letter and use commands to select or delete text. It also introduces Energy Saver mode, which replaces Battery Saver and alerts users when battery charge drops to 20%. Users are advised to disable HDR on compatible displays to reduce power consumption. Additional adjustments include the option to disable enhanced mouse pointer precision and modify mouse wheel scrolling direction.

Winsage

August 6, 2024

Microsoft drops new details on Windows 11 24H2’s improved power-saving mode that could help prolong your laptop’s battery life

The Windows 11 24H2 update will introduce a new feature called Energy Saver, which is an enhanced version of the existing Battery Saver. Energy Saver can be activated while the PC is plugged in, allowing users to reduce power consumption without significantly impacting performance. Once activated, users cannot adjust power mode settings until Energy Saver is turned off. It also disables transparency effects in windows and limits background app syncing to extend battery life. Energy Saver is designed to provide greater control over battery usage for users who heavily utilize their laptops.

Winsage

August 3, 2024

How to Use Animated Wallpapers For Free in Windows 11

Windows 11 does not support animated wallpapers natively, but users can utilize the free application Lively Wallpaper to set animated backgrounds. Lively Wallpaper is available on the Microsoft Store and GitHub, allowing users to choose from a selection of wallpapers or upload their own videos, GIFs, and web-based wallpapers. Users can customize wallpapers by adjusting colors, resizing elements, and modifying playback settings. The app supports multiple monitors, offering options to apply wallpapers to selected screens, span across all screens, or duplicate the same wallpaper. Lively Wallpaper includes power-saving features that pause animations during fullscreen applications and allows users to adjust performance settings to optimize battery usage.

Winsage

August 2, 2024

Microsoft details Windows 11 24H2’s new Energy saver, which replaces Battery saver

Microsoft has introduced the Energy Saver feature in Windows 11 24H2, which allows activation even when the PC is plugged in, unlike the traditional Battery Saver. Battery Saver activates automatically below 20% battery and is only available when the device is not connected to power. The Energy Saver reduces display brightness by 30% and disables transparency effects, but users cannot change power mode settings while it is enabled. Both features limit background applications and sync activities for select Microsoft apps to optimize power usage. The latest update also integrates power profiles from the control panel into Windows Settings.