Bing Archives

Winsage

May 22, 2026

Microsoft’s Yusuf Mehdi pledges to reimagine Windows 11 for the AI era in his final year before leaving

Yusuf Mehdi is leaving Microsoft after a 35-year tenure, during which he played a significant role in launching products like Windows 95, Internet Explorer, Bing, Xbox One, and the Surface Pro lineup. He was the Executive Vice President and Consumer Chief Marketing Officer, leading Microsoft's consumer strategy and its push into AI, particularly with the Copilot brand. Mehdi announced plans to continue working on Microsoft's AI strategy, focusing on making Windows 11 an "agentic OS," which allows AI agents to operate autonomously. Despite backlash from users regarding performance issues, Mehdi remains committed to this vision. Recently, Microsoft has shifted its focus to improving Windows 11's functionality, addressing criticism about its performance while continuing to explore AI integration.

Winsage

May 20, 2026

Microsoft is fixing one of the most baffling things about Windows 11 — ‘spam’ in search results

Microsoft is enhancing the search functionality in Windows 11 by prioritizing local results over web-based suggestions in response to user frustrations. Previously, searches could yield irrelevant web results, such as movies instead of applications. The taskbar search box will now ensure that files and applications are more prominently displayed when they match the user's query. While web results will still be available, the focus will be on improving search relevance. This change reflects Microsoft's efforts to refine Windows 11 and address user dissatisfaction with the previous search experience.

Winsage

May 20, 2026

Microsoft says Windows 11’s Search will stop forcing web over your apps and local files in most cases

Windows 11's Search functionality has been updated to prioritize local files and applications over web results, improving the search experience. Recent testing shows that searches for specific files yield more relevant local results rather than web links. Microsoft has confirmed that these changes are part of an initiative to enhance the search experience, as noted in the release notes for Build 26300.8493. Users currently have the option to disable web search through the Registry, but this feature is not available in the Settings menu. Microsoft is working on further improvements, including a clearer distinction between local and web results, and enhancements to search functionality across the taskbar and File Explorer. Additionally, users can expect taskbar customization options and other features aimed at improving the overall user experience.

Winsage

May 19, 2026

Microsoft plans to improve Windows 11 driver quality in 2026

Microsoft is launching the Driver Quality Initiative (DQI) to improve the quality of Windows 11 drivers, which are crucial for the operating system's performance. The initiative includes four pillars: encouraging the use of safer user-mode drivers, implementing rigorous partner verification processes, enhancing the Windows Update catalog, and focusing on stability and performance. Microsoft plans to collaborate with partners like AMD and Intel to achieve these goals. AMD's Director of Software Engineering emphasized that driver quality is a shared commitment. Additionally, Microsoft aims to enhance Windows 11 by reintroducing features like a movable taskbar and improving performance for lower memory devices, with gradual improvements expected in the coming months.

Winsage

May 15, 2026

Why I’m still tweaking Windows 11’s Registry, even after April’s “improvements”

Windows 11's April update includes performance boosts, a refined File Explorer, and a revamped Settings app, but primarily addresses existing issues rather than customization preferences. Users still face challenges with the lack of easily accessible customization options, leading many to rely on registry tweaks to adjust settings not available through the standard Settings menu. Key registry modifications include restoring the classic right-click menu, adding an "End Task" option to the taskbar's right-click menu, disabling Bing search in the Start menu, and removing the Recommended section from the Start Menu. These tweaks enhance functionality and convenience, as the updates do not sufficiently address user customizability concerns.

Winsage

May 13, 2026

Windows 11 security update fixes critical Bing and Azure flaws

Microsoft released its May 2026 Patch Tuesday updates for Windows 11, addressing 97 security vulnerabilities across various components, including Windows, Microsoft Office, Azure services, SQL Server, SharePoint, Hyper-V, and .NET. The updates are encapsulated in KB5089549 for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, elevating systems to builds 26100.8457 and 26200.8457. Notable vulnerabilities include CVE-2026-32169, a critical flaw in Azure Cloud Shell with a CVSS score of 10.0, and CVE-2026-21536, a critical remote code execution vulnerability in the Microsoft Devices Pricing Program with a CVSS score of 9.8. Other critical vulnerabilities include CVE-2026-32191 and CVE-2026-32194, impacting Microsoft Bing Images, both with CVSS scores of 9.8. The update also addresses multiple Windows privilege escalation vulnerabilities and remote code execution vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office and Excel. Microsoft has warned of upcoming Secure Boot certificate expirations starting in June 2026 and has improved boot reliability related to BitLocker recovery issues. Users can install the updates via Settings → Windows Update, with a system restart required.

Winsage

May 4, 2026

Microsoft says it’ll simpilify Windows 11’s Edge browser by removing features like Sidebar, pledges to win back users

Microsoft is removing the Sidebar feature from Microsoft Edge, starting with users of Microsoft accounts (MSA), though no specific timeline has been provided. The Sidebar, which allowed users to integrate web apps like Outlook and Bing, will no longer support adding new apps, and its quick access list will be gradually removed. The Copilot feature within the Sidebar will remain unaffected. CEO Satya Nadella stated that Microsoft is committed to enhancing user engagement across its platforms, including Edge, which has gained market share for 20 consecutive quarters.

Winsage

May 3, 2026

Microsoft’s CEO promised the world to consumers in a speech about fixing Windows 11 — but one thing Satya Nadella said worries me

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella reaffirmed the company's commitment to enhancing Windows 11 during a recent earnings call, emphasizing a focus on quality and serving core users better. He also expressed a commitment to Xbox and changes to Game Pass in response to customer feedback. Nadella mentioned that Windows now has over 1.6 billion active devices globally, highlighting its dominance in the desktop market. However, he faced criticism for including Bing and Edge in the consumer-focused dialogue, as their relevance to average consumers is questionable. Concerns were raised about upselling tactics within Windows 11, which some users find intrusive.

Winsage

May 2, 2026

Microsoft is finally turning off the MSN feed and ads in Windows 11 Widgets by default

Microsoft has modified the default behavior of the Widgets feature in Windows 11, confirming that the MSN feed will no longer be displayed by default when users hover over the Widgets icon. This change is being gradually rolled out through the Windows 11 Insider Experimental Preview Build 26300.8346. The updated Widgets experience includes several modifications: - The Widgets board will no longer open on hover; users must click the Widgets icon to access it. - Taskbar badging for breaking news and alerts will be turned off by default. - Animated taskbar alerts will only appear after user interaction with the Widgets board. - Upon first launching the Widgets board, users will see core widgets like weather and calendar instead of the MSN news feed. Users can manually customize their Widgets experience by disabling the "Open Widgets board on hover" option, turning off the MSN feed, or completely removing Widgets from Windows 11. Additionally, a redesign of the MSN feed is planned, featuring rounded corners to distinguish it from the Widgets. Microsoft aims to create a calmer operating system by reducing distractions and excessive notifications.

Winsage

May 1, 2026

Microsoft CEO wants to win back lost Windows fans

Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, announced the company's renewed focus on improving user engagement with Windows and its consumer offerings during the third quarter of fiscal year 2026. Microsoft is addressing issues in Windows 11 by enhancing speed and reducing bugs, with key objectives including improving performance on devices with lower RAM, simplifying the update interface, and focusing on core features. Notable updates include options to postpone or skip system updates, the removal of unnecessary applications like Copilot, and enhancements such as displaying NPU activity in Task Manager and a built-in Internet speed test. Microsoft is also transitioning to native frameworks like WinUI 3, redesigning the Start menu to function directly at the system level, which is expected to reduce RAM consumption and improve performance stability on lower-resource devices.