Canary Channel Archives

Winsage

August 3, 2025

Microsoft Weekly: 10 years of Windows 10

Windows 10 celebrated its 10th anniversary, while Windows 11 SE is being discontinued and will not receive the upcoming Windows 11 version 25H2, with support ending in October 2026. Microsoft plans to open-source WinUI, the user interface framework for Windows 11. The Flyoobe tool has been updated to assist users switching from Windows 10 to Windows 11 on unsupported hardware. Recent data shows a gradual increase in Windows 11's market share, while Microsoft Edge struggles in the desktop browser market. Microsoft provided guidance on upgrade paths for businesses transitioning to Windows 11. Updates for Windows Insiders include general fixes and new features across various channels. Microsoft reported a record-high profit of .2 billion and revenue of .4 billion for the last financial quarter. A new Surface Laptop Smurface Edition was announced, and Adobe has made creative applications available natively on Windows on ARM devices. Microsoft Edge introduced an AI-driven feature called Copilot Mode, while Opera filed a complaint against Microsoft in Brazil regarding unfair practices. Microsoft banned the developer account of LibreOffice for violating the Service Agreement. In gaming, Microsoft released the July 2025 update for the Xbox app, allowing game streaming through Xbox Cloud Gaming, and is preparing for the Gamescom show. EA decided to maintain game prices and announced a remaster of Plants vs Zombies: Replanted. A public beta for Battlefield 6 is forthcoming. Valve revealed updates for the Steam client, including a revamped store interface. Special discounts are available for the Back to School season.

Winsage

August 2, 2025

Microsoft has fixed the only Windows bug I’ve ever liked: the Vista startup sound ‘unexpectedly’ playing on Win 11 machines

Microsoft addressed a bug in the Canary channel of the Windows Insider program where the Windows Vista start-up sound was unexpectedly used instead of the Windows 11 boot sound. The company reverted to the standard Windows 11 boot sound and clarified the issue. The Vista boot-up sound, which is also associated with Windows 7, is considered nostalgic by many users. The latest update also fixed other issues, including audio playback interruptions when casting to a TV and crashes in the power and battery settings menu. Users can modify the registry to change startup sounds, allowing them to enjoy a unique 'tada' sound upon booting up their computers.

Winsage

August 1, 2025

Microsoft has fixed the only Windows bug I’ve ever liked: the Vista startup sound ‘unexpectedly’ playing on Win 11 machines

The Windows Insider program allows users to test new features before public release. Recently, some users experienced the Windows Vista start-up sound instead of the Windows 11 sound. Microsoft quickly addressed this issue in the Canary channel, reverting to the standard Windows 11 boot sound, noting that the Vista sound was used unexpectedly. The Vista sound, which is nostalgic for many, was also present in Windows 7. The latest update not only fixed the sound bug but also resolved issues with audio playback when casting to a TV and crashes in the power and battery settings menu. Users can customize their startup sounds by editing registry settings, although the option to revert to the Vista sound is not available in the sounds folder.

Winsage

July 31, 2025

9 new features that arrived on the Windows 11 Insider Program during the second half of July 2025

During July 2025, Microsoft released seven preview builds for Windows 11, including updates from version branches 24H2 and 25H2, and builds 27913, 27909, and 27902 in the Canary Channel, with build 27902's ISO file available for download. Key enhancements included: 1. Click to Do improvements allowing image descriptions on AMD and Intel devices, previously exclusive to Qualcomm Snapdragon. 2. Windows Narrator now generates detailed descriptions of images, charts, and graphs for Intel and AMD processors. 3. A new "Recent activity" feature in the Privacy & security section lets users monitor third-party app access to AI functionalities. 4. AI agent functionality is being gradually introduced in the Settings app, starting with the August 2025 Security Update. 5. The Second Chance Out-of-Box Experience page has consolidated recommendations into a single interface. 6. Windows Search is testing a grid view for image search results. 7. The Notification Center now supports a fly-out from secondary monitors, displaying a full clock. 8. Task Manager has reintroduced a view showing processor usage metrics across various pages, with an option to revert to legacy metrics.

Winsage

July 31, 2025

Windows 11 gets desktop wallpaper fixes, centered Settings search, and more in build 27913

Microsoft has released a new Canary build, 27913, for Windows Insiders, featuring enhancements and fixes aimed at improving user experience. Key changes include: - The search box in the Settings app has been moved to the top center for better usability. - A crash issue in the Settings app when accessing Power & Battery options has been fixed. - An issue with incorrect apostrophe display in Settings dialogs has been resolved. - Fixes have been made to prevent the desktop background from turning black unexpectedly. - An audio issue disrupting sound after casting to a TV has been addressed. - A bug causing repeated KERNELSECURITYCHECK_FAILURE errors for some users after upgrading has been resolved. - Improvements to acrylic effects in certain applications have been implemented. - A fix for the Group Policy Editor has been introduced to address display problems in specific languages. Known bugs include issues with Windows Hello PIN and biometrics for users transitioning to the Canary Channel on new Copilot+ PCs, and a new bug where the progress wheel may appear as a rectangle glyph during upgrades.

Winsage

July 30, 2025

Microsoft finally exorcises the ghost of Windows Vista that’s been haunting the testing channels

Microsoft has addressed a bug in the Windows 11 testing channels that replaced the startup sound with that of Windows Vista. This issue first appeared in the Beta and Dev channels, then resurfaced in the Canary branch. A new patch for the Canary branch has restored the correct Windows 11 boot sound and fixed other bugs, including black desktop backgrounds and crashes in the Settings application. Key changes in the latest update include: - Restoration of the correct Windows 11 boot sound. - Improvements to the desktop experience, resolving unexpected black backgrounds. - Stability enhancements for the Settings application, particularly in the Power & Battery section. - Repositioning of the search functionality in the Settings menu for easier access. Additional fixes include resolving an audio issue after casting to a TV, addressing system crashes for some users after upgrading, and fixing display issues in the Group Policy Editor for certain languages. Known issues that remain include complications with Windows Hello PIN and biometrics for users transitioning to the Canary Channel and visual glitches during upgrades.

Winsage

July 27, 2025

Microsoft Weekly: a new Surface, big Windows 11 feature update, and more

In July 2025, Microsoft released non-security updates for Windows 10 (KB5062649) and Windows 11 (KB5062663 for versions 22H2 and 23H2; KB5062660 for version 24H2), introducing AI functionalities, improvements in Settings, and a redesigned BSOD. Companies like Brave and AdGuard are blocking Windows Recall due to privacy concerns. Microsoft is developing a tool for transitioning from older to newer computers and published a guide for Windows 10's end of support on October 14, 2025. The Windows Insider Program released Build 27909, focusing on minor fixes, and introduced an audio-sharing feature. Microsoft disclosed a security breach in SharePoint affecting the US nuclear weapons department and provided fixes. The Surface Laptop 7 was launched with Intel's Core Ultra 200 Series processors and optional 5G connectivity. The Files app received a preview update with a new Omnibar. Meta is transitioning WhatsApp on Windows to a progressive web app, and Firefox released version 141.0 with AI-powered tab groups. Microsoft is testing a cross-device play history feature for Xbox and reversed its decision on Xbox game pricing. EA announced a new Battlefield installment, and Nvidia added new titles to GeForce NOW. Various discounts and a free game, Legion TD 2, were featured in the Weekend PC Game Deals.

Winsage

July 20, 2025

A Windows Insider user discovers an undocumented ‘Shared audio’ feature in the latest build — quick setting allows you to play audio through multiple outputs

Microsoft has introduced a new 'Shared audio' feature in the latest Windows Insider build, allowing users to stream audio across multiple devices or speakers. This feature can be accessed via a button in the Quick Settings panel, where users can select connected audio devices and initiate audio sharing. Currently, Windows does not have a native solution for simultaneous audio output to multiple devices, and users often rely on unreliable methods or complex third-party applications. The feature's broader rollout is unconfirmed, and its compatibility with Bluetooth devices is uncertain. Users can join the Canary Channel to explore this feature, but it may come with instability and no guarantee of availability for all Insiders.

Winsage

July 20, 2025

Next major Windows 11 update could boost battery life on your laptop with a single click

Microsoft is introducing a new feature called Adaptive Energy Saver for Windows 11, which will automatically toggle Energy Saver mode based on user activity to maximize battery efficiency. Currently, users must manually activate Energy Saver mode, which reduces display brightness and curtails background activities. The Adaptive Energy Saver feature, currently being tested by Windows Insiders, will maintain screen brightness while managing power-intensive components like the CPU and GPU during lighter tasks. This feature is exclusive to devices with built-in batteries and is expected to be rolled out to the wider public later this year. Users can access it through Settings > System > Power & Battery once available.

Winsage

July 18, 2025

Top 6 new features that landed on the Windows 11 Insider Program during the first half of July 2025

During the first half of July 2025, Microsoft released at least six preview builds for Windows 11, including four in the Canary and Beta Channels for version 24H2 and two in the Dev Channel for version 25H2. Notable features introduced include: 1. Quick Machine Recovery (QMR): A feature in build 27898 that minimizes downtime during boot failures by detecting and resolving issues via the Windows Recovery Environment and Windows Update. It is enabled by default on Windows 11 Home and can be configured on Windows 11 Pro. 2. Adaptive Energy Saver: An option in the Energy Saver mode that automatically activates based on system telemetry, available on devices with battery backup starting with build 27898. 3. App Permission Dialog: A redesigned modal that appears centrally on the screen when an app requests special permissions, introduced in build 27898. 4. Administrator Protection: A security feature that generates an authorization dialog for unsigned or untrusted applications seeking elevation, enabling it through Windows Security settings. 5. Passkeys with External Providers: Support for third-party passkey providers, starting with build 26200.5670, allowing users to create and use passkeys with 1Password. 6. Click to Do Image Description: An updated feature in build 26200.5702 that uses AI to describe images, available for Copilot+ PCs, with future support anticipated for Intel and AMD systems.