color Archives

Winsage

June 28, 2025

7 tools I use to customize my Windows 11 desktop

Microsoft Windows has a range of customization features, with third-party utilities emerging to restore lost functionalities and enhance user personalization. - Wallpaper Engine: Offers motion-reactive wallpapers and allows users to create dynamic backgrounds; available on Steam for a one-time purchase. - Rainmeter: A utility for creating desktop widgets that display system performance metrics; can be integrated with HWInfo for detailed monitoring. - Nexus Dock: A Mac-style desktop dock alternative that enhances desktop organization; available in free and Ultimate editions with various themes. - Translucent Taskbar: A lightweight utility that adds translucency to the Windows taskbar, allowing dynamic appearance changes based on user activity. - Custom Pointers: Users can enhance their experience with creative cursor designs available online, particularly on DeviantArt. - Tabbed Navigation for Windows: Stardock's Groupy 2 allows users to group applications into a tabbed interface, improving workflow; available for a one-time fee. - Hiding Your Icons: Users can hide desktop icons for a minimalist workspace, with a macro option for quick access. These third-party applications provide tools for users to tailor their Windows experience, enhancing both aesthetics and functionality.

Winsage

June 27, 2025

So Long, Blue Screen of Death. Amazingly, You’ll Be Missed

Microsoft plans to retire the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) in Windows 11, replacing it with a minimalist "unexpected restart screen" that will feature a black background and a single message: “Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart.” The redesign is part of the Windows Resiliency Initiative aimed at enhancing system robustness and clarity. The BSOD originated from Windows NT 3.1 in 1993, where it displayed a wall of white text on a blue background. The change follows a significant incident in 2024 where a problematic update caused widespread issues, prompting Microsoft to distance itself from the iconic blue screen.

Winsage

June 27, 2025

No, Windows didn’t kill the Blue Screen of Death, it just got a makeover

Microsoft is set to introduce a new version of the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) for Windows 11, changing its color from blue to black as part of an update aimed at enhancing user experience. The redesigned BSOD will feature a dark interface, display an error code, and identify the driver or file responsible for crashes. This update will roll out later this summer following testing with Windows 11 Insiders. The 24H2 release has improved crash dump collection, reducing downtime during restarts to about two seconds. The new BSOD will eliminate the QR code and frowning face, which are currently included. Additionally, a new feature called Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) will be introduced to address PC crashes and boot-up issues by automatically repairing malfunctioning devices through the Windows Recovery Environment. When a critical boot-up error occurs, the PC will connect to the network and send diagnostic data to Microsoft, which will then dispatch a specific fix via Windows Update. Both the new BSOD and QMR will launch later this summer for all Windows 11 24H2 devices, with QMR enabled by default for Windows 11 Home users and customizable options for IT administrators in Pro and Enterprise systems.

AppWizard

June 27, 2025

You can now edit HDR videos using an app Samsung helped bring to Android

Samsung has introduced notable applications for Android tablets, including LumaFusion, a professional video editor. The latest version of LumaFusion (2.3) for Android now supports HDR video editing, available on select devices with HDR-capable screens, primarily high-end Galaxy smartphones and tablets. Users can check compatibility by starting a new project and looking for specific color spaces in the Color Space option. This version also fixes several bugs related to blank clips, title presets, and voiceovers. LumaFusion can be downloaded from the Galaxy Store or Google Play Store, with a 50% discount available on the Galaxy Store in India.

Winsage

June 27, 2025

Microsoft Officially Retires the “Blue Screen of Death” After 40 Years

Microsoft has updated its critical error screen, reducing downtime during system crashes to about two seconds for most users. The new interface improves readability and aligns with the design principles of Windows 11. Notably, it features a color change from the traditional blue screen to a black palette, moving away from the Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) that has been a part of Windows since 1985.

Winsage

June 27, 2025

Back in black: Microsoft Blue Screen of Death going dark

Microsoft will retire the Windows Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) in favor of a black screen as part of the Windows Resiliency Initiative (WRI), with the change rolling out later this summer for Windows 11 version 24H2 devices. This update follows a security incident in July 2024 that affected approximately 8.5 million Windows machines. The WRI aims to enhance system resilience by reengineering Windows code and allowing security software to operate outside the Windows kernel, minimizing risks from vendor security code. A private preview of the new Windows endpoint security platform will be available to Microsoft Virus Initiative partners next month.

Winsage

June 27, 2025

Windows’ infamous ‘blue screen of death’ will soon turn black

Microsoft is updating the "Blue Screen of Death" to a black background with a more concise message and a progress percentage indicator, set to roll out later this summer for Windows 11 (version 24H2). This change is part of an initiative to enhance the resiliency of the operating system following a significant incident last year. Additionally, a "quick machine recovery" feature will be introduced to improve the recovery process for PCs during outages, allowing for automated fixes without complex manual interventions. This feature will also be available later this summer, with further enhancements planned for the year.

AppWizard

June 25, 2025

Nothing’s bare-bones gallery app scores a major upgrade as Phone 3 launch draws closer

The Nothing Gallery app has received a substantial update that enhances user experience with new editing tools for images and videos. Key features include six cropping and rotation tools, a color grading feature with twelve tuning parameters, and ten adjustable filters. A basic video editor has also been introduced, allowing users to trim clips, adjust audio volume, and modify slow-motion speeds. The update includes performance improvements, with transitions from the camera to the gallery being over 20% faster and image processing speeds improved by up to 25%. AI-powered photo categorization has been integrated for a more cohesive visual interface. The update will be available via the Google Play Store for eligible devices by tomorrow.

Winsage

June 24, 2025

Bring the “Windows 10 look” back to Windows 11 — Everything I changed to restore the desktop UI experience

Many users transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11 find the new design and interface changes challenging. Windows 11 features a centered Taskbar, a simplified Start menu, and an updated File Explorer and Settings app. Users can customize their Windows 11 experience to resemble Windows 10 by making several adjustments. To align the Taskbar and Start menu to the left, users can go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors and select "Left" for Taskbar alignment. To show app labels in the Taskbar, users need to select "Never" for the "Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels" setting in the same menu. For those preferring the classic File Explorer, they can access it by searching for Windows Tools in the Start menu and selecting Home or This PC. Users can also change the color scheme by going to Settings > Personalization > Colors and selecting "Custom" mode, choosing a dark theme, and enabling accent colors for the Start and taskbar. To display classic desktop icons, users can go to Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings and check the desired icons. In Notepad, users can disable new features by adjusting settings in the app to revert to a more classic experience. For further customization, third-party tools like ExplorerPatcher and Windhawk can be used. ExplorerPatcher allows users to restore various interface elements from earlier Windows versions, while Windhawk provides a framework for modifying Windows 11 with community-created mods. Both tools can be installed via the Windows Package Manager and offer options to revert to classic aesthetics.

AppWizard

June 24, 2025

A more Google-y Gemini logo may be right around the corner (APK teardown)

Google is updating its Gemini interface to incorporate its iconic red, blue, green, and yellow colors, moving away from the previous two-tone color scheme. An APK teardown of the Google app revealed a new animated Gemini logo featuring these colors in the latest beta version (16.24.66.sa.arm64 beta). The onboarding screens have also been updated to reflect the new color scheme, with text now appearing in black. The chat interface will feature a new color gradient for greetings, a blue gradient above responses, and a loading animation that includes the full spectrum of Google colors. These updates are not yet available to end users.