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Winsage

November 8, 2024

AI Has Come for Sweet, Innocent Notepad

Notepad has introduced a new feature called Rewrite, powered by Microsoft's GPT AI model, which allows users to rephrase sentences, adjust tone, and modify text length. Users can access this feature by highlighting text and selecting the Rewrite option from the context menu or using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + I. The feature generates three variations of the modified text based on user-selected options. Currently, it is available to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels of Windows 11, specifically in the U.S., France, the UK, Canada, Italy, and Germany, with additional access for Microsoft 365 and Copilot Pro subscribers in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan. Users need to sign in with their Microsoft accounts and have credits to use the GPT model, starting with 50 complimentary credits. Microsoft Paint has also been updated with AI features, including Generative Fill and Generative Erase tools.

Winsage

October 30, 2024

5 reasons I’m never upgrading to Windows 11

Over seven years have passed since the installation of Windows 10, which began with a gaming PC using AMD's Ryzen CPUs and a GTX 1050 Ti. Many users feel upgrading to Windows 11 is unnecessary due to a strong attachment to Windows 10. Windows 11 has been criticized for its pervasive ads, privacy issues, and the integration of Copilot+ features that have not significantly improved the user experience. Current Windows 11 users report dissatisfaction with unexpected functionality, compatibility issues, and frequent updates introducing new bugs. Complaints about driver compatibility and blue screens of death (BSOD) are common. The latest 24H2 update has also caused problems, prompting user frustrations. A brief experience with Windows 11 revealed issues like changes in the Start menu, missing context menu options, and the presence of bloatware. Concerns about future bugs, particularly related to specific WD SSDs, contribute to reluctance in upgrading. Users appreciate the familiarity and efficiency of Windows 10, with its intuitive Start menu, accessible settings, and absence of forced Microsoft account usage. As Windows 10's lifespan decreases, many users are cautious about navigating Windows 11, weighing risks against potential rewards.

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 25, 2024

uBlock Origin alternative AdGuard fixes Windows-induced BSOD, promises dark mode everywhere

Brave has committed to supporting uBlock Origin despite Google Chrome's decision to disable it. AdGuard has released version 7.19 for Windows, which includes a feature for users to apply a dark theme to webpages using Userstyles. The update also addresses improvements and fixes, including resolving a BSOD issue related to the netio.sys driver and integrating updated drivers for network traffic filtering. Additional improvements include support for the Floorp browser and updated translations. This version will be the last to support Windows 7 and 8.1.

Winsage

October 18, 2024

9 must-know details about Windows 11’s big 2024 update

Windows 11 is set to receive a significant update in 2024, known as version 24H2, which will enhance user experience and tighten security protocols. The AI feature "Recall," designed for AI-based searches, has been shelved due to data protection concerns. The update will not allow installations on older hardware that does not meet new requirements, including Arm processors that must run version 8.1 or later. The AI assistant Copilot will be available as a standalone app without system modification capabilities. The user interface will be refreshed, featuring a simplified date display, an updated quick access menu, and the ability to pin applications to the taskbar via drag-and-drop. A new sidebar will improve smartphone connectivity. Users will be able to create ZIP and TAR archives from the context menu, and the Teams client will support private chats. The update will introduce the "sudo" command for administrative tasks, support the Wi-Fi 7 standard, and enhance printer compatibility with Windows Protected Print Mode.

Winsage

October 17, 2024

The New Windows 11 24H2 Version Is Out, Here’s What’s Changed on Our Computers – Jason Deegan

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Version 24H2, featuring significant updates including: - Enhanced Energy Saver Mode that optimizes battery life for laptops by limiting background processes and reducing CPU usage. - Improved smartphone integration through the updated "Phone Link" app, allowing smartphones to be used as webcams and providing quick access to mobile app features from the desktop. - A more customizable Start menu, enabling users to pin applications to the taskbar and access Microsoft account information directly. - Noteworthy enhancements to File Explorer, including native support for 7zip and TAR formats, performance optimizations for ZIP file extraction, and improved navigation features. - A more user-friendly Quick Settings menu with easier scrolling, customizable arrangements, and a refresh button for Wi-Fi networks. - Support for HDR wallpapers, allowing the use of .JXR format images and automatic adjustments between HDR and SDR displays. - Support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth LE Audio, enhancing connectivity options and introducing features for hearing aid users. - Voice Clarity feature that reduces background noise during voice calls using AI technology. - New Copilot+ features, including voice interaction, personalized news summaries, enhanced AI capabilities for complex queries, smarter browsing in Edge, and improved memory function for sensitive data. Users can manually initiate the update by navigating to Settings > Update & Security if it does not prompt automatically.

Winsage

October 12, 2024

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4367 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4367 (KB5044373) has been released to the Beta Channel, introducing various changes and improvements. New features include the ability to share files directly with applications via the context menu in File Explorer or on the desktop. Fixes include resolving spacing issues in the Start menu's all apps list, addressing crashes in live captions, and correcting taskbar functionality for cycling through multiple windows of the same app. Insiders in the Beta Channel will receive updates based on Windows 11, version 23H2, through an enablement package, with features rolled out gradually using Control Feature Rollout technology. Features may evolve or be removed based on feedback, and localization issues may exist for features in development.

Winsage

October 11, 2024

Declutter Microsoft Windows — remove Copilot, Widgets, and News and Interests from the taskbar

Microsoft has introduced features like "News and Interests" and the "Copilot" AI assistant to enhance user experience on its operating systems. However, many users prefer a simpler taskbar similar to Windows 7. To disable these features for a cleaner desktop interface, users can follow specific steps: To disable News and Interests on Windows 10: 1. Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar. 2. Hover over the News and Interests option. 3. Select Turn Off. To disable Copilot on Windows 11: 1. Open the Group Policy Editor (Win + R, type gpedit.msc). 2. Navigate to Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Copilot. 3. Double-click on the Turn off Windows Copilot setting, select Enabled, and apply changes. Alternatively, use the Registry Editor to create a DWORD value named TurnOffWindowsCopilot with a value of 1. To disable Widgets on Windows 11: 1. Right-click the Taskbar. 2. Select Taskbar Settings. 3. Toggle the switch next to Widgets to turn it off.

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.

AppWizard

October 10, 2024

A new Android 16 feature will open any app on the screen in a pop-up window

Google is developing a feature called "bubble anything" for Android 16, which allows users to open any application in a floating window that hovers above other apps. This feature was introduced in the Android 15 QPR1 beta and marks an improvement over the previous "bubbles API" from Android 11, which was limited to messaging apps. The new functionality includes a "bubble" button in the context menu when users long-press an app icon, enabling efficient multitasking, especially for tablet users. However, the feature has not yet been officially confirmed and may change before its release.