Creative Cloud Archives

Winsage

November 26, 2025

Uninstalling apps on Windows 11 is about to get much easier — and it’s long overdue

Windows 11 will introduce a feature in the Microsoft Store that simplifies the uninstallation of applications, currently being tested by Windows Insiders. This feature allows users to remove Store-managed apps directly from the library page, while non-Insider users still lack this option. The Microsoft Store has evolved significantly since its launch, now supporting various app types, including Win32, UWP, PWA, .NET MAUI, and Electron apps. It has also attracted major developers like Adobe, Discord, Slack, and Spotify by allowing them to host their applications on their own servers. Additionally, Microsoft has reduced the entry fee for individual developers to join the Microsoft Store, making it more affordable compared to competitors like Google and Apple.

Winsage

September 30, 2025

I tried running Windows apps on Linux with Wine, but virtualization is still better

In recent explorations of running Windows applications on Linux, various solutions were tested, including WinApps, WinBoat, and Wine. Wine translates Windows API calls into POSIX calls in real time, allowing for lower overhead and improved performance, particularly with older applications. Successful installations included Winaero Tweaker, portable versions of Photofiltre 7 and Textroom, and Adobe Photoshop CS6, which had minor visual glitches but functional core features. DoubleKiller effectively identified duplicate files on Linux. The gaming experience with the Windows version of Re-Volt was positive, while attempts to install Microsoft Office 2016 were unsuccessful without an activation key. Modern applications faced significant challenges; Wine struggled with Adobe Creative Cloud, Affinity Photo 2, and Microsoft 365, while WPS Office had installation issues. The Wine team noted that newer applications are less likely to succeed due to complex UIs. In contrast, WinApps provided better support for more applications, despite performance trade-offs. The author expressed a preference for WinApps for modern applications and highlighted the superiority of native Linux apps for seamless functionality.

Winsage

September 12, 2025

Microsoft Store ditches fees for indie devs

Microsoft has announced that individual developers can now publish their applications in the Microsoft Store without incurring any fees, eliminating the previous requirement of a one-time payment. The process has been streamlined, as developers no longer need to provide a credit card to publish their apps. This change applies to over 200 markets and was hinted at during the Build 2025 conference. While individual accounts can publish for free, company accounts still require a one-time fee. Developers must have a Microsoft account, provide identification, submit a selfie for verification, and fill out additional details to register. The Microsoft Store has evolved since its launch in 2012, now supporting various app formats and allowing developers to host apps on their own servers. Popular applications available in the store include Adobe Creative Cloud, Discord, Slack, and Spotify.

Winsage

August 1, 2025

The Microsoft Store on Windows 11 is actually great now — here’s why you should be using it in 2025

The Microsoft Store was launched as the "Windows Store" with Windows 8 in 2012, initially struggling to gain traction. It was rebranded as the "Microsoft Store" during the Windows 10 era and saw significant improvements with the launch of Windows 11 in 2021. The store now features a user-friendly interface, a diverse selection of applications, and allows legacy and desktop-class Windows applications without strict compliance requirements for developers. The app listings are responsive, and the homepage suggests apps based on user preferences. Popular applications available include Opera, Firefox, Adobe Creative Cloud, OBS Studio, and Paint.NET, although Google Chrome is not available. The Microsoft Store provides a safer environment for app discovery compared to web search engines and does not require a Microsoft Account for many downloads. Enhancements have also been made for Windows 10 users.

Winsage

July 30, 2025

Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, Audition, and Media Encoder are Now Native on Windows 11 on Arm

Adobe has released public beta versions of Premiere Pro, After Effects, Audition, and Media Encoder for Windows 11 on Arm architecture. These applications are expected to work well on Qualcomm Snapdragon X-based laptops and tablets. Certain features will be included in the final release of Premiere Pro, such as support for third-party extensions, ProRes support, and hardware-accelerated playback of H.264 and HEVC. However, some features will not be available, including the Loudness Radar effect and export to Wraptor DCP. For After Effects, issues include limited format support and the absence of certain features like Keylight and Mocha. Adobe recommends using the latest Qualcomm Adreno GPU driver for optimal performance. Beta versions of Audition and Media Encoder are also available for Windows 11 on Arm.

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

Adobe Photoshop for Android Is Now Available for Free: Here’s Why It Is Better

Adobe has launched the main Photoshop app for Android, currently available for free on the Google Play Store. The app is in beta testing and includes familiar desktop features, premium tools, and generative AI technology such as Generative Fill and smart subject selection. This is the first authentic Adobe Photoshop app for Android, aiming to provide a comprehensive mobile editing experience that bridges the gap with desktop capabilities and supports Creative Cloud.

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

Adobe Photoshop finally launches on Android

Adobe has launched its Photoshop app for Android devices, featuring desktop-level tools and generative AI capabilities. The app includes layering, masking, and the Spot Healing Brush, with a free version offering professional-grade tools. It integrates with Adobe Stock for access to curated assets and is compatible with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications. Notable features include Generative Fill and Generative Expand, powered by Adobe's Firefly AI. Advanced tools like Object Select and Content-Aware Fill are available through a premium subscription priced at .99 per month or .99 annually. The beta version is available for download on the Google Play Store.

Winsage

March 25, 2025

Windows-on-Arm woes: Amazon warns customers about Surface laptop returns

Qualcomm and Microsoft are enhancing the Windows-on-Arm ecosystem, highlighted during the Microsoft Build event in May 2024. The Surface brand laptops with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite processors received positive feedback for performance and battery life. However, the Microsoft Surface Laptop (7th Edition) has been flagged by Amazon as a "frequently returned item," prompting buyers to check reviews. Customer feedback indicates that app compatibility issues are a primary reason for the returns. Intel's interim Co-CEO suggested that devices with Snapdragon chips are returned at higher rates due to unmet functionality expectations. Despite this, the market for Windows-on-Arm systems remains strong, with major manufacturers adopting Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors. Other Snapdragon-powered devices, like the Microsoft Surface Pro 11, have not faced similar return warnings. The Surface Laptop may have higher return rates due to its popularity and specific shortcomings noted in reviews, such as display quality and keyboard comfort. Microsoft also offers Intel versions of the Surface Laptop and Surface Pro, which may confuse consumers. Qualcomm and Microsoft are working with developers to improve software support for Windows-on-Arm, with notable applications like DaVinci Resolve and Adobe Photoshop now available. Challenges remain, including Qualcomm's discontinuation of its Snapdragon Developer Kit for Windows and limited native support for some applications. Users with specialized needs may prefer traditional x86 Windows versions. Qualcomm plans to unveil its second generation of Snapdragon X processors in late 2025.

Winsage

February 23, 2025

WinApps: Virtualized Windows Apps On Linux, Plus Windowing

Linux users can now run the latest version of Photoshop on Linux machines with access to a dedicated mobile GPU, thanks to innovative open-source solutions. This is achieved through the WinApps project, which integrates a virtual machine into the Linux desktop using Remote Desktop Protocol, allowing Windows applications to run alongside native Linux programs. The setup requires significant effort, particularly in recognizing the GPU, but it enables heavy-duty applications to function effectively on machines like the HP Envy 16 with an Intel i7-12700H processor and 32GB of RAM. While WinApps offers substantial benefits for users relying on Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft Office 365, it is best suited for casual use due to potential bugs and performance issues. The development of WinApps reflects the contributions of various open-source teams, including those at Red Hat, and suggests future enhancements may improve accessibility for users.

Winsage

February 21, 2025

Unblockable ads now litter Microsoft’s Windows Surface app

Microsoft's Surface app has transformed into a marketplace filled with advertisements, overshadowing its original purpose of device management. Users encounter promotional offers, including a 30% discount on an Xbox controller, prominently displayed at the bottom of the interface. Ads are integrated into the app, raising concerns about user consent, and persist even with ad blockers in Microsoft Edge. The app now resembles a shopping platform, which may dishearten users who expected a streamlined experience. This shift reflects a broader trend in Microsoft's ecosystem of frequent marketing pushes across platforms, potentially affecting customer satisfaction and loyalty.