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AppWizard

June 30, 2025

I always install Chrome Beta on all my Android phones; here’s why

Chrome has not integrated support for multiple accounts on Android, unlike other Google applications that have offered this feature since around 2010-2011. Users often resort to installing Chrome Beta or Chrome Dev to manage multiple Google accounts, allowing them to create distinct browsing sessions. Chrome Beta enables users to link different accounts, maintaining separation between personal and work data. Despite being labeled as "beta," it has proven stable for everyday use. However, users face minor inconveniences, such as having to manually copy and paste links from other applications into Chrome Beta. The current Chrome apps limit users to four accounts, leaving those with more needing alternative solutions. Some users also utilize different Chrome apps for varied purposes, enhancing their browsing experience.

Winsage

June 28, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.4520 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.4520 (KB5060834) has been released to the Beta Channel for users on Windows 11, version 24H2. This update includes new features, improvements, and fixes, which are being gradually rolled out. New features include: - A passwordless improvement in collaboration with 1Password, allowing users to integrate a plugin passkey provider and authenticate using Windows Hello. - Temporary disabling of Japanese support in voice access due to bugs. - Changes to default browser settings, where the new default browser will be pinned to the Taskbar and Start menu unless opted out. Fixes include: - Resolved crashes in File Explorer Home and issues with thumbnail visibility. - Addressed duplicate entries in the Start menu and animation issues with folder expansion. - Fixed a crash involving ctfmon.exe and resolved a memory leak related to the lock screen slideshow. - Improved responsiveness of system dialogs to text scaling. Known issues include: - New Beta Channel joiners may experience a rollback issue during installation. - Touch navigation in the Start menu may not function reliably, and drag-and-drop capabilities are limited. - Xbox Controller users may encounter bugchecks via Bluetooth. - Narrator scan mode may not function correctly in File Explorer for AI actions. - Limitations in pinning within the new widgets board experience. Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel will receive updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2 via an enablement package, with features rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology. Some features may not be publicly released and could change based on feedback.

Winsage

June 27, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5670 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5670 (KB5060838) has been released to the Dev Channel. Key updates include: - Passwordless Improvements: Integration with 1Password for passkey management, allowing users to sign in using Windows Hello after enabling the plugin credential manager. - Versioning Update: The build updates the versioning to 25H2, marking it as this year's annual feature update. - Voice Access: Support for Japanese is temporarily disabled due to bugs. - Settings Update: The new default browser will be pinned to the Taskbar and Start menu unless opted out. - File Explorer Fixes: Issues causing crashes and thumbnail disappearances have been resolved. - Start Menu Fixes: Duplicate entries and animation inconsistencies have been corrected. - Input Fixes: A significant crash affecting typing capabilities has been addressed. - General Fixes: Resolved an issue with the boot sound and fixed a memory leak related to the lock screen slideshow. - Known Issues: Users may experience rollback errors during updates, touch navigation issues in the Start menu, and bugs with Xbox Controllers via Bluetooth. - Reminders: Updates are rolled out gradually, and features may evolve or be removed based on feedback.

Winsage

June 19, 2025

Microsoft Drops New Windows 11 Builds for Canary and Release Preview Testers

Microsoft has released two new Windows 11 preview builds for Insiders on the Canary and Release Preview Channels. The Canary build 27881 includes features such as: - Speech recap in Narrator for monitoring spoken content and live transcriptions. - A profanity filter setting for voice typing that can be disabled. - A redesigned needy state pill UI for taskbar icons. - An accessibility flyout in quick settings categorized by assistive technology types. - Enhanced Windows Share allowing image editing and sharing through the context menu. - A new FAQs section in Settings addressing common system questions. - Updated touch input visual design with "animating bubbles." ISOs for the Canary build 27881 are available for clean installs, and an updated Snipping Tool with GIF export is accessible for Insiders. The Windows 11 24H2 build 26100.4482 for the Release Preview Channel includes: - An option for the taskbar to automatically resize icons. - Enhanced Windows Share with visual previews and three image compression levels. - A Screen Curtain feature in Narrator for privacy. - A settings homepage tailored for managed PCs with enterprise features. - Updated app defaults in the EEA for selecting new default browsers. - A new PC-to-PC migration experience for transferring files and settings during setup. Additionally, Microsoft has released the Windows 11 23H2 Build 22631.5548, which addresses issues from a previous build, and Windows 10 Insiders can access build 19045.6033 to rectify issues from an earlier release.

Winsage

June 16, 2025

Microsoft Weekly: redesigned Windows 11 Start menu, Xbox handheld is here, and more

Microsoft has released Patch Tuesday updates for June 2025, with Windows 10 receiving KB5060533 and Windows 11 receiving KB5060842 and KB5060999. The Windows Insider Program has unveiled several new builds, including a redesigned Start menu in build 26200.5641 and various enhancements in other builds. Microsoft has introduced Copilot Vision with Highlights for Windows, currently available in the U.S. for two applications. A quirky bug in the latest builds causes Windows 11 to play the Windows Vista startup sound. Microsoft Edge received an update in the Dev Channel, while Firefox rolled out version 139.0.4. Microsoft announced enhancements to Outlook and OneDrive for Mac. New Xbox handhelds, the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, were unveiled, optimized for gaming. Steam's Next Fest allows free trials of hundreds of games until June 16, 2025, and the Epic Games Store is offering Two Point Hospital for free.

Winsage

June 14, 2025

New Windows 11 and Windows 10 Builds Are Available on the Release Preview Channel

Microsoft has released new builds for Windows 11 and Windows 10 for Insiders on the Release Preview Channel, focusing on user experience improvements, especially for European Union users. The Settings app has been updated to enhance the default app settings, allowing the “Set Default” button to automatically associate additional file and link types with the newly designated default browser, which will be pinned to the Taskbar and Start menu unless opted out. A new one-click button for browsers has also been added to simplify changing the default app for opening PDF files, addressing previous concerns about Microsoft Edge being set as the default for PDFs. Windows 11's latest build 23H2 (22631.5545) introduces a visual preview feature in the Windows Share window, allowing users to see a representation when sharing links or web content. This update also resolves a performance issue that caused the Windows Search box to take over 10 seconds to load.

Winsage

June 13, 2025

Releasing Windows 10 Build 19045.6029 to the Release Preview Channel

Windows 10 22H2 Build 19045.6029 (KB5061087) has been released to the Release Preview Channel. Key updates include enhancements to mobile operator profiles, resolution of COM functionality issues, and an upgrade of the curl tool to v8.13.0. Adjustments in the EEA region for default browsers include automatic pinning to the Taskbar and Start menu, and a one-click button for changing default settings for .pdf files. Issues fixed include device registration in Entra ID WAM, removal of unused language packs, problems with USB-connected Multi-Function printers, jump lists in the Start Menu, incorrect version display in Settings, unresponsiveness in Kiosk devices, and system hangs on SMB shares.

Winsage

June 5, 2025

Fed up with prompts to use Edge? Windows 11 users in Europe won’t get them anymore, but sadly everyone else will

Microsoft is adjusting its Edge browser experience for users in the European Economic Area (EEA) due to the Digital Markets Act. Edge will no longer prompt users to set it as their default browser incessantly; instead, it will only request this when users open Edge directly. This change was implemented with version 137.0.3296.52 at the end of May. Additionally, web searches conducted via the Windows search box will open in the user's chosen default browser rather than Edge. These enhancements are rolling out throughout June in the EEA. Windows users in the EEA will also soon have the option to uninstall the Microsoft Store, expected to be available in 2025, while applications installed via the store will continue to receive updates. Users outside the EEA, particularly in the United States, will not see similar changes and will continue to experience aggressive promotion of Edge.

Winsage

June 5, 2025

What changes are European regulations bringing to Windows?

Microsoft is implementing significant changes to its Windows operating systems in response to the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which took effect in March 2024. Starting in June 2025, Windows 10 and 11 users in the European Economic Area (EEA) will have the option to uninstall pre-installed applications, including the Windows Store. The process for setting third-party browsers, such as Chrome or Firefox, as the default will be simplified, moving away from the default Edge browser. Microsoft will also stop incentivizing users to switch to Edge by removing pop-up prompts. Additionally, users will be able to select alternative news feeds within taskbar widgets. These changes aim to enhance user control and promote competition within the Windows ecosystem.

Winsage

June 4, 2025

Microsoft will stop pestering Windows users about Edge in EU

Microsoft has made adjustments to its Windows operating system to comply with Europe’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). Designated as a "gatekeeper" under the DMA in 2023, Microsoft is required to modify its core platform services. The changes announced in March 2024 for European users include the ability to uninstall Edge and Bing, support for third-party web applications on the Windows taskbar, and revisions to sign-on practices. Users will now only receive notifications to set Edge as their default browser after opening it, and the "Set Default" button will cover more file types in the EEA. Some enhancements are available in the Beta Channel, with a broader rollout expected in July. Windows Search will allow EEA users to install applications that designate alternative web search providers, and users will soon be able to uninstall and reinstall the Microsoft Store. Jon S. von Tetzchner, CEO of Vivaldi, praised the changes but noted that the process for setting a preferred default browser still needs improvement.