desktop backgrounds Archives

Winsage

May 3, 2025

Here’s why Windows 7 took so long to boot with solid color backgrounds in 2009

Some users of Windows 7 experienced a 30-second boot delay when using solid color desktop backgrounds shortly after its launch in October 2009. This issue arose because Windows waited for system components, including desktop icons and the background, to report readiness. If any element was absent, the operating system paused for up to 30 seconds. The problem was also linked to group policies that hid desktop icons. Microsoft addressed the glitch by November 2009. As of recent data, Windows 7's market share has decreased to 2.5 percent, and Microsoft has ceased support for the operating system.

Winsage

May 1, 2025

Hate Windows 11? These 9 free apps make it feel like Windows 10 again

Windows 10 will reach its end of life in 2025, prompting users to transition to Windows 11, which offers applications to recreate the Windows 10 experience. Transitioning to Windows 11 is possible through an update process if hardware requirements are met, with a temporary backup allowing a revert to Windows 10 within ten days. Applications like Start11 and Startallback enable customization of the Windows 11 interface to resemble Windows 10 or 7. Users can also install themes from the Microsoft Store or online, using Ultra UX Theme Patcher for third-party themes. Windhawk mods further enhance customization options. RevertSV provides an ISO image that mimics Windows 10, mainly for testing in virtual machines.

Winsage

April 29, 2025

Windows 7 users with a solid background color faced delayed login process — it took four months for Microsoft to fix

Users of Windows 7 experienced a startup delay of up to 30 seconds if they chose solid color backgrounds due to the logon system waiting for the loading of the desktop wallpaper bitmap. This issue arose because the code to report that the wallpaper was ready was embedded within the wallpaper bitmap code, leading to a timeout if no wallpaper was present. The delay affected users who hid their desktop icons as well, but the actual startup time was not extended; the Welcome screen remained visible for the duration of the timeout regardless of system readiness.

Winsage

December 25, 2024

Permanently remove “Learn more about this picture” icon in Windows 11

Windows 11 users enabling the Spotlight feature for desktop backgrounds often encounter the "Learn more about this picture" icon, which many find distracting. Microsoft has not provided an option to remove this icon through Personalization settings, leading to significant feedback on the Microsoft Feedback Hub. Users can disable Spotlight entirely to avoid the icon or modify the Registry Editor to remove it while keeping Spotlight active. The steps include navigating to a specific registry path, creating a new DWORD value, and changing its data. Alternatively, users can use third-party applications like Explorer Patcher to hide the icon easily.

Winsage

December 5, 2024

Windows 11 Canary build 27758 is out with several fixes for taskbar, File Explorer, and more

Microsoft has released a new preview build of Windows 11 for Canary users, specifically build 27758, which includes several enhancements: - File Explorer: The search box has been adjusted to prevent it from extending beyond the window's edge. - Taskbar: A fix has been made to prevent crashes of explorer.exe when right-clicking app icons. - Input: An issue with the mouse cursor becoming invisible over text fields in certain applications has been resolved. - Desktop: Improvements ensure desktop backgrounds display correctly across multiple monitors. - Task Manager: Work is ongoing to correct the alignment of the Mica background when resized with settings open. - Narrator: A crash issue at launch when using natural voices has been addressed. - Audio: Fixes prevent USB audio devices from going to sleep after one minute of inactivity and address unexpected mute/unmute sounds in certain headsets. - Settings: Crashes when selecting a default audio device have been rectified. - Other: An issue causing an unexpected black line along the top border of windows has been resolved. Known bugs include: - Users on Copilot+ PCs may experience issues with Windows Hello PIN and biometrics, leading to error 0xd0000225. - Rollbacks during installation of the latest Canary builds are under investigation. - Microsoft is addressing issues related to accent-colored window borders, shadows, and animations. - A new bugcheck issue with error PAGEFAULTINNONPAGEDAREA has been identified.

Winsage

November 22, 2024

The official “Bing Wallpaper app” does some nasty, malware-like things to Windows

Microsoft has introduced the Bing Wallpaper app to the Windows Store, allowing users to update their desktop backgrounds daily with images from the Bing homepage. Concerns have been raised by developer Rafael Rivera regarding the app's security and privacy risks, including the automatic installation of Bing Visual Search, code for decrypting cookies from other browsers, integration of a geolocation web API, attempts to change default browser settings, and forced prompts to enable the Bing Search extension. Rivera has labeled the app as malicious and provided a list of extensions users may need to block. The online community has reacted negatively, with some users suggesting the possibility of a class action lawsuit. Alternatives to Bing Wallpaper exist that do not compromise user privacy, and Windows 11 offers built-in options for changing desktop backgrounds.

Winsage

November 21, 2024

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27754 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27754 has been released to the Canary Channel. SDKs for the 27xxx series builds are not planned for release. Key updates include: - Modernized Windows Hello with new visuals for clearer communication and an improved user experience for passkeys. - Users can now launch items as an administrator from the Start menu or taskbar by holding Shift and CTRL. - Enhanced taskbar previews and animations based on user feedback. - A simplified system tray is being tested, featuring a shortened date/time format and a notifications bell icon based on Do Not Disturb status. Fixes include: - Resolved issues with the Digital Markets Act policy application and update rollback leading to duplicate Windows entries. - Fixed display issues for RAW images in File Explorer and improved the search box functionality. - Corrected widget text overlap on secondary monitors and resolved mouse unlocking issues in games. Known issues include: - New users may face Windows Hello PIN and biometrics issues, with error 0xd0000225. - Investigating reports of rollbacks during installation and display issues with accent-colored window borders. - Desktop backgrounds may not display correctly on multiple monitors. Insiders are reminded that Canary Channel builds are early platform changes and may evolve based on feedback. A clean installation is required to exit the Canary Channel.

Winsage

November 21, 2024

Windows 11 build 27754 is out with modernized Windows Hello, new taskbar features, more

Microsoft has released a new Windows 11 update for Canary insiders, featuring Build 27754. Key enhancements include a revamped Windows Hello interface, improved taskbar features, and various updates for user interaction. Users can now launch jump list items as administrators using Shift and CTRL. Taskbar previews and animations have been updated, and a simplified system tray design is being tested. Fixes include resolving issues with the Digital Markets Act policy, incorrect thumbnail displays for RAW images, and problems affecting secondary monitors. Known issues include potential errors with Windows Hello PIN and biometrics on Copilot+ PCs and display problems with desktop backgrounds on multi-monitor systems.

Winsage

November 14, 2024

Windows 11 Canary build 27749 brings fixes for File Explorer, taskbar, Task Manager and more

Windows build 27749 is being rolled out to Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel, focusing on fixes rather than new features. Key updates include: - Narrator: A new shortcut for copying the last spoken phrase to the clipboard and automatic reading of email contents in the new Outlook app. - File Explorer: Resolved excessive spacing in the navigation pane and fixed incorrect display of portrait mode RAW images. - Taskbar & System Tray: The taskbar now shows a search box instead of an icon when set to "Search box." - Input: Updated mouse pointer location visibility for high DPI monitors. - Task Manager: Fixed an issue showing zero apps and processes. - Audio: Prevented certain audio devices from setting volume to 100% upon boot or waking from sleep. - Other Fixes: Addressed issues affecting Git functionality on Arm PCs, KERNELMODEHEAP_CORRUPTION bugcheck, domain joining, and DirectAccess connectivity. Known bugs include an error affecting Windows Hello PIN and biometrics for users transitioning to the Canary Channel on Copilot+ PCs, installation rollbacks, crashes in remote access applications, policy application issues for the Digital Markets Act in EEA regions, and desktop background display problems on multiple monitors.

Winsage

November 7, 2024

Windows 11 Canary Build 27744 returns the Gamepad keyboard, and fixes old dGPUs

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27744 in the Canary Channel, providing a unified experience and eliminating the previous dual-experience model. This build enhances the Prism emulator for Windows on Arm, allowing a wider range of 64-bit x86 applications to run, including support for additional CPU features. The update enables previously incompatible games and creative software to function on Arm devices. Key changes include the simplification of the Start menu, a new Gamepad keyboard layout for the on-screen keyboard, and updates to Task Manager and Settings. Several fixes have been implemented, addressing issues with NVIDIA GPUs, the Emoji Panel, Windows Sandbox performance, and various graphics and app-related bugs. Known issues include potential problems with Windows Hello PIN on new Copilot+ PCs and desktop background display across multiple monitors. Users are encouraged to provide feedback on their experience.