desktop customization Archives

Winsage

November 29, 2025

This free program is all I need to make my Windows desktop perfect

Microsoft removed widget support after Windows 7, leading to nostalgia for native desktop widgets. Windows 11 reintroduced widgets, but the implementation was limited and cluttered. Widget Launcher allows users to add and pin customizable widgets directly to their desktops, offering a user-friendly interface and easy installation from the Microsoft Store. It features two skins (light and dark), customizable color settings, and retains data without crashes. The app runs automatically at boot, maintaining desktop layout and settings, and has low resource consumption, rarely exceeding 100 MB of memory usage. The default widget collection includes practical options like a Notes widget, RSS feed widget, and world clock widget, with a free tier that meets most users' needs and a paid tier for additional designs.

AppWizard

November 14, 2025

6 of the most popular apps on Steam that aren’t games

Steam offers a variety of software tools in addition to its extensive library of games, which can enhance productivity and creativity in the workplace. Aseprite is a tool for creating high-quality pixel art with a minimalist interface and features that streamline the creative process, making it suitable for indie game developers and artists. RPG Maker MZ allows users to create their own games without extensive coding knowledge, catering to both beginners and seasoned developers, and is compatible with current operating systems. Wallpaper Engine enables users to create unique static or animated wallpapers, allowing for personalization of desktop backgrounds. Crosshair X allows users to customize crosshairs for various games, enhancing gameplay by tailoring the aiming experience. Soundpad enhances voice chats by enabling users to play sound effects and music clips during conversations, improving the social experience of gaming and online interactions.

Winsage

September 23, 2025

Would You Want a Video Clip as Your Windows 11 Background?

A new setting has been discovered in the developer version of Windows 11 (build 26×20.6690) that allows users to set video files, such as .mp4, as their desktop background. This feature, called Windows DreamScene, originally debuted in Windows Vista Ultimate in 2007, enabling users to personalize their desktops with moving wallpapers. DreamScene was not widely recognized at the time due to its limited availability and general disinterest in animated wallpapers.

Winsage

September 22, 2025

Windows 11 is getting a video wallpaper feature

Microsoft is reintroducing the DreamScene feature in the latest builds of Windows 11, allowing users to set video wallpapers using video files such as MP4 or MKV. This feature was previously available in Windows Vista and has been requested by the Windows community. DreamScene will enable videos to play seamlessly on the desktop, similar to the third-party application Wallpaper Engine, which is popular among users. Microsoft initially supported video wallpapers in Windows Vista's Ultimate version but discontinued it with Windows 7. The company has been experimenting with dynamic animated wallpapers for Windows 11, although these did not launch in the final release version of the operating system. The return of DreamScene may reduce the need for third-party solutions like Wallpaper Engine.

Winsage

September 20, 2025

Microsoft is finally bringing native video wallpapers to Windows 11 — 16 years after Windows Vista’s DreamScenes

Microsoft is developing a feature for Windows 11 that will allow users to set videos as their desktop wallpapers. This feature, found in the latest preview builds, will support various video formats, including MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV, M4V, and MKV. It aims to provide dynamic visuals on the desktop, playing selected videos seamlessly. The implementation is expected to be user-friendly, similar to the current image-setting process. Although there are concerns about battery life and system performance, the feature indicates a shift towards enhanced customization options in Windows 11. The feature has not been officially announced, but its presence in preview builds suggests a potential rollout soon.

Winsage

July 6, 2025

I replaced my Windows desktop with this custom shell, and I actually love it

Cairo Shell is an application that transforms the Windows desktop experience by altering the taskbar and user interface elements. It serves as a file browser, displaying the contents of the desktop folder and allowing easy navigation through any folder directly from the desktop. Users can access their desktop contents via a keyboard shortcut or taskbar button, maintaining workflow continuity. The menu bar, reminiscent of macOS, provides access to settings, favorite programs, and user folders, allowing customization and quick access to files. The taskbar features a floating design with adjustable icon sizes and an option to auto-hide, though it does not combine icons for the same application. Cairo Shell is user-friendly, with a straightforward setup process that enhances the overall experience.

Winsage

April 24, 2025

7 things I learned while making the perfect, productivity-focused desktop environment on Windows

Windows 11 has challenges for users seeking a productivity-centric desktop experience, prompting many to seek alternatives and customization utilities. Key elements for enhancing productivity include effective file management, quick access to applications, and tools to streamline workflow. For file management, users can benefit from dual-pane file manager alternatives like XYplorer, File Pilot, Files, and Total Commander, which improve efficiency beyond the default File Explorer. Customizing the Start Menu by relocating it to the left and using tools like StartAllBack, Start11, and Windhawk can enhance productivity. Pinning frequently used apps to the taskbar allows for quick access and utilizes jump lists for recent documents. Disabling the News & Interests widget can reduce distractions, and many users choose to remove Microsoft's Copilot due to unmet expectations. For desktop customization, tools like StartAllBack, Windhawk, Rainmeter, and PowerToys can improve both appearance and functionality. PowerToys offers over 20 utilities, including FancyZones for window management and PowerToys Run for quick application access, making it essential for optimizing workflow. Overall, effective file management, application accessibility, and thoughtful customization are crucial for enhancing productivity on Windows 11.

Winsage

February 25, 2025

5 apps that give you the desktop widgets Microsoft won’t

Microsoft has reintroduced a side widget feature in Windows 11, but it lacks extensive customization options. Users nostalgic for Windows 7's desktop gadgets can explore several third-party applications to enhance their desktop experience: 1. Rainmeter: A powerful desktop customization tool that allows users to create and apply skins as widgets displaying various information, with a vibrant community providing thousands of skins and mods. 2. Widget Launcher: A simple application for adding various widgets like calendars and clocks to the desktop, allowing resizing, but includes ads during the installation process. 3. GadgetPack: Restores the classic Windows 7 gadget experience on Windows 10 and 11, featuring around 50 pre-installed gadgets that can be customized and placed anywhere on the desktop. 4. BeWidgets: A modern widget application for creating custom widgets for time, date, finances, and weather, designed with a minimalist aesthetic, though it requires manual creation of widgets each time. 5. Widgets Box: Offers a diverse collection of widgets, including digital clocks and calendars, but many features require a paid subscription. It includes unique tools like a browser search bar and a stylish flip clock.

Winsage

February 15, 2025

8 tools that will change how you use Windows

Windows 11 offers a variety of features and a vibrant ecosystem of third-party applications, but users often find the default experience lacking in productivity. Several tools are available to enhance the Windows experience: 1. EarTrumpet: A comprehensive volume mixer that allows users to control audio for each application and playback device seamlessly. 2. Twinkle Tray: Simplifies brightness adjustments across multiple monitors directly from the taskbar and offers automation features based on the time of day. 3. Everything: A lightweight search tool that indexes files quickly, allowing for instantaneous local file searches. 4. OneCommander: A dual-pane file management tool that enhances navigation and organization of files with features like color-coded labels and advanced previews. 5. Start11: Customizes the Start menu, allowing users to choose styles, create folders and groups, and integrate File Explorer folders for quick access. 6. Rainmeter: A platform for extensive customization of the Windows interface with community-driven skins and widgets. 7. PowerToys: Includes utilities like FancyZones for creating custom window layouts, enhancing multitasking efficiency. 8. Flow Launcher: A powerful search and app launcher that streamlines workflows by enabling users to perform tasks using just their keyboard. These applications collectively improve the Windows 11 experience by addressing common issues and enhancing productivity.

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.