desktop environment Archives

AppWizard

August 9, 2026

‘I am a big roguelike guy, but also a fan of minimalism and elegance’: Sam Barlow, creator of Her Story, guides us through the games in his Steam Library

Sam Barlow is the director of Half Mermaid and a notable figure in interactive fiction, known for his work on games like Arrival, Ghost Rider, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, Her Story, Telling Lies, and Immortality. He has a fondness for the game D: The Game, appreciating its cinematography and atmosphere despite its design flaws. Barlow has dedicated over 500 hours to Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island, which he considers one of the greatest roguelikes. He also treasures Riven, keeping it installed at all times for its artistic value. On the non-gaming side, he relies on Fade In, a screenwriting software that he finds essential for his work. Barlow's desktop is chaotic, as he saves everything there, leading to a cluttered environment.

Winsage

August 8, 2026

Windows 11 can feel loud and distracting out of the box — here are the features I disable immediately to make the OS calmer and easier to use

- Lock Screen Notifications can be disabled to prevent distractions on the lock screen. - Start Menu Recommendations can be turned off to streamline access to pinned apps. - To disable Recommended section in the Start menu, go to Settings > Personalization > Start and toggle off options for recent apps, recommended files, and account-related notifications. - Web highlights in Windows Search can be disabled for a more focused search experience by navigating to Settings > Privacy & security > Search and toggling off "Show search highlights." - Taskbar app badges can be turned off to reduce interruptions by going to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar and unchecking "Show badges on taskbar apps." - Desktop icons can be hidden by right-clicking on the desktop, selecting "View," and unchecking "Show desktop icons" for a clearer workspace.

Winsage

August 7, 2026

Linux users finally get a real Copilot app, and Microsoft didn’t even make it

Linux is gaining popularity, with Microsoft acknowledging its relevance by introducing applications for the operating system. An unofficial Copilot alternative for Linux, developed by Hayden Barnes, features a dedicated GTK window for the Copilot web application, allowing secure login sessions and integration with the desktop environment. The app supports autostart, system downloads, and hardware permissions, while providing a native GTK design that enhances user experience with desktop accent colors and dark themes. It isolates Copilot from the browser to improve performance. The first public release of the app occurred this week, and its long-term stability and performance will be monitored.

AppWizard

August 5, 2026

Need to run Windows or Android apps on Linux? This new release makes it easy

AnduinOS V2.0 has launched, featuring a full Wayland stack that improves user experience. It is a custom Linux distribution based on Ubuntu, designed for newcomers to Linux, with a GNOME desktop environment that resembles Windows. The distribution includes minimal preinstalled software, such as Firefox and a music player, but allows users to install additional applications via GNOME Software with Flathub integration. A key feature is the onboarding process that prompts users to enable the Windows Compatibility Sandbox for running Windows applications. Waydroid can be easily set up with two terminal commands, providing access to Android apps. AnduinOS maintains stability and speed comparable to other Linux distributions, supports easy application installation, and offers user-friendly customization options. It promotes open-source principles by combining Linux, Android, and Windows functionalities.

Winsage

August 3, 2026

An official Microsoft engineer gives a favorite unofficial Windows 11 app a shiny polish

Microsoft is addressing performance gaps in Windows 11, particularly with built-in applications. Users have turned to third-party applications like Files, which has received a substantial update focusing on file extraction and folder loading improvements. The update includes enhanced user experience features, such as updated sidebar icons and improved management of encrypted archives. A notable addition is the integration of WindowSill into Files, allowing users to perform various tasks directly from file selections without opening dedicated applications. This integration provides context-aware actions for different file types, including images, PDFs, videos, and Office documents. The update also includes numerous bug fixes and performance enhancements. The latest version of Files, 4.2.2, is available for download on GitHub and the Microsoft Store.

Winsage

July 18, 2026

I tried this Linux distro that looks like Windows, is made by a Microsoft engineer, and is based on Ubuntu

AnduinOS is a new Linux distribution created by a Microsoft engineer, based on Ubuntu, designed to provide a user experience similar to Windows 11. It offers both Long-Term Support (LTS) and short-term releases, with the latter featuring enhancements over its predecessor. Unlike Ubuntu, which uses Snap packages, AnduinOS utilizes Flatpak for software management, allowing access to a wider range of applications. The desktop environment closely resembles Windows 11, featuring a taskbar, Start menu, and other familiar elements, enhanced by GNOME extensions. Users can customize the taskbar and Start menu extensively, surpassing the customization options available in Windows. The integration of GNOME extensions, such as Clipboard History and Tiling Shell, further enhances productivity and user experience.

Winsage

July 15, 2026

Indomitus Group Brings indiAccounting to Windows: Buy-Once Accounting and Payroll Now Available for Windows 11

Indomitus Group has launched indiAccounting, a desktop accounting and payroll application for Windows 10 and 11, available for a one-time purchase of 9. This application, initially launched for Linux, offers a robust double-entry accounting system with optional payroll functionality for all 50 states. Unlike subscription-based services that can cost small businesses between ,000 to ,000 annually, indiAccounting allows users to own their software and data without recurring fees. The application operates offline, requires no account setup, and includes features such as double-entry bookkeeping, invoicing, accounts management, inventory tracking, and financial reporting. The optional indiPayroll add-on manages payroll calculations and tax forms for all states. Users can manage an unlimited number of businesses under a single license, with each company maintaining isolated financial records.

Winsage

July 14, 2026

Improving Windows Search Box, with less clutter and more control

Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel are beginning to receive phased enhancements to the Windows Search Box. Key improvements include a streamlined home screen to reduce visual clutter, clearer context for search results indicating their source (app, setting, file, web result, or Store suggestion), and the removal of promotional content from web results. Users can control the display of web and Microsoft Store results through a new setting. Local results are prioritized when relevant, and the search function has improved its handling of typos and partial words. Ranking enhancements for settings results and better file search capabilities have been implemented, along with increased reliability and reduced crashes. Feedback is encouraged through the Feedback Hub.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

How to run Linux GUI apps on Android (when it actually works)

Android 17 is progressing towards enabling a fully functional Linux desktop environment, allowing for the potential to run Linux GUI applications. The Android kernel is based on Linux, and Google has integrated Linux terminal support. Users face challenges with the implementation of the Weston app, which is intended to provide a graphical environment for Linux GUI applications. The process to enable Linux GUI apps involves several steps, including enabling Linux terminal support, installing Flatpak, and accessing the Wayland terminal. However, users encounter technical hurdles, such as insufficient memory allocation and issues with the D-bus portal, leading to a frustrating experience. Despite some successful attempts to run the Weston command, persistent errors hinder functionality, and the feature is not yet ready for widespread use.

Winsage

July 7, 2026

Valve shares Windows drivers for Steam Machine and says an official dual-boot wizard will ship “once it’s complete”

Valve's Steam Machine runs on SteamOS, allowing users to access their game libraries directly. It can also function as a standard PC, enabling the installation of alternative operating systems, including Windows. Valve has released official Windows drivers for essential hardware components like graphics processors, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and SD card readers, but does not provide technical support for Windows users. Installing Windows requires wiping SteamOS completely, and while dual-booting is possible, an official setup wizard is not yet available. Users must access the boot menu by powering down the device and pressing the Escape key during restart. An internet connection via Ethernet is necessary for the Windows setup process, as Wi-Fi will not work until drivers are installed.