desktop environment Archives

Winsage

April 9, 2026

Windows 11’s emergency March update is breaking window management

In late March, Microsoft released emergency patch KB5085516 to fix issues with Microsoft app logins. However, this update has caused problems for Windows 11 25H2 Pro users, who are now unable to move or resize application windows. Uninstalling the patch restores the previous window management capabilities. Microsoft has not acknowledged these new issues on their support page for the update. Users experiencing difficulties can temporarily resolve the problem by uninstalling KB5085516.

Winsage

April 6, 2026

“If it’s this easy, why don’t more Windows apps use a PC’s NPU?” — Microsoft MVP demonstrates how he added meaningful AI to an app in just 10 minutes

AI PCs with Neural Processing Units (NPUs) are becoming common in technology, enabling innovative applications that utilize on-device AI. Microsoft's Windows AI APIs facilitate easy integration of AI into applications, requiring only a Copilot+ PC with a capable NPU. Lance McCarthy, a Microsoft MVP, highlights tools available for developers, including Phi Silica for local language modeling, AI Text Recognition for OCR, and AI Imaging tools for image processing. McCarthy's Xkcd Viewer app exemplifies these tools, featuring AI-powered image descriptions for visually impaired users, which enhance the experience beyond simple text readouts. The modification of the app took ten minutes and significantly improved user accessibility.

Winsage

April 3, 2026

I saved a doomed Windows laptop by embracing Linux

The author switched from a MacBook Air to a nine-year-old ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 5, which does not meet the requirements for Windows 11 due to its 7th-gen Intel processor. Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 in October, leaving many devices like the ThinkPad considered "obsolete." The author installed Linux Mint on the ThinkPad, which is compatible with older hardware and provides a user-friendly experience. The ThinkPad has 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and was purchased for 0. Despite some challenges, such as reduced battery life and minor driver issues, the device remains functional for everyday tasks. Linux Mint is free and open source, requiring no mandatory agreements for installation.

Winsage

April 3, 2026

I switched to Linux and got tools that Windows users will never have pre-installed

Transitioning from Windows to Linux reveals a wealth of open-source software that enhances user experience. A key moment was switching from Fedora to openSUSE Tumbleweed, where Snapper, a snapshotting tool, was encountered. Snapper allows users to take snapshots of system files, enabling easy reversion to previous states without data loss. It automatically tracks significant changes, while Timeshift offers similar functionality in distributions like Linux Mint. KDE Plasma provides a fully customizable desktop environment, allowing users to personalize their experience with widgets, themes, and KDE applications. KDE Connect connects phones to Linux, enabling notification mirroring, file sharing, and media control, surpassing Microsoft's Phone Link. Linux package managers offer users significant control over their operating system, providing detailed information about downloads and dependencies. Although the command-line interface may seem intimidating initially, it becomes a preferred method for software management. Additionally, Linux distributions typically come with a wide range of high-quality applications pre-installed, enhancing the overall user experience.

Winsage

March 31, 2026

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.8142 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.8142 (KB 5079492) has been released to the Dev Channel. Key updates include: - Administrator Protection: IT administrators can enable this feature in Settings under Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Account Protection, requiring a restart to apply changes. - Touchpad: A new setting allows users to adjust the size of the right-click zone (default, small, medium, large) for touchpads with a pressable surface. - Task Manager: Enhancements include new columns for NPU usage, NPU Dedicated Memory, NPU Shared Memory, and an optional Isolation column for identifying apps running in an AppContainer. - Windows Protected Print Mode: A new icon has been introduced. - Accessibility: An issue affecting Braille use for Insiders in previous builds has been resolved. Features are rolled out gradually, and feedback can be shared via the Feedback Hub. The desktop watermark is a normal occurrence for Insider pre-release builds, and some features may not be released or may change before the final version.

Winsage

March 19, 2026

AI Fatigue: Microsoft Pulls Back on Putting Microsoft Copilot Everywhere in Windows 11

Microsoft has decided to abandon plans to integrate Copilot more deeply into Windows 11 following user complaints. Features that would have introduced AI-driven notifications and enhancements are no longer being pursued. The company acknowledged user pain points and is shifting focus towards core stability fixes scheduled for 2026. Additionally, the launch of Windows Recall in 2024 faced privacy issues, leading to a revised version that includes data encryption and user authentication. Microsoft has also allowed administrators on Pro and Enterprise systems to uninstall the Copilot app under certain conditions, reflecting a response to user feedback and past update failures.

Winsage

March 18, 2026

Researchers Reveal ‘RegPwn,’ a Windows Registry Vulnerability That Granted SYSTEM Privileges

A Windows vulnerability named "RegPwn" (CVE-2026-24291) allows low-privileged users to elevate their access to full SYSTEM privileges. Discovered by the MDSec red team, it has been in use since January 2025 and was addressed in a recent Microsoft Patch Tuesday update. The vulnerability exploits the management of Windows accessibility features, which generate a registry key that grants full control to low-privileged users. When a user activates an accessibility tool, the configurations are copied into the local machine registry hive, which remains writable by the logged-in user. This creates an opportunity for manipulation, especially when user-controlled settings interact with the Windows Secure Desktop environment. An attacker can exploit this by modifying their user-level accessibility registry key and using an oplock on a system file, allowing them to replace the local machine registry key with a symbolic link to an arbitrary system registry key. This process operates under SYSTEM privileges, enabling the attacker to write arbitrary values to restricted areas of the Windows registry. MDSec demonstrated this technique to gain access to a SYSTEM-level command prompt. Microsoft has released security updates to address this vulnerability, and MDSec has made the exploit code available on GitHub for research purposes.

AppWizard

March 17, 2026

Android 16 brings desktop windowing to Pixel and Samsung phones

Google has announced that connected display support for Android has reached general availability with the release of Android 16 QPR3. This feature allows compatible Android phones and foldable devices to initiate a new desktop session on an external display while maintaining the phone's independent state. Supported devices include the Pixel 8, 9, and 10 series, as well as various Samsung devices like the Galaxy S26, Fold7, Flip7, and Tab S11. The collaboration between Google and Samsung has been crucial in developing this feature. The Android 16 QPR3 release has refined windowing behaviors, taskbar interactions, and input compatibility for mouse and keyboard usage. It introduced two new width window size classes: Large (1200dp to 1600dp) and Extra-large (1600dp and above) to assist developers in creating adaptive layouts. Navigation 3 has also been released, providing a system for managing UI flow based on Scenes. Design principles for desktop contexts have been updated, emphasizing the importance of multitasking, efficient use of screen space, and accommodating various input types. The Android Design Gallery has been launched to showcase design examples across different categories and input types. The announcement has implications for mobile advertising and app measurement, as the distinction between mobile and desktop ad inventory becomes more complex. Developers are advised to ensure their apps can adapt to changes in display configurations to maintain ad performance and measurement accuracy. Key dates include the announcement of connected display general availability on March 3, 2026, and the launch of the Android Design Gallery on March 16, 2026.

Winsage

March 13, 2026

Lifetime Office 2021 And Windows 11 Pro Bundle Hits $50

A bundle is available that includes a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and Windows 11 Pro for approximately . This offer provides an estimated discount of 88% off the typical retail price, eliminating ongoing subscription costs. Office Professional 2021 includes applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, while Windows 11 Pro features security enhancements such as BitLocker and virtualization capabilities. The bundle is particularly appealing for users looking to upgrade from older versions of Office or Windows. Office 2021 is a perpetual license for a single Windows PC and will not receive new features, only security and bug fixes. Windows 11 Pro is also a perpetual license, requiring separate purchases for major future releases. Users must ensure their PC meets the hardware requirements for Windows 11, including a compatible 64-bit CPU and TPM 2.0. This deal is suited for solo professionals, students, and small teams, but may not be ideal for those who rely on cloud collaboration and frequent feature updates.

Winsage

March 6, 2026

FRANK OS 1.0 Launches With a Retro Windows 95-Like Desktop

FRANK OS is a newly launched open-source graphical desktop operating system specifically designed for microcontrollers, with its first official version, 1.0, now available. It is built on FreeRTOS rather than the Linux kernel, optimized for the RP2350 microcontroller, which has approximately 520 KB of SRAM and dual CPU cores. The operating system features a desktop environment reminiscent of Windows 95, including overlapping windows, a taskbar, and a start-menu-style launcher. It supports standard desktop behaviors and allows users to switch between applications using an Alt+Tab-style interface. FRANK OS comes preloaded with nine lightweight applications, such as an interactive terminal, a C compiler, classic games, and a ZX Spectrum emulator. Programs can be compiled as ARM ELF binaries and loaded from an SD card. The system is aimed at hobbyists and experimental use.