developer tools Archives

Winsage

July 31, 2026

Windows quality: an update on the commitment we made in March

In March, a commitment was made to enhance the quality of Windows, with a focus on several immediate changes including enhanced taskbar customization, meaningful AI integration, minimizing disruptions from Windows Updates, faster and more reliable File Explorer, greater control over widgets and feed experiences, a more straightforward Windows Insider Program, and improving the Feedback Hub experience. The core areas of focus are performance, reliability, and well-crafted experiences, with improvements already being rolled out to Windows Insiders and set to expand across Windows 11 PCs this fall. Recent updates include enhancements to the Windows Search Box, improvements for developers at Build 2026, advancements in WinUI 3, updates to the Taskbar and Start menu, simplified AI integration, foundational architecture enhancements for File Explorer, updates to widgets and feed experiences, the launch of the Driver Quality Initiative (DQI), memory efficiency improvements, enhanced reliability for Windows Hello, changes to reduce disruptions from Windows Updates, and a simplified Windows Insider Program. Looking ahead, the team plans to bring enhancements to general availability while focusing on onboarding and setup, memory optimization for PCs with 8GB and above, family features, and improved voice interactions. Engaging with Windows Insiders has been a highlight, and the team remains committed to ongoing improvements based on user feedback.

Winsage

July 23, 2026

China Wants a Future Without Windows. It Starts This September.

Huawei will launch its first PCs powered by HarmonyOS in September, aiming to reduce China's reliance on Windows and create a homegrown computing ecosystem. The rollout will initially target government departments, financial institutions, and enterprise customers. HarmonyOS has been developed in response to U.S. sanctions, which restricted Huawei's access to Google services, advanced chips, and Windows licensing. The operating system has achieved high-level Chinese security certifications, making it suitable for sensitive government use. Huawei plans to build an interconnected ecosystem similar to Apple's, integrating HarmonyOS laptops with its other devices.

Winsage

June 28, 2026

Upgrade like an insider — Windows 11 Pro is just $10 through June 28

Microsoft is offering Windows 11 Pro for .97, down from the regular price of 9, as part of its Deal Days promotion running until June 28. This offer includes a lifetime license for Windows 11 Pro, which features advanced capabilities such as BitLocker encryption, Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, and Azure AD support. The operating system also includes enhancements like Snap Layouts, DirectX 12 Ultimate, and a Copilot AI Assistant. Users must ensure their PC meets the necessary system requirements before purchasing. Prices are subject to change.

Winsage

June 25, 2026

Making Windows a developer platform, again

Setting up a PC with the base Dev Config has been streamlined for developers, utilizing the Winget configuration service to install applications, execute updates, and apply developer settings on Windows. Users can access setup scripts by cloning a GitHub repository or downloading a zip archive, with clear instructions provided by Microsoft. The installation may require a reboot during the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) installation, but the script resumes automatically afterward. The process installs applications such as PowerShell, Git, GitHub command-line interfaces, Windows App SDK, Visual Studio Code, and language support for Node.js, Python, and .NET. It also includes developer-friendly fonts and a theme engine for Windows Terminal, along with options for customizing File Explorer and the Windows Task Bar. After WSL installation, developers can use WSL Comfort scripts to install additional tools and personalize their Windows Terminal experience. This utility has two phases: the Windows component configures WSL and Ubuntu, while the Linux component fine-tunes the WSL environment, allowing for zsh and starship terminal display tools. It also integrates popular command-line interfaces and supports the Homebrew package installer, targeting existing Ubuntu instances without needing a new Linux distribution installation.

Winsage

June 7, 2026

4 Windows 11 tools from Build 2026 that signal what’s coming next for the OS

Microsoft announced several key updates at the Build 2026 developer conference, particularly for Windows 11: 1. Coreutils: This suite brings familiar Linux command-line utilities to Windows 11, allowing developers to use commands like ls, cp, and mkdir natively without third-party solutions. It can be installed via GitHub or the Windows Package Manager. 2. WSL Containers: This feature introduces a built-in container runtime for running Linux containers on Windows 11, eliminating the need for external platforms like Docker. It utilizes a command-line tool called "wslc.exe" and allows for OCI-compatible Linux containers. 3. Intelligent Terminal: This feature integrates AI agents into the terminal, providing context-aware assistance for developers. It can be installed via the Microsoft Store or Command Prompt. 4. Windows Developer Configurations: This configuration file for the Windows Package Manager automates the installation of essential developer tools and settings, streamlining the setup process for new development or testing machines.

Winsage

June 7, 2026

Microsoft and Nvidia are betting on AI to make old x86 Windows apps run better on next-gen RTX Spark PCs

The Microsoft Build 2026 Developer Conference will showcase new tools and frameworks aimed at enhancing developer productivity, insights into AI integration in applications, and updates on Azure services for cloud scalability. The conference will feature keynote speeches, interactive workshops on building cross-platform applications, enhancing user experience, and security best practices, as well as networking opportunities for developers to connect with peers and industry experts.

Winsage

June 6, 2026

I break down 4 new Windows 11 tools from Build 2026 that genuinely stood out and show where the OS is heading

During the Build 2026 developer conference, Microsoft announced several updates for developers using Windows 11. Key announcements included: 1. Coreutils: A utility that enhances the experience of toggling between operating systems, allowing developers to install it via GitHub or the Windows Package Manager with the command "winget install Microsoft.Coreutils." 2. WSL Containers: A built-in container runtime that eliminates the need for third-party platforms like Docker, facilitated by a new command-line tool "wslc.exe" and an accompanying API. 3. Intelligent Terminal: A feature that integrates AI agents into the terminal, providing context-aware assistance directly within the command line. It can be installed via the Microsoft Store or with the command "winget install Microsoft.IntelligentTerminal." 4. Windows Developer Configurations: A configuration file (dev-config.winget) that automates the installation of essential developer tools and settings with a single command, simplifying the setup process for new development or testing machines.

Winsage

June 4, 2026

Microsoft Positions Windows as a Platform for AI Agents — THE Journal

Microsoft Build 2026 highlighted a shift in Windows strategy, positioning it as a comprehensive operating environment for AI agents rather than just a collection of AI features. Key announcements included: - Expanded Windows AI APIs utilizing CPUs, GPUs, and NPUs. - New local AI models optimized for execution on Windows devices. - Enhanced Windows Terminal and developer tools for agent-driven workflows. - Increased support for Linux development, including native command-line utilities and Linux container support via the Windows Subsystem for Linux. Security measures were emphasized, with mechanisms like execution containers to regulate AI agent behavior and access permissions. The conference focused on agent orchestration, communication protocols, and tools for managing autonomous systems. Microsoft aims to establish Windows as a robust infrastructure for future collaboration between software agents and human users.

Winsage

June 4, 2026

Microsoft drives developers toward native Windows apps at Build 2026

Microsoft is focusing on increasing native applications and components in Windows 11 to improve performance and user experiences. At the Build 2026 conference, Microsoft encouraged third-party developers to create native applications through a series of sessions and provided tools and resources for this purpose. The Windows K2 initiative aims to transform key elements like the Start menu into native components. A session titled "Use agents to build WinUI 3 apps" discussed strategies for developing native applications, including the use of AI tools like the WinUI agent plugin for GitHub Copilot. Microsoft also introduced WinUI 3 templates to streamline native app creation and emphasized the modernization of applications beyond just code rewriting. The Surface Laptop Ultra, announced at Computex, is designed for AI workloads, featuring up to 128GB of RAM and built on the NVIDIA RTX Spark platform, which includes a 20-core Arm N1x CPU and an RTX GPU with up to 6,144 cores, delivering 1 petaflop of AI computing power. This device aims to attract developers to Microsoft's ecosystem.

AppWizard

June 3, 2026

Google is reportedly buying Android app code from Play Store devs to train AI models

Google is initiating a program to acquire code from Android app developers, referred to as a “confidential content offer pilot,” to enhance its AI capabilities and improve developer tools. The program aims to compensate developers for sharing their code, including active and archived projects, creating additional revenue opportunities. Selected developers are being contacted via email, which highlights the potential benefits of participating in the program, such as influencing future collaborations with Google.