dialog boxes Archives

Winsage

January 7, 2026

9 things I always do after setting up Windows 11 – and why you should too

When setting up a new Windows 11 PC, you can choose between a Microsoft account and a local account, with the former offering enhanced security, data protection, and account recovery options. It's recommended to verify that the correct Windows edition is installed and activated, check for driver issues in Device Manager, install the latest updates, and consult the manufacturer's support site for updated drivers. You can remove unwanted third-party app shortcuts from the Start menu and customize it by adjusting pinned and recommended items. The taskbar can be streamlined by disabling unnecessary features and unpinning unused applications. Popular apps can be installed from the Microsoft Store, and Windows Sandbox can be enabled for secure testing of new applications or websites.

Winsage

December 16, 2025

Microsoft tests Windows 11 26H1 update with new features

Microsoft has released a new test version of Windows 11 for the Canary channel of the Windows Insider Program, part of the 26H1 development branch. This update includes functional and visual enhancements, particularly focusing on artificial intelligence features, such as an AI agent in the Settings app for easier navigation and assistance. The Click to Do context menus have been expanded to offer context-sensitive actions using local AI capabilities. A new full-screen gaming experience is being piloted to enhance usability on larger displays. Interface modifications include further integration of dark mode in File Explorer, new quick actions, and improvements to file sharing. Quick Machine Recovery has been enhanced, and a new page for managing paired mobile devices has been introduced. Microsoft emphasizes that this Canary version is experimental and not for production use, with features rolled out in phases and a clean installation required to revert to a stable version. The final components for public release remain uncertain.

AppWizard

December 12, 2025

Free Android App Brings Back Reading One Sentence at a Time

The Seriatim Reader app presents text one line at a time, catering to users' fragmented attention spans by mimicking social media feeds. Approximately 25% of American adults reported not reading a single book in the past year, while users spend over five hours daily on devices, primarily consuming short-form videos. The app is compatible with EPUB, PDF, and TXT formats, allowing users to tap through sentences and customize their reading experience with various themes and adjustable text spacing. It provides access to public-domain books and open research materials, minimizing distractions and enhancing reading engagement. The design reduces cognitive load and promotes a frictionless reading experience. Seriatim Reader serves as a gateway for those seeking narrative satisfaction without overwhelming distractions, allowing users to gradually increase their reading focus.

Winsage

December 4, 2025

Microsoft just broke File Explorer dark mode – some Windows 11 users are seeing jarring white flashes when opening folders

Windows 11 has released a preview update, KB5070311, aimed at improving dark mode, but it has introduced a visual glitch causing a white flash when opening folders in File Explorer. This issue occurs during various actions, such as navigating tabs and toggling the Details pane. Microsoft has acknowledged the problem, noting that users may experience a brief blank white screen before files and folders load. The update was intended to enhance dark mode consistency, but the glitch disrupts the user experience, particularly in low-light environments. The next cumulative update is scheduled for December 9, 2023.

Winsage

November 3, 2025

Lone developer shrinks Window 7 down to 69 MB, claims ‘virtually nothing can run’ but that it does actually boot

A tech enthusiast known as @XenoPanther has created a minimalist version of Windows 7 that is only 69 MB in size, but it has critical missing files that prevent most functions from running. This version is described as more of a curiosity than a practical operating system. Additionally, there is a 100 MB version of Windows 11 that lacks a graphical user interface, and the nano11 project compresses Windows 11 to 2.29 GB by removing unnecessary components. Tools like Rufus assist users in transitioning to Windows 11 or Linux from Windows 10.

Winsage

November 3, 2025

Windows 7 Shrinks to 69MB: A Minimalist’s Achievement

Enthusiast @XenoPanther has reduced a running copy of Windows 7 to just 69 megabytes, significantly smaller than the typical installation size of tens of gigabytes. This stripped-down version is mostly non-functional, lacking essential system libraries and graphical interface elements, but can still load the desktop and run simple console applications. Minimal versions of operating systems are useful for virtual machines and test environments. Microsoft previously attempted to create a lightweight version called Windows Server Nano, which was around 400 megabytes. Despite Windows 7 being outdated and no longer receiving security updates, the minimal file set can still run older applications.

Winsage

October 31, 2025

Windows 7 slimmed down to 69 MB

Windows 7 has been reduced to a size of 69 MB by a user known as @XenoPanther. This version is described as a "fun proof of concept" and can boot, but has significant limitations due to critical missing files, making it unable to run most applications. The project reflects a tradition among tech enthusiasts to minimize operating systems. Microsoft previously introduced a version of Windows Server called Nano Server with a disk footprint of 400 MB, later shifting to a base container image under 300 MB. Developers like NTDEV and the Tiny11 series have created slimmed-down versions of Windows 11. A 69 MB version of Windows 7 could still be useful for running legacy software without a full installation.

Winsage

October 31, 2025

Veteran Windows insider creates Windows 7 install measuring just 69MB in size — system boots, but has been pruned so severely ‘virtually nothing can run’ for now

A bootable version of Windows 7 has been created that occupies 69MB of disk space, developed by Xeno, a Windows Insider. This version requires users to provide their own system files for basic functionality and is described as a "fun proof of concept" rather than a fully functional operating system. The installer is a 7zip compressed file of 40.4MB hosted on Archive.org, containing a compact VMware virtual disk and configuration file. The current version has limited functionality due to missing critical files, but Xeno has received encouragement to refine it into a more usable version. There is potential for further optimization, as many included files may be unnecessary.

Winsage

October 12, 2025

Windows 11 will soon support dark mode for Run dialog box

Windows 11 Build 26120.6780 (KB5067103) was released on October 10, 2023, to Beta Channel testers, integrating dark mode into the Run dialog for the first time. Users can now experience the Run dialog in dark mode, featuring a deep black top border and a gentle grey interface. Dark mode enhancements have also been extended to other components, including the file transfer dialog, confirmation prompts for file deletions, and the Recycle Bin's delete confirmation. Microsoft is not rewriting these legacy dialogs in modern frameworks like XAML or WinUI due to performance concerns. The Control Panel and its applets have not yet adopted dark mode, and updating all dialog boxes remains challenging due to the nature of Win32 UI. Additionally, the update includes improvements to the Settings app for Copilot+ PCs, introducing agentic actions that allow for quick adjustments to recently modified settings. However, these features are not available for users without a Copilot+ PC.

Winsage

October 7, 2025

Windows 11’s dark mode is getting more consistent in File Explorer

Microsoft is enhancing the dark mode experience in Windows 11 based on user feedback. Official improvements are being rolled out to achieve greater consistency across various functionalities. Changes include rectifying light mode dialog boxes that appeared during file operations, specifically for copying, moving, and deleting files. Upcoming enhancements will also address progress bars, charts, confirmation dialogs, and error prompts. Key components still needing improvement include the Run prompt, file properties interface, Control Panel, and Folder Options UI within File Explorer.