discoverability Archives

Winsage

April 22, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5562 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5562 (KB5055642) has been released to the Dev Channel, introducing new features and improvements. Key updates include: - New Text Actions in Click to Do: - "Practice in Reading Coach" allows users to enhance reading fluency and pronunciation. - "Read with Immersive Reader" offers a distraction-free reading environment with customizable text options. - Finding Photos Saved in the Cloud via Windows Search: Users in the European Economic Area can search for cloud-stored photos directly from the taskbar by describing them. - Improvements for Voice Access: Users can add custom words to the voice access dictionary and discover new features through an immersive experience. - Improved Windows Search: Users can disable cloud content searching via settings. - File Explorer Changes: Folders opened from outside File Explorer will default to opening in a new tab if an existing window is open. - Widgets Improvements: Notification settings can be controlled per feed or dashboard. - Windows Security Update: Additional details for Pluton TPM chips will be displayed in the Windows Security app. - Settings Update: The printer renaming dialog has been updated to align with Windows 11 visuals. - Fixes: Resolved issues include Start menu crashes, color display issues in snap layouts, slow loading times for search, and voice typing issues in the Chinese layout. - Known Issues: Some apps may not install from the Microsoft Store, and Windows Recovery Environment may not function properly after the update. - Reminders: Users can remove Recall at any time, and updates in the Dev Channel are based on Windows 11, version 24H2.

Winsage

April 22, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3872 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3872 (KB5055640) has been released to the Beta Channel for Windows 11, version 24H2. This update includes new features, improvements, and fixes. Key features include: - New text actions in Click to Do: "Practice in Reading Coach" for reading fluency and "Read with Immersive Reader" for a distraction-free reading experience, available on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs. - Enhanced Windows Search for locating cloud-stored photos by describing content, available to Insiders in the European Economic Area. - Voice Access improvements: users can add custom words to the dictionary and discover new features through an immersive experience. - Users can disable cloud content search on their Copilot+ PCs. - File Explorer will now open folders in a new tab by default if an existing window is open. - Notification settings in widgets are being improved. - Windows Security will show additional details for Pluton TPM chips. - The printer renaming dialog has been updated. Fixes include resolving issues with the Start menu, windowing, search on the taskbar, input, Task Manager, and voice access. Known issues include initial build version discrepancies and non-functionality of Quick Assist for non-administrator users. Insiders will receive updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2 via an enablement package.

AppWizard

April 19, 2025

Rebellion’s CEO says ‘it looks like we want to do more Atomfall’ but it will depend on whether the studio can ‘find the resources to do it’

Rebellion's open-world shooter, Atomfall, launched in March and has attracted two million players, exceeding initial estimates. CEO Jason Kingsley noted that the game's success has led to discussions about expanding it into a series. Atomfall's availability on Microsoft's Game Pass significantly contributed to its success by enhancing discoverability and providing financial assurance. Kingsley mentioned that while the performance is encouraging, the decision for a sequel depends on resource availability. He emphasized the importance of aligning creative ambitions with budgetary constraints, stating that they cannot afford to spend 200 million on game development. Kingsley acknowledged that Atomfall has superficial similarities to other titles, particularly Fallout, and struggles to differentiate itself.

Winsage

April 9, 2025

Windows 11 KB5055523 & KB5055528 cumulative updates released

Microsoft has released two cumulative updates for Windows 11: KB5055523 for version 24H2 and KB5055528 for version 23H2. These updates address security vulnerabilities and system issues and include critical security patches from the April 2025 Patch Tuesday. The build number for Windows 11 24H2 will update to Build 26100.3775, while 23H2 will change to 226x1.5191. New features include: - Enhanced Windows Search powered by semantic indexing models. - Improved search for cloud-stored photos on Copilot+ PCs. - A Gamepad keyboard layout added to the touch keyboard. - A new system tray icon for easier access to emoji and panels. - Live captions and real-time translation for communication on AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs. - "Top cards" in Settings for quick access to PC specifications. - Voice access now supports natural language commands and Simplified and Traditional Chinese. - Lock screen widgets available on devices in the European Economic Area (EEA). - An icon in the system tray for apps using Windows Studio Effects. - General fixes for various system reliability issues. Some persistent issues include problems playing Roblox from the Store on ARM PCs and an incorrect Event 7023 error regarding SgrmBroker.exe. Users are encouraged to install the updates promptly.

Winsage

April 9, 2025

Microsoft squashes one of File Explorer’s strangest UI bugs in April’s Patch Tuesday

Microsoft released its Patch Tuesday updates on the second Tuesday of April, including the KB5055523 patch for Windows 11 24H2, which addresses a File Explorer menu issue and includes security enhancements. This patch encompasses improvements from the previous KB5053656 build. The update resolves a glitch with the three dots menu in File Explorer, fixes a critical issue causing a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) when waking from sleep, and upgrades Task Manager to display standardized CPU usage metrics. For Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon chips, it introduces AI-driven Windows Search capabilities and improves Live Captions for real-time translation in over 44 languages. New features include an enhanced search functionality, a Gamepad keyboard layout for touch, and a new system tray icon for emoji. The update also provides a quick overview of key specifications in the Settings menu and resolves issues with Credential Roaming. KB5055523 is a mandatory security update, and older versions of Windows 10 have also received updates.

Winsage

March 21, 2025

Microsoft readies next Windows 11 feature drop with gaming, emoji, and lock screen updates

Microsoft is enhancing Windows 11 with new features, including: - A dynamic emoji panel button on the Taskbar that appears when typing in a text field. - A reintroduced gamepad keyboard for easier typing with a controller. - Customizable widgets on the lock screen through the Windows Settings app. - A real-time language translation feature for Intel and AMD-powered devices, translating over 44 languages into English during video calls. - A natural language feature in voice access for Snapdragon PCs. - Live captions and real-time translation capabilities for AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs. - Real-time translation support for Chinese (Simplified) on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs. - A new Settings homepage for commercial customers with relevant cards for enterprise-managed PCs. - An overview of key PC specifications under Settings > System > About. - Natural Language Commanding in voice access for more fluid command issuance. - Voice access support for commands in Simplified and Traditional Chinese. - An icon in the system tray to enhance the discoverability of the emoji panel. - Adjustments to Task Manager's CPU utilization calculations and a new optional column for backward compatibility. - The ability for web developers to create dynamic and interactive widgets using existing web content. - Extended support for lock screen widgets in the European Economic Area (EEA). - A Gamepad keyboard layout for the touch keyboard for Xbox controller users. These features are currently being tested in the Windows Insider Release Preview Channel, with a broader rollout expected in the coming weeks.

Winsage

March 19, 2025

Windows 11 Task Manager’s CPU readings are finally getting an upgrade

Microsoft has rolled out an update to Windows 11, specifically Build 26100.3613, available on the Release Preview channel. The update enhances the Task Manager by revamping how CPU utilization is calculated and includes an optional column for the previous CPU value. It improves the Live Captions feature of Copilot+, allowing real-time translation of over 44 languages into English and plans to extend this to Simplified Chinese. New features include a redesigned Settings homepage for commercial customers, a gamepad keyboard layout for touch keyboards, and improved voice access with natural language commanding and Chinese language support. The update also addresses various system reliability issues, including fixes for ctfmon.exe, sleep and wake cycle bugs, and HDR content playback display issues.

Winsage

March 14, 2025

This new Windows 11 feature would be perfect for an Xbox gaming handheld

Windows Insiders in the Release Preview Channel can install Windows 11 Build 22631.5116, which includes the gamepad keyboard feature for Xbox controllers, enhancing gaming accessibility on smaller screens. The update also improves Task Manager's CPU utilization calculations, File Explorer's text scaling support, and Settings with a new home page feature for commercial devices. Additionally, a new system tray icon for the emoji panel has been introduced. The rollout is gradual, with Microsoft addressing bugs like those affecting ctfmon.exe and printer outputs. This update aims to optimize Windows 11 for gaming, especially with upcoming handheld devices.

Winsage

March 13, 2025

Releasing Windows 10 Build 19045.5674 to the Release Preview Channel

The Windows Insider Program Team has released an update for Windows 10, specifically the Windows 10 22H2 Build 19045.5674 (KB5053643), available in the Release Preview Channel for version 22H2. Key features and improvements include: - Introduction of Noto CJK fonts for enhanced linguistic capabilities. - Updates to Country and Operator Settings Asset (COSA) profiles for better mobile connectivity. - Fix for thumbnail crashes in File Explorer. - Secure storage of temporary files in “C:WindowsSystemTemp” to reduce unauthorized access risks. - Resolution of issues with Get-Help troubleshooters in Remote Desktop sessions. - Enhanced support for Windows Search within the European Economic Area (EEA). - Fix for printers using Independent Hardware Vendor (IHV) drivers that output incorrect text.

Winsage

March 11, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3380 (Dev and Beta Channels)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3380 (KB5053660) has been released for the Dev and Beta Channels. Updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2, are initially optional for Beta Channel users but will become recommended later this year. Users in the Dev Channel can temporarily switch to the Beta Channel while both channels release the same updates, but this option will close once the Dev Channel advances. New features include the Recommended files feature in File Explorer, real-time translation for various languages on Copilot+ PCs, and a new recommendation for snap groups in the Start menu. Enhanced web search support is being introduced for the EEA, and a toast notification will prompt users to add secondary email or recovery phone numbers to their Microsoft accounts. The update also introduces dynamic widgets for web developers and a new system tray icon for emojis and GIFs. "Top cards" under Settings will provide a view of key PC specifications. Fixes include improved accessibility in File Explorer, resolution of issues with the Snap Bar, and crashes affecting settings and input. Known issues include incorrect build version display after a PC reset and issues with Recall snapshots on managed PCs. Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel will receive updates via an enablement package, and features may evolve based on feedback. Some features may not be fully localized, and accessibility features may not function with certain preview features.