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A bunch of bugs that broke PowerToys have been squashed
Winsage
June 24, 2026

A bunch of bugs that broke PowerToys have been squashed

PowerToys has updated to version 0.100.1, fixing critical bugs from version 0.100.0 that affected core features. - Color Picker: Resolved a bug causing the main window to appear within the zoomed-in picker view. - Command Palette: Corrected initialization of Run history in Ahead-of-Time builds, fixed "???" display in Performance Monitor after restart, adjusted Hibernate command to use the Sleep icon, and limited "pin to dock" dialog to enabled displays. - Keyboard Manager: Addressed remapped modifier keys being delivered as system-key events. - Power Display: Fixed monitor power-state control not waking monitors from standby and resolved display detection and brightness control issues on dual-GPU laptops. - PowerToys Run: Improved discovery of Visual Studio Code workspaces. - Quick Access: Fixed crashes in the Quick Access flyout due to unhandled XAML exceptions. - Shortcut Guide: Resolved a crash in the sidebar navigation, corrected number-key rendering in shortcut manifests, and updated bundled manifests for consistent rendering. - ZoomIt: Fixed a race condition in audio initialization for video recording.
I'm impressed that Microsoft keeps on improving PowerToys with smart additions — but I wonder why the newest monitor trick isn't in Windows 11 by default
Winsage
May 11, 2026

I’m impressed that Microsoft keeps on improving PowerToys with smart additions — but I wonder why the newest monitor trick isn’t in Windows 11 by default

Microsoft's PowerToys is a suite of utilities for Windows 11 and 10, developed by Microsoft, that enhances user experience while minimizing security risks associated with third-party applications. The recent PowerToys v0.99 introduced Power Display, a utility that allows users to manage monitor settings such as brightness and color temperature directly from the taskbar. It supports multiple monitors and integrates with Light Switch for automatic mode transitions. Power Display uses DDC/CI technology for hardware-level adjustments and includes troubleshooting guidance for compatibility issues. The update also features Grab and Move, which simplifies window management by allowing users to resize or drag windows easily. There is a demand for these features to be integrated directly into Windows 11, reflecting user interest in enhancing the operating system's functionality.
April Xbox Update: Customize Your Console, Manually Add Your Favorite Games on PC, and More.
AppWizard
May 1, 2026

April Xbox Update: Customize Your Console, Manually Add Your Favorite Games on PC, and More.

Users can now customize console colors by adjusting sliders for a unique hue, which will accentuate elements of the console interface. Quick Resume has been enhanced to allow disabling on a per-game basis. The Play History feature has been revamped with a new tab for easier access. A User Selected Resolution feature lets players choose streaming resolution, while a Network Quality Indicator provides real-time network health insights. PC gamers can manually add any installed game or app to their Xbox library. Users can pin up to three favorite games for quick access. A Gamepad Cursor feature allows navigation in non-controller apps. Xbox notifications can be repositioned on the Game Bar. The Xbox mobile app now includes wishlist alerts for game changes. Recent updates for the ROG Xbox Ally improve external display experiences. Microsoft Rewards is hosting a Total Prize Drop event with prizes up to ,000,000. The Handheld Compatibility Program has expanded, adding titles like Hades II as handheld optimized. Xbox Cloud Gaming now includes over 1,000 games for streaming.
ON THIS DAY: Continuum will be built into Windows 10 for Phones, turning your phone into a PC
Winsage
April 29, 2026

ON THIS DAY: Continuum will be built into Windows 10 for Phones, turning your phone into a PC

Windows Central is approaching its 20th anniversary in 2027 and is reflecting on significant moments in its history. A notable milestone occurred 11 years ago with the introduction of Continuum for Windows 10 Mobile, which aimed to merge smartphone and desktop PC functionalities. This feature allowed users to connect their mobile devices to external monitors, keyboards, and mice, creating a desktop-like environment. Key features included integration with Windows 10 for phones, support for HDMI connections, an adaptable user interface, and the ability to run familiar applications like Office on external screens. The announcement was made during the Build 2015 keynote, highlighting the potential of the universal app model to enhance productivity and redefine personal computing.
The latest PowerToys update brings a useful Linux-like feature to Windows 11
Winsage
April 29, 2026

The latest PowerToys update brings a useful Linux-like feature to Windows 11

The latest version of PowerToys, 0.99.0, introduces several new features: - "Grab and Move" functionality allows users to drag windows with ALT+left-click and resize them with ALT+click. - The Power Display System Tray Tool enables brightness, contrast, and color-profile adjustments, though compatibility with some external monitors may vary. - Enhancements include a persistent calculator and pinning options in the Command Palette, manual remaps in the Keyboard Manager, scrolling capture in ZoomIt, and a WinUI3 update for Image Resizer.
Windows 11's March Optional Update is Now Available for Release Preview Insiders
Winsage
March 12, 2026

Windows 11’s March Optional Update is Now Available for Release Preview Insiders

The March optional update for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, identified as KB5079387, has been released for Insiders on the Release Preview Channel. Key enhancements include: - Narrator improvements: Enhanced reliability for setting up Natural Voices, access to rich image descriptions via shortcuts, and instant on-device descriptions for Copilot+ PC users. - Settings improvements: Increased reliability for downloading updates in the Settings menu. - Smart App Control improvements: Users can toggle this security feature on or off without a clean installation. - Modern pen setting experience: Digital pen users can configure the pen tail button to launch the same application as the Copilot key. - Display improvements: Enhanced reliability of auto-rotation after sleep and external monitors connected via USB4 can operate at a low power level during sleep. - File Explorer improvements: Ability to rename files using Voice Typing and sort permissions entries in Advanced Security Settings by ‘Principal’. - Windows Recovery Environment improvements: x64 applications are expected to perform better on ARM64 devices. The update will be available to non-Insiders as an optional update in the last week of March, with a broader public rollout expected in April.
HP put a mini PC inside a keyboard, and I love it — a Windows-based approach to the Raspberry Pi 500 with self-repairable parts
Winsage
January 6, 2026

HP put a mini PC inside a keyboard, and I love it — a Windows-based approach to the Raspberry Pi 500 with self-repairable parts

HP introduced the EliteBoard G1a at CES 2026, a keyboard that integrates a mini PC powered by AMD's Ryzen AI 300 PRO mobile processors, featuring a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of delivering up to 50 TOPS. It is designed to cater to hybrid workers using external monitors with laptops closed. The internal components include upgradeable DDR5 SODIMM RAM and M.2 NVMe solid-state drives. Key specifications include: - OS: Windows 11 Home, Windows 11 Pro - CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 PRO, AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 PRO, AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 PRO - GPU: Up to AMD Radeon 860M integrated - RAM: Up to 64GB DDR5-5600 SODIMM - Storage: Up to 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2, 512GB encrypted PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2, 32GB eMMC v5.0 (Ryzen AI 7 350 only) - Ports: 1x USB4, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (detached cable); 1x tethered USB4, 1x USB4, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (attached cable) - Connectivity: MediaTek RZ616 Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.3, MediaTek MT7925 Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 6.0 - Audio: Stereo speakers, Stereo microphones - Power: Configurable 32Whr battery (3.5+ hours), 65W USB-C GaN power adapter - Dimensions: 358mm x 118mm x 17mm, weight 1.49 - 1.69 lbs The design includes a spill-resistant keyboard that can be replaced in about ten minutes and a removable bottom panel for easy access to internal components. Both models support up to four 4K monitors at 60Hz and offer around 3.5 hours of usage on a full charge. The EliteBoard G1a has received a CES Innovation Award.
Windows 11 could soon fix one of your biggest annoyances with using external monitors
Winsage
November 27, 2025

Windows 11 could soon fix one of your biggest annoyances with using external monitors

Windows 11 will receive an update introducing a new feature called Power Monitor within PowerToys, currently in development. This feature will allow users to adjust external monitor settings such as brightness, contrast, color temperature, and potentially speaker volume directly through the Windows interface, eliminating the need for physical buttons or manufacturer software. The update aims to simplify multi-display management and enhance productivity for professionals and gamers. Windows Insiders are expected to be the first to test the feature, though no confirmed release date is available. There is potential for the feature to include advanced calibration tools or custom monitor profiles in the future.
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