feature Archives

Winsage

June 27, 2026

How to get free Windows 10 security patches until October 2027 – and avoid the $30 fee

Microsoft has officially ended support for Windows 10, but users can receive critical security updates until October 12, 2027, through the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program at no cost. To qualify, users must have a Windows 10 PC running version 22H2 or later and sign in with a Microsoft account, excluding Enterprise and Education editions. In the European Economic Area, customers automatically qualify for free ESU subscriptions without needing a Microsoft account. Enrollment can be done through Settings > Windows Update, and users may need to back up their settings or redeem Microsoft Rewards points. Business customers must purchase ESU subscriptions at a higher cost. Users should be cautious of potential issues, such as cloud storage consumption during backup.

Winsage

June 27, 2026

Microsoft now lets you pause Windows updates indefinitely and cuts restarts down to one a month

The Windows team at Microsoft has introduced a calendar-based option for pausing updates, allowing users to select a specific end date for their pause, extending up to 35 days. Users can set this by navigating to Settings > Windows Update and choosing their end date from a calendar. The calendar pause is not permanent; once the pause period ends, Windows will automatically check for and install updates. Users can manually reset the pause to extend it further by another 35 days. Additionally, Microsoft is consolidating driver, .NET, and firmware updates into a single monthly restart to enhance user experience. The "Update and shut down" feature has been improved, allowing users to shut down their PCs without installing pending updates. The calendar pause feature is available in the June optional update KB5095093, while the other changes are accessible to Windows Insiders in the Experimental and Beta channels.

Tech Optimizer

June 27, 2026

How AI and Visual Tools Improve PostgreSQL Query Performance and Schema Management

PostgreSQL performance tuning and schema synchronization can be time-consuming and complex, often involving manual queries, EXPLAIN plans, and schema drift. The release of dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL 2026.1 introduces AI-assisted query optimization, a visual query builder, improved schema comparison and synchronization, and a visual table editor. The AI Assistant analyzes database indexes and suggests query optimizations, providing specific recommendations rather than generic advice. The new Query Builder allows users to visually assemble queries, simplifying the process of creating multi-table joins. The Schema Compare feature enables users to compare and synchronize schemas visually, reducing the risk of errors associated with manual synchronization. The visual Table Editor facilitates table design and maintenance, automatically identifying indexes and offering auto-completion for index names. The transition from traditional methods to these new capabilities enhances efficiency, allowing developers to save time on query writing, tuning, and schema changes. The integration of AI and visual tools streamlines workflows and reduces guesswork in performance tuning and schema management.

Winsage

June 27, 2026

Microsoft is killing New Outlook’s notification spam, but Classic still loads emails faster on Windows

Microsoft is introducing a feature in New Outlook that groups email notifications to reduce interruptions and notification fatigue. Users have reported that New Outlook is slower than Outlook Classic, with email opening times taking up to 30 seconds compared to just a few seconds in the Classic version. There are also reliability issues with notifications in New Outlook, which can be inconsistent or absent for connected accounts on Windows 10 and 11. Despite the planned improvements, Outlook Classic remains more efficient for managing notifications and opening emails quickly.

Winsage

June 27, 2026

Forget PowerToys, Windows 11 needs this feature immediately

Microsoft is enhancing Windows 11's multitasking capabilities by integrating a feature from its PowerToys suite called AltWindowCycle. This utility allows users to quickly navigate between multiple windows of the same application using the Alt + shortcut, similar to the Alt + Tab function. The concept of cycling through application windows is already utilized in Linux distributions. The addition of AltWindowCycle is expected to improve productivity for users without complicating the user experience.

AppWizard

June 26, 2026

Gemini gains the power to help find and install Google Play apps right in chat

The Google Play connected app for Gemini is being rolled out to enhance app discovery and interaction. This integration allows users to receive tailored app recommendations based on their needs, facilitating easier navigation of the Google Play Store. Users can request specific types of apps and inquire about in-app purchases through Gemini. To use this feature, users must be 18 years or older, have the Google Play Store app installed, be signed into Gemini with a personal Google Account, and enable the “Keep Activity” option in Gemini settings. Connecting Google Play to Gemini involves logging into the same account used for the Play Store and following on-screen prompts if the connection is not already established.

BetaBeacon

June 26, 2026

Android 17 to offer a literal game changer for foldable phones – and now we’re in the market for a Pixel Fold

Google has unveiled a new foldable gaming mode for Android 17, which will divide the display of a book-style foldable device evenly with the game displayed on the top screen and a virtual gamepad on the bottom screen.

Winsage

June 26, 2026

Windows 11’s built-in apps are getting quiet but welcome improvements

Microsoft has released a preview version of an upcoming Windows update for members of the Windows Insider Program, enhancing several pre-installed applications including Calculator, Camera, Clock, Media Player, Notepad, Paint, Photos, and Sound Recorder. The Calculator update includes improved accuracy for square root calculations, better readability in high-contrast designs, right-to-left language support for Arabic and Hebrew, and a fix for startup issues. The Sound Recorder enhancements feature an accurate live waveform display for Bluetooth recordings, a streamlined interface, immediate access to the "Highlight" button, disabled tags for WAV recordings, a smoother deletion process for multiple recordings, and a fix for a memory leak issue. Additional features include watermarks for AI-generated images in the Photos app, a zoom slider in the Camera app, customizable subtitles in Media Player, and a 15-minute delay option for alarms in the Clock app.

Winsage

June 26, 2026

AMD Adrenalin Edition 26.6.2 WHQL Drivers Face Issues on Windows 10, Hotfix Available

AMD unveiled its Adrenalin Edition 26.6.2 WHQL Drivers, featuring day-one support for games like Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced and DOOM: The Dark Ages | Revelations, and introducing FSR Upscaling 4.1 for RDNA 3 GPUs. Users on Windows 10, particularly with Radeon RX 7000 and RX 9000 series GPUs, reported installation issues, especially those under the Extended Security Updates program. AMD released a hotfix, Adrenalin Edition 26.6.3, to address these installation problems, which is available for download on their website.

Winsage

June 26, 2026

Windows Update Will Start Showing New Insider Channel System to all Windows 11 Users

The Windows Insider Channel system is expanding to all Windows 11 users via Windows Update, allowing non-Insiders to join the program. The previous Canary, Dev, and Beta Channels will be replaced by the Experimental and Beta Channel options. The Experimental Channel will introduce new features first and allow user feedback to shape developments, while the Beta Channel will provide early access to upcoming features but will discontinue controlled feature rollouts. Microsoft recently released five new builds across the Beta and Experimental Channels, including a new taskbar size setting in the Experimental build 26300.8758 to enhance taskbar customizability.