feedback Archives

Winsage

January 18, 2026

Windows 11: Why the Start menu is suddenly huge

The January 2026 security updates have made the new Windows 11 Start menu widely accessible, following its initial limited rollout with the November update. The redesigned Start menu is nearly double the size of its predecessor, reflecting a strategic choice by Microsoft to create a single, scrollable interface. It features pinned applications at the top, followed by recommended files and programs, with an integrated "All Apps" section. The expansion is due to increased columns (eight app tiles side by side), categorized app overviews, and additional functional areas for recommended content. Although users can arrange apps in a classic list view, there is no option for manual resizing, as Microsoft prioritizes design over flexibility. The addition of a side-folding phone bar for connected smartphones further exacerbates the space issue, potentially causing the Start menu to occupy nearly the entire screen on smaller displays. Microsoft has no plans to downsize the Start menu, and the only workaround involves adjusting global screen scaling, which affects the entire system.

AppWizard

January 17, 2026

Minecraft Age Verification Goes Live in the UK; Locks Chat Access If Unverified

Starting in February, UK players of Minecraft will need to verify their age to access unrestricted chat, in compliance with the UK's Online Safety Act. Players with adult accounts must confirm they are at least 18 years old; those who do not will lose access to social features like chat until verification is completed. The verification process will be conducted by Yoti, and no personal data will be retained after verification. This requirement currently applies only to the UK but may expand to other regions in the future. Players will not lose any in-game purchases, worlds, or achievements if they choose not to verify their age.

Winsage

January 17, 2026

Microsoft confirms strange Windows 11 update bug affecting Outlook POP accounts

The KB5074109 update for Windows 11, released on January 13, 2026, has caused Outlook to freeze and hang for users with POP account profiles, preventing the application from exiting properly. Microsoft is currently investigating this emerging issue, which has not yet been listed in the Known Issues section of the update's release notes. A temporary workaround suggested involves uninstalling the KB5074109 update, though this may expose systems to security vulnerabilities.

Winsage

January 17, 2026

Tired of Copilot? Winslop lets you easily purge Windows 11’s AI features

A new application named Winslop has emerged for Windows 11, allowing users to remove AI features like Copilot that they find unnecessary. Winslop operates locally on users' systems and provides a user-friendly interface to identify and eliminate these functionalities. It has received positive feedback for effectively removing Copilot prompts and other AI elements, enabling a more traditional computing environment. Winslop is not an official Microsoft product, and users are advised to proceed with caution as it operates outside of Microsoft’s ecosystem. It follows the release of another tool, FlyOOBE, which was also designed to disable Copilot functionalities. Discussions at CES 2026 indicated that many PC manufacturers recognize the confusion caused by AI for consumers, suggesting a potential shift away from AI-centric devices. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella highlighted the importance of balancing innovation with user preference in technology.

Winsage

January 17, 2026

Reddit users: r/WindowsCentral is live — join us to shape coverage, boost visibility, and help build the strongest Microsoft community online

The Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central announced the launch of their subreddit, r/windowscentral, emphasizing the vibrant community engagement it offers. Reddit allows for fast-paced discussions, immediate access to news, and real-time feedback, enhancing their journalism. The subreddit provides a direct connection to readers, free from algorithmic barriers, and fosters a collaborative space for sharing insights, troubleshooting, and engaging in technical discussions. Following the subreddit will also grant users access to behind-the-scenes content, polls, and editorial debates, strengthening the community and supporting independent tech journalism.

Winsage

January 16, 2026

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7653 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7653 (KB5074157) has been released to the Beta Channel. Changes and Improvements: - The "Accounts > Other Users" dialog has been redesigned using the WinUI framework and now supports dark mode. - Copilot prompt suggestions in Click to Do will load instantly, but this change is not available for Insiders in the EEA or China. - Users can now set .webp images as their desktop background. Fixes: - Taskbar autohide issue resolved. - Start menu memory leak fixed and issues with incorrect opening side for Arabic and Hebrew users addressed. - Bluetooth battery level display issue resolved. - Fixed unexpected app behavior in Xbox full-screen experience. - Login screen password icon issue fixed. - Resolved crash in Settings when interacting with audio devices. - Fixed keyboard character repeat delay settings discrepancy. - Addressed clipped text issues in msinfo32 and installation errors with .appinstaller files. - Notepad font display issue corrected. - Fixed explorer.exe hang issue upon logging in. Known Issues: - Some applications may exhibit unexpected behavior in Xbox full-screen experience. - Investigating visibility issues of apps in the system tray for some Insiders. - Addressing display issues on secondary monitors showing black screens. - Working on a fix for Microsoft 365 Copilot prompt box functionality when the app is not running. Reminders: - Updates are based on Windows 11, version 25H2. - Features are rolled out gradually using Controlled Feature Rollout technology. - Features in development may not be released to the public and can evolve or be removed.

AppWizard

January 16, 2026

Riot moves to stamp out League of Legends duo queue abuse as “a few bad actors ruin things for everyone”

Riot Games has introduced new duo queue restrictions in League of Legends, disallowing duo play up to Grandmaster rank, even for players with Grandmaster MMR. The company has increased the duo penalty to reflect the advantages of playing in pairs. The current season has seen an increase in exploitative behavior, prompting these changes. Riot plans to implement an indicator to show when a player's actual MMR exceeds their displayed rank. Additionally, there is a delay in improvements to the autofill matching system, which aims to reduce mismatched roles for players.

AppWizard

January 16, 2026

2023 PC Game Now 100% Free on Steam for 48 Hours

RewindApp's Initial Drift Online is available for free on Steam for approximately 48 hours until January 18. Players can claim the game during this period, and it will be theirs to keep after downloading. The game features street racing in Japan and has received 792 user reviews with an overall approval rating of 79%, though it currently sits at 58% during the promotional period. Some users have reported server issues due to an influx of new players, while others have had a smooth experience.

Winsage

January 15, 2026

Wine 11 runs Windows apps in Linux and macOS better than ever

Wine 11.0 has been released, allowing users to run 16-bit, 32-bit, and 64-bit Windows x86 binaries on Unix-like operating systems without distinguishing between 32-bit and 64-bit commands. It introduces support for the Linux kernel's NT synchronization primitive, enhancing performance for Windows binaries. Wine 11 is compatible with older kernels, though with reduced performance. It supports x86-to-Arm translation on Arm64 Linux systems through FEX-Emu and works on Apple Silicon Macs via Rosetta 2. The version simplifies command usage to a single wine command and eliminates 32-bit support libraries. Enhancements include improved clipboard handling over Wayland, full-screen mode functionality, Direct3D support, native Vulkan video decoding for H.264, and better handling of SCSI devices and game controllers. Wine 11 downloads are available for Linux and macOS, with a FreeBSD port expected. Testing on Ubuntu 25.10 under GNOME using Wayland showed positive results for both 32-bit and 64-bit applications.

Winsage

January 15, 2026

How to remove Copilot from Windows 11

Microsoft has introduced Copilot on Windows 11, which has generated mixed reactions from users. Many users express a preference for operating without it, and the difficulty of uninstalling Copilot, which often reinstalls itself, has contributed to dissatisfaction. Microsoft is working on a solution for permanent removal in future updates. A guide has been created to assist users in removing Copilot, which includes three steps: 1. Preventing auto startup by disabling it in Task Manager. 2. Preventing auto installation by modifying the Registry Editor to create a DWORD value named TurnOffWindowsCopilot and setting it to 1. 3. Uninstalling Copilot through the Settings app. Following these steps allows users to effectively remove Copilot from their systems.