flyout Archives

Winsage

January 1, 2026

3 Windows 11 and Microsoft features you’ll love in 2026 — and 1 you’ll hate

In 2025, Microsoft faced public perception challenges, with accusations of "enshittification" of its products, including Xbox, Surface, and Windows, leading to a loss of support from former advocates. Windows 11 has been criticized for bugs and underwhelming AI features. Qualcomm introduced Snapdragon X2 Elite and X2 Elite Extreme chips, which will require an update to Windows 11 (version 26H1) for compatibility. Windows 11 will also see the return of the Agenda view in the Taskbar calendar flyout and improvements to dark mode, addressing previous inconsistencies. A controversial feature in Microsoft Teams will automatically update users' work locations based on Wi-Fi connections, raising privacy concerns. The Xbox Full Screen Experience is being rolled out to enhance the gaming interface, optimizing performance by reducing background applications.

Winsage

December 31, 2025

Windows 11’s best utilities are merging — and it’s more polished than macOS

The third-party file explorer, Files, has integrated with PowerToys Peek in version 4.0.24, enhancing user experience by allowing seamless file previews. This integration began rolling out during the festive week between Christmas and New Year’s. The update also includes a feature for faster file and folder creation with prefilled default names, improvements to the Omnibar with a shadow for suggestions, and text wrapping in the Status Center for longer folder names. Users can now use AND and OR operators for tag searches. Additionally, several fixes were made, including resolving crashes in Dual Pane mode and during git branch switching, as well as correcting display issues with PNG-based .ico files. Files is available for free on GitHub and the Microsoft Store.

Winsage

December 23, 2025

I tried upcoming modern Windows Run on Windows 11, and it won’t replace legacy Run, at least for now

Windows 11 is testing a revamped version of its classic Run feature, which will have a modernized interface and is entirely optional. The traditional Run remains unchanged and will coexist with the new version. The modern Run resembles a contemporary flyout, appears as a large, rounded card at the bottom of the screen, and adapts to both dark and light modes. It features a clean input area, a Run button, and a history list of previously accessed commands. The new Run is designed to be more touch-friendly and operates with the same immediacy as the legacy version, without performance issues. However, it cannot be repositioned on the desktop. The modern Run can be activated through Settings > System > Advanced, and Microsoft may introduce new features over time, but the legacy Run will remain the default experience.

Winsage

December 16, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1362 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1362 has been released to the Canary Channel. Key updates include: - Full screen experience (FSE) for handheld devices is now available on more devices, enhancing gaming through the Xbox app. - The Click to Do context menu has been redesigned for easier access to actions like Copy and Save. - Enhancements to the agent in Settings for quicker modifications and more search results. - Windows Studio Effects now supports additional cameras beyond integrated ones. - Drag Tray feature supports multi-file sharing and intelligent app suggestions. - Dark mode improvements in File Explorer for consistency across various dialogs. - Users can manage mobile devices from the Settings under Bluetooth & Devices. - New context menu options for Windows Spotlight backgrounds. - More keyboard settings transitioned to Settings, including character repeat delay and cursor blink rate. - Updates to Game Pass branding in Settings. - New OneDrive icon in Accounts and Homepages within Settings. - Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) will perform a one-time scan for solutions. - Virtual Workspaces can now be activated in Advanced Settings. - Various fixes for issues in File Explorer, Settings, Taskbar, Start menu, internet connectivity, display and graphics, login and lock screens, Narrator, Windows Update, Task Manager, and app responsiveness. Additionally, Paint version 11.2511.281.0 introduces a collapsible toolbar feature.

Winsage

December 14, 2025

My top 17 Windows 11 features introduced in 2025 — personal picks from cleaner UI experiences to major PC gaming upgrades

- Windows 11 received numerous enhancements in 2025 through monthly cumulative updates. - The revamped Start menu consolidates Pinned, Recommended, and All sections into a single scrollable interface, allowing up to eight pinned items per row. - The Recommended section can showcase up to six app and file suggestions, with an option to disable it. - The All section organizes apps by category by default, with options for grid or list view. - A redesigned Widgets board integrates a new settings page, allowing users to select which board opens by default. - Users can customize Lock Screen widgets through a new section under Personalization. - A new setting allows users to reposition on-screen hardware indicators for brightness and volume. - A dedicated page for Virtual Workspaces in the Settings app centralizes virtualization controls. - Users can opt for smaller icons on the Taskbar for a more compact arrangement of app buttons. - A new sharing shortcut allows users to send files to compatible apps directly from recent file icons. - An option to disable the "Drag Tray" has been added in the Nearby Sharing settings. - The Notification Center now supports a large clock with seconds and multiple clocks. - The Windows Hello interface has been redesigned with animations for better user engagement. - Support for third-party passkey providers has been integrated into Windows Hello. - A new security feature, Administrator Protection, adds an authentication prompt for actions requiring elevation. - Quick Machine Recovery is designed to repair the operating system during boot failures. - Windows Backup now supports local file transfers during new device setup. - The Xbox Full Screen Experience has been tailored for handheld gaming devices. - A battery percentage display has been added to the Taskbar, along with new battery iconography. - Multi-stream support for cameras allows multiple applications to access the same camera feed simultaneously.

Winsage

December 5, 2025

Microsoft is too busy with AI to fix Windows 11’s design — so developers stepped up

FluentFlyout is a new application for Windows 11 that enhances media control by introducing customizable flyouts activated by media keys. It integrates well with the Windows 11 aesthetic and offers a premium version for .96, which includes a taskbar widget, while a free version is available on GitHub. The app features options for previewing upcoming media, personalizing content display, adjusting flyout position, and selecting themes. Despite improvements in design from Microsoft, such as updates to the Run dialog box and dark mode, users have expressed frustration with the pace of these updates and inconsistent design elements. Third-party developers like those behind FluentFlyout are addressing these gaps and improving the user experience on Windows 11.

Winsage

November 25, 2025

Microsoft is speeding up and decluttering File Explorer in Windows 11

Microsoft is enhancing the File Explorer in Windows 11 with a preloading feature to improve startup speed, particularly on less powerful hardware like handhelds and tablets. Users will have the option to disable this feature if they prefer not to run File Explorer in the background. Additionally, the context menu is being refined to declutter the interface by moving less frequently used actions into submenus and introducing a new manage file flyout that consolidates various functions. Cloud file options will also be organized into a dedicated flyout. These updates are currently in testing in the latest Dev preview builds, with a broader rollout expected in early 2026.

Winsage

November 25, 2025

Microsoft says it’s fixing a baffling way in which Windows 11 is much slower than Windows 10 – and it’s about time

Microsoft has released a new preview build of Windows 11 (build 26220.7271) in the Dev and Beta channels, focusing on improving File Explorer performance and the right-click menu. Key features include: - A preloading feature for File Explorer that allows it to load in the background during Windows 11 startup, reducing sluggishness when accessing folders for the first time. - A streamlined right-click menu in File Explorer, condensing options and relocating actions like 'Compress to ZIP' and 'Set as Desktop Background' to a new 'Manage file' flyout for better organization. Additionally, Microsoft is testing the Xbox Full Screen Experience for Windows 11 PCs, indicating potential future gaming feature integration. Users can opt to disable the preloading feature if desired.

Winsage

November 24, 2025

Microsoft tests File Explorer preloading for faster performance

Microsoft is piloting a feature for Windows 11 that preloads File Explorer in the background to reduce launch times and improve user experience. Users can disable this feature by unchecking "Enable window preloading for faster launch times" in the Folder Options. The Windows Insider Program Team is seeking feedback on this development. This initiative follows the rollout of Startup Boost in May 2025, which enhances loading times for Office applications. Additionally, Microsoft is updating the File Explorer context menu to streamline user interactions by grouping similar tasks and repositioning commands for better accessibility. These enhancements are available to Windows Insiders in the Dev and Beta channels running Windows 11 25H2 with the 26220.7271 (KB5070307) preview build.

Winsage

November 22, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7271 (Dev & Beta Channels)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7271 (KB5070307) has been released for both the Dev and Beta Channels. Insiders can switch from the Dev Channel to the Beta Channel while both channels have the same updates. The Xbox full screen experience is now available for additional Windows 11 PC form factors, accessible through Task View, Game Bar settings, or the Win + F11 hotkey. Point-in-time restore is introduced for both channels, allowing users to revert their devices to a previous state. Fluid dictation is now available for voice typing users on NPU devices, enhancing the dictation experience. Vivo Android phone users can resume browsing activity from their phone to their PC, and users of Honor, Huawei, Oppo, Samsung, and Vivo can continue working on M365 Copilot app files across devices. The context menu in File Explorer is being refined, and users can now uninstall Store-managed apps directly from the Microsoft Store. Fixes include resolving taskbar issues, internet connectivity problems, and crashes in Settings. Known issues include the virtual keyboard not being visible for controller users and some applications exhibiting unexpected behavior with the Xbox full screen experience.