folder icons Archives

Winsage

June 14, 2026

Windows 11 KB5094126 crashes some PCs (HP?) with BSODs, breaks OneDrive in File Explorer, enterprise apps

Windows 11 KB5094126, released on June 9, 2026, is a significant update that introduces new features, including the Low Latency Profile, and addresses up to 200 security vulnerabilities. However, it has caused boot failures for some HP devices, particularly the HP EliteBook 840 G10, leading to BSODs or BitLocker Recovery prompts. The update may conflict with specific BIOS configurations or EFI/System partition settings, especially on devices with older EFI partitions. Users experiencing boot failures may need to disable Secure Boot as a temporary workaround. Additionally, the update has disrupted OneDrive integration in File Explorer, preventing access from the left pane and tray icon, although users can still access cloud folders directly. Similar issues have been reported with Dropbox and iCloud Drive. The update has also affected Microsoft Word integration in various business applications, leading to failures in document handling. Furthermore, changes to desktop.ini files have impacted custom folder icons, requiring users to unblock these files to restore functionality.

Winsage

June 13, 2026

Windows 11 KB5094126: Microsoft’s desktop.ini hardening causes some folder icons to disappear

Following the June 2026 update, custom folder icons and localized folder names in Windows are no longer displaying as they typically would due to intentional modifications related to security updates, specifically KB5094126 for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. This update tightens the handling of the desktop.ini file, which is used for folder customization. Although access to the actual files remains unchanged, affected folders may revert to default icons or display original directory names instead of customized labels. Microsoft has identified certain sources as untrusted, including files downloaded from the internet and specific remote sources, which affects how desktop.ini files are processed. Users are encouraged to verify file origins, and administrators should ensure that internal sources are classified as trusted to avoid disruptions in folder presentation. The update also includes other security fixes and enhancements.

Winsage

June 12, 2026

Microsoft just broke some custom folder icons, and it’s deliberate

Windows 11 users have reported that their custom folder icons have reverted to default settings due to new security protocols from Microsoft. If a desktop.ini file, which defines folder icons, is detected as coming from an untrusted source, Windows will automatically revert to the standard icon without notification. Microsoft has confirmed that 'untrusted' icons will no longer display, and identifies scenarios that classify a source as untrusted, including files downloaded from the internet with a Mark-of-the-Web (MOTW), files copied from certain remote locations, and files on unrecognized network paths. To restore customizations, users can add the source to their Trusted Sites list, enable the "Allow the use of remote paths in file shortcut icons" policy, or remove the Mark-of-the-Web tag from affected files.

Winsage

June 11, 2026

“It is intentional” Microsoft says Windows 11’s broken folder icons are by design. Here’s what’s going on.

In the June 2026 Security Update for Windows 11 and Windows 10, Microsoft implemented a change that prevents custom folder icons and localized folder names from appearing if derived from an untrusted "desktop.ini" file. Users may initially perceive this as a bug, as folders may revert to default settings without user intervention. To maintain customizations, organizations should add trusted sources to the "Trusted Sites" list via Control Panel. Businesses can enable the "Allow the use of remote paths in file shortcut icons" policy through the Group Policy Editor, although this may reduce security. Users can also remove the Mark-of-the-Web tag from trusted "desktop.ini" files using PowerShell commands. This update reflects a broader trend of prioritizing security over customization in the operating system.

Winsage

April 14, 2026

Microsoft confirms old Windows 8 UI elements are being replaced in Windows 11, but there is more work to be done

Microsoft is updating the input method switcher on the Windows 11 login screen to align with the operating system's modern design, responding to user feedback about its outdated appearance. The input switcher, which has a rigid, square design, contrasts with the rounded aesthetics of Windows 11. Other legacy UI elements from Windows 8 and earlier versions, such as the Windows Recovery Environment and the Control Panel, remain present in the system. Microsoft is gradually migrating functionalities from the Control Panel to the Settings app, but inconsistencies persist in various system tools like File Explorer, the Run dialog, Registry Editor, and Device Manager. The company is actively addressing these legacy UI issues to enhance the user experience and achieve a more unified design language in Windows 11.

Winsage

April 1, 2026

Optimize Windows 11 with these 8 settings tweaks

Windows 11 holds a 62% share of the global Windows desktop market as of January 2026. Users can access the Settings menu by clicking the Start menu and typing "Settings." The Title bar shake feature, which minimizes all open windows when the mouse is jiggled while dragging a window, can be disabled under System > Multitasking. Users can end a task directly from the taskbar by enabling the feature in System > Advanced > End Task. The Start menu can be customized under Personalization > Start to feature more pinned applications and folder icons for frequently accessed directories. The Widgets feature can be disabled under Personalization > Taskbar. To clean up automatic startup applications, users should visit Apps > Startup and disable unnecessary applications. Accessibility settings allow users to increase screen scaling, adjust text size, restore the traditional scrollbar, customize mouse pointer size, and enable the Mouse indicator feature. Privacy can be enhanced by disabling ad tracking in Privacy & security > General. Windows Update settings can be optimized for multiple devices by adjusting Delivery Optimization under Windows Update > Advanced Options.

Winsage

October 6, 2025

Microsoft’s Windows 11 File Explorer still clunky? My favorite alternative just got a slick upgrade — with real‑time visual feedback on file operations

Microsoft's Windows 11 has faced challenges in attracting users due to strict hardware requirements and design elements. The company will phase out Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, prompting user transitions to Windows 11, while some opt for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which offers an additional year of support for Windows 10 at no cost for users in the European Economic Area. The Files App has been updated to version 4.0.12, introducing a new "Discovering" phase in the Status Center for real-time notifications during file operations and relocating the 'Cancel' button for improved clarity. The update also includes fixes for various issues, such as problems with release notes in RTL languages, the home button, opening items from search results, access to network locations, and pinned folder icons. A third-party file explorer is available for .99 in the Microsoft Store, featuring tabbed browsing, a column view, file previews, and a customizable interface.

Winsage

July 21, 2025

One of the best Windows File Explorer alternatives just got a killer new feature

The application "Files" has released an update (version 3.9.12) that introduces a new feature called the Omnibar. This feature combines breadcrumb navigation with search functionality, enhancing the user interface. Key capabilities of the Omnibar include: - Breadcrumb Bar: Displays the current path with expandable breadcrumbs for easy navigation through subfolders, along with a new home button and flyout menu for quick access to frequently used folders. - Edit Path: Allows users to switch to edit mode by clicking an empty space in the breadcrumb bar or using the Ctrl + L shortcut, enabling easy copying or modification of the current path. - Command Palette: Access to advanced commands is simplified with a dedicated button or the Ctrl + Shift + P shortcut. - Search Functionality: Activated by clicking the search icon or pressing Ctrl + F, the search box is focused automatically, with search suggestions appearing in a flyout. The update also includes a filter button for toggling between search and filtering modes and offers seamless integration with OX Drive. The Preview build is available for download on the Files website.

Winsage

December 23, 2024

Microsoft Edge drops yellow for folders (favourites), gets monoline transparent look

Microsoft Edge has updated to version 131.0.2903.112, introducing a design shift that replaces the yellow-themed favorites folders with a monoline, transparent aesthetic. This change has received mixed reactions from users, with some expressing ambivalence and frustration over the lack of customization options. A temporary workaround exists for reverting to the classic yellow folder icons by modifying the msedge.exe shortcut. Additionally, Microsoft Edge is set to introduce new features, including pop-ups to encourage users to set it as the default browser and enhancements like on-device AI capabilities and improved PDF reading with OCR technology.