frustrations Archives

Winsage

June 21, 2025

This open-source tool gave me the Windows desktop I’ve always wanted

JaxCore is an open-source suite designed to enhance the Windows 11 experience through customization. It operates as a collection of plugins and tools built on the Rainmeter platform, providing users with various widgets for their desktops. JaxCore simplifies the customization process with pre-made tools and allows for deeper customization for those familiar with coding. The suite includes modules like YourFlyouts, YourMixer, ValliStart, Keylaunch, and IdleStyle, as well as widgets such as ModularVisualizer, ModularClocks, ModularPlayers, and Plainext. Although JaxCore is no longer under active development, users can still utilize it, though they may encounter bugs. The author successfully customized their desktop with a media player, clock, and revamped start menu, enhancing their workflow and aesthetic experience. They express a desire to further explore JaxCore and other customization tools.

AppWizard

June 20, 2025

‘Monster Hunter Wilds’ Now Has Overwhelmingly Negative Reviews on Steam – How One of 2025’s Best Games Is Crashing on PC

Monster Hunter Wilds has received an "Overwhelmingly Negative" rating on Steam, despite being Capcom's fastest-selling title earlier this year. Players have expressed dissatisfaction primarily due to performance issues with the PC version, including frequent crashes, sluggish server response times, and high system requirements for smooth gameplay. Many negative reviews come from players with significant hours logged in the game, indicating that the discontent is not impulsive. While some players appreciate the gameplay, others criticize the narrative-driven approach and simplified mechanics, which have disappointed long-time fans.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

This Microsoft feature is accidentally ‘blocking’ Google Chrome on Windows – The Times of India

Microsoft's Family Safety tool is causing disruptions for users trying to launch Google Chrome on Windows devices, with issues reported since June 3. Users with the Family Safety feature enabled experience Chrome failing to open or crashing. Alternative browsers like Firefox and Opera are unaffected. Chrome support manager Ellen T confirmed the issue is linked to the Family Safety feature. Microsoft has not issued a public statement or timeline for a fix, and a workaround involves renaming the Chrome executable or disabling the "filter inappropriate websites" option in Family Safety.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

Windows parental controls are blocking Chrome

Microsoft's Family Safety feature has been restricting users from launching Chrome on Windows since early June, causing issues specifically for Chrome users. Reports of the problem began on June 3, with users experiencing crashes when attempting to open the browser. A Google spokesperson confirmed that Chrome cannot run when Microsoft Family Safety is enabled for some users. Microsoft has not yet implemented a fix after 17 days, and users are advised to either disable the "Filter Inappropriate Websites" setting or rename the chrome.exe file as potential workarounds. Engadget has reached out to Microsoft for further comments but has not received a response.

AppWizard

June 20, 2025

Can we trust Google Maps to get us anywhere anymore?

The author experienced issues with Google Maps while driving home from a weekend retreat, where the app suggested two incorrect routes that would have taken them significantly off course. This raised concerns about the reliability of Google Maps, particularly in unfamiliar areas. A poll indicated that 6% of respondents felt Google Maps consistently gets them lost, 46% reported occasional issues, 39% found it reliable, and 9% do not use the app while driving.

Winsage

June 18, 2025

Windows 11’s shiny new Start menu has a flaw that’s going to drive me insane

Windows 11's Start menu has been criticized by users for being less effective than that of Windows 10. Microsoft has made enhancements, including the removal of the "Recommended" section and the introduction of a scrollable list of applications. Users can choose from three presentation methods: Name List, Name Grid, and View Category. However, the category sorting system limits user control, as applications are automatically assigned to predefined sections, and users cannot create or modify these categories. If an app does not fit into a category, it will be placed in the "Other" section. Additionally, a category is only created if there are three or more apps, which can lead to further disorganization if one app is uninstalled. Some users are considering alternatives like Linux Mint for a more customizable experience.

AppWizard

June 17, 2025

Android 16 glitch is making some Pixel phones a pain to navigate

Android 16 is causing significant issues for Pixel users, particularly with navigation gestures and buttons freezing, lagging, or becoming unresponsive. Pixel 8 Pro owners report delays of up to 30 seconds when swiping or navigating back, while Pixel 9 Pro XL users face similar problems with the swipe-up gesture. Complaints have surged on forums, especially Reddit, where users describe their navigation actions failing altogether. The issues affect models from Pixel 6 to the 9 series. Artem Russakovskii from Android Police shared a screen recording highlighting the severity of the bug. Google has not addressed the problems, and users are advised to use the bug report tool to voice their concerns in hopes of a patch being released.

Winsage

June 16, 2025

Microsoft has disabled a ‘key feature’ to enhance Windows security – The Times of India

Microsoft updated the Windows Hello face unlock functionality in April, which now fails to operate in low-light environments due to a strategic decision aimed at addressing a spoofing vulnerability. Users of Surface Laptops have reported frustrations as they can no longer access their devices using facial recognition in dark rooms. The update requires color cameras to see a visible face when signing in. Researchers from Nanyang Technological University identified a vulnerability in the system that allowed unauthorized access, although Microsoft categorized it as "important" and stated the likelihood of exploitation remains low. A temporary workaround for users is to disable the webcam through Windows 11's Device Manager, but this renders the camera unusable for other applications.

Winsage

June 15, 2025

User calls Windows 11 “pure horror,” Microsoft says it’s listening to feedback

Windows 11 has received mixed reviews, with some users expressing dissatisfaction as the mandatory upgrade deadline approaches on October 14, 2025. A user who switched to Fedora described Windows 11 as “pure horror,” citing issues with privacy, bloat, performance, bugs, and UI/UX. The Start Menu has become frustrating for some, leading to abandonment of the OS, although it is still used in professional settings. Brandon LeBlanc from Microsoft acknowledged the user's feedback and expressed hope for their return. Microsoft has made improvements based on user feedback, including refining features and enhancing the Settings app. Recent updates introduced a toggle to disable the Recommended feed in the Start menu and a redesigned layout for applications. However, users still have concerns about strict hardware requirements, performance issues, and aggressive promotion of Edge and Bing. Many find the inability to move the taskbar particularly frustrating.

Winsage

June 13, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5651 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5651 (KB5060818) has been released to the Dev Channel, introducing new features and improvements. 1. New Agent in Settings: An AI-powered agent helps users find and adjust settings by understanding user intent and automating tasks. Currently available for Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, with support for AMD and Intel devices coming soon. English is the primary display language requirement. 2. Recall Export Experience for EEA: Windows Insiders in the European Economic Area can export Recall snapshots with a unique export code, which is encrypted and requires Windows Hello authentication. Users can reset Recall if the export code is lost. 3. Bigger Clock in Notification Center: A new option to display a larger clock with seconds in the notification center is being rolled out, which can be activated in Settings. 4. Recall Changes: Users can now reset Recall and its data, with a new maximum storage duration for snapshots set to 90 days by default. 5. Click to Do Enhancements: New actions allow users to send text or images to Microsoft 365 Copilot and communicate via Microsoft Teams directly from recognized email addresses. 6. File Explorer Updates: Dividers have been added to the context menu for improved organization. 7. Voice Access Language Support: Support for Chinese and Japanese languages has been reintroduced in voice access. 8. Windows Share Options: New sharing options for OneDrive files are available when right-clicking to share. 9. Settings Search Box: The search box in Settings has been repositioned for better usability. 10. Fixes: Various fixes have been implemented for Recall, File Explorer, Start Menu, Settings, and other areas. 11. Known Issues: Issues include inaccurate build version display post-PC reset, non-functional reset options, and problems with Xbox Controllers via Bluetooth. 12. Reminders: Updates are rolled out gradually, and features may evolve or be removed before final release.