Game Bar Archives

Winsage

February 12, 2025

Windows 11 Patch Tuesday tweaks taskbar and adds handy icon in system tray for AI effects

Windows 11's latest Patch Tuesday updates include several enhancements and fixes: - Taskbar: Improved visual previews and smoother animations for taskbar applications. - Windows Studio Effects: New system tray icon for applications using Windows Studio Effects, with access to the Studio Effects page in Quick Settings. - Fonts: Introduction of Simsun-ExtG, a new simplified Chinese font supporting 9,753 ideographs. - File Explorer: New "New Folder" option in the context menu, restoration of previously open tabs, automatic activation of specific settings, and several fixes related to search functionality and icon updates. - Settings: Users can change time zones without administrative privileges. - Mouse: Fixed issues with cursor disappearance, transparency, and performance. - Pinyin IME: Bug fix for language switching. - Snipping Tool: Resolved distortion issues for multi-monitor screenshots. - Microsoft Excel 2016: Fixed loading screen issue for certain files. - Game Bar: Fixed recording failure issue. - HDR: Corrected oversaturation issues in some games. - DAC: Fixed playback issues with USB audio devices. - USB audio device drivers: Resolved code 10 error message. - Chinese Pinyin IME: Bing no longer provides automatic suggestions for certain search engines. - USB cameras: Fixed recognition issues post-January 2025 security update. - Passkey: Eliminated one-minute timeout for mobile device passkeys. - Power: Improved shutdown times with connected controllers. - Wi-Fi: Resolved unresponsive Windows Security dialog when signing into certain networks.

Winsage

December 20, 2024

Can Microsoft convince gamers to upgrade to Windows 11?

Microsoft is encouraging users to transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11 before the end of support in October 2025. Key gaming features of Windows 11 include Auto HDR, DirectStorage, Game Bar Compact Mode, Dynamic Lighting, optimizations for windowed games, an HDR calibration app, advanced hybrid support, Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 support, color filters for colorblind players, automatic super resolution for Arm Copilot+ PCs, and the Xbox app on Windows PC. Windows 11 has a 52.48% market share among Steam users as of November 2024, surpassing Windows 10 in mid-2024. Currently, Windows 10 holds a 61.82% market share while Windows 11 is at 34.94%. Gamers are adopting Windows 11 faster than the general user base.

Winsage

December 19, 2024

Microsoft lays out reasons Windows 10 gamers should upgrade to Windows 11, but I can pick a few holes in these arguments

Microsoft is encouraging Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11, especially targeting gamers. Key features of Windows 11 include Auto HDR for enhanced visuals on SDR games, DirectStorage for reduced loading times and improved frame rates with NVMe SSDs, and Compact Mode for Game Bar for better usability on smaller screens. Other features include Dynamic Lighting for RGB devices, HDR Calibration app, color filters for colorblind players, and Automatic Super Resolution for Arm-based PCs. The effectiveness of these features depends on hardware compatibility, and while some improvements may enhance gaming experiences, they may not be significant enough for all users to upgrade immediately. Windows 10 will reach its End of Life in October 2025, prompting users to consider their options regarding upgrading or sticking with Windows 10.

Winsage

December 18, 2024

Elevate your PC gaming experience with Windows 11 this holiday season

Windows 11 offers new gaming experiences for PC Game Pass subscribers, including titles like Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle™. Key features include: - Auto HDR: Enhances SDR games to HDR for improved colors and contrasts. - DirectStorage: Reduces load times using NVMe SSDs, optimizing data loading for better performance. - Game Bar Compact Mode: Simplifies navigation on smaller screens, providing quick access to games and performance metrics. - Dynamic Lighting: Allows synchronization and customization of RGB lighting across devices. - Optimizations for Windowed Games: Introduces Variable Rate Refresh (VRR) to reduce tearing and stuttering in windowed modes. - Advanced Hybrid (CASO)/UMA: Improves performance on hybrid laptops with integrated and discrete GPUs. - Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 support: Enhances online gaming with faster speeds and lower latency. - Color filters for colorblind players: Helps colorblind players differentiate colors while improving frame rates. - Automatic Super Resolution for Arm Copilot+ PCs: Upscales lower-resolution content in real-time. - Xbox app on Windows PC: Manages PC gaming content and facilitates cloud gaming and cross-platform connections.

AppWizard

December 18, 2024

Five quick methods to measure the frames/s in PC games

To measure frames per second (FPS) in PC gaming, several methods can be utilized: 1. Steam's Built-in FPS Counter: Activate the FPS counter in Steam's settings under the In-game tab, allowing customization of its position on the screen. 2. Nvidia's GeForce Experience: For Nvidia graphics card users, enable the In-game overlay in the General settings and customize the FPS counter's position in the HUD Layout settings. 3. AMD Radeon Software: AMD users can enable the Overlay feature in the Performance tab to display FPS, frame time, and CPU/GPU utilization, with the option to toggle the overlay during gameplay. 4. In-Game FPS Counters: Many modern games have built-in FPS counters that can be activated through graphics options or specific key combinations. 5. MSI Afterburner: This software can monitor FPS across various graphics card brands. Enable the Rivatuner Statistics Server during installation and activate the Frame rate option in the Monitoring tab. Using the integrated Game Bar in Windows is another option, but it may negatively impact performance.

Winsage

December 16, 2024

Windows 11’s Start menu recommendations are being improved – but I’m still not impressed, Microsoft

Windows 11 is enhancing the recommendations in the Start menu, specifically the 'Recommended' panel, which will continue to feature recently used apps, files, and suggested websites. Microsoft aims to improve the relevance of these suggestions based on users' browsing history. Additionally, build 22635 has introduced Microsoft Edge Game Assist for Beta channel testers, allowing users to access a mini version of Edge within the Game Bar overlay. Recent tests indicate that the revamped recommendations are more relevant, but some users may still prefer a minimalist interface without such suggestions. Microsoft has confirmed there are no plans to remove the Recommended panel, but users would like the option to customize its content.

Winsage

December 13, 2024

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4655 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4655 (KB5048753) has been released to the Beta Channel. Key updates include: - Enhanced filtering for recommended websites on the Start menu. - New interaction model for the lock screen's spotlight feature, allowing users to explore images further. - Changes to the Desktop Spotlight icon, enabling users to learn more about their background images. - A visual preview of links and web content in the Windows share window. - A fix for an issue with window previews not appearing on the taskbar. Additionally, Microsoft Edge Game Assist (Preview) is introduced, providing a gaming-centric browsing experience that integrates with the Game Bar and shares browser data across devices. Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel will receive updates based on Windows 11, version 23H2, with features gradually rolled out using Control Feature Rollout technology. Features may evolve or be removed based on feedback, and localization issues may be addressed over time.

Winsage

December 13, 2024

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.2702 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.2702 (KB5048761) has been released to the Dev Channel. New features include: - An advanced camera options page under Settings, offering configurations for multi-app camera access and basic camera functionality. - API support for third-party passkey providers to enhance login security, along with updates to WebAuthn APIs for a plugin authentication model for passkeys. Changes and improvements: - Enhanced filtering for recommended websites on the Start menu based on browsing history. - The ability for standard users to change time zones under Settings. Fixes include: - Resolved issues with pointer trails making the mouse cursor invisible and mouse cursor stuttering. - Addressed oversaturation issues in some games using Auto HDR. - Fixed a rollback issue that displayed an incorrect app control dialog. Known issues: - Incorrect build version display after a PC reset. - Issues with Recall functionality and Click to Do features that will be addressed in future updates. Microsoft Edge Game Assist (Preview) is available for Insiders, providing an in-game browser experience tailored for PC gaming. Insiders in the Dev Channel receive updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2, with features gradually rolled out and subject to change based on feedback.

Winsage

December 13, 2024

KB5048753: Windows 11 gets better Start menu filter, new Edge gaming assist, and more

Microsoft has released a new build for Windows 11 Insiders in the Beta channel, identified as build 22635.4655 under KB5048753. Key enhancements include improved Start menu filtering for recommended websites, a new Edge Game Assist feature, and updates to Spotlight functionality. Changes include enhanced filtering for recommended websites in the Start menu, new treatments for the lock screen's top right hotspot allowing users to learn more about spotlight images, and updates to the Desktop Spotlight icon interaction model. The Windows share window now displays a visual preview of links and web content. Fixes include resolving an issue with window previews not displaying for certain open apps in the taskbar. The Microsoft Edge Game Assist (Preview) feature allows users to access browser data while gaming, providing tips and guides relevant to the games being played, and sharing the same browser data as Edge on the PC.

AppWizard

November 25, 2024

Microsoft could tempt PC gamers away from Chrome with nifty new ‘Game Assist’ mode for its Edge browser

Microsoft is testing a new feature called Game Assist in its Edge browser, specifically for PC gamers, as part of the Edge beta version 132. Game Assist integrates into the Game Bar on Windows 11, allowing players to access a compact Edge panel for browsing online tips and guides without disrupting gameplay. Currently, it supports only the English language and a limited selection of games, including Baldur’s Gate 3, Diablo IV, Fortnite, and League of Legends. If successful, it may increase the adoption rate of Microsoft Edge among gamers.