gamepad Archives

Winsage

November 8, 2024

Windows on Arm apps are about to get access to the secret sauce Adobe used to get Premiere Pro 25 to work on Copilot+ PCs

Windows on Arm PCs with the Snapdragon X Elite processor are receiving a preview build of Windows 11 that enhances Prism emulation, specifically Build 27744. This update expands support for various CPU features, allowing non-native Arm applications to run more efficiently. The update increases the range of 64-bit x86 applications that can be emulated, integrating support for additional CPU extensions like AVX, AVX2, BMI, FMA, and F16C. Currently, only x64 applications are supported, and users can provide feedback on compatibility and performance issues. Additionally, the Start menu has been simplified, a new Gamepad keyboard layout is being introduced for Xbox controller navigation, the Task Manager's Disconnect and Logoff dialogs have been updated for dark mode and text scaling, and the detach virtual hard disk button has returned in the Settings menu.

Winsage

November 7, 2024

Latest Windows 11 Insider Preview brings updated Prism emulator for Arm PCs

Microsoft has introduced an updated Prism emulator in the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27744, improving compatibility with x86-based applications and games. The new emulator supports additional CPU extensions, enabling applications like Adobe Premiere Pro 2025 and games such as Starfield and Helldivers 2 to run on Arm PCs. Devices with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus SoCs can now run more legacy applications and games without native ARM64 versions. The update also includes a new on-screen gamepad keyboard for better navigation and typing on gaming handhelds and touchscreen devices. The changelog for Build 27744 includes various enhancements and fixes, such as resolving display issues for older NVIDIA GPUs, fixing problems with the Emoji Panel and Clipboard History, improving Windows Sandbox performance, correcting dynamic refresh rate issues, and addressing multiple bugs related to remote desktop connections and app functionalities.

Winsage

November 7, 2024

Windows 11 Canary Build 27744 returns the Gamepad keyboard, and fixes old dGPUs

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27744 in the Canary Channel, providing a unified experience and eliminating the previous dual-experience model. This build enhances the Prism emulator for Windows on Arm, allowing a wider range of 64-bit x86 applications to run, including support for additional CPU features. The update enables previously incompatible games and creative software to function on Arm devices. Key changes include the simplification of the Start menu, a new Gamepad keyboard layout for the on-screen keyboard, and updates to Task Manager and Settings. Several fixes have been implemented, addressing issues with NVIDIA GPUs, the Emoji Panel, Windows Sandbox performance, and various graphics and app-related bugs. Known issues include potential problems with Windows Hello PIN on new Copilot+ PCs and desktop background display across multiple monitors. Users are encouraged to provide feedback on their experience.

Winsage

November 7, 2024

Windows 11 Arm PCs are getting even better at emulation with the latest beta build

Windows 11 build 27744 in the Canary channel enhances the Prism emulator, allowing broader support for x86-based applications on Arm devices. This update includes support for additional CPU extensions such as AVX, AVX2, BMI, FMA, and F16C, improving compatibility with various applications, including Adobe Premiere Pro 2025. The new features are limited to 64-bit x86 applications, with future updates expected to address the limitations for 32-bit apps. Additionally, the build introduces a new gamepad keyboard, reinstates the option to detach a virtual hard disk from the Settings app, and includes minor improvements to Task Manager. Fixes address issues with NVIDIA GPUs, the Emoji Panel, Clipboard History, Windows Sandbox performance, dynamic refresh rates, and remote desktop connections. Users in the Canary channel can access the update by checking for updates on their PCs.

Winsage

November 6, 2024

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27744 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27744 has been released to the Canary Channel. This build introduces enhanced support for 64-bit x86 applications in the Prism emulator, allowing previously incompatible applications, including Adobe Premiere Pro 25, to run on Arm devices. The virtual CPU for x64 emulated applications now supports various x86 instruction set architecture extensions, such as AVX and FMA. Changes include the simplification of the "All apps" section in the Start menu, a new Gamepad keyboard layout for the on-screen keyboard, redesigned Task Manager dialogs, and the return of the detach virtual hard disk button. Fixes address issues with NVIDIA GPUs, the Emoji Panel, Windows Sandbox performance, and various bugs affecting graphics and application stability. Known issues include potential loss of Windows Hello PIN and biometrics for new Copilot+ PC users joining the Canary Channel and desktop background display problems across multiple monitors. Insiders are reminded that features in the Canary Channel may not be released and can change during development.

Winsage

November 5, 2024

Windows 11 update fails are becoming a joke – but it looks like Microsoft is working hard on fixing them

Microsoft has released a new preview build of Windows 11, build 26120.2213, focusing on bug fixes related to the transition to version 24H2. Significant fixes include resolving an issue in Task Manager that displayed zero running apps and processes, addressing a problem that prevented some games from launching, and correcting excessive spacing between applications in the Start menu. Improvements have also been made to File Explorer, fixing spacing issues in the navigation pane and correcting the display of RAW images taken in portrait mode. Additionally, minor glitches in the taskbar, including a malfunctioning 'X' button in the taskbar preview, have been fixed. The update does not introduce new features, with the only notable change being a minor adjustment to the IME toolbar. Known issues still being addressed include complications with the new gamepad keyboard layout and a display corruption issue for users with multiple monitors.

Winsage

November 5, 2024

Windows 11 build 26120.2213 (KB5045885) fixes multi-monitor desktop background and more

Microsoft has released the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.2213 (KB5045885) in the Dev Channel. Key changes include the temporary suspension of the Gamepad keyboard feature, improvements to the Start menu, and enhancements for users typing in Chinese or Japanese, such as hiding the IME toolbar in full-screen mode. Fixes include enhanced reliability and corrected spacing in the Start menu, adjustments in File Explorer for navigation pane padding and RAW image display, taskbar improvements including a search box for auto-hide settings, and general fixes for all users addressing game launch issues and Task Manager display problems. Known issues include a problem with desktop backgrounds not displaying correctly across multiple monitors. Windows Insiders receive updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2, with features rolled out gradually and subject to change based on feedback.

Winsage

November 4, 2024

Windows 11’s feature to allow typing with your Xbox controller has vanished in a blow for owners of handheld gaming PCs

Windows 11 users will not receive the new gamepad keyboard layout for the on-screen keyboard as it has been temporarily shelved. Microsoft announced this pause in rollout due to unresolved issues, which was communicated through a recent Beta channel preview build. The feature had been in testing since early September 2024 and was expected to be available with the Windows 11 24H2 update at the end of October. The gamepad on-screen keyboard was designed to enhance typing convenience using an Xbox controller, incorporating shortcuts for functions like backspace and spacebar.

Winsage

November 4, 2024

Windows 11 24H2 Update Removes Xbox Gamepad Keyboard Feature After Bugs Plagued It

Microsoft has withdrawn the 'Gamepad keyboard' feature from the upcoming Windows 11 24H2 update due to unresolved bugs. The feature, aimed at enhancing text input for Xbox controllers and other gaming devices, was disabled in the latest preview update, and users can no longer access it. Microsoft has not provided specific details about the bugs and has omitted the feature from their release notes, indicating a delay in its rollout. The Gamepad keyboard was first introduced in September 2024 and was expected to be part of the October update. Despite this setback, Microsoft has stated that the feature will return in future updates.

Winsage

November 2, 2024

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4440 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4440 (KB5045889) has been released to the Beta Channel. Key updates include a modernized Windows Hello user experience with enhanced visuals for authentication, redesigned credential user experiences for passkeys, and a temporary disablement of the new Gamepad keyboard layout for the on-screen keyboard. Additionally, an underlying issue causing touch keyboard crashes and IME candidate window problems has been fixed. Windows Insiders can receive updates based on Windows 11, version 23H2 via an enablement package, and features may be rolled out gradually based on user feedback.