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Winsage

December 3, 2025

How to stop internet results in Search for Windows 11 — get rid of Bing suggestions for a clean, simplified experience

On Windows 11, users can disable web search results on the home page of the Windows Search experience through the Settings app. For Windows 11 Pro users, this can be done via Group Policy by navigating to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer, editing the policy "Turn off display of recent search entries in the File Explorer search box," selecting Enabled, and applying the changes. A reboot may be required to take effect. For both Windows 11 Pro and Home users, web results can also be disabled through the Registry by navigating to HKEYCURRENTUSERSOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows, creating a new key named Explorer, adding a DWORD (32-bit) Value named DisableSearchBoxSuggestions, and setting its value to 1. Restarting the computer will limit search results to system and file-related queries. To revert these changes, the DWORD can be deleted. Web search results in Windows Search refer to online suggestions that appear alongside local files and applications when users input queries.

Winsage

November 29, 2025

This free program is all I need to make my Windows desktop perfect

Microsoft removed widget support after Windows 7, leading to nostalgia for native desktop widgets. Windows 11 reintroduced widgets, but the implementation was limited and cluttered. Widget Launcher allows users to add and pin customizable widgets directly to their desktops, offering a user-friendly interface and easy installation from the Microsoft Store. It features two skins (light and dark), customizable color settings, and retains data without crashes. The app runs automatically at boot, maintaining desktop layout and settings, and has low resource consumption, rarely exceeding 100 MB of memory usage. The default widget collection includes practical options like a Notes widget, RSS feed widget, and world clock widget, with a free tier that meets most users' needs and a paid tier for additional designs.

Winsage

November 29, 2025

Tested: Windows 11’s ‘faster’ File Explorer (preloaded) is still slower than Windows 10, and uses additional RAM

Microsoft is testing a new feature for Windows 11's File Explorer that involves preloading the application in the background to improve performance. This preloading aims to address user complaints about File Explorer's sluggishness compared to Windows 10. Preloading involves pre-caching necessary data to facilitate quicker launches. Testing showed that RAM usage increased slightly from 32.4MB to 35MB with preloading enabled, resulting in a total of 67.4MB during background preloading. While there was a slight improvement in launch times, it was not significant without close examination. Under full load conditions, preloading demonstrated clearer advantages in launch speed. However, the overall sluggishness of File Explorer, particularly with context menu interactions, remains an issue. Users can optimize their experience by disabling transparency and animation effects and changing default folder settings. The performance disparity between Windows 10 and Windows 11 File Explorers is attributed to additional rendering layers in Windows 11. The preloading feature is available for testing in the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7271 (KB5070307), with a broader rollout expected in early 2026.

Winsage

November 20, 2025

5 tools I still use on Windows 11 that I wish Microsoft included natively

Windows 11 has introduced updates to its native applications, including the Snipping Tool's new OCR capabilities, Paint's additional utilities, and improvements to File Explorer such as expanded archive format support, a tabbed view, and a revamped Home page. However, users still find a lack of essential features that should be included by default. Key tools that could enhance Windows 11 include: - Monitorian: A minimalist app that allows users to adjust display brightness for external monitors directly from the system tray. - Bulk Crap Uninstaller: A tool that enables batch removal of applications, including Store apps, which is not supported in Windows 11's Settings app. - VLC Media Player: A versatile media player that supports a wide range of formats and simplifies playback without the need for additional codecs. - ExplorerPatcher: A tool that restores the movable Taskbar design from Windows 10, allowing for greater customization. - WinDirStat: A storage management tool that provides a comprehensive view of disk usage and allows users to identify and delete large folders and files easily. These tools highlight the potential for Windows 11 to improve user experience by integrating basic functionalities that are currently missing.

Winsage

October 20, 2025

Microsoft highlights all the new features that have shipped on Windows 11 in 2025 — and promises more to come

Microsoft has announced a series of enhancements for Windows 11, which will be available or rolling out through 2025. Key updates include a revamped File Explorer featuring an AI Actions menu and a redesigned home page, as well as an upgraded Widgets board powered by Copilot Discover. Quality-of-life improvements have been made, including a visual refresh of Windows Hello and updated context menus. For Copilot+ PC users, a new homepage interface for Windows Recall has been introduced, along with an AI agent in Windows Settings for easier navigation. A more customizable Start menu is expected to debut later this year, along with a consistent dark mode theme and advanced AI capabilities in the future.

Winsage

October 18, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.6972 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.6972 (KB5067106) has been released to the Dev Channel, introducing new features, improvements, and fixes. Users can now add and manage mobile devices from their PC under the "Mobile Devices" section in Bluetooth & Devices. A new entry point in the Start menu allows direct access to the benefits page for Microsoft accounts. The build includes updated Game Pass references in Settings, improvements to File Explorer's dark mode, and the ability to enable or disable the Drag Tray feature in Settings. Fixes include resolving a catastrophic error in File Explorer when extracting large files, correcting display issues with videos and games, and fixing update installation errors. Other fixes addressed issues with Outlook, Remote Credential Guard, and print preview in Chromium-based browsers. Known issues include problems with text actions in Click to Do and Recall, disabled taskbar preview animations, and issues with the Start menu and notification center. Users may also experience bugs with Xbox Controller connectivity via Bluetooth. Insiders in the Dev Channel receive updates based on Windows 11, version 25H2, and features are rolled out gradually with feedback monitoring.

Winsage

October 17, 2025

Microsoft Issues New Windows 11 Dev and Beta Builds

Microsoft has released cumulative update KB5067106 for users in the Windows Insider Program on the Dev and Beta channels. This update brings the Dev channel to Windows 11 version 25H2 build 26220.6972 and the Beta channel to version 24H2 build 26120.6972. Key changes include: - A revamped Mobile Devices interface in the Settings app for easier management of connected devices. - File Explorer now supports Dark mode in the Folder Options dialog. - Users can disable the Drag Tray feature under Settings > System > Nearby sharing. - A new “View my benefits” link has been added to the account flyout in the Start menu. - The Game Pass promotional tile in Settings has been updated for clarity. - Various system issues have been addressed, although some known issues remain, including a bug affecting Text actions in Click to Do and Recall.

AppWizard

October 15, 2025

This Android weather app is a must-have during the hurricane season

The Tropical Hurricane Tracker (THT) app provides near real-time updates on tropical storms and disturbances, utilizing data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Hurricane Center (NHC). It features a home page that displays active storms, NOAA advisories, and historical data, with detailed information available for each storm, including its Saffir-Simpson scale strength and wind speed. THT includes tabs for various ocean basins, allowing global storm tracking, and offers educational resources on storm preparedness and safety practices. The app also features a Buoy Data page for atmospheric data and a notification system for timely updates. THT is designed to complement standard weather apps, focusing on specialized information during hurricane season.

AppWizard

October 6, 2025

5 journaling apps you should use instead of Pixel Journal

Google has introduced a suite of exclusive applications for the Pixel 10 smartphone series, including the Pixel Journal, an AI-enhanced diary that offers contextual writing prompts and the ability to attach images and maps. Alternatives to Pixel Journal include: 1. Daily You: An open-source, free app that allows users to upload images, track their mood, and visualize mood trends alongside activities. It features a Flashbacks section for past entries and offers customizable storage folders and password protection. 2. Daily Diary: A minimalist journaling app focused on text without image uploads, automatically saving daily entries to a text file. It allows users to view previous entries and includes essential settings. 3. Day One: A comprehensive journaling app that allows multiple journals, text formatting, image embeds, and location tagging for entries. It offers daily prompts and a premium subscription for additional features. 4. Diarium: A feature-rich app with a seven-day trial of its Pro version, offering a timeline view, map view, and a search function. It highlights past entries and the premium version includes unlimited attachments and third-party service integration. 5. Journey: An app with standard diary functionalities and advanced AI features, including the Journey Odyssey AI for searching diary content and a tutorial feature called “Coach” for seasonal prompts. It offers a one-time payment option to unlock all features.

AppWizard

September 17, 2025

Windows Xbox app update now pulls in your Steam and other PC games

Microsoft and Asus will launch the Asus ROG Xbox Ally handheld next month, featuring full Windows 11. Microsoft is also updating its Xbox app to create a unified interface that consolidates games from various platforms, including the Microsoft Store, Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Activision-Blizzard’s Battle.net, and GOG. The updated app will automatically populate the “My Library” section with installed games, including Fortnite from the Epic Games Store. The update includes a touch-friendly launcher for third-party applications and an upcoming feature to display cloud gaming history across Windows devices, along with a “Jump back in” feature for resuming gaming sessions.