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AppWizard

May 21, 2025

Google Play adds topic pages, audio previews, and new subscription tools for developers

Google is enhancing its Play Store with upgrades for Android app developers, including a robust toolset for managing subscription-based applications, allowing developers to pause live app releases. New "topic browse" pages will help users discover apps related to over 100,000 media and entertainment titles, and the "Where to Watch" feature will expand to the U.K., Korea, Indonesia, and Mexico. Developers can integrate new visual content options, such as a hero content carousel and audio samples, which have increased app installs for Health & Wellness developers. Curated spaces for user interests will expand, particularly in Japan. The Play Console will feature a new asset library for organizing visual assets and provide new metrics for app listing performance. Subscription management tools will allow multi-product checkout and enhanced reminders about subscription benefits, reducing voluntary churn by 3%. Developers can offer a grace period of up to 30 days or a 60-day account hold for declined payments. The Engage SDK will support additional categories and markets, while the Play Integrity API will improve security with enhanced abuse detection and device security update checks.

Winsage

May 18, 2025

This free Windows 11 tool actually makes the File Explorer bearable

Microsoft's File Explorer has introduced a tab-based layout, but users still find it lacking in functionalities. The Explorer Tab Utility enhances the experience by integrating with Windows to transform new File Explorer windows into tabs. It offers hotkey commands for quick access, such as Win + E for the Home page and Ctrl + D to duplicate tabs. Users can customize hotkeys and create custom commands by specifying a name, hotkeys, scope, and action. Actions include opening File Explorer, conducting a tab search, and managing tab visibility. The utility provides a simple setup process and can be managed through a taskbar icon.

Winsage

April 1, 2025

Wintoys new update lets you set classic File Explorer, uninstall Edge and more in Windows 11

Wintoys has released a significant 2.0 update for Windows 11 users after nearly a year without updates. Key features include a new logo supporting light and dark modes, a settings restore button, the option to revert to the classic File Explorer, compliance with the Digital Markets Act allowing uninstallation of Microsoft Edge in unsupported regions, an enhanced Super-user Tweaks menu, and updated system properties cards. The update also addresses bugs and improves performance, although there is a known issue with the Alt + Tab function freezing the app. Wintoys 2.0 is available for free download from the Microsoft Store for Windows 10 and 11 users.

Winsage

March 14, 2025

This new Windows 11 feature would be perfect for an Xbox gaming handheld

Windows Insiders in the Release Preview Channel can install Windows 11 Build 22631.5116, which includes the gamepad keyboard feature for Xbox controllers, enhancing gaming accessibility on smaller screens. The update also improves Task Manager's CPU utilization calculations, File Explorer's text scaling support, and Settings with a new home page feature for commercial devices. Additionally, a new system tray icon for the emoji panel has been introduced. The rollout is gradual, with Microsoft addressing bugs like those affecting ctfmon.exe and printer outputs. This update aims to optimize Windows 11 for gaming, especially with upcoming handheld devices.

Winsage

March 13, 2025

5 reasons the Windows 11 Settings app makes me forget about the Control Panel

The transition from the Control Panel to the Settings app in Windows 11 has been significant, with the new app offering quick access via Windows + I and a highlighted search bar for easy navigation. The Settings app features a modern design with vibrant icons and a clean layout, enhancing usability, especially on touch devices. It provides intuitive navigation with a visible menu, allowing users to find settings without confusion. Most essential features have migrated from the Control Panel to the Settings app, making the latter more functional for tasks like uninstalling applications. Some new features are exclusive to the Settings app, indicating its growing importance. Microsoft is considering phasing out the Control Panel, which has received mixed reactions, but many users see this as a potential improvement in user experience.

Winsage

March 11, 2025

Windows 11 KB5053598 & KB5053602 cumulative updates released

Microsoft has released two cumulative updates for Windows 11: KB5053598 for version 24H2 and KB5053602 for version 23H2, which include essential security patches from the March 2025 Patch Tuesday. Users can install these updates via Start > Settings > Windows Update or manually from the Microsoft Update Catalog. After installation, the build number for Windows 11 24H2 will be 26100.3476 and for 23H2 it will be 22631.5039. The updates introduce new features such as an Xbox advertisement in the Settings menu, the ability to share files from a jump list, enhancements to Windows Spotlight, a new “Like” button for lock screen images, improved Narrator functions, and a referral card for PC Game Pass subscriptions. File Explorer now allows users to snooze backup reminders and fixes have been made for performance issues and audio problems. A known issue for version 24H2 is that users cannot download and play Roblox on Arm devices, and both versions may show an incorrect Event 7023 error in EventViewer related to SgrmBroker.exe, which Microsoft plans to address in a future update.

BetaBeacon

March 11, 2025

How to Stream PC Games to Your iPhone or Android Device

- Apps allow you to connect a gamepad to your iPhone or Android device through Bluetooth settings or USB OTG cable - Steam Link app allows you to stream games from your PC to your mobile device on the same network - Moonlight app reverse-engineers Nvidia's GameStream feature to stream games from your PC to any device - Alternatives to Steam and PC games for streaming include Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Amazon Luna, and Remote Play features for Xbox and PlayStation consoles

Winsage

March 10, 2025

Windows 11 users get ready for more ‘recommendations’ from Microsoft – but I’m relieved to say these suggestions might actually be useful

Microsoft is testing enhancements for Windows 11 in the Beta channel (build 22635.5025), focusing on the Start menu and File Explorer. The Start menu will now suggest applications that users frequently snap together, such as WhatsApp and File Explorer. File Explorer will feature a 'Recommended' files section on its Home page, displaying recently accessed or downloaded files. These features will not be available to users in the European Economic Area (EEA). Additionally, Microsoft has fixed a performance issue where users experienced delays when closing File Explorer using the 'X' button.

Winsage

February 27, 2025

Microsoft battles more bugs in Windows 11 24H2 with new round of patches

Microsoft released an optional update, KB5052093, for Windows 11 24H2 to address persistent bugs. Users may need to manually download and install this update as it is being rolled out gradually. The update includes fixes for File Explorer, improving performance with media files, context menu response for cloud files, and the reliability of the address bar. It resolves issues with color displays in the Start menu, hard drive misidentification in Task Manager, Guest account sign-ins, custom mouse pointer colors after UAC prompts, and audio bugs related to volume spikes and USB devices. Connectivity issues with Remote Desktop and display rendering problems have been fixed, along with improvements to drag-and-drop functionality and an error message in the Settings screen. New features include file sharing from the Taskbar jump list, simultaneous camera access for multiple applications, enhancements to Windows Narrator for easier navigation, and a more user-friendly Windows Spotlight. A referral card for PC Game Pass may also appear for eligible users. The update can be checked via Settings under Windows Update, and the official version will be released on March 11.

Winsage

February 27, 2025

Windows 10 Mobile’s App Store officially dies—for real this time

Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 10 Mobile five years ago. The Microsoft Store on Windows 10 Mobile has now shut down, with users reporting gray screens or error messages when attempting to access it. Applications like Microsoft Word, Excel, OneNote, and PowerPoint received updates until 2021, but most essential applications became incompatible with Windows 10 Mobile by the time Windows 11 was released. Developers largely abandoned the platform, leaving users with limited options for new apps, which can now only be installed through sideloading.