Insider Program Archives

Winsage

April 30, 2025

Windows Insider Program: What is it and why you should consider joining it (and few reasons you shouldn’t)

The Windows Insider Program allows users to explore unreleased features of Microsoft's Windows operating system by enrolling in various channels. To join, Windows 11 users can go to Settings >> Windows Update and select Windows Insider Program, enabling optional diagnostic data sharing with Microsoft. There are four channels to choose from: 1. Canary Channel: For technical users wanting to preview early-stage features, often unstable. 2. Dev Channel: More stable than Canary, includes features under consideration for future releases. 3. Beta Channel: Recommended for most users, offers a balance of stability and innovation with features likely to be rolled out to all users. 4. Release Preview Channel: The most stable option, providing a preview of the next major release with tested functionalities. Reasons to join include early access to new features, the ability to provide feedback to Microsoft, professional advantages for IT administrators, community engagement, and skill improvement. However, drawbacks include potential system instability and bugs, as well as privacy concerns related to sharing diagnostic data.

Winsage

April 29, 2025

Microsoft’s AI Secretly Copying All Your Private Messages

Microsoft is relaunching its AI-driven feature, Recall, which continuously captures background screenshots on Copilot+ PCs optimized for AI functionalities. Initially introduced in May, Recall was retracted due to privacy concerns over unencrypted storage of screenshots containing sensitive user data. After testing through Microsoft's Insider program, Recall has been updated to encrypt the screenshot database and requires users to opt in to save screenshots. However, it still poses risks by potentially capturing sensitive information from communications without the knowledge of other parties involved. Security researcher Kevin Beaumont has noted that the sensitive information filter is unreliable, and the encrypted database is only secured by a basic four-digit PIN. Beaumont's testing revealed that Recall indexed everything it stored, including ephemeral messages and images. He cautioned users to check if Recall is enabled when discussing sensitive topics with others on Windows PCs.

Winsage

April 18, 2025

Enhancing Text Extraction in Windows 11 with Snipping Tool Update

Microsoft has released an update to the Snipping Tool in the latest preview version of Windows 11 (version 11.2503.27.0) for Insider Program testers. This update introduces a new text extraction icon in the toolbar, allowing users to select and copy text directly from images without capturing a screenshot first. The update simplifies the previous process, enabling users to launch the Snipping Tool and select an area for text extraction more intuitively. Users can copy specific sections or all text, with additional options available to customize the extraction process.

Winsage

April 15, 2025

Releasing Windows 10 Build 19045.5794 to the Release Preview Channel

Windows 10 22H2 Build 19045.5794 (KB5055612) is now available in the Release Preview Channel for Insiders. Key features include a fix for the GPU paravirtualization check in Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2), which was previously case-sensitive, and updates to the Windows Kernel Vulnerable Driver Blocklist to include drivers with security vulnerabilities exploited in Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) attacks.

Winsage

April 14, 2025

Microsoft is finally rolling out its controversial Recall feature that screenshots everything you do (again), but only for select users

Microsoft's AI screenshotting tool, Recall, is being reintroduced on Windows 11 for select members of the Windows Insider program. After concerns about storing sensitive information as unsecured plain text files, Microsoft has made Recall an opt-in feature and requires Windows Hello for accessing Recall data. Sensitive information is no longer stored as plain text. Users can control their data by pausing or deactivating Recall, deleting screenshots, or filtering content. Despite these improvements, some users remain cautious due to Recall's history and its ability to monitor screen activity, leading to privacy concerns.

Winsage

April 12, 2025

Lilbits: Microsoft Recall, more tariff-related pricing uncertainty, and Samsung’s Ball-shaped robot

Microsoft's Recall software, initially unveiled nearly a year ago as part of Copilot+ PCs, aims to simplify the retrieval of past activities by capturing snapshots for natural language searches. The rollout was postponed due to privacy and security concerns but has since begun with a preview version for select Windows Insiders and is expanding to the Release Preview Channel. Users can opt-in to this feature. DroiX will no longer prepay taxes at checkout for U.S. customers due to fluctuating tariffs. MediaTek has launched the Dimensity 9400+, a flagship processor with improved CPU speeds and AI performance. Motorola is set to release its first laptop, the Moto Book 60, in India on April 17. Samsung plans to launch its Ballie rolling robot in the U.S. and South Korea this summer and is partnering with Google to integrate Gemini AI features.

Winsage

April 12, 2025

Microsoft starts final Windows Recall testing before rollout

Microsoft is gradually introducing its AI-powered Windows Recall feature to Insiders in the Release Preview channel, with plans to extend it to all Windows users with Copilot+ PCs. Recall captures screenshots of active windows at regular intervals, allowing Windows 11 users to search for text within these snapshots using natural language. Users can opt-in to save snapshots and must authenticate via Windows Hello to access their data. Recall is currently being rolled out to Windows 11 Insiders with Build 26100.3902 (KB5055627). The feature faced privacy concerns upon its introduction in May 2024, leading Microsoft to implement measures to enhance user privacy, such as filtering out sensitive information and allowing users to adjust storage settings. The rollout of the first Recall preview began in November 2024 for Snapdragon Copilot+ PCs, followed by Intel and AMD Copilot+ PCs a month later.

Winsage

April 11, 2025

Copilot Recall: Microsoft rolls out AI screenshot tool

Microsoft has rolled out its AI-driven tool, Copilot+ Recall, which captures snapshots of users' screens at regular intervals. Currently in preview mode, it is available to select users of Microsoft's AI-enabled PCs and laptops, following a temporary halt in 2024 for refinement. Access is being expanded to participants in the Windows Insider program, with global availability planned, though users in the EU will experience a delay until late 2025. Recall allows users to search through past activities, and they can opt-in to the feature, pausing snapshot saving at any time. Privacy advocates have raised concerns about potential misuse, as the tool can save images from emails and messaging apps, including private messages. Microsoft asserts that snapshots are not shared with the company or third parties and are stored locally on users' devices. Users can choose which applications can use Recall, and private browsing modes will not be subject to snapshotting. The UK's Information Commissioner's Office is engaging with Microsoft to ensure compliance with data protection laws.

Winsage

April 11, 2025

Windows Weekly 927: Up to Stuff

Leo, Richard, and Paul discussed Microsoft's recent innovations, including the Windows 11 Feature Tracker, insights from Microsoft Build, advancements in consumer AI, and updates from the gaming sector, particularly Xbox. A new free newsletter offers three time-saving tips every Friday, and subscribers receive complimentary copies of Paul Thurrott's Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides. The Windows 11 Feature Tracker aims to be a comprehensive resource and may evolve into a web app or wiki. The Windows Insider Program's Beta build for 23H2 introduces changes to file new tabs and new windows, while a nostalgic taskbar icon scaling feature is returning in the Dev and Beta (24H2) versions. Intel has discontinued its Unison app and service. The Build session catalog emphasizes AI developments, with sessions covering Windows Copilot Runtime and productivity enhancements. Microsoft unveiled new Copilot features at a consumer AI event, including web actions and memory personalization, and integrated Copilot Search into Bing. Concerns about AI's impact on human intelligence were discussed, particularly in relation to a Twitter debate on Microsoft's AI demo of Quake II. Microsoft announced an Xbox Games Showcase for June, with updates to the Edge Game Assist feature and GTA V available on Game Pass starting April 15. The Nintendo Switch 2 will support ray tracing and DLSS, though its release is delayed due to tariff challenges. Apple Music for Windows now supports Dolby Atmos, and notable software includes Notion, Typora/iA Writer, and Proton Pass. This week's RunAs Radio episode focuses on Application Risk in Security Copilot. The Heart Cut #02 from the East London Liquor Company is recommended for a unique tasting experience.

Winsage

April 11, 2025

Windows 11’s latest preview build makes updating your PC less of a hassle

Microsoft has released a new Release Preview build for Windows 11 Insiders, featuring significant updates. The Windows Update feature now provides an estimated offline time for updates, accessible through the Windows Update settings and the Start menu power button. The KB5055627 update introduces the Copilot+ Recall feature, which captures snapshots of user activities for easy information retrieval, requiring Windows Hello for secure access and specific system requirements. Windows Search has been improved to allow searches using descriptive terms instead of exact names, and the Click to DO feature suggests relevant applications based on user selections. These features will be rolled out gradually, and users can find guidance through the Windows Insider Program.