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Microsoft slipped another Photos app on my PC, and this one wants names
Winsage
July 31, 2026

Microsoft slipped another Photos app on my PC, and this one wants names

Microsoft has announced that the revamped OneDrive Photos app is now available exclusively to Windows Insiders as a preview called ‘Photos (Preview)’ for those in the Experimental channel. This update was delivered through a OneDrive update without requiring a separate installation. Users can find it using Windows Search. OneDrive Photos retains essential photo editing tools but features a more streamlined menu that includes Moments, Gallery, People, Albums, Favorites, and This PC.
Announcing new builds for 31 July 2026
Winsage
July 31, 2026

Announcing new builds for 31 July 2026

New Windows Insider Preview Builds have been released for both the Beta and Experimental channels, featuring renewed Windows Insider flight certificates valid until August 11, 2026. The Experimental channel has already incorporated these renewed certificates. Notable new features include: 1. Adaptive Hibernate Policy: Enhancements to improve instant-on resumes from Modern Standby and battery preservation, with less frequent hibernation above 80% battery and earlier hibernation below 10%. 2. Alternate Taskbar Position: Users can change the taskbar's position to bottom, top, left, or right through Settings. Tooltips, flyouts, and animations will function in alternate positions, but some features are still in development. 3. Smaller Taskbar: A new, smaller taskbar option is available for maximizing screen space, particularly on smaller devices, allowing for smaller icons and reduced height. Users can adjust this setting in Taskbar behaviors.
Windows quality: an update on the commitment we made in March
Winsage
July 31, 2026

Windows quality: an update on the commitment we made in March

In March, a commitment was made to enhance the quality of Windows, with a focus on several immediate changes including enhanced taskbar customization, meaningful AI integration, minimizing disruptions from Windows Updates, faster and more reliable File Explorer, greater control over widgets and feed experiences, a more straightforward Windows Insider Program, and improving the Feedback Hub experience. The core areas of focus are performance, reliability, and well-crafted experiences, with improvements already being rolled out to Windows Insiders and set to expand across Windows 11 PCs this fall. Recent updates include enhancements to the Windows Search Box, improvements for developers at Build 2026, advancements in WinUI 3, updates to the Taskbar and Start menu, simplified AI integration, foundational architecture enhancements for File Explorer, updates to widgets and feed experiences, the launch of the Driver Quality Initiative (DQI), memory efficiency improvements, enhanced reliability for Windows Hello, changes to reduce disruptions from Windows Updates, and a simplified Windows Insider Program. Looking ahead, the team plans to bring enhancements to general availability while focusing on onboarding and setup, memory optimization for PCs with 8GB and above, family features, and improved voice interactions. Engaging with Windows Insiders has been a highlight, and the team remains committed to ongoing improvements based on user feedback.
The latest Windows 11 update highlights the part of Microsoft I genuinely enjoy covering the most
Winsage
July 29, 2026

The latest Windows 11 update highlights the part of Microsoft I genuinely enjoy covering the most

Windows Insiders can explore a new build of Windows 11 that enhances accessibility features, particularly the upgraded Voice Access with Voice Isolation, which filters background noise for better voice command control in noisy environments. This update allows users to navigate their devices using voice commands alone, with a dock displaying spoken commands for immediate feedback. Voice Access now offers three speech recognition modes: Voice Isolation, which requires a one-time voice setup; Remove background noise only, which eliminates non-speech sounds without additional setup; and No filtering, the default mode. Additionally, the Narrator feature has improved support for HID-compliant braille displays, enabling plug-and-play connectivity via USB or Bluetooth, including during the initial Windows setup for users who are deaf-blind. Compatible HID displays include the Orbit Reader 20, Orbit Slate 340, Freedom Scientific Focus 40, and APH Mantis Q40. Customization options for braille input and output are available in the Accessibility settings under Narrator.
Windows Insiders Get More Windows 11 In-Box App Updates
Winsage
July 28, 2026

Windows Insiders Get More Windows 11 In-Box App Updates

Microsoft has begun documenting updates to its in-box applications for Windows 11 through the Windows Insider Program. As of the end of July, updates have been rolled out for the following applications: - Calculator: Three fixes addressing issues in Scientific mode, an access key conflict, and improved screen reader support. - Clock: Two fixes targeting a bug in Focus Sessions and enhancing the accuracy of sunrise and sunset times for users at high latitudes. - Media Player: Three fixes for problems with local album art, disabled libraries, and track list rendering. - Notepad: Several fixes improving functionality with Markdown files, copying and pasting of indented and nested lists, concurrent print jobs, launch performance, and rendering of underscore characters. These updates are being distributed through various channels and are expected to be available during next month’s Patch Tuesday.
Windows 11's File Explorer is now faster at deleting large files, in a rare speed win from Microsoft
Winsage
July 26, 2026

Windows 11’s File Explorer is now faster at deleting large files, in a rare speed win from Microsoft

Microsoft released Windows 11 Insider Experimental Preview Build 26300.8935 on July 20, which improves File Explorer's ability to delete large, fragmented files more quickly in certain scenarios. The update promises at least a 30% speed increase for bulk deletions and enhances the responsiveness of the Home tab in File Explorer. The Recommended section now supports touch scrolling. Future updates will include a modernization of the Properties dialog and improvements to search functionality. These enhancements aim to address the sluggishness of File Explorer, which has been attributed to fragmentation issues in NTFS and the hybrid architecture of the application.
Microsoft accepts defeat on the Windows 11 Copilot key with a "Do nothing" switch, but PCs still ship with it
Winsage
July 23, 2026

Microsoft accepts defeat on the Windows 11 Copilot key with a “Do nothing” switch, but PCs still ship with it

Windows 11 is testing a new feature that allows users to reassign the Copilot key to do nothing. The Copilot key has been present on newer Windows PCs since its introduction in 2024, and Microsoft considers a PC an AI PC only if it includes this key. Users can remap the Copilot key to preferred applications or restore it to its original function as the Right Ctrl key. An additional option, “Do nothing,” will make the Copilot key inactive. This feature is currently available in Windows Insider preview builds, with a public rollout expected soon. Microsoft acknowledged that the Copilot key has created challenges for users who rely on the Right Ctrl key or Context menu key, and it plans to allow customization of the Copilot key through Settings. Initially, only two remapping options were planned, but the “Do nothing” option was added in response to user feedback. Microsoft cautioned that remapping the Copilot key to the Right Ctrl key may cause inconsistencies with certain keyboard shortcuts.
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