interface changes

Winsage
November 10, 2025
Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28000, focusing on hardware optimization rather than major user interface changes. This build supports advanced silicon from Qualcomm and NVIDIA, specifically targeting Windows-on-Arm platforms featuring Snapdragon X2 Elite processors and NVIDIA's N1 and N1x SoCs. The 26H1 update will not be a feature update for version 25H2 but will include platform modifications for new hardware, with no action required from users. Microsoft plans to use an enablement package (eKB) to unlock functionalities within the 26H1 framework, similar to the 25H2 update, which also introduced few new features and emphasized security improvements while deprecating certain features like PowerShell 2.0 and WMIC due to security vulnerabilities. Additionally, IT administrators can remove pre-installed Microsoft default applications on Enterprise and EDU devices through Group Policy or MDM CSP.
Winsage
October 23, 2025
A new test build for Windows 11 has been released in the Release Preview channel, indicating that a revamped Start menu is forthcoming. This build allows users to remove the recommendations section from the Start menu and enhances the Voice Access feature with 'Fluid Dictation' for better voice accuracy. File Explorer will include a 'recommended files' section, though this feature is not available in the European Economic Area due to EU regulations. The taskbar will feature a color-changing battery icon and an option to display the battery percentage permanently. New functionalities for Copilot+ PCs include text selection for translation within the operating system. The update also resolves issues with Windows Update, ensuring that the system complies with user requests to update and shut down without rebooting, and fixes an installation failure error code. Some users have already accessed the new Start menu features through the test build or tools like ViVeTool.
Winsage
October 15, 2025
Zorin OS is developed by Zorin OS Technologies Limited, founded by brothers Artyom and Kyrill Zorin. The recent launch of Zorin OS 18 features a refreshed interface with rounded corners, a floating panel, and lighter colors, along with enhanced animations for better navigation. It is built on the Linux kernel 6.14, which supports AMD Ryzen AI NPU6 and improves AES encryption performance for Zen 4/5 CPUs. The new window tiling manager allows users to organize windows efficiently by dragging them to screen edges or corners. Zorin OS 18 provides a seamless experience for users transitioning from Windows, suggesting Linux alternatives when launching Windows app installers. Zorin OS 18 Core is available for free, while Zorin OS 18 Pro is priced at .99 and includes additional features. Users can upgrade from Zorin OS 18 Core Beta to the stable release and will soon be able to upgrade from Zorin OS 17 to 18.
AppWizard
September 29, 2025
Kakao Corp. will revert part of the redesign of its KakaoTalk messenger in response to user complaints about the new feed-style interface, which many users felt compromised their privacy. The "friends" tab will return to its previous format, allowing users to choose between old and new display styles. The redesign was the most extensive in 15 years, but received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with users stating it made the app resemble Instagram. A dual-display feature will be implemented in a technical update expected in the fourth quarter. Additionally, Kakao is enhancing safety features for minors using its short-form video function. Following these announcements, Kakao's shares closed at 60,300 won, marking a 1.69 percent increase.
AppWizard
September 23, 2025
Kakao is integrating OpenAI's ChatGPT into its KakaoTalk messenger app, starting in October, allowing users to access the AI directly within the chat tab without a separate app. This integration aims to enhance user experience by connecting various Kakao services like reservations and music streaming in a conversational format. The initiative is part of a broader digital strategy to improve user engagement and create new monetization options amid declining user activity. KakaoTalk has around 49.1 million monthly active users but faces competition from platforms like YouTube and Instagram. The company seeks to unify services under an intelligent assistant framework, although there are concerns about alienating older users with significant interface changes. Analysts suggest that merely adding AI may not be enough to reverse engagement declines; Kakao needs to offer innovative experiences beyond messaging to attract a wider audience.
Winsage
September 21, 2025
Windows 11 has introduced various user interface changes that may frustrate power users, requiring modifications through the Windows Registry for customization. The Registry Editor (Regedit) allows for these changes, but caution is advised as incorrect modifications can cause system issues. Users with administrative control can access the Registry, while managed machines may restrict access. 1. To restore the full right-click context menu, navigate to HKEYCURRENTUSERSoftwareClassesCLSID in Regedit, create a key named {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}, add a key called InprocServer32, and set its default value to blank. 2. To force shutdown when apps resist, go to HKEYCURRENTUSERControl PanelDesktop in Regedit, create a string value named AutoEndTasks set to 1, and create string values WaitToKillAppTimeout and HungAppTimeout set to 2000 milliseconds. 3. To hide web results from Windows Search, navigate to HKEYCURRENTUSERSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindows in Regedit, create a key called Explorer, and create a DWORD (32-bit) value named DisableSearchBoxSuggestions set to 1. 4. To disable the lock screen, go to HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows in Regedit, create a key named Personalization, and add a DWORD (32-bit) value called NoLockScreen set to 1. 5. To bypass the Settings home screen, navigate to HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExplorer in Regedit and create a string value named SettingsPageVisibility set to hide:home. 6. To enable verbose mode during startup or shutdown, go to HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesSystem in Regedit and create a DWORD (32-bit) value named verbosestatus set to 1. 7. To set the menu delay to zero, navigate to HKEYCURRENTUSERControl PanelDesktop in Regedit and set the MenuShowDelay value to 0. 8. To display seconds on the system clock, go to HKEYCURRENTUSERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerAdvanced in Regedit and create a DWORD (32-bit) value named ShowSecondsInSystemClock set to 1. 9. To add favorite programs to the right-click menu, navigate to HKEYCLASSESROOTDirectoryBackgroundshell in Regedit, create a new key with the program's name, and set the executable path in a string value named Icon and a subkey named Command. 10. To access the last active window with one click, go to HKEYCURRENTUSERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerAdvanced in Regedit and create a DWORD (32-bit) value named LastActiveClick set to 1. 11. To speed up startup apps, navigate to HKEYCURRENTUSERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorer in Regedit, create a key named Serialize, and set two DWORD (32-bit) values: StartupDelayInMSec and WaitForIdleState to 0.
AppWizard
September 9, 2025
Google's Gemini app is undergoing a user interface overhaul on Android devices, focusing on enhancing visual appeal and usability. The redesign features a pill-shaped input field with integrated icons for voice input and image uploads, aiming to streamline user interactions. Subtle animations and color adjustments align with Google’s Material You design language, while an improved model-switching mechanism allows one-handed gestures for toggling between AI models. Developers have noted bouncier animations in the Gemini overlay, inspired by Material 3 guidelines. The updates may position Gemini to manage more complex tasks and integrate further into users' daily routines with home screen widgets. Challenges remain, including integration issues reported by users. Future changes are expected to extend to tablets and smart home products, optimizing experiences for larger screens and enhancing control over smart devices.
Winsage
July 12, 2025
Windows 11, launched in 2021, is the operating system for hundreds of millions of PCs worldwide and is built on the same architecture as Windows 10 but has stricter hardware compatibility requirements. Users must upgrade due to the end-of-support date for Windows 10. The user interface features a redesigned Start menu, taskbar, and Settings app, along with new functionalities like a Widgets pane and enhanced window management. Hardware-assisted security is mandatory, with features like Secure Boot enabled by default. Windows 11 can be acquired with new PCs or through free upgrades for valid Windows 10 license holders, while retail licenses are available at similar prices to Windows 10. As of January 31, 2023, Microsoft stopped retail sales of Windows 10 licenses. The compatibility requirements for Windows 11 include a 64-bit processor, a minimum of 4GB RAM, and at least 64GB of storage. User feedback indicates a mix of satisfaction and dissatisfaction regarding the interface changes. Windows 11 is reported to be more reliable and secure than Windows 10, with support for Windows 10 ending on October 14, 2025. Installation options include the Windows 11 Installation Assistant and USB media creation, with version 24H2 currently available and version 25H2 forthcoming.
Winsage
June 24, 2025
Many users transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11 find the new design and interface changes challenging. Windows 11 features a centered Taskbar, a simplified Start menu, and an updated File Explorer and Settings app. Users can customize their Windows 11 experience to resemble Windows 10 by making several adjustments. To align the Taskbar and Start menu to the left, users can go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors and select "Left" for Taskbar alignment. To show app labels in the Taskbar, users need to select "Never" for the "Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels" setting in the same menu. For those preferring the classic File Explorer, they can access it by searching for Windows Tools in the Start menu and selecting Home or This PC. Users can also change the color scheme by going to Settings > Personalization > Colors and selecting "Custom" mode, choosing a dark theme, and enabling accent colors for the Start and taskbar. To display classic desktop icons, users can go to Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings and check the desired icons. In Notepad, users can disable new features by adjusting settings in the app to revert to a more classic experience. For further customization, third-party tools like ExplorerPatcher and Windhawk can be used. ExplorerPatcher allows users to restore various interface elements from earlier Windows versions, while Windhawk provides a framework for modifying Windows 11 with community-created mods. Both tools can be installed via the Windows Package Manager and offer options to revert to classic aesthetics.
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