laptop lid Archives

Winsage

January 20, 2026

I raced to my PC to install this new PowerToys update — but its best new feature is one control away from greatness

Microsoft's PowerToys has released version 0.97, enhancing the Windows 11 experience with a new utility and significant updates to the Command Palette. The Command Palette now features a Personalization page for customizing its interface, including background images and color tinting. It also includes fallback ranking for search results, allowing users to manage command order through drag-and-drop. A new extension enables control of PowerToys features directly from the Command Palette, and the Peek feature allows file and folder previews. Additional updates include support for Pinyin, a Remote Desktop extension, custom search engine selection, and drag-and-drop support for File Indexer and Clipboard History. The new CursorWrap feature allows seamless mouse movement across multiple monitors. The Quick Access flyout has been optimized for faster launch times and can be customized or disabled. PowerToys now offers expanded CLI support for utilities like FancyZones and Image Resizer. Other changes include the Light Switch feature following the Night Light setting, a revamped "What's new" dialog, and improvements to the Advanced Paste feature. CursorWrap shows promise but has minor bugs and user requests for further refinements.

AppWizard

October 16, 2025

HP nailed this League of Legends gaming laptop, with golden accents and promises of “easter eggs”

The HP Omen 16 gaming laptop features a design inspired by League of Legends, with gold accents on the RGB keyboard and a diamond-patterned lid. It is equipped with an RTX 5070 GPU, Intel Core i7 14650HX CPU, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, a 240Hz WQXGA display, and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD. The laptop is priced at ,999.99 and will be available for pre-order, officially launching on November 3, 2025.

Winsage

August 18, 2025

This Windows 11 Settings quirk makes me love the Control Panel even more

Microsoft introduced Windows 11, featuring a redesigned Settings app with a nested menu system aimed at providing a cleaner, touch-friendly experience for novice users. The classic Control Panel is still accessible but is less prominent, leading some users to prefer it for its direct access to powerful options. Managing audio devices has become more complicated, requiring multiple steps in the new Settings app compared to the two-click access in the Control Panel. Similarly, managing core Windows components, changing user account types, and fine-tuning power plans have all become more convoluted in Windows 11's Settings app. The Control Panel remains essential for power users who need quick access to these features.

Winsage

August 12, 2025

Windows 11 KB5063878 (24H2) boosts performance, direct download links (.msu)

Windows 11 KB5063878 is a mandatory update that introduces features such as Quick Machine Recovery, improved stability, and enhanced system performance. The update will automatically download and install, identified as the 2025-08 Cumulative Update for Windows 11 Version 24H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5063878), advancing systems to Windows 11 Build 26100.4946. It addresses stability issues reported after the May 2025 updates, particularly in gaming scenarios. Direct download links for offline installers (.msu) are available on the Microsoft Update Catalog. The update includes a new Settings UI with an AI-powered search bar, enhancements for handheld gaming, a redesigned Black Screen of Death (BSOD), and Quick Machine Recovery for unbootable systems. Users in Europe with Copilot+ PCs gain new AI features like Recall, which can be disabled through Privacy & Security settings. Fixes in this update include resolving Windows Firewall errors, issues with the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS), visibility problems in File Explorer, and bugs affecting the Settings app and laptop lid options. Microsoft is unaware of any current issues with the update and will continue testing.

Winsage

July 23, 2025

Windows 11 KB5062660 24H2 out with features, direct download links for offline installer (.msu)

Windows 11 KB5062660 is an optional update for Windows 11 24H2, introducing features like Recall AI for users in Europe. The update is approximately one gigabyte in size and upgrades the operating system to Windows 11 Build 26100.4770. Users can access it through Windows Update or direct download links from the Microsoft Update Catalog. Recall AI allows users to save screen snapshots but raises privacy concerns, which can be managed through settings. The update also includes Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) for efficient system recovery, improvements in system stability, and various enhancements such as inline messages in the Snap bar, streamlined Windows Search settings, enhanced controller navigation, and fixes for issues in the Settings app and File Explorer.

Winsage

July 15, 2025

How to maximize your Windows 11 PC’s battery life in 9 easy steps

Windows PCs come with tools to manage power consumption, notably the Power Settings Command-Line Tool (Powercfg.exe), which can generate a battery report. This report, saved as an HTML document, details battery usage, capacity, and historical data. Users can create a battery report by opening Command Prompt and entering specific commands. The report shows the design capacity and current full-charge capacity of the battery, helping track degradation over time. The battery report also includes usage data over the past three days, allowing users to analyze which activities impact battery performance. The Battery Life Estimates section provides insights into potential battery longevity based on usage patterns. Windows 11 allows users to check app-specific power consumption through Settings > System > Power & Battery. The Energy Recommendations checklist in Windows 11 offers energy-saving options and direct links to relevant settings. Users can adjust sleep and display settings according to their preferences. The Shutdown command can be executed from Command Prompt or the Run dialog box for transitioning between power states. The Battery Saver feature, now called Energy Saver in version 24H2, conserves battery life by disabling non-essential activities and can be manually activated.

Winsage

April 3, 2025

6 features worth enabling God Mode in Windows 11 for

God Mode in Windows grants access to over 200 settings and functionalities, many of which are typically hidden. Users can pin the God Mode folder to the Start menu or Quick Access in File Explorer for easy access. Key features include: - BitLocker: A disk encryption tool that protects data on drives using AES encryption, accessible via password, PIN, or Windows Hello. - Network Management: Simplifies access to network settings for connecting, checking status, and troubleshooting connectivity issues. - Power Management: Allows quick adjustments to power plans, battery settings, and actions for closing the laptop lid or pressing power buttons. - Accessibility: Offers extensive settings for users with disabilities, including tools like Narrator and Magnifier. - File Type Options: Enables users to manage file type associations and visibility of files and folders. - Windows Tools: Centralizes access to built-in maintenance tools like Disk Cleanup and Task Scheduler. God Mode enhances the user experience by providing a more efficient way to navigate system features compared to the traditional Control Panel.

Winsage

October 2, 2024

Microsoft starts rolling out its Windows 11 2024 update with lots of useful improvements

Microsoft has begun rolling out the Windows 11 2024 update, version 24H2, which includes enhancements to the Start menu, File Explorer, Settings, and other components. The Start menu features a new side panel for Phone Link users, providing real-time phone insights. File Explorer has a redesigned home section with a tabbed view for recent, favorites, and shared files, improved context menus, and the ability to create 7z and TAR files. The system tray has a simplified time and date display, and Quick Settings now shows all actions by default with a new Energy Saver mode. The Settings interface allows users to reverse mouse scroll direction and toggle enhanced pointer precision easily. A unified Microsoft Teams app and a new Outlook client replace the Mail and Calendar applications. The update supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth LE audio, and performance enhancements for AMD desktop CPUs. Microsoft is using an OS swap method for this update to avoid compatibility issues. The rollout will begin with eligible devices running Windows 11 versions 22H2 and 23H2.

Winsage

September 18, 2024

Use Windows like a pro: 11 keyboard shortcuts that are super-handy

- The Snipping Tool in Windows 11 allows users to capture screenshots or screen recordings, with options for different selection types. Command: Windows key + Shift + S. - To minimize all open windows and reveal the desktop, use the command: Windows key + D. - To launch Task Manager and terminate unresponsive applications, use the command: Ctrl + Shift + Esc. - To launch Copilot quickly, use the command: Windows key + C. - To cycle between browser tabs, use the command: Ctrl + Tab; to navigate counterclockwise, use Ctrl + Shift + Tab. - To permanently delete a file without sending it to the Recycle Bin, use the command: Shift + Delete. - To undo the last action, use the command: Ctrl + Z. - To lock your PC, use the command: Windows key + L. - To open the emoji menu, use the command: Windows key + . (period). - To see all open windows and switch between desktops, use the command: Windows key + Tab. - To activate ‘Sticky keys’ for easier command execution, press Shift repeatedly for 5 times.

Winsage

September 7, 2024

How to close your laptop lid while using an external monitor in Windows 11

Closing the laptop lid while using an external monitor is a common practice in office environments that enhances workspace organization and protects the laptop screen. To change the setting in Windows 11 to allow this, users can navigate to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options > Choose what closing the lid does, and select "Do nothing" for both "On battery" and "Plugged in." This setup allows the laptop to remain closed while working on an external display, with the option to use the laptop as a secondary monitor if the lid is opened. Advantages include expanded workspace and reduced desk clutter, while considerations involve the need for a separate mouse and keyboard and convenience for frequent movement.