local storage Archives

Winsage

September 26, 2026

Windows finally let me rip Bing out of my desktop. The speed boost is undeniable

Windows 11 users previously experienced a dual-search environment where local and web results were mixed, often leading to cluttered searches. Many resorted to registry edits to disable web results, but these workarounds were not fully effective. The search interface was complicated by irrelevant web links, making it difficult to find local files. With the introduction of version 26H2, Microsoft added a toggle in Settings that allows users to manage web searches independently, improving the search experience by prioritizing local files. This feature began rolling out after the September 2026 Patch Tuesday update. Disabling web results streamlines the search panel but removes the Copilot entry and may not be immediately available to all users.

AppWizard

September 23, 2026

Spotify could soon fix a major storage issue that users have complained about for years

Spotify is developing a "Cache Limit" feature for Android users that will allow them to manage the local storage used by temporary files. This feature aims to give users control over the app's caching behavior, which currently operates automatically and can accumulate several gigabytes of data over time. Users can manually clear the cache but may find it tedious. The new feature will enable users to set a cap on storage for temporary files, with notifications about the implications of their choices, such as increased data usage or potential effects on playback quality. The feature will not affect downloaded music or podcasts and is expected to first appear in the beta version of the app before being rolled out to all users.

Winsage

August 21, 2026

Microsoft quietly hides the new OneDrive app it force-installed on Windows 11, but it’s still on your PC

Microsoft has removed the OneDrive Photos app from the Start menu and Windows Search results as part of efforts to improve user experience and address feedback about its intrusive nature. The app was initially force-installed on Windows 10 and 11 devices but faced backlash due to difficulties in launching and uninstalling it. Microsoft acknowledged that the app's widespread release was unintended and plans to allow users to uninstall it independently from the OneDrive sync client later this year. Although OneDrive Photos is hidden from the Start menu and search results, it remains installed on users' PCs and can still be accessed through the OneDrive installation folder.

AppWizard

August 20, 2026

Bring the Fire: Play Games on GeForce NOW With New Firefox Browser Support

GeForce NOW has introduced support for Firefox, enabling gamers to play PC games directly from their browsers without downloads or installations. This integration allows access to high-performance gaming on various devices, with graphics powered by GeForce RTX at resolutions up to 1440p and frame rates of 120 fps for Ultimate members. Users can start gaming by downloading the latest version of Firefox and visiting play.geforcenow.com. The platform also offers cloud saves for seamless transitions across different devices. New game releases include Gallipoli, Stars Reach, The Sinking City 2, and more, with varying availability on GeForce NOW. Users can begin with a day pass, which can be credited toward a membership upgrade.

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

Xodus Cracks Xbox Authentication and Game Package Decryption to Bring PC Game Pass to Linux

Developers of the Heroic Games Launcher have announced Xodus, an open-source project aimed at enabling access to PC Game Pass on Linux and macOS. Launched on August 10, 2026, Xodus has successfully addressed Xbox identity authentication and the decryption of MSIXVC packages, allowing local play of Game Pass titles for Linux and macOS users. Currently, the only way to access Game Pass on non-Windows devices is through Xbox Cloud Gaming, which requires a Game Pass Ultimate subscription and introduces latency. Xodus employs a layered architecture, including an Xbox Authentication Library (xal-rs) for managing Microsoft account sign-ins and license verification, and a reimplementation of the xgameruntime.dll for license checks and Xbox service access. The project can retrieve MSIXVC game packages using a valid Game Pass subscription and decrypt executables for local storage. However, it does not yet support UWP-based titles and lacks a user-friendly interface for general users. The project is under pressure due to Microsoft's upcoming transition to the MSIXVC2 package format, which Xodus does not currently support. Xodus is in early development with only a command-line interface available, and the team is working on emulating the GDK Gaming Services layer necessary for game initialization. The project is legal as it reimplements Xbox runtime behavior without enabling piracy, but it faces risks if Microsoft alters its authentication infrastructure.

AppWizard

August 10, 2026

Project Xodus Brings Native Xbox PC and Game Pass Games to Linux

Project Xodus is an open-source initiative focused on reverse-engineering Xbox PC and Game Pass titles to enable their use on Linux and Mac systems. The project has made significant progress in Microsoft authentication and package decryption, allowing Linux users to download and process Xbox subscription games locally. The team has successfully reverse-engineered Microsoft’s identity services and license verification systems, unlocking encrypted MSIXVC game files and enabling the verification of game licenses and decryption of installation packages on non-Windows operating systems. Xodus serves as a translation bridge for Microsoft’s proprietary ecosystem services, providing custom proxy libraries for games to function as if they are running in a native Windows environment. It specifically targets modern games built on Microsoft’s GDK framework, excluding older titles using the Universal Windows Platform and those dependent on kernel-level anti-cheat mechanisms. The project aims to improve access to Xbox Game Pass on devices like the Steam Deck by facilitating direct local hardware execution, reducing reliance on cloud streaming and enhancing portable gaming experiences. Community feedback has been positive, with developers actively sharing updates and engaging with inquiries.

Winsage

August 9, 2026

Microsoft confirms it accidentally installed new OneDrive app on Windows 11 PCs, and there’s no easy way to remove it yet

Microsoft has unintentionally rolled out its AI-powered OneDrive Photos app on Windows 11, affecting enterprise PCs where it is non-functional. The app was initially limited to select consumer PCs but became widely available starting August 1, 2026. Microsoft confirmed that this rollout was not intended and is working on a solution to allow users to remove OneDrive Photos independently from the OneDrive sync client. Currently, the app cannot be uninstalled without removing OneDrive entirely. OneDrive Photos serves as a centralized hub for viewing images stored locally and in the cloud, integrating with OneDrive.com’s Gallery. It appears in search results above the traditional Microsoft Photos app, even on systems not part of the Windows Insider Program. IT administrators have expressed frustration over its unexpected presence on enterprise PCs, as the app is designed for personal accounts.

Winsage

August 5, 2026

How to Disable Windows Recall in Windows 11 Home and Pro

Microsoft's Windows Recall feature captures periodic snapshots of user screens on Copilot+ PCs with Neural Processing Units (NPUs) to create a visual timeline of digital activities. Users can pause, disable, or remove Windows Recall on Windows 11 Home or Pro, but system updates may reactivate it. Methods to disable Windows Recall include: 1. Settings Toggle: Users can turn off snapshot collection through the Privacy & Security settings and reset recorded history. 2. Windows Optional Features: Users can uninstall the Recall feature via the optional features menu. 3. Group Policy Management: Windows 11 Pro users can block Recall through the Group Policy Editor. 4. Registry Editor Modification: Windows 11 Home users can modify the registry to disable Recall, though this method carries risks. Each method requires specific steps and may necessitate a system restart to take effect.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

How to Retrieve Deleted Facebook Messenger Messages?

Deleted Facebook Messenger messages are removed from the user's view but may still exist in local storage temporarily, while Meta retains server data for specific periods based on the deletion type. 1. Unsend / Remove for Everyone: Messages are removed from all chats for up to 14 days (or 6 hours for end-to-end encrypted chats). 2. Deleted Facebook Account: Messages are removed from active servers but may remain in backup storage for 90–180 days. 3. Deleted from Your Inbox Only: Messages are removed only from the user's view; the recipient retains their copy. To recover deleted messages, users can rely on backups through Google Drive or local copies, and Facebook's "Download Your Information" feature, which may not include unsent messages. Dr.Fone – Data Recover (Android) is a recovery software that can scan phone storage for remnants of deleted messages, supporting over 14 data types across more than 6000 Android devices without needing root access or USB debugging. Steps to recover messages using Dr.Fone: 1. Access the Data Recovery tool for Android and select “Recover Android Data.” 2. Initiate a read-only scan for messages. 3. Filter and preview messages, then restore them to a chosen export location. To prevent future loss of important messages, users can: - Enable Google Drive Backup. - Archive conversations instead of deleting them. - Download a Facebook Data Archive. - Screenshot critical messages. - Enable end-to-end encrypted chats. - Use Dr.Fone for regular backups.

Winsage

July 23, 2026

3 Windows settings that can make or break your PC

Windows 11 includes various settings that can significantly affect computer productivity and performance. 1. Windows Power Mode: This feature allows users to select performance settings under Settings > System > Power & battery. Options include “Best Power Efficiency,” “Best Performance,” and “Balanced.” For an Intel Core 300 laptop, power consumption varies as follows: - Performance mode: 30W sustained, 60W boost - Balanced mode: 25W sustained, 60W boost - Efficiency mode: 15W sustained, 20W boost Switching from “Balanced” to “Performance” mode can increase performance by 5%, while “Efficiency” mode can save up to 50% battery life with an 18% performance drop. 2. Storage Sense: Found under Settings > System > Storage, this feature automatically cleans up unnecessary files to maintain optimal SSD performance. It activates when free disk space falls below a certain threshold and can be manually triggered. Users can configure it to manage the Downloads folder and convert locally stored files backed up to OneDrive into cloud-only files. 3. OneDrive and Windows Backup: OneDrive syncs files between the cloud and PC, which can slow down performance, especially on asymmetric broadband connections. Users can adjust backup preferences through the OneDrive icon in the Action Center, but Windows may not always respect these settings, potentially leading to unwanted file re-downloads.