Lock screen widgets Archives

Winsage

August 2, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.5733 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.5733 (KB5062673) has been released to the Beta Channel for users on Windows 11, version 24H2. This update includes new features such as people icons in File Explorer for work or school accounts, and the removal of the option to manage Bing search history from Settings. Fixes include resolving crashes in the Start menu and lock screen widgets, and issues with multi-finger touchpad gestures. Known issues involve potential rollbacks during installation, unexpected categories in the Start menu, and display issues in dark mode for drive space indicators. There are also specific issues related to Xbox controllers and live captions on Copilot+ PCs. Windows Insiders can receive updates gradually by enabling a toggle in Settings.

Winsage

July 29, 2025

The newest Windows 11 Beta and Dev builds make searching for images a lot easier

Microsoft has introduced a grid view feature in the Windows 11 Beta and Dev branches that enhances the image search experience by displaying thumbnails of search results, making it easier for users to identify and locate desired images. Other updates include configuration options for lock screen widgets, expanded notification center functionality for secondary monitors, and a fix for CPU reporting in Task Manager.

Winsage

July 19, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.4741 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.4741 (KB5062678) has been released to the Beta Channel for users on Windows 11, version 24H2. This update includes new features, enhancements, and fixes. Key features include the "Describe Image" action in Click to Do for AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs, which provides detailed descriptions of images to enhance accessibility. Additionally, Narrator now offers rich image descriptions on Copilot+ PCs. Changes include updates to lock screen widgets and a new settings page for viewing third-party applications using generative AI models. Known issues include installation rollback errors and problems with touch navigation in the Start menu.

Winsage

July 18, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5710 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5710 (KB5062676) has been released to the Dev Channel. A new "describe image" action is now available in Click to Do for AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs, enhancing accessibility by providing detailed descriptions of images, charts, and graphs. This feature was previously available for Snapdragon-powered devices. Additionally, Narrator now generates richer image descriptions for blind and low-vision users on AMD and Intel-powered devices. Users can activate this feature using the Narrator key + Ctrl + D. Windows performance logs will be collected when PCs experience sluggish performance, and users are encouraged to provide feedback to help resolve issues. The Click to Do feature is undergoing a trial to remove the search box from its top bar. Lock screen widgets are being updated with widget suggestions, and users can view which third-party applications have recently utilized generative AI models in the Settings menu. There are known issues, including a rollback error (0x80070005) during the update installation and touch navigation problems in the new Start menu. Live captions may crash when using live translation, and some Xbox Controllers may cause a bugcheck when connected via Bluetooth. The Microsoft Changjie Input method is also experiencing issues with word selection.

Winsage

July 7, 2025

Microsoft will use the Windows 11 lock screen to recommend widgets

Microsoft is introducing widget recommendations on the Windows 11 lock screen to suggest widgets that may interest users. This feature, called the Discover Widget, is currently in a preview build and does not have a specific rollout date. The initiative aims to increase user engagement with widgets, which have seen slow adoption on Windows 11 compared to other platforms. The reception of this feature is uncertain due to past user skepticism towards recommendation systems in Windows 11.

Winsage

June 16, 2025

Microsoft Weekly: redesigned Windows 11 Start menu, Xbox handheld is here, and more

Microsoft has released Patch Tuesday updates for June 2025, with Windows 10 receiving KB5060533 and Windows 11 receiving KB5060842 and KB5060999. The Windows Insider Program has unveiled several new builds, including a redesigned Start menu in build 26200.5641 and various enhancements in other builds. Microsoft has introduced Copilot Vision with Highlights for Windows, currently available in the U.S. for two applications. A quirky bug in the latest builds causes Windows 11 to play the Windows Vista startup sound. Microsoft Edge received an update in the Dev Channel, while Firefox rolled out version 139.0.4. Microsoft announced enhancements to Outlook and OneDrive for Mac. New Xbox handhelds, the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, were unveiled, optimized for gaming. Steam's Next Fest allows free trials of hundreds of games until June 16, 2025, and the Epic Games Store is offering Two Point Hospital for free.

Winsage

June 10, 2025

You can now try Microsoft’s new Start menu for Windows 11

Microsoft has released an updated Start menu for Windows 11, now available in the Dev Channel. The new menu features a larger, customizable interface with a scrollable design that displays all applications at the top level, simplifying app access. Users can disable the recommended section for a personalized view and choose between category view and grid view for app organization. The Start menu size adjusts based on screen dimensions, with larger monitors showing up to eight columns of pinned apps, while smaller devices display six columns. A mobile device button has been added for expanding or collapsing the Phone Link interface. Users can also customize their lock screen widgets and a Gamepad keyboard update allows signing into PCs with a PIN via a controller.

Winsage

May 23, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.4161 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.4161 (KB5058515) has been released to the Beta Channel for Windows 11, version 24H2. This update includes new features such as the Microsoft 365 Text Action in Click to Do, allowing users to draft content in Word by selecting recognized text. Lock screen widget personalization is now available globally, enabling users to customize their lock screens. The update introduces support for multiple dashboards in Widgets, enhancing organization and access to favorite widgets. Improvements include recommendations from the Microsoft Store in the "Open with..." dialog and a new PC-to-PC migration experience in the Windows Backup app. Various fixes have been made to the Start Menu, Task Manager, Narrator, and Voice Access. Known issues include incorrect build version display post-PC reset and Bluetooth issues with Xbox Controllers. Users are encouraged to provide feedback through the Feedback Hub.

Winsage

May 14, 2025

Windows 11’s Patch Tuesday for May finally brings Recall into the mix

Microsoft's Recall feature is set to debut after a delay due to security concerns. The update for Windows 11, released on May 13th, includes AI-driven tools to enhance user interactions and productivity. Key features integrated from the April 25th Preview update include: - Recall (preview): Allows users to retrieve information from various applications, websites, and documents using AI for quick searches based on content descriptions, with options to save snapshots of activities and manage them through Windows Hello. - Click to Do (preview): Enables immediate action on items displayed on the screen using a keyboard shortcut for editing or summarizing content. - Improved Windows Search: Enhanced search capabilities allow natural language queries to locate documents and settings. - Phone Link: Facilitates interaction between Windows PCs and mobile devices for calls, messages, and content sharing. - Widgets: Web developers can create interactive widgets with customization options for lock screen widgets. Additional updates include improvements to File Explorer, accessibility enhancements, and new settings management options for app recommendations. The update for Windows 10 focuses on a fix for Secure Boot Advanced Targeting (SBAT) and Linux Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) to improve detection of Linux systems. Detailed patch notes and download links are available through the Microsoft Update Catalog.

Winsage

April 12, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5551 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5551 (KB5055617) has been released to the Dev Channel. The Dev Channel has advanced to the 26200 series builds, and the option to switch to the Beta Channel is no longer available. This build is based on Windows 11, version 24H2, and shares features with the 26120 series in the Beta Channel. New features include enhanced Windows Search on Copilot+ PCs, allowing users to search for settings using phrases. Narrator now provides detailed image descriptions powered by AI for improved accessibility on Copilot+ PCs. Improvements are being rolled out for widgets, including the ability to read content directly from the MSN feed. Fixes include resolving crashes in Settings, File Explorer, and issues with app icons in the taskbar. Known issues include problems with Windows Recovery Environment and certain apps failing to launch post-update. The Dev Channel updates are based on Windows 11, version 24H2, and features may evolve or be removed based on feedback. Users can enable a toggle to receive updates more quickly.