manage devices Archives

Winsage

May 10, 2026

Windows 11 testers say new touchpad upgrades and File Explorer fixes finally make Insider builds feel smoother

Windows Insiders can check for new builds weekly, with Microsoft releasing four Insider builds that include various enhancements. The Beta Channel Insiders have not yet transitioned to the new Beta experience. Users in the Dev Channel moving to the Experimental Channel will receive Build 26300.8376, while those in the Canary 28000 series will also transition to Experimental, receiving Build 28020.2075. Insiders from the Canary 29500 series will be updated to Build 29585.1000. A free upgrade path to Windows 11 Pro Education from Windows 11 Home is available for K-12 educational settings, allowing institutions to manage devices effectively. This upgrade is one-way only. Build 26300.8376 introduces new gesturing functionalities for precision touchpads, including control over scroll/zoom speed and automatic scrolling. File Explorer has received updates for improved address bar functionality, more readable file size formatting, and refinements to the renaming experience. Build 28020.2075 includes improved typing reliability with the ADLaM keyboard and enhanced clipboard history performance. Font improvements have been made for the Leelawadee UI font family. Build 29585.1000 features a streamlined voice typing experience with the touch keyboard, reducing distractions.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

Google Home’s latest update fixes the worst part of smart cameras

The Google Home app will receive a significant update in Spring 2026, focusing on enhanced performance and a more intuitive interface. The update will improve smart camera functionality, allowing cameras to work together for a clearer understanding of home events, and will feature a revamped event details page for easier navigation of recorded footage. Google Home Premium users will receive Gemini-generated event descriptions for older Nest cameras, and the camera settings menu will be simplified. The voice assistant will be upgraded to Gemini 3.1, improving reasoning capabilities for complex commands. Additionally, a new "Ask Home on Web" feature will enable users to manage devices and automations from their desktops. Privacy considerations regarding AI-generated summaries of home footage will also be a factor for users.

Tech Optimizer

February 19, 2026

How to Install McAfee Antivirus on Windows 11 or 10

Installing third-party antivirus software like McAfee on Windows 11 can be challenging due to the built-in Windows Security, which can complicate the installation process. Users may face issues such as silent failures from conflicting software, permission problems on restricted machines, or restrictions due to S Mode on new laptops. Windows 11 includes Windows Security, which is effective for malware protection, but McAfee may be necessary for compliance, additional features, or centralized protection for multiple devices. McAfee supports Windows 11 Home, Pro, and Education editions but not Enterprise. The minimum hardware requirements include a processor of 1 GHz or faster, at least 2 GB of RAM (4 GB recommended), 1.3 GB of free disk space, an internet connection for download and updates, and a display resolution of at least 1024×768. McAfee requires a persistent internet connection for activation and updates. Before installing McAfee, users should check if their device is in S Mode, as McAfee cannot be installed in this mode. They must remove any existing antivirus software completely, as leftover files can interfere with the installation. Users should also ensure that Windows 11 is up to date and verify that there is enough disk space available. To download McAfee, users should go directly to the McAfee trial page to avoid scams. After downloading, they need to run the installer and restart their computer after installation. Users should then activate McAfee, run a manual update, and conduct a full system scan. Common installation problems include freezes during download, errors due to S Mode, and issues with Windows Security not recognizing McAfee as the active antivirus. Users can verify that McAfee is functioning correctly by checking the system tray icon, Windows Security settings, and the McAfee dashboard. To uninstall McAfee, users should go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps, select McAfee, and follow the prompts to remove it. After uninstallation, Windows Security will reactivate automatically. McAfee offers several plans for Windows users, including Basic, Essential, Premium, and Advanced, each with different features and device limits. The Basic plan is suitable for single-device users without additional needs, while families may benefit from the Essential or Premium plans.

Winsage

November 8, 2025

Windows 11’s Phone Link is about to lose a handy feature

Microsoft is removing the Photos tab from the Phone Link app and redirecting users to access their photos through File Explorer in Windows 11. The File Explorer version offers better features, including multi-select, copy-paste, drag-and-drop, and video access. Users are being notified of this change and will need to enable mobile device access in File Explorer settings. The Phone Link app will be reduced from four tabs to three as a result of this transition. Users must enable the "Show mobile device in File Explorer" toggle in settings to ensure their Android phone appears in File Explorer.

Winsage

October 27, 2025

Microsoft: New policy removes pre-installed Microsoft Store apps

Microsoft has introduced a new app management policy for IT administrators managing Windows 11 Enterprise and Education devices, allowing the removal of pre-installed Microsoft Store apps (in-box apps). This feature is available for devices running Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 and Windows 11 Education 25H2 through management tools like CSP, GPO, and Microsoft Intune. The policy simplifies app management by eliminating the need for custom installation images and complex scripting, enabling administrators to efficiently select and remove apps from a predefined list. The policy is disabled by default and must be enabled by administrators. It is compatible with both Group Policy and MDM solutions, including Microsoft Intune. Implementation steps for Microsoft Intune include creating a new policy in the admin center, configuring settings to enable the removal of default Microsoft Store packages, and assigning the policy to desired device groups.

AppWizard

August 25, 2025

Microsoft rolling out Spotify cross-resume between Android and Windows 11 for Insiders, more apps to follow

To enhance the Spotify experience on Windows 11, users must first ensure the Spotify app is installed, which can be done via the Microsoft Store. Participation in the Windows Insider Program is required to access the feature. Users should navigate to the settings menu, select "Windows Update," and choose "Windows Insider Program" to register. After signing up, users need to download the Microsoft Link to Windows app on their Android device from the Play Store and sign in with their Microsoft account. Enabling access to the Android phone involves going to Windows 11 Settings, selecting "Bluetooth and devices," and toggling "Allow this PC to access your mobile devices" to On. The feature is being rolled out gradually, and Microsoft is encouraging developers to integrate it into their applications.

Winsage

August 23, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.5761 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.5761 (KB5064093) has been released to the Beta Channel for Windows 11, version 24H2. This update includes new features such as seamless app resumption from Android phones to PCs, allowing users to continue using apps like Spotify on their PC. The battery icons on the lock screen have been redesigned for better clarity. Enhancements for Click to Do on Copilot+ PCs include a touch-friendly entry point. Improvements in the Settings agent provide direct navigation links. Automatic Super Resolution has simplified settings controls on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs. A new keyboard shortcut for inserting En dash and Em dash has been introduced. Recent updates allow pinning favorite apps in the Windows share window. Fixes include performance improvements in the Settings app and enhancements to Windows Hello recognition. Known issues include problems with Recall functionality in the EEA and bug checks with Xbox Controllers via Bluetooth. An update for Snipping Tool introduces window mode screen recording, allowing users to capture specific app windows.

Winsage

August 23, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5761 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5761 (KB5064093) is being released to the Dev Channel. New features include the ability to resume apps from an Android phone on a Windows 11 PC, specifically for Spotify, which allows users to continue playback seamlessly. Users need to enable access to their phone and set up the Link to Windows app to use this feature. Improvements to battery iconography on the lock screen have been made. New features for Click to Do on Copilot+ PCs include a touch-friendly invocation method. The agent in Settings now provides direct navigation links from search results. Automatic Super Resolution settings have been simplified for Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs. A new keyboard shortcut has been introduced for inserting En dashes and Em dashes. The Windows share window now allows pinning favorite apps. Fixes include performance enhancements for loading the apps list in Settings, resolving Windows Hello recognition issues, and improving gaming performance with overlays. Known issues involve Recall functionality in the EEA, visibility of the Shared section in File Explorer, unresponsiveness in Storage settings, and issues with Xbox Controllers via Bluetooth. Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel receive updates based on Windows 11, version 25H2, and features are rolled out gradually using Controlled Feature Rollout technology.

Winsage

August 21, 2025

Microsoft quietly updated Windows 10 — here’s what’s new in 2025

Microsoft has continued to enhance Windows 10 with cumulative updates since the release of version 22H2 in October 2022. Notable updates include: 1. A redesigned "About" page in the Settings app that displays key technical specifications and includes a FAQ section. 2. Introduction of a System Components page that consolidates essential OS components. 3. Relocation of the Optional features page for better accessibility. 4. A new Manage devices feature that enhances connectivity with mobile devices. 5. Updates to the Taskbar Calendar, including the display of seconds and expanded calendar views. 6. Enhancements to the Windows Backup app that allow file transfer to a new PC during setup. 7. Updates to the File Explorer context menu, including an Ask Copilot option. 8. Redesign of icons on the Settings home page to feature solid colors. 9. Improvements to Windows Search for European users, allowing changes to the default web search provider. 10. Changes to the default browser configuration process for European users, allowing broader link types and the option to uninstall Microsoft Edge. Support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025, with an option for users to enroll in the Extended Security Update program until October 2026.

Winsage

August 12, 2025

Web Account Manager: The Foundational Enabler of Single Sign-On for Windows Applications within the Microsoft Identity Ecosystem

Organizations are adopting cloud-first strategies for digital identity management, particularly using Microsoft identity providers and implementing Zero Trust Architecture. Microsoft's Web Account Manager (WAM), introduced with Windows 10, is central to this transformation, enabling secure access and single sign-on (SSO) across applications like Microsoft 365 Copilot, Office 365, Teams, and OneDrive. WAM addresses fragmentation issues associated with traditional authentication methods by centralizing identity management and token handling, thus enhancing security and user experience. WAM mitigates fragmentation challenges by simplifying protocol integration, managing token lifecycle, and reducing operational overhead. It provides seamless SSO for end-users, simplifies integration for developers, and supports compliance and security for organizations. WAM features two primary APIs for token acquisition: GetTokenSilently and RequestToken, which facilitate secure token requests based on device states and application needs. Future enhancements will focus on improving token protection strategies.