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Winsage

June 24, 2025

Bring the “Windows 10 look” back to Windows 11 — Everything I changed to restore the desktop UI experience

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.

Winsage

June 24, 2025

I refuse to upgrade to Windows 11, here’s what I’m doing instead

An old PC with a decade-old motherboard continues to perform basic tasks but struggles with gaming and faces the end of support for Windows 10 in October. The user is not upgrading to Windows 11 due to dissatisfaction with its features and customization limitations. They are considering alternatives, including sticking with Windows 10, which feels temporary, or trying Linux Mint. After a trial run with Linux Mint, the user found the transition seamless and appreciated its customizability and community support. As the end of Windows 10 approaches, the user sees Linux Mint as a stable and personalized computing option.

Winsage

June 24, 2025

Microsoft fixes Windows Vista boot sound bug in latest Windows 11 Insider Build — adds Recall Homepage and customizable system indicators

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5661 (KB5060838), which addresses a bug that caused the Windows Vista startup sound to play instead of the Windows 11 melody. The update introduces new features, including the Recall Homepage for Copilot+ PCs, which provides a centralized view of recent activities and frequently accessed content. Users can access recent snapshots and a summary of the top three applications and websites they engaged with in the past 24 hours. Additionally, new settings for system hardware indicators allow users to reposition volume and brightness controls on the screen according to their preferences.

Winsage

June 24, 2025

Windows 10 users can get extended security updates for 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points

Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, and is offering a one-year subscription to Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for a fee. Users can also redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points for an ESU. The ESU will provide essential bug fixes, security updates, and technical support until October 13, 2026. Microsoft will continue to deliver security updates for MS 365 applications and Windows Defender until October 2028. Enrollment in the ESU program can be done through notifications and the Windows Settings menu, with a rollout to the general public starting in July and reaching widespread availability by mid-August. Windows 11, released in 2021, has received positive feedback and aims to address user concerns regarding usability and aesthetics.

Winsage

June 24, 2025

Windows 10 KB5061087 update released with 13 changes and fixes

Microsoft has released the June 2025 non-security preview update for Windows 10, version 22H2, designated as KB5061087. This optional cumulative update addresses issues with USB multi-function printers' scanning capabilities, Start Menu problems, and a Component Object Model (COM) functionality bug causing remote COM activation failures. The update elevates Windows 10 22H2 systems to build 19045.6036 and includes additional fixes such as an updated curl tool to version 8.13.0, a fix for device registration issues in the Entra ID Windows Account Manager (WAM) plugin, resolution of problems with removing unused language packs and Feature on Demand packages, and correction of a system unresponsiveness issue related to Oplock break requests on SMB shares. Users can install the update via the Windows Settings app or manually from the Microsoft Update Catalog. A known issue with the update is that CJK text may appear blurry at 96 DPI in Chromium-based browsers. Additionally, home users can enroll in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program at no cost after Windows 10's end of life in October, provided they have 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points or have enabled Windows Backup. Alternatively, they can purchase a year of extended security updates.

Winsage

June 24, 2025

Stay secure with Windows 11, Copilot+ PCs and Windows 365 before support ends for Windows 10

Windows has been the most widely used operating system globally since its launch in 1985, currently powering over a billion active devices each month. Support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025, meaning Microsoft will stop providing security and feature updates, as well as technical support for Windows 10 PCs. Users can check their eligibility for upgrading to Windows 11 through the Settings menu or the PC Health Check app. Windows 11 features enhanced security, improved performance, and a modern user interface, with built-in accessibility tools and AI capabilities. The Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) program will provide critical security updates for personal devices from October 15, 2025, to October 13, 2026. Organizations can subscribe to ESU for continued security updates for a year, with the option to renew annually. Windows 365 offers a cloud-based solution for transitioning to Windows 11 without needing to replace all devices immediately. Various Windows 11 and Copilot+ PCs are available from partners like Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, and Surface.

AppWizard

June 24, 2025

Android’s youthful new design will change the way you make and answer calls

The latest iteration of the Phone by Google app features a refreshed design aimed at enhancing user experience, currently being rolled out to select public beta users. The update includes a simplified bottom menu bar with three options: “Home,” “Keypad,” and “Voicemail.” The Home tab displays favorite contacts in bubbles and a straightforward call log that lists each call as a distinct entry. A new gesture feature allows users to swipe horizontally to answer or decline incoming calls. The incoming call screen has a playful design with contacts in a lumpy circular frame. The update is expected to roll out in September and includes a new “Pixel VIP” widget for Pixel devices, offering enhanced details about favorite contacts.

Winsage

June 24, 2025

Microsoft’s big lie: Your computer is fine (and you don’t need to buy a new one)

Microsoft is set to end support for Windows 10 on October 14, despite it being the most widely used version of the operating system, with a market share of 52.94%. Windows 11, which has stricter installation requirements, is being promoted as the necessary upgrade, leaving many users feeling pressured to transition or risk their computers becoming non-functional. The upgrade prompts lack a "Never show again" option, which has raised concerns about user trust. Microsoft’s push for new hardware contributes to the growing issue of electronic waste. Alternatives for users include Linux Mint, which is user-friendly and can run on older hardware, and methods to bypass Windows 11's installation requirements. Tools like Windows 11 Debloat and O&O ShutUp can help users regain control over their systems.

Winsage

June 24, 2025

Microsoft unveils big Windows Recall update — now showcases your most used apps and websites

Microsoft has released a new preview build of Windows 11, featuring an updated version of the Windows Recall app. The app now includes a redesigned home page that showcases recent snapshots and highlights snapshots from the user's three most frequently used apps and websites, based on the past 24 hours. The new interface aims to enhance user experience by making it easier to navigate previous tasks. Currently, the app is being tested among Insiders in the Windows 11 Beta and Dev Channels, with a wider rollout expected soon. Additionally, Microsoft is introducing features for Copilot+ PCs that require a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) of 40+ tops, including an AI model named Mu, which will allow users to search for or describe settings using natural language.

Winsage

June 24, 2025

Windows 11 gets a fresh new Start menu and it’s one of the most useful changes to the UI in yonks

Windows 11 has received an update to the Start menu that enhances customization and accessibility for users in the Insider Program. This update allows users to create a scrollable list of applications and categorize them according to personal preferences, improving access to frequently used apps. Users can now switch between Category, Grid, or List views directly from the Start menu, simplifying the customization process. The update also expands scrolling capability, reducing the need for multiple clicks to access additional recommendations and promoting a more organized workspace. Users interested in this functionality can join the Windows Insider Program to select their update channel.