multiple monitors 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.

Winsage

December 12, 2025

New Windows 10 update is reportedly causing havoc for some, including breaking a popular customization tool

Windows 10's December update, patch KB5071546, has caused various issues for users, including a blank screen on some PCs, performance problems like choppy wallpaper animations and CPU spikes, and lag in the user interface. Gamers have reported frame rate drops in games like Overwatch and issues with the Xbox app. Users with dual-monitor setups have experienced failures in their displays, and some have faced difficulties with the update failing to install. A potential solution for the StartIsBack application issue is to install its latest version, although this may require removing the existing version. The update includes a security fix for PowerShell 5.1, but users must consider the risks of remaining on an older version due to potential vulnerabilities.

Winsage

November 27, 2025

Windows 11 could soon fix one of your biggest annoyances with using external monitors

Windows 11 will receive an update introducing a new feature called Power Monitor within PowerToys, currently in development. This feature will allow users to adjust external monitor settings such as brightness, contrast, color temperature, and potentially speaker volume directly through the Windows interface, eliminating the need for physical buttons or manufacturer software. The update aims to simplify multi-display management and enhance productivity for professionals and gamers. Windows Insiders are expected to be the first to test the feature, though no confirmed release date is available. There is potential for the feature to include advanced calibration tools or custom monitor profiles in the future.

Winsage

November 26, 2025

PowerToys will finally fix Windows 11’s multi-monitor headache — better brightness controls are on the way

PowerToys is introducing a new feature called "PowerDisplay" that will allow users to manage brightness and settings across multiple monitors via a shortcut in the system tray. Niels Laute, a Microsoft program manager, hinted at this feature on X. The PowerToys utility's code is currently under review to eliminate bugs, and it has previously inspired improvements in Windows 11, such as the enhanced window snapping functionality through the FancyZones utility.

Winsage

November 5, 2025

Microsoft tests replacing Search with Copilot in Windows 11

Microsoft has integrated its AI assistant, Copilot, into Windows, with the "Ask Copilot anything" search box now available in the latest Windows Insider Dev and Beta builds, though it is off by default. Users can activate it to receive a blend of traditional search results and AI interactions. The Copilot search box features a glasses icon for visual inquiries and a microphone icon for voice interactions. To enable the feature, users must be on Windows Insider build 26220.7051 or higher and use a utility called ViveTool to unlock it. The Copilot box can be toggled on in the Taskbar settings after enabling it.

Winsage

October 6, 2025

Microsoft begins rolling out highly anticipated Taskbar feature for Windows 11 power users

Microsoft's latest update for Windows 11, identified as KB5065789, allows users to access the notification center directly from the Taskbar on any monitor, including secondary displays. Previously, this functionality was limited to the primary monitor, requiring users to return to it to check notifications. The update addresses a long-standing request from users, enhancing the experience for those with multi-monitor setups. However, the Taskbar remains fixed at the bottom of the screen, and users still cannot reposition it, which some consider a drawback.

Winsage

October 1, 2025

Windows 11 KB5065789 update released with 41 changes and fixes

Microsoft has released the KB5065789 preview cumulative update for Windows 11 24H2, which includes 41 enhancements and bug fixes. This update is categorized as an "optional non-security preview update," allowing administrators to assess changes before the next Patch Tuesday. Key improvements include a fix for Windows Sandbox unresponsiveness, bugs affecting Windows Update via WSUS, and errors related to Windows Hello. The update introduces AI functionalities in File Explorer, including image editing and document summarization. It also enhances the Click to Do context menu for easier access to AI actions. The update raises Windows 11 24H2 systems to build 26100.6725 and includes features like Administrator Protection Preview, a new passkey manager, and performance improvements for gaming. A known issue may affect DRM-protected video playback in certain applications post-installation. Windows 11 24H2 is being broadly deployed and is available via Windows Update.

Winsage

September 20, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27950 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27950 has been released to the Canary Channel, featuring general improvements and fixes. Key changes include a reversion of Advanced Settings to the previous “For Developers” experience, resolution of installation rollback issues related to specific error codes, and fixes for taskbar app preview misalignment, File Explorer context menu responsiveness, screen flickers during browser use, and audio issues. Dynamic Lighting CPU resource usage has been addressed, and foundational work has been done to enhance gaming performance. Known issues include increased bugchecks for some Arm64 PCs and playback problems with PIX on Windows. Insiders in the Canary Channel should note that builds may not align with specific Windows releases and that a clean installation is required to exit the channel. A desktop watermark is present in pre-release builds.

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.