multiple monitors Archives

Winsage

May 19, 2026

Microsoft is finally bringing the movable taskbar to Windows 11 – here’s who can try it now

Windows 11 users can now reposition their taskbar to the top, bottom, left, or right of their screens with the latest update for Windows insiders. To use this feature, users must be on the latest experimental build and can access it through Taskbar settings. The update also allows users to customize the alignment of the Start button based on the taskbar's position and introduces options for smaller taskbar buttons. However, auto-hide and tablet-optimized settings are not supported in alternate positions, and touch gestures for these locations are still being developed. Additionally, users can expect changes to the Start menu, including independent control over the Pinned and Recommended sections, the ability to disable file recommendations without affecting recent files, size adjustments, and privacy options to hide personal information. Users must enroll in the Windows Insider Program to access these features, with broader rollout timelines remaining uncertain.

Winsage

May 15, 2026

Improving Windows quality: Making Taskbar and Start more personal

Microsoft is enhancing the Windows experience by focusing on performance, reliability, and craftsmanship, with a commitment to transparency about updates. The Start menu and taskbar are receiving particular attention, with new customization options being introduced for users in the Experimental channel. Users can now reposition the taskbar to any edge of the screen, customize icon alignment, and view every window at a glance with ungrouped icons. A more compact taskbar option will also be available for smaller screens. The Start menu will feature section-level toggles for easier customization, separate controls for file recommendations, size settings, and the option to hide user names for privacy. The Recommended section will be renamed Recent to better reflect its purpose. These features will be gradually rolled out, with user feedback being encouraged through the Feedback Hub.

Winsage

May 11, 2026

I’m impressed that Microsoft keeps on improving PowerToys with smart additions — but I wonder why the newest monitor trick isn’t in Windows 11 by default

Microsoft's PowerToys is a suite of utilities for Windows 11 and 10, developed by Microsoft, that enhances user experience while minimizing security risks associated with third-party applications. The recent PowerToys v0.99 introduced Power Display, a utility that allows users to manage monitor settings such as brightness and color temperature directly from the taskbar. It supports multiple monitors and integrates with Light Switch for automatic mode transitions. Power Display uses DDC/CI technology for hardware-level adjustments and includes troubleshooting guidance for compatibility issues. The update also features Grab and Move, which simplifies window management by allowing users to resize or drag windows easily. There is a demand for these features to be integrated directly into Windows 11, reflecting user interest in enhancing the operating system's functionality.

Winsage

May 1, 2026

Microsoft fixes Remote Desktop warnings displaying incorrectly

Microsoft resolved an issue affecting the display of security warnings when opening Remote Desktop (.rdp) files across all supported Windows versions, including Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows Server. This problem was particularly evident on devices with multiple monitors having different display scaling settings. The fix was included in the optional KB5083631 preview cumulative update for Windows 11. The issue arose after the installation of the April 2026 security update, which introduced security warnings to enhance protection against phishing attacks. Users reported misalignment and obscured buttons in the security dialog, making it difficult to interact with. Additionally, the April security updates caused issues with third-party backup applications on Windows 11 systems and led to restart loops and failures during update installations on Windows Server.

Winsage

April 28, 2026

Microsoft: New Remote Desktop warnings may display incorrectly

Microsoft has identified an issue affecting the display of security warnings when users open Remote Desktop (.rdp) files across all supported versions of Windows, including Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows Server. The security warning may not render correctly, making the text difficult to read and buttons misaligned, especially when multiple monitors with different display scaling settings are used. This issue often results in overlapping text or obscured buttons in the warning window. The problem is part of Microsoft's security enhancements introduced with the April 2026 cumulative updates, which aim to mitigate risks associated with malicious RDP connection files. Users receive a one-time educational prompt upon opening an RDP file for the first time, followed by a security dialog that provides information about the file's publisher and resource redirections. RDP files are commonly used in enterprise environments, but their exploitation in phishing campaigns has raised security concerns, particularly by groups like the Russian state-sponsored APT29.

Winsage

April 24, 2026

Microsoft beefs up Remote Desktop security with … hard-to-read messages

Microsoft has released an update to improve the security of its Remote Desktop feature, which includes a warning for users opening Remote Desktop (.rdp) files. However, this warning is not displaying correctly for some users due to a bug identified in the Known Issues list after the April 14 update. The issue primarily affects users with multiple monitors set to different display scaling, leading to overlapping text or obscured buttons. Microsoft has advised users to synchronize their display scaling settings or use keyboard navigation as a workaround. The company plans to address this issue in a future Windows update but is not issuing an Out-of-Band update specifically for it. Additionally, a serious vulnerability (CVE-2026-40372) was discovered in the .NET framework, affecting versions 10.0.0 to 10.0.6, which requires immediate attention. This vulnerability impacts all Windows versions that received the update, including Windows 11 26H1.

Winsage

March 11, 2026

I tested Windows 11 March 2026 Updates: Everything new, improved, and fixed

Microsoft has rolled out the March 2026 Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11 (KB5079473, Build 26200.8037) and Windows 10, focusing on enhancements and functional upgrades. The update applies to Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, introducing new features, security enhancements, system fixes, and reliability improvements. Key features include: - Support for Emoji 16.0, allowing users to insert new emojis through the Emoji panel. - Windows Backup restore adapted for organizational use, enabling restoration of user settings and applications during sign-in. - Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) enabled by default on more Windows 11 Pro PCs. - A Bing-powered Internet speed test tool accessible from the taskbar. - Sysmon included as a native component for system activity monitoring. - Support for WebP images as desktop wallpapers. - Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) supported on Windows 11 Arm64 devices. - Minor enhancements in Accounts and Camera settings. The update also includes reliability and stability improvements, such as enhanced responsiveness of the Windows Update settings page, improved sign-in screen reliability, and better performance for the Windows printing service. It lays groundwork for Secure Boot certificate updates and addresses BitLocker reliability issues. Additionally, internal AI components have been updated, and a servicing stack update (SSU) has been released to enhance Windows Update infrastructure reliability. Microsoft is also expanding the updated Start menu and battery icons to more devices and warns users about the importance of updating Secure Boot certificates before their expiration in June 2026.

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.