personalized experience Archives

Winsage

May 20, 2026

Windows 11 Will Finally Let Users Move and Resize the Taskbar

Microsoft is making improvements to Windows 11 based on user feedback. Changes include extending the delay for Windows updates and testing new settings for taskbar and start menu customization. Users can now relocate the taskbar to the top, left, or right edges of the screen and customize icon alignment. A new option allows for a vertical layout with full labels for open windows. For smaller screens, users can reduce the taskbar size. The Start menu customization is being simplified, allowing users to show or hide sections like Pinned and Recommended, and choose between a Small or Large Start menu. Users can also conceal their name and profile picture from the Start menu.

Winsage

May 18, 2026

Switcher 2026: Minimizing the Microsoft in Windows 11 ⭐

Many users of Windows 11 seek to minimize reliance on Microsoft products while still utilizing the operating system's capabilities. This can be achieved through a thoughtful configuration of the system. Two laptops, the Surface Laptop 7 (Windows 11 Pro) and the HP OmniBook 5 (Windows 11 Home), were reset using the "Reset this PC" feature for a clean setup. A local account can be created during the Out of Box Experience (OOBE) by bypassing the online requirement. After connecting to Wi-Fi, updates were installed, and account security was enhanced by adding a password, PIN, and facial recognition. For Windows 11 Pro users, BitLocker can be enabled for disk encryption, while Windows 11 Home users may need to upgrade to Pro for this feature. Unnecessary Microsoft applications, such as OneDrive, OneNote, and Microsoft 365, were uninstalled, and the Start menu was cleaned up. Preferred applications were installed using web-based methods and the Windows Package Manager (winget). A preferred web browser was set as the default, and measures were taken to prevent Microsoft Edge from launching unexpectedly. OneDrive was uninstalled in favor of an alternative cloud storage client, and File Explorer was configured to improve usability. The Copilot key was repurposed to avoid accidental activation, and optional diagnostic data transmission was disabled to enhance privacy. Additional configurations included removing unnecessary taskbar items and adjusting power settings for a more personalized experience.

AppWizard

May 15, 2026

Dead As Disco PC Early Access Review – Disco Is NOT Dead

Dead as Disco is a rhythm-based adventure game developed by Brain Jar Games, featuring a narrative centered around Charlie Disco, a resurrected music icon seeking to reunite his former bandmates. The game employs vibrant neon visuals and has transitioned from Unity to Unreal Engine, enhancing its aesthetics. Players engage in combat against various enemies, utilizing both rhythmic and traditional combat mechanics, with a focus on strategic gameplay. The game includes modes such as selecting an Idol or the Infinite Disco, allowing for customization and skill upgrades. However, concerns exist regarding the reliance on licensed music, potential issues with enemy behavior, camera disruptions, and audio mixing. The game has received a score of 8/10 and is available on PC.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

Samsung News just got much better with new video stories and top sources

Samsung has added a TikTok-style short video feed to its News app on Galaxy smartphones, allowing users to like videos and follow topics for a personalized experience. The update also includes articles from trusted publishers for more in-depth news coverage.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

Google Wallet rolling out big homepage, search redesign

Google Wallet is undergoing a redesign of its Android app to enhance user experience, particularly in managing passes. The app's homepage layout has been changed, with passes now displayed in pairs and featuring themed backgrounds. Users can reorder passes by dragging them and have more control over which passes appear on the homepage. The floating action button has been replaced with a centered split-button, directing users to "Add to Wallet" and a new page for searching transactions and loyalty cards. This section is divided into Transactions and Passes for easy access. The redesigned Google Wallet is being rolled out across devices, and users should update to the latest versions of Google Wallet and Google Play services (stable 26.15.33) to access the new features.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

Xbox Game Pass report claims you’ll be able to pick which features you pay for

Xbox is exploring a new Game Pass subscription model that allows users to customize their experience by selecting specific features and content packages, potentially lowering their monthly fees. Subscribers could exclude certain elements, like Fortnite Crew or Xbox Cloud Gaming, to reduce costs. The model may also introduce alternative subscriptions and perks, such as Minecraft Realm or World of Warcraft, with pricing adjustments based on user modifications. Gamers might select genres of interest, focusing on specific packages. Microsoft insiders suggest this personalized approach is part of a long-term goal to attract a broader audience. Recently, Microsoft announced price reductions for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, while noting that Call of Duty will no longer be available on the service from day one. An internal memo indicated that Game Pass had become too expensive for players, prompting a reevaluation. Despite the absence of Call of Duty at launch, major titles like Forza Horizon 6, Fable 4, and Subnautica 2 are expected to be released in 2026.

Winsage

April 22, 2026

Hate the Windows 11 Taskbar? Here’s the ultimate way to bring back a classic look from Windows 95 to Windows Vista

Windows 11 has received criticism for its restrictive Taskbar, with users wanting the ability to reposition it to the top of the screen. RetroBar is a free application that restores functionalities from earlier Windows versions, allowing users to customize the Taskbar's position and appearance, including nostalgic themes from Windows XP, Longhorn, and Vista. RetroBar supports custom designs, is compatible with multi-monitor setups, and can be easily installed from GitHub. Users can revert to the standard Windows 11 Taskbar with a simple exit command. The application offers various themes and can be set to launch at startup. RetroBar's code is available on GitHub, including a native ARM64 build for Snapdragon devices.

Winsage

April 20, 2026

I just heard about this free Windows 11 customization app despite it having 42 million downloads

ExplorerPatcher is a free and open-source application that has over 42 million downloads and 32,200 stars on GitHub. It aims to restore legacy Windows shell components in Windows 11, allowing users to manage settings more comfortably. The app is compatible with both x86-64 Windows and Windows on ARM. Users can revert the Windows 11 taskbar to its Windows 10 design, disable the Windows 11 context menu, and restore the control ribbon in File Explorer. ExplorerPatcher offers additional features such as improved multi-display taskbar support and customizable settings. It includes preset configurations like the "Classic Windows 10" option and allows for custom configurations to be saved and shared. Despite its popularity, ExplorerPatcher is not widely recognized due to security warnings from Windows, which flag it as a potential threat, and potential disruptions following major Windows updates.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Belgium rolls out secure messaging app for officials to replace: Report

The website www.aa.com.tr uses mandatory cookies that are essential for its functionality and cannot be disabled. These include necessary cookies that differentiate between human users and bots, functional cookies that remember user language preferences, performance/analytical cookies that generate statistical data on visitor interactions through Google Analytics, and advertising/marketing cookies that collect consumer behavior insights for refining marketing strategies via Alexa Analytics.

Winsage

March 25, 2026

Tested: Windows 11 now has a second taskbar, and it works surprisingly well

In 2026, Microsoft released PowerToys version 0.98, which includes the new Command Palette Dock feature. This Dock can be pinned to any edge of the screen and displays information such as CPU and memory usage while providing quick access to frequently used commands. Users can enable the Dock through the PowerToys interface without needing to restart their system. The Dock offers customization options, including repositioning, themes, and backgrounds. It integrates live system statistics, a clock, and allows users to pin commands and applications for a tailored workflow. The Command Palette Dock is designed to complement, not replace, the Windows 11 taskbar. Other enhancements in this update include a new Keyboard Manager, performance upgrades for the Command Palette, and improvements to CursorWrap and ZoomIt.