pinning Archives

Winsage

May 24, 2026

I stopped avoiding PowerShell after these 3 Windows tweaks

The author initially found PowerShell to be less integrated into their daily Windows workflow, often accessing it through the Start menu and closing it after use. To improve accessibility, they began using Windows Terminal more frequently, pinning it to the taskbar and utilizing the "Open in Terminal" option in File Explorer. They also discovered keyboard shortcuts to launch PowerShell quickly. These changes led to increased usage of PowerShell for tasks like checking IP configurations and retrieving system information. To enhance the PowerShell experience, the author customized its appearance by installing Oh My Posh, a prompt theme engine, and experimenting with color schemes, fonts, and transparency in Windows Terminal. They also made modifications to their PowerShell profile, adding aliases and shortcuts for frequently used commands to streamline their workflow. Over time, PowerShell became an essential tool for resolving various Windows issues, transforming from a fallback option to a key component of their toolkit.

AppWizard

May 23, 2026

I hated multitasking on my Pixel — until I tried Android 17’s app bubbles

Software experience significantly influences smartphone appeal, with Google's Pixel series noted for its seamless interface. The recent Android 17 introduces features like app memory limits, enhanced controls, and improved location transparency, leading to the installation of its beta version on the Google Pixel 10a. A poll on multitasking preferences revealed that 17% prefer split screen, 57% switch between apps, and 27% barely multitask. The introduction of the bubbles feature in Android 17 enhances multitasking by allowing users to pin up to five apps simultaneously, facilitating quick access and seamless transitions between tasks. The user's setup includes Instagram, WhatsApp, Chrome, Slack, and YouTube Music, promoting a balanced work-life integration. The Pixel 10a is characterized by a flush camera design, good performance and battery life, strong cameras, and a promise of excellent software support. It features the Tensor G4 chip, a vibrant 120Hz display, and is priced at .99, with a commitment to seven years of software updates.

AppWizard

May 1, 2026

April Xbox Update: Customize Your Console, Manually Add Your Favorite Games on PC, and More.

Users can now customize console colors by adjusting sliders for a unique hue, which will accentuate elements of the console interface. Quick Resume has been enhanced to allow disabling on a per-game basis. The Play History feature has been revamped with a new tab for easier access. A User Selected Resolution feature lets players choose streaming resolution, while a Network Quality Indicator provides real-time network health insights. PC gamers can manually add any installed game or app to their Xbox library. Users can pin up to three favorite games for quick access. A Gamepad Cursor feature allows navigation in non-controller apps. Xbox notifications can be repositioned on the Game Bar. The Xbox mobile app now includes wishlist alerts for game changes. Recent updates for the ROG Xbox Ally improve external display experiences. Microsoft Rewards is hosting a Total Prize Drop event with prizes up to ,000,000. The Handheld Compatibility Program has expanded, adding titles like Hades II as handheld optimized. Xbox Cloud Gaming now includes over 1,000 games for streaming.

Winsage

April 29, 2026

The latest PowerToys update brings a useful Linux-like feature to Windows 11

The latest version of PowerToys, 0.99.0, introduces several new features: - "Grab and Move" functionality allows users to drag windows with ALT+left-click and resize them with ALT+click. - The Power Display System Tray Tool enables brightness, contrast, and color-profile adjustments, though compatibility with some external monitors may vary. - Enhancements include a persistent calculator and pinning options in the Command Palette, manual remaps in the Keyboard Manager, scrolling capture in ZoomIt, and a WinUI3 update for Image Resizer.

Winsage

April 26, 2026

I explain how to use this simple Windows 11 tool to get automatic app updates forever

Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission when users buy through links in their articles. Windows 11 users often seek efficient application management, leading to the use of the Windows Package Manager (winget). The command "winget upgrade --all" requires user initiative, while the Microsoft Store only updates Store apps. This gap led to the development of Winget-AutoUpdate (WAU), which simplifies the update process. Initially designed for users familiar with scripts, WAU now includes a graphical user interface (GUI) that makes it more accessible. The GUI allows users to toggle automatic updates, set schedules, and manage allowlists and blocklists. Users can create "excludedapps.txt" and "includedapps.txt" files for managing updates. WAU is particularly useful for those who frequently install applications via winget and want to automate updates. Once configured, WAU runs in the background, providing timely notifications without manual intervention. It is a free solution that addresses update management challenges for winget users on Windows 11, transforming manual updates into an automated process.

Winsage

April 26, 2026

“Your apps should update themselves” — Winget-AutoUpdate is the missing piece for automatic app updates on Windows 11

The Windows Package Manager (winget) traditionally requires users to manually execute commands like "winget upgrade --all" to update applications, while the Microsoft Store only provides automatic updates for Store apps. The WAU Settings GUI enhances the winget experience by introducing a graphical user interface that allows users to configure automatic updates without scripts. Users can set schedules, manage allowlists and blocklists, and receive notifications for completed updates. Winget-AutoUpdate (WAU) is designed for users who frequently install applications via winget and want a maintenance-free system, operating quietly in the background to automate updates.

AppWizard

April 7, 2026

Android XR brings app pinning, resume, & auto-spatialization to Galaxy XR

Google is updating Android XR for Galaxy XR users, introducing features such as the ability to pin apps to virtual walls, which allows for practical applications like keeping a calendar app next to an office desk. The headset will also automatically restore the previous session with all apps and layouts. Users can see their hands through passthrough cameras while interacting with virtual content, enhancing the sense of presence. An auto-spatialization feature transforms apps, games, websites, images, and videos into 3D experiences. There are now over 100 apps designed for XR, including Real VR Fishing, Trombone Champ: Unflattened!, and the PSG Immersion app for live game experiences. The update also includes enhancements in hand tracking, eye tracking, and accessibility.

Winsage

March 30, 2026

Part 2 – Babylon.js 9.0: Tooling updates and new geospatial features

Babylon.js 9.0 introduces several significant enhancements: - The Babylon.js Editor has improved rendering capabilities and functionality, providing an artist-friendly environment for building experiences on Windows, macOS, and Linux. - Inspector v2 is a complete overhaul of the debugging tool with a modern architecture, supporting custom extensions and a React-based UI. - The Lightweight Viewer has enhanced shadow rendering features and simplifies embedding 3D content on web pages. - The Playground has received upgrades including multi-file editing, ESM module imports, and local session history, along with automatic saving to local storage. - Large World Rendering and Floating Origin systems address precision loss in expansive scenes, ensuring smooth rendering and physics interactions. - The Geospatial Camera allows intuitive navigation of spherical planets with various interactive features and integrates with Large World Rendering. - Babylon.js now supports 3D Tiles for efficient visualization of large geospatial datasets, enhancing map data rendering capabilities. - A new Physically Based Atmosphere addon enhances realism in sky rendering using advanced scattering models. These updates aim to empower developers in creating stunning digital experiences.

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.

AppWizard

March 25, 2026

This hidden Android feature will help stop phone snoops in their tracks

Many individuals experience their personal space being invaded when friends or family members explore their smartphones. To safeguard against this, the Privacy Display feature on the Galaxy S26 Ultra can be used, along with a lesser-known Android feature that enhances privacy. When sharing a phone, the app pinning feature can lock a specific application in place, preventing unauthorized navigation and maintaining control over what is displayed on the screen. This tool helps ensure privacy while allowing for shared experiences.