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Windows 11 is changing how Windows Update works — here are the 5 things Microsoft says will matter most
Winsage
May 9, 2026

Windows 11 is changing how Windows Update works — here are the 5 things Microsoft says will matter most

Microsoft is making changes to Windows Update in Windows 11 to improve the user experience. Key updates include: 1. Users can now pause automatic updates indefinitely, although they must reschedule the pause before the initial 35-day limit expires. 2. The Power menu will clearly separate update-related actions from standard power options, allowing users to choose "Update and shut down" or "Update and restart" without unintentionally installing updates. 3. Driver updates will have more descriptive labels, and a collapsible "Available updates" section will organize updates awaiting installation. Microsoft plans to consolidate updates into a single monthly cycle to reduce required restarts to one per month. 4. A new system will automatically resolve installation issues during updates, reducing the need for user intervention. 5. Users can skip system updates during the Out-of-box Experience (OOBE), but doing so will prevent the download of the latest drivers, features, or security patches until updates are manually triggered or resumed automatically.
Why I stopped using 'Modern Standby' on my Windows laptop to save battery overnight
Winsage
April 9, 2026

Why I stopped using ‘Modern Standby’ on my Windows laptop to save battery overnight

Many newer PCs support a feature called Modern Standby, which allows minimal background processes to continue running during sleep mode, leading to quicker wake-up times but potentially less efficient battery preservation. PCs can operate in one of six states, with S0 indicating full operation and S5 indicating a complete shutdown. Modern Standby (S0 Low Power Idle) turns off the display and most core components while allowing limited background activity, which may vary in effectiveness for battery drain. Traditional Sleep (S3) shuts down the screen and main components but may take longer to resume. Hibernate (S4) saves the current session and powers off completely, while Restart clears memory and resets the operating system. Shut Down (S5) clears memory and terminates processes, using a "soft off" method that retains certain settings for quicker startups through fast boot. Disabling fast boot can be done via the Control Panel. Although Modern Standby can conserve battery, it may not always be effective, as issues with firmware or drivers can prevent the computer from entering a true low-power state. For maximum battery efficiency, using the Shut Down option is recommended, especially with fast boot enabled for quick startups.
Power users can do so much more with the Windows 11 taskbar, and all they need is a single tool
Winsage
April 8, 2026

Power users can do so much more with the Windows 11 taskbar, and all they need is a single tool

Windows 11's taskbar has faced criticism for its lack of customization options, prompting the development of a tool called Windhawk. Windhawk allows users to customize the taskbar extensively, including options for translucency and styles reminiscent of Windows XP and Vista. It features a "Taskbar Clock Customization" mod that displays CPU and RAM usage on the taskbar, and a "Taskbar on top for Windows 11" mod that enables users to move the taskbar to the top of the screen. The "Taskbar Volume Control" mod turns the entire taskbar into a volume control area, while the "Middle click to close on the taskbar" mod allows users to close applications with a middle-click. Additionally, the "Click on empty taskbar space" mod lets users set custom shortcuts for various actions. Windhawk also includes mods for adjusting thumbnail sizes, adding power buttons to the Start menu, and restoring the classic context menu, enhancing the overall user experience and functionality of the Windows 11 taskbar.
I unlocked God Mode in Windows 11 with this text string - here's what it does
Winsage
February 12, 2026

I unlocked God Mode in Windows 11 with this text string – here’s what it does

God Mode in Windows 11 consolidates essential settings into a single interface, allowing users to access various options such as Backup and Restore, Color Management, Devices and Printers, Ease of Access, File History, Mouse settings, Power Options, Programs and Features, Security and Maintenance, Speech Recognition, Troubleshooting, and User Accounts. To set up God Mode, users need to right-click on the desktop, select New, and then choose Folder, using a specific folder name code. This feature enhances productivity and allows for customization of the Windows experience.
PowerToys will finally fix Windows 11’s multi-monitor headache — better brightness controls are on the way
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.
How I unlocked God Mode in Windows 11 - and the wonders I can do with it
Winsage
October 29, 2025

How I unlocked God Mode in Windows 11 – and the wonders I can do with it

God Mode in Windows 11 is a feature that allows users to create a special folder for centralized access to a wide range of settings, including Backup and Restore, Color Management, Devices and Printers, Ease of Access, File History, Mouse configurations, Power Options, Programs and Features, Security and Maintenance, Speech Recognition, Troubleshooting, and User Accounts. To set up God Mode, users need to right-click on the desktop, select New, then Folder, and enter the string "explorer shell:::{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}" in the location field before clicking Next.
How To Enable Windows' Hidden Ultimate Performance Power Plan
Winsage
August 31, 2025

How To Enable Windows’ Hidden Ultimate Performance Power Plan

Windows 10 and 11 include a performance power plan that enhances system performance by allowing hardware to draw power without restrictions. This feature, introduced in 2018, can be accessed in Windows 10 through Settings > System > Power & Sleep > Additional Power Settings, where users can select the Ultimate Performance option. Alternatively, users can enable it via the Command Prompt by entering the command powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61. In Windows 11, users can also create a custom performance power plan through Control Panel > Power Options. While the ultimate performance power plan can improve performance for resource-intensive tasks, it may lead to rapid battery depletion, increased energy consumption, and higher temperatures, which could risk overheating. The performance boost may not be significant for all users, particularly gamers, and should be used with caution.
This lightweight Linux distro makes switching from Windows 10 easy
Winsage
July 21, 2025

This lightweight Linux distro makes switching from Windows 10 easy

Lubuntu is a Linux distribution that combines the Ubuntu framework with the lightweight LXQT desktop environment, making it fast, reliable, and user-friendly, particularly for older hardware. The desktop interface is designed to be familiar to users, especially those accustomed to Windows, featuring a panel, start menu, system tray, and organized applications. The Configuration Center allows users to customize settings easily. Openbox is the default window manager, enabling theme and window behavior modifications. Lubuntu does not provide a straightforward method for sharing folders across a local area network using its default file manager. The operating system is notably fast, with applications launching quickly, making it a suitable alternative to Windows 10 for older machines.
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