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Your PC is an Xbox, your Android is a Windows Phone, and Windows K2 is here to save Windows 11
Winsage
May 3, 2026

Your PC is an Xbox, your Android is a Windows Phone, and Windows K2 is here to save Windows 11

Microsoft has restructured its Windows team to enhance Windows 11 and restore user confidence. A new preview build will hide the MSN feed by default, allowing access to widgets on a dedicated page. The latest optional non-security preview update includes reliability upgrades and AI agents. Windows 11 now features Xbox Mode, providing a full-screen, controller-friendly interface for gamers. Significant improvements have been made for Xbox Series X|S consoles and the Xbox app on PC. The original Xbox dashboard has been reverse-engineered for use as a PC launcher. A new custom Android launcher, METROV, recreates the Windows Phone 8.1 experience, while community efforts like 8Marketplace are reviving Windows Phone 8 through restored app access.
Everything new in Minecraft Bedrock 26.30.25/26 beta and preview
AppWizard
May 3, 2026

Everything new in Minecraft Bedrock 26.30.25/26 beta and preview

Mojang has released the Minecraft 26.30.25/26 Beta and preview build, introducing new features such as Geysers that launch players skyward and Sulfur Cubes that can absorb TNT blocks with varying fuse times based on activation methods. The update includes bug fixes, such as correct generation of iron doors and stone buttons in strongholds, crafting adjustments for Sulfur Spikes, and improvements to video settings and user interface. Technical updates feature the transition of four entity components to the 1.26.30 format, the addition of voxel shapes for 46 vanilla blocks, and a new SoundInstance API class for sound playback control.
Microsoft is finally turning off the MSN feed and ads in Windows 11 Widgets by default
Winsage
May 2, 2026

Microsoft is finally turning off the MSN feed and ads in Windows 11 Widgets by default

Microsoft has modified the default behavior of the Widgets feature in Windows 11, confirming that the MSN feed will no longer be displayed by default when users hover over the Widgets icon. This change is being gradually rolled out through the Windows 11 Insider Experimental Preview Build 26300.8346. The updated Widgets experience includes several modifications: - The Widgets board will no longer open on hover; users must click the Widgets icon to access it. - Taskbar badging for breaking news and alerts will be turned off by default. - Animated taskbar alerts will only appear after user interaction with the Widgets board. - Upon first launching the Widgets board, users will see core widgets like weather and calendar instead of the MSN news feed. Users can manually customize their Widgets experience by disabling the "Open Widgets board on hover" option, turning off the MSN feed, or completely removing Widgets from Windows 11. Additionally, a redesign of the MSN feed is planned, featuring rounded corners to distinguish it from the Widgets. Microsoft aims to create a calmer operating system by reducing distractions and excessive notifications.
Microsoft tests modern Windows Run, says it's faster than legacy dialog
Winsage
May 2, 2026

Microsoft tests modern Windows Run, says it’s faster than legacy dialog

Microsoft has introduced a modernized Run dialog in the latest preview build of Windows 11, version 26300.8346. This updated Run dialog features a sleek design, dark mode support, and improved performance, achieving a median response time of 94 milliseconds compared to the legacy version's 103 milliseconds. The Browse button has been removed due to low usage statistics, with less than 0.0038% of users engaging with it. New functionalities include support for the ~ command for quick access to the home directory and the addition of icons in the command list. Users can enable or disable the modern Run feature through the Advanced Settings menu. The update also includes improvements to the Windows Share UI for Azure Active Directory users and enhancements to the Magnifier tool, which now offers zoom levels ranging from 5% to 400%. The Windows 11 Build 26300.8346 is available for download from the Experimental Channel.
Microsoft tests replacing Windows 11's Night Light with something better
Winsage
April 27, 2026

Microsoft tests replacing Windows 11’s Night Light with something better

The "Screen Tint" feature is being tested in a preview build of Windows 11, offering six preset tint colors and customizable settings to enhance visual comfort. The preset colors include pink for alleviating migraines, blue for reducing screen glare, and gray for easing stark contrasts. The feature is part of preview version 26300.8289, with no official launch date announced by Microsoft yet.
Microsoft has been trying to fix Windows 11's annoying white flash bug in File Explorer for over 2 years: Has it finally done it?
Winsage
April 23, 2026

Microsoft has been trying to fix Windows 11’s annoying white flash bug in File Explorer for over 2 years: Has it finally done it?

Microsoft has addressed the white flash issue in File Explorer when using dark mode in the latest Release Preview build of Windows 11. This problem, which has persisted for over two years despite previous claims of fixes, has now been resolved with the latest changelog stating that the white flash is removed when launching File Explorer in dark mode if set to launch to This PC or when resizing the details pane. The complexity of File Explorer, which combines modern and legacy UI frameworks, has contributed to these graphical glitches. Although the white flash issue has been fixed, some areas, like File Properties, still do not support dark mode, but improvements are planned for future updates.
'A performance tool that requires a graduate seminar before breakfast has already lost the room': Why Windows Task Manager looks like it's getting CPU usage wrong
Winsage
April 22, 2026

‘A performance tool that requires a graduate seminar before breakfast has already lost the room’: Why Windows Task Manager looks like it’s getting CPU usage wrong

Users have expressed frustration with Windows 11's Task Manager CPU usage reporting, believing it relies only on base clock speeds. Dave Plummer, the original architect of Task Manager, indicated that discrepancies may arise from average calculations and inherent compromises in the metrics. In response, Microsoft announced a fix in a recent Preview build, stating that Task Manager will now use standard metrics for CPU utilization across all pages to align with industry standards. Plummer also suggested a distinct Windows mode for power users to enhance flexibility.
Petit Planet is exactly the Animal Crossing clone it looked like, but after 15 hours of it I'm shocked by how many new ideas it has too
AppWizard
April 21, 2026

Petit Planet is exactly the Animal Crossing clone it looked like, but after 15 hours of it I’m shocked by how many new ideas it has too

HoYoverse's new title, Petit Planet, is facing comparisons to Animal Crossing: New Horizons due to its similar gameplay mechanics and charming characters. The game features a protagonist named Nalo and a diverse cast of anthropomorphic animal neighbors, including a squirrel shopkeeper named Glenn. The art style is vibrant and colorful, creating an inviting atmosphere. There are concerns about the game's monetization strategy, including the potential for gacha mechanics and the impact of multiplayer features on user privacy, especially for younger players. Despite these issues, Petit Planet offers a unique experience that may appeal to fans of the cozy gaming genre.
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