preview Archives

Winsage

September 19, 2026

Announcing new builds for 18 September 2026

New Windows 11 Insider Preview builds have been released for the Beta and Experimental channels. Notable new features include: - A new animation for the Mouse indicator in the Experimental channel, which can be activated through accessibility settings and kept visible until the escape key is pressed. - A new contrast theme toggle in the Magnifier, also in the Experimental channel, designed to reduce screen glare without altering the appearance of images, charts, and videos. - Updates to the Cloud rebuild feature in the Experimental channel, allowing users to restore their Windows 11 PC to a clean state and sanitize device drives during the process. IT administrators can now configure and initiate Cloud rebuild remotely via the Recovery CSP.

Winsage

September 19, 2026

Windows 11 is getting a better way to find your mouse cursor, and we tried it

Microsoft has released a modernized version of the Mouse Indicator in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26340.9502 on September 18, 2026. This update features a new animation that can be activated through Accessibility settings, allowing users to keep the indicator on until they press the Esc key. Users can choose to activate the Mouse Indicator with a single or double Ctrl press. The previous version displayed a simplistic circle around the pointer briefly, while the new version offers a smoother, more dynamic animation. The feature is currently available only in the Insider build for the Experimental channel, and users can enable it by navigating to Settings > Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch > Mouse indicator.

Winsage

September 19, 2026

Microsoft fixes bug behind ‘Defender Antivirus is turned off’ alerts

Microsoft resolved an issue that caused misleading alerts indicating that Defender Antivirus was disabled after recent updates. This fix was confirmed in an update to the Windows release health dashboard and was implemented in the Microsoft Defender Antivirus update (version 4.18.26080.4) rolled out on September 17. The bug, acknowledged by Microsoft in late August, affected users in the Release Preview Channel of the Windows Insider program since at least June and impacted all supported versions of Windows clients and servers. Users received erroneous notifications in the Windows Security app prompting them to activate Microsoft Defender Antivirus, despite it functioning correctly. Misleading alerts could appear upon Windows startup and intermittently thereafter, even when notification settings were disabled.

AppWizard

September 18, 2026

GrapheneOS Isn’t Happy With Google Over Pixel’s Widening Head Start

Google's September 2026 Pixel Update Bulletin includes patches that affect standard Android platform code, relevant to both Pixel and non-Pixel devices, which have not been included in the regular monthly Android Security Bulletin. GrapheneOS has noted that Android 17 QPR1 introduced new developer APIs not present in the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) for the first time since Android Honeycomb, with one new package and modifications to sixteen others. GrapheneOS is backporting Pixel firmware and drivers from QPR1 onto Android 17 but lacks permissions to distribute this work. Additionally, there has been a delay in Google’s compliance with a GPL source request, with access granted over two weeks after the initial request. Starting in 2027, Google will require all Android app developers to register with them and provide legal identification and signing key evidence, complicating the process of sideloading unverified apps. GrapheneOS and other organizations are advocating for the Keep Android Open campaign against these developments, which may restrict competition and tighten Google's control over the Android ecosystem.

Winsage

September 17, 2026

Microsoft Confirms Windows 11 Speed Fixes Are Coming to All Users

Windows 11 users have experienced delays in File Explorer and the Start menu since the operating system's launch in 2021. Recent reports from Windows Insiders indicate significant improvements in system responsiveness, confirmed by Marcus Ash from Microsoft, who stated that these enhancements will be rolled out to all users by fall 2026. Recent cumulative updates have addressed issues like File Explorer lag and Start menu stuttering, with specific updates (KB5120998, KB5095093, and KB5089573) improving responsiveness and reducing micro-stutters. Enhancements to the taskbar, Start menu, and context menus are also being developed, including taskbar repositioning and streamlined context menus. Users on the 25H2 version can expect these improvements through cumulative updates before the 26H2 update this fall. Keeping Windows Update active will ensure access to these enhancements.

Winsage

September 17, 2026

Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro reach end of support in October

Devices operating on Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro editions will stop receiving updates starting October 13, 2026. The Enterprise and Education editions of Windows 11 24H2 will continue to receive mainstream support until October 2027. Microsoft encourages users to upgrade to Windows 11 25H2, which became available in September 2024. Systems running Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro that are not managed by IT will automatically upgrade to Windows 11 25H2. Users can check for eligibility for the update by navigating to Settings > Windows Update. Windows Server 2022 will transition to extended support on October 13, 2026, lasting until October 14, 2031. Microsoft has extended the free Windows 10 Extended Security Updates program for home users until October 2027 and will halt security updates for Windows 11 Home and Pro 23H2 in November 2025.

Winsage

September 17, 2026

Microsoft explained why Windows 11 dropped these Windows 10 features

Windows 11 was released in 2021 and received mixed reactions, with users noting the removal of several familiar features from Windows 10. The taskbar was locked in place, preventing repositioning, and the ability to drag files onto taskbar applications was initially absent but restored within a year. The Start menu lost flexible resizing options, and Microsoft faced challenges in transferring established features due to the new framework. By 2026, Microsoft announced changes allowing users to relocate the taskbar, responding to user demand. The Start menu remained less flexible than its predecessor, leading to user frustration. Microsoft acknowledged the need for a movable taskbar, which was implemented in a preview by May 2026, coinciding with the September 2026 Patch Tuesday update. The integration of AI into development processes has accelerated feature implementation, but also introduced new stability issues.

AppWizard

September 16, 2026

Google Photos could soon be built much deeper into Samsung Gallery

Samsung is transitioning from OneDrive integration to a new partnership with Google Photos for Galaxy users. The OneDrive backup feature in the Samsung Gallery app will soon be phased out, and a new service called "Gallery Cloud Sync" is emerging, which will back up photos and videos to Google Cloud. This service is expected to allow synchronization between Samsung Gallery and Google Photos, enabling users to manage their Google storage and syncing preferences. Although not yet live, the rollout of these features could occur later this month or in early October.

Winsage

September 15, 2026

This open-source Windows launcher does what Microsoft’s new Start menu should have done

Microsoft is set to introduce a significant overhaul of the Windows Start menu in its upcoming 26H2 update, responding to user feedback about limited customization options. Flow Launcher is a keyboard-centric app launcher that offers superior functionality compared to the traditional Start menu. The installation of Flow Launcher is straightforward, with options for portable versions and package managers. It features a sleek search bar and allows users to quickly search for apps and files, enhancing productivity. Flow Launcher is highly customizable, with settings for behavior and appearance, including nearly 20 themes and various visual options. Its plugin ecosystem expands its capabilities, allowing users to install and manage plugins for added functionality. Notable plugins include Speed Test and Google Translate. Flow Launcher provides a more customizable and efficient experience compared to Microsoft’s current offerings.

Winsage

September 14, 2026

Windows 11 Update Finally Fixes A Classic Feature That Should Have Never Been Changed

Many users are transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11 but are facing issues, leading some to consider alternatives like Linux due to performance, privacy, and AI integration concerns. The right-click menu in Windows 11 has been criticized for being cluttered and slow. Microsoft is addressing these issues with an update to streamline the context menu, making it more organized and faster-loading. This redesigned menu is currently available to users of the Windows 11 Insider Experimental Preview Build 26340.9212, released on August 17, 2026, with broader availability expected in the upcoming Windows 11 version 26H2 or later updates. The new context menu will feature a lighter design with frequently used functions like Cut, Copy, and Rename at the top, and options will be simplified and reorganized. Users will also be able to customize their right-click menus through the Settings menu and revert to the traditional Windows 10 context menus if desired.