quick settings Archives

Winsage

July 18, 2026

Sound Recorder, Camera, and Windows Studio Effects

Windows 11 includes a suite of audio and video recording applications: Sound Recorder, Camera, and Windows Studio Effects. The Sound Recorder app allows audio capture using PC microphones, featuring a navigation pane, recording area, and playback controls. Users can customize audio input in the Settings app under System > Sound, selecting microphones and adjusting quality formats like “CD quality” or “Studio quality.” Within the Sound Recorder app, users can change the recording format (default is AAC) to MP3, WMA, FLAC, or WAV and set audio quality to Best, High, or Medium. To record audio, users click the red “Start recording” button, with options to stop, pause, or mark significant moments using keyboard shortcuts. Recordings can be played back, managed, shared, renamed, or deleted through the app's interface. Users can also import compatible audio files into Sound Recorder. The Camera app allows users to take photos, record videos, and scan items using the PC's webcam, with an interface similar to smartphone camera apps. Users can customize camera settings in the Settings app under Bluetooth > Cameras, adjusting brightness, contrast, and resolution. Photos are taken in Photo mode, while videos are recorded in Video mode, with options for pausing without creating new files. Windows Studio Effects offers AI-driven enhancements for audio and video calls, requiring a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for some features. Enhancements include automatic framing, background effects, creative filters, eye contact simulation, portrait lighting adjustments, and voice focus. Compatibility can be checked in Quick settings or the Settings app under Bluetooth & devices > Cameras. Each effect can be configured individually through the Settings app or supported applications.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Why There’s A Briefcase Symbol On Your Android Phone’s Screen (And How To Turn It Off)

Android has introduced a feature called Work Profile that creates a dedicated workspace on devices, separating professional applications from personal ones. This allows users to maintain distinct versions of applications, such as having separate Gmail accounts for work and personal use. The data within the Work Profile is encrypted and accessible only to an organization's IT administrators, ensuring privacy for personal applications and data. Users can identify work apps by a briefcase icon in the status bar, which disappears when the app is closed. To temporarily pause the Work Profile, users can access the Quick Settings panel or navigate to the app drawer and select the Work tab. When paused, work apps will vanish from the app drawer, and notifications will cease. Users can reactivate the Work Profile through the same methods. Additionally, Android's Digital Wellbeing settings allow users to schedule the activation and deactivation of the Work Profile. To permanently disable the Work Profile, users must delete it from the device, which removes all associated work apps and data. This can only be done if the device was originally owned by the user or if ownership has been transferred. The steps include accessing the Settings app, selecting Passwords and accounts, navigating to the Work tab, and tapping on Remove work profile. A factory reset can also delete the Work Profile but will erase personal apps and data as well.

AppWizard

July 6, 2026

After Samsung Health, the Wearable app could be getting its biggest redesign yet

Samsung is redesigning its Galaxy Wearable app to improve user experience with a new interface and enhanced functionality. The app will transition from a black interface to soft blue and purple gradients, organized into three main sections: Watch Faces, Home, and Settings. The Home tab will display the connected Galaxy Watch's image, battery level, and shortcuts for frequently adjusted settings. The watch face browser will show the entire watch with the selected face for better assessment. The Settings menu will have a refined appearance with simpler icons and reorganized options for quicker access. New features include AI-generated Tiles for personalized information aggregation and a raise-to-talk function for the Gemini voice assistant. Health monitoring upgrades will introduce a Daily Cardio Load feature for training recommendations and a Vitals feature to track overnight health metrics. Additionally, a Sound Exposure feature will monitor daily noise levels, and outdoor-focused tools are being developed for Samsung's rugged Ultra watches.

Winsage

June 25, 2026

The Useful Feature That Isn’t Enabled By Default On Your Windows 11 Laptop

The Night Light feature reduces blue light impact from screens, creating a warmer visual experience. Devices like Macs, iPhones, and iPads have a similar feature called Night Shift. Utilizing Night Light can enhance comfort during late-night work and alleviate eye strain. The 20-20-20 rule, lowering screen brightness, and enabling dark mode can further help with eye care. To enable Night Light on Windows, users can press Win + A to access Quick Settings or go through the Settings app by pressing Win + I, selecting System, then Display, and toggling the Night Light option. Third-party applications like f.lux can provide additional customization. Once activated, users can adjust the warmth using a "Strength" slider in the Night Light settings. Night Light also offers a scheduling feature to automate activation from sunset to sunrise or at specific times set by the user.

AppWizard

June 23, 2026

5 Things You Didn’t Know Your Samsung Phone Could Do

Older Samsung phones are receiving the One UI 8.5 update, which includes several features: - Users can separate app audio streams between devices, allowing navigation instructions to play through one device while music plays through another. - The side button on newer Galaxy devices can be customized for various functions, including opening different apps or tools. - Samsung offers a Secure Folder feature for storing sensitive apps and data privately. - The Dual Messenger feature allows users to clone messaging apps for managing multiple accounts simultaneously. - With One UI 5.1 and later, users can extract subjects from photos to create cutouts or stickers for use in other applications.

Winsage

June 22, 2026

Microsoft says it’ll force install Microsoft 365 Copilot on Windows 11 with MS 365 Business in the next 30 days

Microsoft is reintroducing the Microsoft 365 Copilot app, which will automatically install on eligible Windows PCs with Microsoft 365 desktop applications between mid-June and mid-July. Users in the European Economic Area will not be affected by this automatic installation. Admins can opt out of the automatic integration. The app will be activated by default, requiring no user intervention. Microsoft is not using the Windows Store for this installation; instead, it relies on the built-in Microsoft 365 Apps updater. Users can disable Copilot features on a case-by-case basis in specific Office apps or change privacy settings to block Copilot functionalities. Microsoft has also made Classic plans available in select regions for users who want a version without Copilot. Administrators can use Office policy settings to block connected experiences that drive Copilot functionalities but must opt out through the Microsoft 365 Apps admin center to prevent installation.

AppWizard

June 19, 2026

4 security upgrades in Android 17 you didn’t know about, but will be glad to have

Google's Android 17 update is being deployed to Pixel devices, introducing new features such as multitasking bubbles, expanded dark theme controls, and a revamped screen recording interface. Key user preferences from a poll indicate that 32% favor multitasking app bubbles, while other features received varying levels of support. The update includes App Memory Limits to prevent excessive RAM usage by apps, enhancing performance. It also restricts apps from scanning local networks without explicit permission, improving user privacy. Additionally, Android 17 tightens restrictions on dynamic code loading to strengthen malware protection and implements Certificate Transparency protections by default for secure HTTPS connections. Overall, these changes aim to enhance performance, security, and user experience.

Winsage

June 19, 2026

Sorry Microsoft, Windows 10 taskbar is still better than Windows 11, and here’s why

The taskbars of Windows 10 and Windows 11 differ significantly in design and functionality. Windows 11 features a centered icon layout by default, while Windows 10 has left-aligned icons. The search functionality in Windows 10 includes a larger "Type here to search" bar, whereas Windows 11 offers a more compact search button or box. Windows 10's right-click menu provides extensive customization options directly, while Windows 11's is more minimalistic and requires navigating to settings for customization. Windows 10 allows users to toggle small taskbar buttons, a feature that was initially absent in Windows 11 but has since been reintroduced. Taskbar repositioning in Windows 10 is straightforward, while Windows 11 requires accessing settings for repositioning. Windows 11 combines app icons by default and hides labels, complicating navigation compared to Windows 10's clearer visual cues. The Start menu in Windows 10 is resizable and features Live Tiles, which are not present in Windows 11's fixed-size Start menu. Windows 10's News and Interests feature contrasts with Windows 11's Widgets board, which has been criticized for being intrusive. Windows 11's Quick Settings separates toggles and notifications into two panels, enhancing user experience, while Windows 10's clock flyout offered a native agenda view that has been removed in Windows 11. Windows 11 includes a performance enhancement for taskbar flyouts to improve responsiveness on budget hardware, a feature not needed in Windows 10. Additionally, Windows 11 introduces a Resume function for Android activities and is developing AI integrations for the taskbar, which are not available in Windows 10.

Winsage

June 15, 2026

Windows 11’s June update makes PCs feel faster. Here’s what’s new

On Patch Tuesday in June 2026, Microsoft released a significant update for Windows 11, designated as KB5094126. Key enhancements include: - Low Latency Profile: Boosts CPU clock speeds temporarily for specific tasks, reducing lag during operations. - Simultaneous Webcam Access: Allows multiple applications to use the webcam simultaneously. - Shared Audio: Enables two users to connect headphones to one PC for shared audio enjoyment. - NPU Usage Monitoring: Task Manager displays Neural Processing Unit usage for individual processes, with new columns for NPU and NPU Engine. - Enhanced Windows Search: Users can locate files with just two characters instead of three. The update also introduces new Secure Boot certificates for improved security. After installation, Windows 11 build numbers will show either 26200.8655 (25H2) or 26100.8655 (24H2). Updates are rolled out gradually, so some users may experience delays in accessing features.

AppWizard

June 14, 2026

New Android Phone? Change These 4 Settings Right Away

In 2026, Android phones introduced a refined setup process that allows for extensive customization. Users can enhance performance by discovering hidden settings and decluttering home screens by removing pre-installed apps. Key adjustments include turning off adaptive brightness, increasing screen timeout, enabling screen pinning for security, and locking the SIM card for protection. Additional recommendations involve enabling the Find My Device service, customizing the quick settings tray, installing new apps like Gboard and Google Messages, using privacy-focused browsers, and disabling RAM Plus on devices with over 8GB of RAM for better performance.