recommended settings Archives

Winsage

January 30, 2026

I got so mad at Windows I downloaded this free utility app to disable all its spyware

The author experienced two Windows reinstallations on a secondary PC due to issues with a lost sign-in PIN and a Microsoft account login loop. This led to a realization about the invasive nature of Windows and consideration of switching to Linux. Instead, the author used a utility called ShutUp10++ to manage privacy settings and disable unwanted data collection features. Before using ShutUp10++, it is crucial to create a system restore point to safeguard against potential issues. ShutUp10++ consolidates various privacy settings into a user-friendly interface, categorizing options and allowing users to make informed decisions. Users can choose to apply changes to their profile or the entire PC and should export their settings to prevent Windows updates from reverting them.

Winsage

December 21, 2025

Windows 11 gets a December Insider update packed with new features and AI upgrades — reveals Microsoft’s next big push. Here’s everything that is new.

Microsoft has slowed down the development of Windows 11 but released several preview builds through the Windows Insider Program in December 2025, showcasing various enhancements. Key updates include: - Model Context Protocol (MCP): Introduced in build 26220.7344, allowing AI agents to communicate with applications and tools via a secure on-device registry. It includes the File Explorer Connector for managing files through natural language searches and the Windows Settings Connector for navigating settings. - Unified Update Orchestration Platform (UOP): Provides a consistent update experience for developers through the Settings app. - Windows MIDI Services: Rollout of a new MIDI API, Service, and SDK, supporting MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0 devices with enhancements like app-to-app MIDI support. - Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE): Expanded to additional handheld gaming devices, replicating console gaming on PCs. - Settings app with AI agent: Enhanced navigation and modification of settings with an integrated AI agent. - File Explorer dark mode improvements: Extended dark mode to various elements and improved search functionality using AI. - Drag Tray disable option: Users can now disable the Drag Tray feature through Settings. - Mobile Devices settings integration: Features for managing mobile devices are now integrated within the Settings app. - Virtual Workspaces in Advanced settings: New access to manage virtualization features without using the legacy "Windows Features" page. - Keyboard and text cursor settings: New settings added for customizing keyboard and cursor behavior. - Quick Machine Recovery improvements: Now enabled by default on Windows 11 Home and Pro editions. - Windows Studio Effects compatibility: Expanded to more camera hardware for improved user appearance. - Windows Spotlight for desktop changes: New context menu options for wallpaper changes and additional details. - Taskbar with Ask Copilot: A toggle to replace Windows Search with AI-driven searches. - Taskbar with AI agents: AI agents can function as apps in the Taskbar, providing real-time updates. - Windows 11 Agent Launchers: A framework for registering AI agents within the OS. - Narrator customization: Users can select which properties are announced while navigating applications. - Voice Typing animation: New animation for the dictation key in the Touch Keyboard and a "Discover Windows" widget added. - Voice Access streamlined setup: Simplified setup process for Voice Access. The Windows Insider Program will pause further builds until January.

Winsage

December 16, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1362 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1362 has been released to the Canary Channel. Key updates include: - Full screen experience (FSE) for handheld devices is now available on more devices, enhancing gaming through the Xbox app. - The Click to Do context menu has been redesigned for easier access to actions like Copy and Save. - Enhancements to the agent in Settings for quicker modifications and more search results. - Windows Studio Effects now supports additional cameras beyond integrated ones. - Drag Tray feature supports multi-file sharing and intelligent app suggestions. - Dark mode improvements in File Explorer for consistency across various dialogs. - Users can manage mobile devices from the Settings under Bluetooth & Devices. - New context menu options for Windows Spotlight backgrounds. - More keyboard settings transitioned to Settings, including character repeat delay and cursor blink rate. - Updates to Game Pass branding in Settings. - New OneDrive icon in Accounts and Homepages within Settings. - Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) will perform a one-time scan for solutions. - Virtual Workspaces can now be activated in Advanced Settings. - Various fixes for issues in File Explorer, Settings, Taskbar, Start menu, internet connectivity, display and graphics, login and lock screens, Narrator, Windows Update, Task Manager, and app responsiveness. Additionally, Paint version 11.2511.281.0 introduces a collapsible toolbar feature.

Winsage

November 18, 2025

Windows Insider Program Releases Copilot Actions, New Release Preview Builds

The Windows Insider Program has introduced Copilot Actions, an AI feature in the Copilot app for Windows 11, allowing users to specify tasks for an AI agent to perform. This feature is currently experimental and requires the latest version of the Copilot app (1.25112.74 or higher) to access. Additionally, new Release Preview builds for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 have been released, transitioning users to build 26200.7296 (25H2) or 26100.7296 (24H2) with cumulative update KB5070311. Key features in these builds include Windows Studio Effects for USB webcams, enhancements to Click to Do, improvements in the Agent in Settings, updates to File Explorer, Desktop Spotlight enhancements, Drag Tray improvements, Settings updates, Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security for external fingerprint sensors, Share enhancements for OneDrive files, mobile device management improvements, Quick Machine Recovery updates, and Widgets enhancements. A new Canary build for Windows 11 version 26H1 (build 28000.1199) is also available, but it does not introduce new features or significant changes.

AppWizard

October 18, 2025

Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 is painful to play on PC, with severe performance issues and bugs

Bloodlines 2 is experiencing performance issues on PC, even with recommended settings. Players report struggling to achieve smooth gameplay due to bugs and frame rate drops. The system requirements are modest, but advanced technologies like Nvidia DLSS 4 do not resolve performance problems. Optimal settings for Bloodlines 2 on PC include: - VSync: On - Frame Rate Limit: Unlimited - Nvidia Reflex Low Latency: Enabled + Boost - Nvidia DLSS: Quality - Nvidia DLSS Frame Generation: 4x for RTX 5000 cards; 2x for RTX 4000 cards - Global Illumination: High - Shadows: High - Anti-Aliasing: High - View Distance: Far - Texture Quality: High - Effects: High - Reflections: High - Post-Processing: High Testing on a GeForce RTX 5070 showed an average frame rate of 61fps at 1080p, dropping to 52fps at 1440p and 21fps at 4K. Enabling multi-frame generation improved frame rates significantly, but 1% lows remained unchanged. Players encountered various performance issues, including stuttering and synchronization problems. Bugs included the Enter key disrupting fullscreen mode and mouse cursor misalignment. Bloodlines 2 offers four graphics presets: Low, Medium, High, and Ultra, along with an auto-detect tool for optimal settings. The game does not require an SSD for installation, but using one is recommended for faster loading times. Performance monitoring can be accessed via in-game overlays for Nvidia and AMD users or through third-party software like CapFrameX.

Winsage

October 15, 2025

12 features coming during first half of October on Windows 11 Insiders

Microsoft is enhancing Windows 11 in October 2025 through the Windows Insider Program, releasing several notable features and improvements. Key updates include: 1. An updated Settings app with improved AI agent integration, featuring a "Recommended settings" card and enhanced search results. 2. The Drag Tray now supports dragging and dropping multiple files. 3. Administrator Protection is accessible again in the Windows Security app. 4. The "Run" command dialog box is being updated for dark mode support. 5. Click to Do feature enhancements allow for more precise object selection within images. 6. Windows Hello now supports external fingerprint sensors. 7. Users can configure the user folder name during the Out-of-box Experience (OOBE) using Command Prompt. 8. File Explorer receives dark mode improvements across various dialogs. 9. A redesigned Start menu in the Canary Channel combines "All," "Pinned," and "Recommended" sections into a scrollable interface. 10. A new setting allows users to adjust the position of on-screen hardware indicators. 11. Updates to keyboard shortcuts facilitate the insertion of En dashes and Em dashes. 12. The Windows Share interface now includes an option for pinning favorite apps.

AppWizard

September 20, 2025

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter has a great PC port, but it is a small step back from PH3 releases

GungHo and Falcom have released Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter worldwide, marking Falcom's first multi-platform release globally and its first internal PC port in several years. The PC version includes various display settings, such as fullscreen and windowed modes, resolutions from 320x200 to 4K, and support for different aspect ratios. Graphics options allow players to adjust draw distance, level of detail, light and shadow maps, and more. New features include a "resume from latest save" option. However, some features from previous Trails games are missing, such as arbitrary resolution support and comprehensive ultrawide support. Recommended settings for the Steam Deck target 45fps, while the ROG Ally can achieve a locked 60fps with specific adjustments. Despite its strengths, the port reflects some shortcomings compared to earlier releases.

AppWizard

September 19, 2025

Best EA Sports FC 26 settings for optimized PC performance

Finding the best settings for EA Sports FC 26 on PC is easy for users with modern gaming rigs. A mid-range graphics card like the Nvidia RTX 4070 can achieve smooth performance at 4K with ultra settings. The system requirements are low, and older PCs may need adjustments for optimal performance. Recommended settings include Ultra rendering quality, high grass and crowd quality, and motion blur enabled. Testing on an RTX 4070 showed an average frame rate of 153fps at 1080p, 132fps at 1440p, and 92fps at 4K. EA Sports FC 26 features four graphics presets: Low, Medium, High, and Ultra, with subtle differences in gameplay. An accessibility menu includes options for subtitles, colorblind settings, controller remapping, and enlarged UI elements. The game does not require an SSD, with a download size just under 70GB. Performance monitoring can be done using Nvidia or AMD overlays or third-party software like CapFrameX.

AppWizard

September 3, 2025

This clever trick can help you find a lost or stolen Samsung phone. Here’s how it works

Losing an Android phone can be distressing, and while Google’s Find Hub is useful, it's not foolproof. To improve recovery chances, users can integrate Samsung’s SmartThings Find service and utilize Samsung Routines. A user on the r/SamsungGalaxy subreddit demonstrated a setup where the phone adjusts settings upon receiving a text with a specific phrase, like “lost phone.” The phone will activate Wi-Fi and mobile data, increase volume to maximum, and enable location access. To set this up on a Samsung phone, follow these steps: 1. Open the Modes and Routines app. 2. Tap the plus icon (+). 3. Select "Add what will trigger this routine." 4. Choose "Notification received" under the Event section. 5. Select "Messages" and enter a specific keyword (e.g., “lost phone”). 6. Define actions for the routine, such as turning on Wi-Fi, mobile data, setting sound mode to “Sound” at maximum volume, enabling location, and activating the flashlight. This configuration enhances the phone's discoverability when the designated text is received, serving as a supplementary measure alongside other recovery tools.

AppWizard

August 31, 2025

Lost Soul Aside is unplayable on Steam Deck and barely playable on ROG Ally

Lost Soul Aside has been launched for PlayStation 5 and PC (Steam), but performance on handheld devices like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally has raised concerns. The PC version includes various display options, graphics settings, and control options. On the Steam Deck, the game struggles significantly, dropping to 1-2fps during cut-scenes and crashing after the tutorial, leading to it being marked as unsupported by Valve. Attempts to play on the ROG Ally resulted in 20 to 50fps at the lowest settings, with performance varying by location. While the ROG Ally is technically playable, the experience is not optimal, and the game is not recommended for the Steam Deck until patches are released.