refining user experience Archives

AppWizard

December 4, 2024

Google preps a feature to keep users in ‘clear voice’ in the Recorder app

Google is enhancing its Recorder app with a new "clear voice" feature to minimize background noise and improve voice clarity. The app has also introduced a "summarize" function on the Pixel 8, allowing users to obtain concise summaries of audio recordings. The Recorder app debuted on Chromebooks in November, offering functionalities like speech-to-text generation and title suggestions. It utilizes Google's advanced large language model (LLM) for improved user experience. Pixel devices now have a "Transcribe again" tool for re-transcribing recordings in 42 languages, with cloud processing for quick transcription results.

Winsage

October 30, 2024

Windows 11 Ctrl+Shift now works for Start, taskbar jump list. Smaller taskbar and more coming

Windows 11 has introduced a new keyboard shortcut, Shift+CTRL, allowing users to open selected applications with administrative privileges directly from the jump list. This feature extends the previous functionality, which was limited to app icons, enabling users to launch tasks as an administrator by holding down the Shift and CTRL keys while selecting an option from the jump list. Additionally, Microsoft is exploring smaller taskbar icons and a new functionality for dragging items from the Start menu to the taskbar for pinning. However, users still cannot reposition the taskbar to different sides of the screen.

Winsage

October 25, 2024

Microsoft Drops New Windows 11 Builds on the Dev and Beta Channels

Microsoft has released two new Insider builds for Windows 11 for testers on the Dev and Beta Channels. The Dev build 26120.2200 introduces a new icon in the system tray for applications using Windows Studio Effects, allowing users to access the Studio Effects page in Quick Settings. It also enhances the Dynamic Lighting feature with new directional options for the Wave and Gradient effects. The Beta build 22635.4435 includes similar Dynamic Lighting updates and reinstates the ability to configure the Copilot key to launch applications other than Copilot itself. These updates will be rolled out gradually to Insiders.

Winsage

October 18, 2024

Windows 11 Insider Beta Channel build 22635.4371 (KB504498) has app snap layout improvements

Microsoft has released a new Windows 11 update for Windows Insider Channel members, identified as build number 22635.4371 under KB504498. The update includes enhancements in app management and accessibility features. Key updates include: - Snap Enhancements: Improvements in app suggestions for snap layouts. - Narrator Updates: A new shortcut ("Narrator key + control + X") allows users to copy the last spoken content to the clipboard. Narrator will also read emails in the new Outlook app. - Fixes Implemented: Adjustments in File Explorer to prevent the search box from extending beyond the window's edge. - Narrator Performance Improvements: Resolved a slowdown issue after 15 minutes of use, fixed incorrect announcements for styled text, and ensured dialogs adhere to the 200% text scaling setting.

Winsage

October 2, 2024

Microsoft starts rolling out its Windows 11 2024 update with lots of useful improvements

Microsoft has begun rolling out the Windows 11 2024 update, version 24H2, which includes enhancements to the Start menu, File Explorer, Settings, and other components. The Start menu features a new side panel for Phone Link users, providing real-time phone insights. File Explorer has a redesigned home section with a tabbed view for recent, favorites, and shared files, improved context menus, and the ability to create 7z and TAR files. The system tray has a simplified time and date display, and Quick Settings now shows all actions by default with a new Energy Saver mode. The Settings interface allows users to reverse mouse scroll direction and toggle enhanced pointer precision easily. A unified Microsoft Teams app and a new Outlook client replace the Mail and Calendar applications. The update supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth LE audio, and performance enhancements for AMD desktop CPUs. Microsoft is using an OS swap method for this update to avoid compatibility issues. The rollout will begin with eligible devices running Windows 11 versions 22H2 and 23H2.

Winsage

September 26, 2024

Microsoft takes another step toward replacing the Control Panel

Microsoft is introducing the "Soundscape" panel to replace the traditional Sound control panel in Windows 11. This new feature aims to streamline sound settings, offering options such as startup sounds, sound schemes, and audio events. Users will access Soundscape through Settings > System > Sound, moving away from the current "More sound settings" link that directs to the Control Panel. The Soundscape section is currently limited but is expected to expand with more comprehensive audio customization options. This transition reflects Microsoft's commitment to enhancing user experience and modernizing the interface while phasing out the Control Panel.

Winsage

September 25, 2024

Windows 10 KB5043131 update released with 9 changes and fixes

Microsoft released the September 2024 non-security preview update for Windows 10, version 22H2, designated as KB5043131. This optional cumulative update allows Windows administrators to test fixes and improvements before the mandatory October 2024 Patch Tuesday update. Key fixes include resolving issues with the Microsoft Edge browser freezing in Internet Explorer mode, synchronization failures with Work Folders when Defender for Endpoint is active, and media playback interruptions with certain surround sound technologies. Users can install the update via the Settings app under 'Windows Update' or manually from the Microsoft Update Catalog. The update elevates Windows 10 22H2 systems to build 19045.4957 and introduces several enhancements, such as a repositioned profile picture in the Start menu, updates to Microsoft Entra single sign-on notices, improvements to Country and Operator Settings Asset profiles, and fixes for unresponsive behavior in File Explorer and the taskbar. Known issues include an inability to change account profile pictures after installation. Additionally, Microsoft reopened the Windows 10 beta channel in June, introducing the first beta build since 2021, followed by a second beta build in August that included fixes for the Unified Write Filter and the Bind Filter Driver.

Winsage

August 27, 2024

Upcoming Windows 11 update will let you silence another type of notification

Microsoft has rolled out Windows 11 Build 22635.4082 to Insiders in the Beta Channel. The update introduces the ability to turn off suggestions for disabling notifications from specific apps. Media controls on the lock screen have been moved to the lower bottom center when media is playing. The settings page for Delivery Optimization has been redesigned. Fixes include resolving crashes of explorer.exe and the Start menu, as well as fixing a memory leak after receiving certain notifications.

Winsage

August 12, 2024

Microsoft confirms its Paint 3D app is being discontinued in November

Paint 3D will be removed from the Microsoft Store on November 4th, 2024, as announced by Microsoft. Users are being notified of this discontinuation and are encouraged to use the 3D Viewer app instead. Microsoft is focusing on enhancing the traditional Paint app in Windows 11, which now includes features similar to Photoshop and AI-powered tools. This removal is part of a broader trend of discontinuing various Windows features and applications, including the phasing out of Windows Mixed Reality and the integration of Microsoft Teams in Windows 11. Additionally, support for Android apps on Windows 11 will also end next year.

Winsage

May 6, 2024

Microsoft pumps the brakes on Copilot AI to refine its experiences in Windows 11 based on what users ‘ACTUALLY’ want

Microsoft is decelerating the deployment of new functionalities for Copilot in Windows to enhance the existing tool's experience based on user feedback.