reminders Archives

Winsage

February 22, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3291 (Dev and Beta Channels)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3291 (KB5052080) has been released for the Dev and Beta Channels, introducing enhancements for Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs. Key updates include an improved Windows Search feature that allows users to find cloud-stored files directly from the taskbar search box and a refined Recall (Preview) experience, which will delete previous snapshots but continue saving new ones if enabled in Settings. For Beta Channel users, the same updates are available as optional upgrades, with plans to make them recommended later this year. Insiders can switch from the Dev to the Beta Channel while both channels share identical build numbers, but this option will close once the Dev Channel progresses to higher build numbers. The improved Windows Search feature supports finding cloud-stored photos by describing them, available for users signed into OneDrive with a personal Microsoft account. Support for third-party cloud providers is expected soon. The update also includes fixes for live captions, File Explorer reliability, and issues with Remote Desktop. Known issues include inaccuracies in build version display after a PC reset and problems with Recall not saving snapshots automatically. An update to the Snipping Tool introduces a new trim feature for screen recordings, allowing users to adjust start and end times.

Winsage

February 22, 2025

4 Windows 11 features that make me regret upgrading

Windows 11 has become popular among users, but some experience frustrations with its features. The Copilot feature is heavily integrated, prompting users to engage with it frequently, which many find intrusive. The redesigned Start Menu is seen as cluttered and less user-friendly compared to Windows 10, requiring customization for better usability. The Widgets button on the taskbar has become a distraction, leading many to disable it for improved focus. Windows 11 frequently upsells Microsoft services, requiring a Microsoft account and inundating users with promotional notifications. Overall, users feel that navigating Windows 11 has become adversarial, prioritizing notifications over user experience and complicating basic usability.

Winsage

February 21, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4950 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4950 (KB5052078) has been released to the Beta Channel for Insiders not upgrading to version 24H2. This update includes new features such as a drag tray for easier file sharing, and two new views (grid and category) in the Start menu. Improvements include enhanced text scaling support in File Explorer, fixes for taskbar app window previews, and corrections for Japanese name formatting in Settings. Known issues involve delays in app icon appearances in the Start menu and slow closing of File Explorer for some users. Insiders can enable a toggle for immediate updates via Settings > Windows Update. Features may change or not be released based on testing and feedback.

Winsage

February 21, 2025

Unblockable ads now litter Microsoft’s Windows Surface app

Microsoft's Surface app has transformed into a marketplace filled with advertisements, overshadowing its original purpose of device management. Users encounter promotional offers, including a 30% discount on an Xbox controller, prominently displayed at the bottom of the interface. Ads are integrated into the app, raising concerns about user consent, and persist even with ad blockers in Microsoft Edge. The app now resembles a shopping platform, which may dishearten users who expected a streamlined experience. This shift reflects a broader trend in Microsoft's ecosystem of frequent marketing pushes across platforms, potentially affecting customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Winsage

February 20, 2025

Can’t quit Windows 10? You can pay Microsoft for updates after October, or try these alternatives

An ESU subscription allows customers to receive updates automatically through Windows Update, with updates also available for individual download via the Microsoft Update Catalog. Customers can set reminders to check for updates after their release, typically on the second Tuesday of each month. For a more streamlined approach, the third-party service 0patch offers critical security patches for Windows 10 for at least five years after the end-of-support date, costing between and per PC annually. 0patch provides "micropatches" for vulnerabilities discovered after October 14, 2025, which are small and applied to running processes without altering Microsoft's original files. Unauthorized alternatives, like PowerShell activation scripts from the Massgrave hacking collective, allow users to bypass Microsoft's licensing agreements for a free three-year ESU subscription, but using these scripts is illegal and poses significant risks to businesses.

Winsage

February 20, 2025

5 new Windows 11 features should hit your PC soon

Microsoft has released Build 26100.3321 to the Release Preview Channel for Windows 11, introducing several new features: - A color-coded battery icon with a percentage indicator has been added to the Taskbar to help users manage battery life. - Users can now turn off or snooze backup reminders in File Explorer. - Windows Spotlight has improved visibility for the "Learn more about this picture" icon and includes a "Like" button for content curation. - A taskbar sharing feature allows users to share files directly from applications using a right-click option. - The Narrator's updated scan mode includes new commands for more efficient text navigation. These features will be rolled out gradually, with some expected to reach the general public soon.

AppWizard

February 19, 2025

You know the drill: Avowed’s default waypoint and UI settings are way too handholdy, so you should change them ASAP

Avowed allows players to customize their gameplay experience through an extensive settings and accessibility menu. Key modifications made include switching the quest tracker mode to "Show on Update," turning off objective markers, and disabling interaction icons. These changes enhanced immersion by reducing intrusive prompts and allowing for more organic exploration. The game includes a compass for active quest objectives, which can also be disabled for a more challenging experience. The UI and navigation options in Avowed blend old-school challenge with modern convenience, catering to different player preferences.

AppWizard

February 18, 2025

You Can Now Text Yourself via RCS on Google Messages (and You Should)

Google Messages has introduced a beta feature that allows users to send messages to themselves using RCS (Rich Communication Services), which provides advantages over SMS, such as the ability to send longer texts and high-resolution media without compression. However, RCS messages sent to oneself currently lack encryption. If the feature is active on a device, users can simply text themselves, or they may need to enroll in the Google Messages beta program. Self-messaging offers convenience and the ability to synchronize messages and media across devices, but users concerned about security may consider using encrypted platforms like Signal for sensitive information.

Winsage

February 15, 2025

Microsoft removes Windows 11 feature responsible for collecting and storing location data

Microsoft has begun deprecating certain features in Windows 11 in 2025, starting with the Location History feature, which has been used to collect and store location data for users. The Location History feature will be removed from the latest preview build for Dev and Beta insiders, meaning that location data will no longer be saved locally, and the corresponding settings will be removed from the Privacy & Security > Location page in Settings. Other recently deprecated features include Suggested Actions, Paint3D, and Legacy DRM services.

Winsage

February 9, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4880 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4880 (KB5052100) is being released to the Beta Channel, specifically for users who have not transitioned to updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2. This update includes general enhancements and fixes, such as addressing a crash issue on the Settings Home page. Known issues include sluggishness in closing File Explorer and the appearance of enterprise-specific cards on non-managed PCs. Additionally, an update for Paint introduces a Copilot menu with features like Cocreator and Image Creator, accessible on Copilot+ PCs. Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel will receive updates based on Windows 11, version 23H2, and features may evolve or be removed based on feedback.