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I ignored the Windows app until Microsoft closed this major feature gap
Winsage
October 7, 2026

I ignored the Windows app until Microsoft closed this major feature gap

The latest update to the Windows App allows users to connect to a Windows PC remotely, expanding its capabilities beyond previous support for Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Microsoft Dev Box. To use this feature, users need to download the app, select "Add a Remote PC," input the remote PC's name or IP address, and then establish the connection. The classic Remote Desktop Connection tool (mstsc.exe) remains available despite the retirement of the Remote Desktop app from the Microsoft Store.
Prime Big Deal Days Surface sales: Save up to $500 on Surface Pro and Surface Laptop 8
Winsage
October 7, 2026

Prime Big Deal Days Surface sales: Save up to $500 on Surface Pro and Surface Laptop 8

Consumers can find significant savings on technology during the Prime Big Deal Days, with Microsoft offering price reductions on the Surface Pro, Surface Laptop, and various Surface accessories. Retailers like Best Buy are also providing competitive sales. Price dynamics may change as inventory levels fluctuate, and a curated list of attractive Surface deals is being maintained by Windows Central. The Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch models are not included in current listings due to the upcoming release of new versions with Snapdragon X2 processors. Older models with first-generation Snapdragon X chips are still available, but potential buyers may want to wait for the new generation. A paid Prime membership is required to access the best discounts during Big Deal Days, although a 30-day free trial is available for new users. Some deals are accessible to non-Prime members, but the best discounts are typically for Prime subscribers.
Prepare for Microsoft's Windows and Surface event with these cutting-edge features for Insiders
Winsage
October 6, 2026

Prepare for Microsoft’s Windows and Surface event with these cutting-edge features for Insiders

Microsoft is testing five new builds of Windows 11 as part of the Windows K2 initiative, which includes several updates: - Support for Unicode 17.0 has been added, allowing Windows to display over 4,800 new characters and scripts. - Performance improvements have been made to the Settings home page, reducing loading times. - The Settings > Apps > Installed apps section now shows version numbers for packaged apps. - A new entry point for Cloud Rebuild has been introduced under Settings > System > Recovery. - The Cloud rebuild feature can restore a Windows 11 PC to a clean state without USB media. - The Address Bar in File Explorer now supports the '~' character for quicker navigation. - Adjustments to the preview pane in File Explorer include a new button for HTML files and automatic previews for non-HTML files. - Folder view customizations in File Explorer are now consistently maintained. - The Windows Magnifier now allows input of exact zoom percentages and includes preset step increments. - Cloud rebuild options have been enhanced to include drive sanitization. - The Windows share window now allows users to pin favorite apps. - Messaging related to age-restricted parental controls in Family Safety has been improved. - Minor visual issues in the taskbar have been addressed. - Fixes have been implemented for certain USB Audio Class 1.0 devices. - Corrections have been made for Remote Desktop window sizing. - Issues causing lag for some Insiders after updates have been resolved.
This PowerToys animation is so stunning I'm sad I'll only see it once
Winsage
October 6, 2026

This PowerToys animation is so stunning I’m sad I’ll only see it once

PowerToys is introducing a new Welcome screen designed to enhance the user experience, featuring an engaging out-of-box experience that utilizes Windows' Composition feature to render at 60 frames per second. A clip shared by Niels Laute demonstrates the animation, and further details can be found in a GitHub pull request and a Microsoft support document. This update highlights the importance of aesthetic improvements in software, suggesting that such enhancements could significantly benefit the overall user experience across Microsoft applications.
Quote of the day by Panos Panay: "To make a great product, you can't have great software without the hardware; you can't have great hardware without the software." — Can Microsoft's October 7 Surface event keep this vision alive?
Winsage
October 6, 2026

Quote of the day by Panos Panay: “To make a great product, you can’t have great software without the hardware; you can’t have great hardware without the software.” — Can Microsoft’s October 7 Surface event keep this vision alive?

This week marks the fifth anniversary of Windows 11. Microsoft will host a Surface event on October 7, focusing on the NVIDIA RTX Spark chip and the new Surface Laptop Ultra lineup. Recently, Microsoft unveiled the Surface Pro 12-inch (Gen 2) and Surface Laptop 13-inch (Gen 2) on September 23 during Qualcomm's Snapdragon Summit, raising questions about the timing of these announcements. The Surface Laptop Ultra was initially revealed at Computex 2026, and further details are expected at the upcoming event, which will be streamed at 1 PM ET.
Googlebook Cross-Device Features Locked Behind Android 17
AppWizard
October 6, 2026

Googlebook Cross-Device Features Locked Behind Android 17

Google's new Googlebook cross-device features require a smartphone running Android 17 to access functionalities like phone app streaming, task continuity, and shared file access. Only recent Google Pixel models and Samsung foldable devices with One UI 9 come pre-installed with Android 17, leaving many users with older flagship and mid-range devices unable to utilize these features. New models, such as the POCO F9 series, also launch with Android 16, making them incompatible. Additionally, applications with DRM-protected content or sensitive information will not stream to the laptop, displaying a blank privacy screen instead. The features are included at no extra cost, but their availability depends on the smartphone's Android version.
DOOM is free to keep on PC in double game giveaway that'll save you $40
AppWizard
October 6, 2026

DOOM is free to keep on PC in double game giveaway that’ll save you $40

DOOM (2016) is available as a complimentary download for Amazon Prime subscribers through Amazon’s Luna gaming service, allowing players to claim it for free and keep it permanently after redeeming a code on GOG. The game, originally priced at .99/£15.99, is part of a limited-time promotion that also includes Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit, which has a retail price of .99/£16.75. The promotion lasts until November 4, 2026. Both games have received positive reviews, with DOOM scoring in the mid-to-high 80s on Metacritic and Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit scoring 87.
Google warns that some Android apps won't run well on Intel Googlebooks at launch
AppWizard
October 6, 2026

Google warns that some Android apps won’t run well on Intel Googlebooks at launch

Certain complex Android applications may not perform optimally on Intel x86 Googlebooks, despite most apps running smoothly. Google is working with developers to improve performance and compatibility. Intel Googlebook laptops use a translation layer to run Android apps, which can lead to decreased performance and battery efficiency. Currently, three models with Intel Core Ultra 5 Series 3 chips are available from Acer, Asus, and Lenovo, while two ARM-based models use Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite chip.
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