rolling out Archives

AppWizard

April 2, 2025

I Tried McDonald’s ‘Minecraft’ Happy Meal—Here’s What To Know Before Ordering

The best-selling video game of all time, A Minecraft Movie, is set to debut in theaters on April 4, featuring Jack Black. McDonald’s has launched a limited-time promotion in celebration of the film, offering exclusive collectibles and in-game perks. One of the standout items is the Nether Flame Sauce, which has a flavor profile of crushed red pepper, flaming cayenne, garlic, and sweetness. The sauce is described as medium on the heat scale and is reminiscent of vinegar-based hot sauces, pairing well with McNuggets.

Winsage

April 1, 2025

Windows’ new Quick Machine Recovery auto-fixes system failures for you

Microsoft is enhancing its recovery tools for Windows 11 with the introduction of Quick Machine Recovery (QMR), currently being tested in the Windows Insider Program’s Beta Channel. QMR allows IT administrators to remotely address boot issues, even if the computer fails to start normally, and utilizes the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) to connect to the internet and send diagnostic data to Microsoft for targeted updates via Windows Update. Initially aimed at business users, QMR will also be available to private individuals by default, with administrators in managed IT environments retaining control over its availability. Users can access QMR in the Windows recovery menu under “Advanced Options,” and it is designed to enhance system resilience by automatically identifying errors and implementing solutions.

Winsage

March 31, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.5160 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.5160 (KB5053654) has been released for the Beta Channel for users on Windows 11, version 23H2. Windows 11, version 24H2 is also available as an optional upgrade for Insiders in the Beta Channel. New features include: - A speech recap feature in Narrator that allows users to track and reference spoken content, with a history of the last 500 strings spoken. Users can access this feature using keyboard shortcuts. - Copilot on Windows can now be launched with Win + C, and users can customize their Copilot key. It includes a press-to-talk feature for voice interaction. - The Windows share window has been enhanced to allow quick editing options for images, including cropping and applying filters. - A new FAQs section has been added to the Settings > System > About page to provide users with quick answers about their PC. Fixes include resolving delays in app icons appearing in the Start menu and updating the logic for desktop app icons to enhance visibility. Known issues include a flashing context menu in the Start menu and a crash issue with Narrator that can be resolved by restarting the PC. Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel will receive updates based on Windows 11, version 23H2 through an enablement package, and features are rolled out gradually using Controlled Feature Rollout technology.

Winsage

March 31, 2025

Expanding Copilot+ PC experiences across AMD, Intel and Snapdragon powered devices

Last year, Copilot+ PCs were introduced as the fastest, most intelligent, and secure Windows PCs. They have since integrated new silicon, devices, and AI experiences to enhance user interaction and productivity. New accessibility features include Live Captions, which provide real-time translations in English for audio and video content during virtual meetings and media playback, now available on AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs, with support for Simplified Chinese and translations from over 40 languages. Voice Access has also been updated to improve navigation through voice commands. AI-enabled creativity features are now available on AMD and Intel devices, including Cocreator in Paint, which allows users to create designs using text prompts and freehand drawing, and new tools in Photos for transforming images and creating visuals based on prompts. Some features will be available through the March 2025 Windows non-security preview update, requiring the November 2024 update. Features may vary by device and region, with updates continuing through 2025. Users can check for updates in Windows Settings.

Winsage

March 31, 2025

Windows 11’s new headline security feature is now in testing — here’s how it can help your PC

Microsoft is rolling out a new feature called quick machine recovery (QMR) to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel, designed to automatically detect and resolve boot issues directly from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). When enabled, QMR identifies and applies fixes for common boot problems, and in case of a critical boot failure, it transitions the device into WinRE, connects to the network, and sends diagnostic data to Microsoft for targeted remediation via Windows Update. This feature will be enabled by default for home users and is available for testing by Windows Insiders. Additionally, Microsoft is introducing a speech recap feature in Narrator, allowing users to track what has been spoken, access live transcriptions, and copy the last spoken phrase using keyboard shortcuts. The speech recap window can display the last 500 strings spoken by Narrator and refreshes each time Narrator starts. Windows 11 Build 26120.3653 includes a streamlined user interface for unexpected restarts, a new way to launch Copilot using Win + C, and the Click to Do feature accessible from the Start menu, which supports multiple languages. Improvements to Windows Share include a visual preview of content and quick image editing options.

Winsage

March 31, 2025

Microsoft overhauls the dreaded Blue Screen of Death

Microsoft is testing a redesigned Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) for Windows 11 insiders, featuring a more streamlined user interface that aligns with Windows 11 design principles. The new design will remove the frowning face and QR code, and may adopt a darker color reminiscent of Windows updates, with a green version currently being previewed. These enhancements are part of a broader effort to refresh various elements of the Windows interface, including sign-in screens. The updates are being rolled out to Windows insiders on version 24H2 across Beta, Dev, and Canary Channels, with potential public release expected in the coming months or alongside Windows 11 25H2.

AppWizard

March 30, 2025

My favorite Google productivity app is everywhere and nowhere

36% of participants in a poll confirmed they actively use Google Tasks via its app or web interface, while 18% only add tasks through other Google products without engaging with the Tasks app. 9% expressed interest in trying it out for the first time, and 36% indicated they prefer another to-do platform. Google Tasks was originally an integrated feature within Gmail and Calendar and was relaunched as a standalone app in 2018. It allows users to create tasks from various Google services, enhancing its utility. The app is characterized by its simplicity and straightforward interface, which may contribute to its obscurity. Google is gradually rolling out new features for Tasks, including improved sorting options and easier task management capabilities. Despite its potential, Google Tasks currently occupies a lower priority in Google's broader product strategy.

Winsage

March 30, 2025

A Windows 11 update causes issues with some Lenovo laptops

Windows 11 has encountered issues affecting Lenovo ThinkPad laptops, where a recent security update has blocked the installation of a crucial BIOS update. This problem is linked to changes in the Vulnerable Driver Blocklist and modifications to the WinFlash64.exe file. Lenovo ThinkPad owners receive an error message when attempting to update their BIOS through the BIOS Update Utility or Vantage app. Lenovo is rolling out a new BIOS version 1.61 to address the issue and recommends using Windows Update for the BIOS update. Additionally, Microsoft is phasing out Windows 10, with support ending on October 14, 2025, and encouraging users to upgrade to Windows 11. Over 50% of Windows users still operate on Windows 10, despite the rise in Windows 11 users. Microsoft has been notifying Windows 10 users about potential security risks and offering a streamlined upgrade process to Windows 11, which can be done for free, though it may involve some downtime.

Winsage

March 29, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5516 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5516 (KB5054687) has been released to the Dev Channel. The Dev Channel has transitioned to the 26200 series builds, closing the opportunity to switch to the Beta Channel. The 26200 series is based on Windows 11, version 24H2. Enhancements to Windows Search for AMD and Intel®-powered Copilot+ PCs include semantic indexing for more intuitive searches, allowing users to find documents, photos, and settings using natural language. Users can manage indexed locations in Settings and the feature supports multiple languages and document formats. The improved Windows Search can also locate cloud-stored photos, with users needing to sign into OneDrive for access. A new feature called speech recap has been introduced in Narrator, allowing users to track what has been spoken and providing quick access to the last 500 strings spoken. A streamlined UI for unexpected restarts is being previewed. The Copilot can now be launched with Win + C, and users can personalize their experience through Settings. Click to Do is available from the Start menu and supports intelligent text actions in multiple languages. The Windows share window now includes a visual preview for shared links and image editing capabilities. Several fixes have been made to improve performance and address issues in Taskbar, File Explorer, Login and Lock, Windowing, and Settings. Known issues include problems with Recall and File Explorer crashes for some users. Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel receive updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2, and feature rollouts are monitored for feedback.

Winsage

March 29, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3653 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3653 (KB5053658) has been released to the Beta Channel for users on Windows 11, version 24H2. The update includes new features such as Quick Machine Recovery (QMR), which automatically detects and applies fixes for boot issues, and a speech recap feature in Narrator that allows users to access previously spoken content. The update also introduces a new UI for unexpected restarts, simplifies launching Copilot with the Win + C shortcut, and enhances the Click to Do feature with intelligent text actions in multiple languages. Additionally, the Windows share window now includes a visual preview and image editing capabilities. Various fixes have been implemented for issues in the taskbar, File Explorer, windowing, Windows Update, and Settings. Known issues include problems with Recall and File Explorer crashes for some users.