Seattle Archives

Winsage

May 1, 2026

Windows quality update: Progress we’ve made since March

The Windows Insider Program is undergoing changes to improve transparency and user control. Two main channels, Experimental and Beta, are being introduced, with the Beta channel eliminating controlled feature rollouts. Users will have the ability to select features in the Experimental channel and switch between channels more easily. Updates to the Feedback Hub are aimed at enhancing user experience. Windows updates will now be consolidated into a single monthly restart, providing users with more flexibility. AI features are being refined, with a focus on intentional integration. File Explorer is receiving architectural improvements for better performance, and there will be more control over widgets and notification settings. System performance enhancements include memory optimization and improved app launch responsiveness. Upcoming features include Taskbar customization, and the team is engaging with Insiders in various cities for feedback.

Winsage

April 29, 2026

Microsoft open-sources 86-DOS 1.00, the ancestor of Windows

Microsoft has made the source code for 86-DOS 1.00 available on GitHub to celebrate its 45th anniversary. 86-DOS, developed by Tim Paterson, was foundational for MS-DOS and Windows. This release is part of Microsoft's effort to preserve historically significant software. Microsoft previously released the source code for MS-DOS versions 1.25, 2.11, and 4.0. A team of historians and preservationists has gathered and transcribed DOS-era source listings, including the 86-DOS 1.00 kernel and development snapshots of the PC-DOS 1.00 kernel. Microsoft acquired 86-DOS from Seattle Computer Products for approximately ,000 and modified it to deliver PC-DOS 1.0 in August 1981, which became known as MS-DOS for IBM-compatible computers.

Winsage

April 25, 2026

Microsoft is Officially Rebuilding Windows 11 Again to Satisfy Users

Microsoft is committed to improving Windows 11 based on consumer feedback, particularly from Windows Insiders. The company has formed a team of product experts to enhance the Windows experience and is actively reviewing feedback from testers. A highly requested feature, a movable taskbar, is confirmed to be in development and has been showcased in recent preview builds. Microsoft plans to implement changes influenced by user input, with a focus on performance, reliability, user-friendliness, and overall experience, including significant updates expected in 2026. Anticipated enhancements include redesigning legacy interfaces, improving multitasking, expanding Virtual Desktop customization, allowing taskbar and Start menu resizing, introducing a faster File Explorer, creating a cleaner Notification Center, reducing reboots during updates, offering flexible update pause controls, and minimizing upsell prompts during setup. The company emphasizes a renewed focus on stability and responsiveness driven by user feedback.

Winsage

April 23, 2026

Microsoft says it’s ‘directly influenced’ by feedback from Windows 11 users when it comes to fixing the OS

Microsoft is committed to enhancing Windows 11 by engaging with user feedback, particularly from its community of testers. During a meeting with Windows Insiders, leadership emphasized their influence from user insights. Pavan Davuluri, head of Windows, expressed excitement about focusing on user feedback, particularly addressing fundamental issues rather than adding new AI features. Microsoft plans to revamp Windows 11 by 2026, but skepticism exists among users regarding the company's sincerity in improving the operating system. Common criticisms include concerns about the team's passion for the product and accusations that UX designers prioritize aesthetics over quality. To overcome skepticism, Microsoft needs to demonstrate tangible improvements and effectively address bugs and enhance quality assurance processes.

Winsage

April 23, 2026

Microsoft says it’s rebuilding Windows 11 around what users actually want: performance, reliability, quality and craft

Microsoft is committed to enhancing Windows 11 based on consumer feedback, particularly from the Windows Insiders community. A dedicated team of product experts and engineers is guiding this initiative, analyzing user feedback collected over recent months. Microsoft has been engaging with critical feedback since early 2026, with increased attention lately. Future changes to Windows 11 will be influenced by user suggestions, which are treated as valuable contributions. Upcoming features include improvements to legacy interfaces, multitasking capabilities, a faster File Explorer, a cleaner Notifications Center, fewer reboots during updates, the option to pause updates indefinitely, and reduced upsells during the Out-Of-Box Experience. Eighteen major improvements have already been identified, with more expected.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

NBC SPORTS ANNOUNCES ITS COMPLETE 2026 WNBA REGULAR-SEASON SCHEDULE ACROSS NBC, PEACOCK, AND NBCSN

NBC Sports has announced its schedule for the 2026 WNBA regular season, marking the league's return to NBC after over 20 years. The season will debut on May 17, 2026, with a game featuring the Las Vegas Aces against the Atlanta Dream. A total of 22 regular-season games will be broadcast on NBC, Peacock, and NBCSN. The season will include all 15 teams, with the addition of the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo. Key matchups include the Dallas Wings hosting the New York Liberty on May 24 and a rematch between the Fever and Aces on July 12. NBC Sports will also cover the WNBA Playoffs, including the Semifinals and Finals. The production team includes notable figures like Sue Bird, Cheryl Miller, Maria Taylor, and LaChina Robinson, with the "Roundball Rock" theme incorporated into the coverage.

Winsage

April 8, 2026

You’re invited. Windows Insiders meetups are back

Marcus leads Design and Research across Windows & Devices, overseeing aspects from Windows and Windows Cloud to user experience research and industrial design for Surface and Xbox. He has expanded into the Windows Insider Program to enhance community engagement and believes successful products arise from collaboration between developers and users. Recently, he has sought feedback from Insiders to improve the program, leading to several enhancements. The first Insider meetup took place in Seattle, allowing community interaction with the Windows product team. Marcus plans to visit five additional cities for similar events: New York City (April 21), Hyderabad (May 7), Taipei (May 13), San Francisco (June 4), and London (June 23). The team aims to improve communication, user control over features, and will share further details on these improvements soon.

Winsage

April 8, 2026

Microsoft Announces a Series of Windows Insider Meetups

Microsoft is organizing a series of Windows Insider meetups to improve user experience and community engagement, starting with an event in New York City on April 21. Additional meetups are scheduled for May 7 in Hyderabad, May 13 in Taipei, June 4 in San Francisco, and June 23 in London. Marcus Ash, head of Design and Research for Windows & Devices, will participate in these events to discuss the Windows Insider Program and gather user feedback. Microsoft plans to make changes to the Windows Insider program based on user input, aiming to enhance the overall experience.

Winsage

March 31, 2026

Microsoft Reduces Copilot Integrations in Windows 11 — Campus Technology

Microsoft is recalibrating its approach to integrating Copilot within Windows 11, focusing on quality and user experience rather than rapid AI expansion. Pavan Davuluri, president of Microsoft's Windows + Devices division, emphasized three core pillars for enhancing Windows 11: performance, reliability, and "craft." The company plans to reduce Copilot's presence by eliminating "unnecessary Copilot entry points" in applications like Snipping Tool, Photos, Widgets, and Notepad, responding to user feedback about clutter and distraction. While scaling back on consumer-facing Copilot features, Microsoft will continue to develop AI for developer tools, background functionalities, and enterprise features. Upcoming changes include the option to reposition the taskbar, improvements to File Explorer, more reliable file operations, and modifications to Windows Update. The company aims to decrease OS-level crashes, enhance Bluetooth and USB stability, and strengthen Windows Hello biometric authentication. Microsoft also plans to revamp the Windows Insider Program and engage with the Windows community through in-person meetups.

AppWizard

March 25, 2026

‘Is my mom okay?’: Boy watching ‘Minecraft’ movie hears his mother getting shot in head

A 5-year-old boy witnessed his pregnant mother, Monique Aldridge, being fatally shot in the head by her ex-boyfriend, Vaughn Boatner, in Hayward, California, on May 11, 2023. Boatner entered the home by sliding under a partially open garage door. He fled to Seattle after the shooting but was later apprehended. Aldridge's boyfriend was also severely injured in the attack. Boatner was sentenced to 35 years in prison after pleading no contest to voluntary manslaughter and attempted murder. The boy, unharmed, was found safe by responding officers, and it was revealed that he was the child of both Aldridge and Boatner. Aldridge and her boyfriend had recently argued over a minor disagreement. Boatner confronted Aldridge about their son's safety before the shooting. Aldridge's boyfriend locked the boy in a closet for protection during the chaos. Boatner's sentencing occurred on March 19, and Aldridge's family is committed to supporting her son.