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AppWizard

August 25, 2025

Microsoft rolling out Spotify cross-resume between Android and Windows 11 for Insiders, more apps to follow

To enhance the Spotify experience on Windows 11, users must first ensure the Spotify app is installed, which can be done via the Microsoft Store. Participation in the Windows Insider Program is required to access the feature. Users should navigate to the settings menu, select "Windows Update," and choose "Windows Insider Program" to register. After signing up, users need to download the Microsoft Link to Windows app on their Android device from the Play Store and sign in with their Microsoft account. Enabling access to the Android phone involves going to Windows 11 Settings, selecting "Bluetooth and devices," and toggling "Allow this PC to access your mobile devices" to On. The feature is being rolled out gradually, and Microsoft is encouraging developers to integrate it into their applications.

Winsage

August 25, 2025

Microsoft slowly rolls out a button allowing Windows 10 users to refuse Windows 11

Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, and has introduced an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program that allows individual users to pay for continued security updates. A new feature will soon appear in the Windows Update section of the Settings menu to facilitate enrollment in the ESU program, which will be accessible to all users before the end-of-life date. Users can still enroll in the ESU program for a year after the support ends, even if they see the enrollment button after the deadline. Standard users will need to pay annually for these updates, but there are alternatives to access ESU, such as syncing settings to OneDrive or using Microsoft Rewards points.

Winsage

August 22, 2025

You can search for files in Windows using Copilot now

Microsoft has introduced a new feature called "semantic file search" in its Copilot AI, allowing Windows users to find files using natural language queries within the Copilot app. Users can describe the type of file they need without knowing its exact name, improving upon previous search methods. To use this feature, users must have a Copilot+ PC and be members of the Windows Insider Program, as it is currently available only on the latest Windows 11 insider builds. The search function operates within the Recents folder, scanning only recently accessed files stored locally. Copilot can locate various file types, including image files, PDFs, Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and text files. Users can also adjust permissions for what Copilot can access through the settings menu. Additionally, the Copilot app includes a "Get guided help with your apps" feature that initiates a Copilot Vision session for real-time assistance based on screen content. Microsoft is gradually rolling out these features, and users can check their Copilot version to confirm access to the new file search capabilities, which should read 1.25082.132.0 or higher.

Winsage

August 18, 2025

Microsoft Store disables opting out of automatic app updates

Microsoft has changed its approach to automatic updates for apps in the Microsoft Store, limiting users to a maximum delay of five weeks for updates. After this period, updates will be installed automatically, regardless of user preference. This change raises concerns about the balance between security and user control, as mandatory updates aim to enhance security and stability but may also lead to risks associated with automatic installations. Users may prefer to postpone updates due to potential dissatisfaction with changes in app functionality.

AppWizard

August 18, 2025

This could be my new PDF scanner app once Microsoft Lens is taken away

Microsoft Lens is integrating into Copilot, prompting users to seek alternatives like PDFgear Scan, a mobile scanning app that utilizes AI for document processing. Upon launching PDFgear Scan, users access its core functionalities directly, though newcomers may find this disorienting. The app offers various scan modes and organizational tools, but customization options are limited. It successfully scans documents with impressive OCR performance, even in challenging conditions, and allows saving extracted text in formats like DOCX, though it lacks advanced formatting options. PDFgear Scan excels in receipt tracking, efficiently capturing key data and allowing users to verify or modify information. It includes a search function with filters for categorizing purchases. While it offers basic editing tasks and signature creation, edited receipts may lose their original recognition. The app features an AI chatbot for querying scanned documents, but its accuracy can be questionable. PDFgear Scan is a free alternative to Microsoft Lens, providing a user-friendly interface and effective scanning capabilities, particularly for receipt management, but it lacks some specialized features of Microsoft Lens.

AppWizard

August 18, 2025

How To Password Protect Your Android Apps (And Why You Might Want To)

Google has introduced security features for Android devices to enhance user privacy, including the "Private Space" feature for password-protecting specific applications. To enable Private Space, users must navigate to Settings, then Security & Privacy, select Privacy, and find Private Space. Users can set a different password from their screen lock for added security and can choose various authentication methods. Apps can be transferred to Private Space by pressing and holding the app icon and selecting the option to install it there. The Private Space feature is available only for devices running Android 15 or newer. Users should check their Android version in Settings under About phone or About tablet. For added privacy, using a separate Google account for protected apps is recommended to reduce risks associated with account compromise.

Winsage

August 17, 2025

Microsoft’s “Dark Mode” Could Finally Expand to Windows 11 Legacy Apps Like File Explorer in Upcoming Updates, Fulfilling a Long-Awaited User Request

Microsoft is set to implement a broader dark mode feature in Windows 11, which has historically been limited to core system interfaces. Recent developments indicate that File Explorer will receive a dark mode upgrade, as seen in Windows 11 build 26100.5061, where dialog boxes adopt a darker interface when dark mode is activated. This update includes support for dark mode in file operation dialogs. Additionally, an AI agent has been introduced in the Settings section to provide context-sensitive suggestions. Users are looking forward to a more expedited rollout of dark mode across all legacy applications, with expectations for a full-scale rollout targeting the 25H2 update window.

Winsage

August 16, 2025

Don’t miss the deadline — you need Microsoft’s free security update before Windows 10 stops receiving support

Microsoft has released a free update for Windows 10 that allows users to access Extended Security Updates (ESU) until October 2026, following the end of standard support this October. The update, KB5063709, includes an option to "Enroll in Extended Support Updates" on the Windows Update page. Users can either use 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points for a local account or pay a fee to extend coverage for up to 10 PCs linked to a single Microsoft account. An enrollment wizard will be available through notifications and the Settings menu to assist users in selecting their ESU enrollment option. As of now, Windows 10 has a market share of 42.99%, while Windows 11 has 53.39%. Windows 11's 23H2 version will stop receiving security updates on November 11, 2025, and consumer editions have a maximum of 24 months of support. Users must upgrade to versions 24H2 or 25H2, expected in September or October, to continue receiving updates.

Winsage

August 15, 2025

Microsoft Fixed the Bug That Kept People From Signing Up for Windows 10 Extended Updates

Microsoft has announced an extension of service updates for Windows 10 for an additional year, until October 13, 2026, in response to user dissatisfaction over the original discontinuation date of October 14, 2025. Users must actively sign up to receive these extra updates, or support will end as scheduled in 2025. A bug that previously hindered enrollment has been resolved, allowing users to register for the extended updates. The sign-up process requires users to navigate to Settings, select Update & Security, and proceed to Windows Update. This extension is available only to consumers, not commercial users, and without enrollment, security updates will not be activated.

Winsage

August 15, 2025

I replaced my Windows PC with Lenovo’s SteamOS handheld – and didn’t regret it

Lenovo has launched the Legion Go S, a handheld gaming device running on SteamOS, priced at 9. It features an 8-inch display, ergonomic design with textured grips, and hall-effect analog sticks. The device is powered by an AMD Ryzen Z2 Go processor, AMD Radeon GPU, and 16GB of RAM, performing well with lightweight games but struggling with demanding AAA titles. Battery life lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes for intensive gameplay and about two hours for lighter games. The Legion Go S competes with the Steam Deck, offering a touchscreen and 120Hz refresh rate, while the Steam Deck has a 7.4-inch OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate and is lighter at 1.4 pounds compared to the Legion Go S at 1.62 pounds.