settings page Archives

Winsage

December 3, 2025

How to stop internet results in Search for Windows 11 — get rid of Bing suggestions for a clean, simplified experience

On Windows 11, users can disable web search results on the home page of the Windows Search experience through the Settings app. For Windows 11 Pro users, this can be done via Group Policy by navigating to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer, editing the policy "Turn off display of recent search entries in the File Explorer search box," selecting Enabled, and applying the changes. A reboot may be required to take effect. For both Windows 11 Pro and Home users, web results can also be disabled through the Registry by navigating to HKEYCURRENTUSERSOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows, creating a new key named Explorer, adding a DWORD (32-bit) Value named DisableSearchBoxSuggestions, and setting its value to 1. Restarting the computer will limit search results to system and file-related queries. To revert these changes, the DWORD can be deleted. Web search results in Windows Search refer to online suggestions that appear alongside local files and applications when users input queries.

AppWizard

November 24, 2025

Gemini continues pushing out Google Assistant in a steady rebrand effort

The Gemini app is being updated, with the "Hey Google & Voice Match" settings page renamed to "Talk to Gemini hands-free." Assistant labels are being replaced with Gemini throughout the wake-word setup flow. Google is phasing out the Google Assistant branding, with plans for further rebranding as March 2026 approaches, leading to the retirement of the classic Assistant from most devices. Despite these changes, the core functionality of voice recognition will remain the same, allowing users to still activate the system by saying "Hey Google." The transition will include more instances of Gemini branding replacing old Assistant references across the Android interface.

Winsage

November 18, 2025

Windows Is Becoming An Operating System For AI Agents

Microsoft Windows is evolving to incorporate AI agents that act autonomously, resembling digital coworkers. This shift is facilitated by the Model Context Protocol (MCP), which standardizes agent interactions with tools and data sources, ensuring secure access to system resources. Windows introduces an on-device registry of "agent connectors" for functionalities like file access and system settings, managed through an OS-level proxy that oversees identity, permissions, consent, and audit logging. The initial connectors focus on File Explorer and System Settings, defining clear capabilities and restrictions for agents. A transparent consent model allows users to manage permissions easily, promoting a user-friendly experience. The introduction of an Agent Workspace provides a dedicated environment for agents, ensuring they operate independently and with least-privileged access. Security measures include signed connectors and a standardized proxy for authentication and auditing, enabling visibility into agent actions. Windows is also expanding on-device AI processing with APIs for various functionalities, allowing agents to leverage local models securely. While Windows is not becoming an agent-first operating system, it is establishing a framework for human and agent interactions, positioning itself as a safe environment for AI operations. The foundational elements for this evolution include standard interfaces, clear permissions, isolated environments, and system-level observability.

Winsage

November 17, 2025

First Windows 10 ESU Patch Tuesday release fails for some

Microsoft is facing installation issues with the first Extended Security Update (ESU) for commercial Windows 10 customers, specifically update KB5068781, which fails to install on devices activated through the Microsoft 365 admin center, resulting in the 0x800f0922 error. Microsoft has acknowledged the issue and is investigating it, but no fix or workaround is currently available. This incident follows another ESU failure that occurred just days prior, prompting Microsoft to release an out-of-band patch. The latest update was intended to fix a previous glitch that incorrectly indicated a user's version of Windows had reached the end of support.

Winsage

November 12, 2025

Microsoft Suddenly Issues Emergency Update For Windows 10 Users

Microsoft has released an emergency update for Windows 10 users who cannot install essential security updates. This update targets users not enrolled in the extended security updates (ESU) program, which has been made complimentary following the end-of-life for Windows 10. The update resolves an issue preventing affected customers from receiving security updates and includes fixes from the October 14, 2025, security update. Users can install the update (KB5071959) by checking for updates in the Windows Update settings and restarting their devices. Some users, particularly in Europe, are experiencing challenges with ESU enrollment, including temporary unavailability and error messages. The update was released on November 11, coinciding with the monthly security updates.

Winsage

November 11, 2025

Microsoft releases KB5068781 — The first Windows 10 extended security update

Microsoft has released the KB5068781 update, which is the first extended security update for Windows 10 since the operating system reached its end of support last month. This update follows the final cumulative update on October 14, which ended bug fixes and free security updates for Windows 10. Extended security updates (ESU) are available for consumers and business customers for up to three years, depending on the account type. Consumers can enroll in the ESU program through payment, Microsoft reward points, or Windows Backup synchronization. In the European Economic Area, additional options include free access with a Microsoft account or payment for a local account. Business customers can utilize the ESU program for three years at a total cost of 0 per device. A bug has affected some devices' enrollment in the ESU program, prompting Microsoft to issue an emergency fix. Users can install the update via Settings and Windows Update. The update is mandatory and will automatically install, requiring a device restart. After installation, Windows 10 ESU will be upgraded to build 19045.6575, and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 will be updated to build 19044.6575. The update primarily addresses a bug that incorrectly indicated Windows 10 LTSC devices had reached their end of support. It also includes security updates that fix 63 vulnerabilities, including one actively exploited elevation-of-privilege vulnerability, with no known issues reported.

Winsage

November 7, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7070 (Dev & Beta Channels)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7070 (KB5070300) has been released to both the Dev and Beta Channels, offering the same builds for Windows 11, version 25H2. Users in the Dev Channel can switch to the Beta Channel while both channels are on the same build. The update includes new features such as customizable default dashboards in Widgets, numbered badges on the Widget Board navigation bar, enhancements to Quick Machine Recovery, updates to Smart App Control allowing toggling without a clean install, reintroduction of people icons in File Explorer, and temporary disabling of certain features in File Explorer. Fixes include addressing issues with desktop interactions, File Explorer functionality, taskbar settings, and Settings navigation. Known issues involve problems with the Start menu and system tray visibility, as well as flickering in the copy progress dialog in dark mode. Updates are based on Windows 11, version 25H2 and may not be released beyond Windows Insiders.

AppWizard

November 7, 2025

Windows 11 Phone Link app is losing Photos feature, Android gallery moving to File Explorer

The Microsoft Phone Link app will soon disable the ability to view photos directly from the phone’s gallery, consolidating photo access within File Explorer. Users will receive an alert when accessing the “Photos” section of the Phone Link app, indicating that photo viewing is transitioning to File Explorer, which offers enhanced photo management features such as multi-select, copy and paste, and drag-and-drop functionality. Unlike the Phone Link app, File Explorer allows access to the entire mobile storage, including videos. Users can enable mobile device visibility in File Explorer through the “Manage mobile devices” settings. Windows 11 integrates paired phones into File Explorer, allowing users to view all files on their mobile devices. The Phone Link app’s Photos section will redirect users to File Explorer, where the camera folder is displayed, but accessing other images requires navigating through directories. The transition may present a steeper learning curve for users accustomed to the Phone Link app’s streamlined photo access.

Winsage

November 4, 2025

Microsoft wrongly tells supported Windows 10 PCs they’re out of support, nudges Windows 11

Microsoft has acknowledged a bug affecting some Windows 10 users, incorrectly notifying them that their systems are “out of support.” Users can extend their Windows 10 support at no cost until October 13, 2026. The misleading message appears even when the user’s PC remains fully supported. This issue potentially impacts users on Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, Education editions with ESU enabled, as well as Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 and IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021. Users will continue to receive updates if they are on Windows 10 LTSC or linked to ESU. Microsoft is rolling out a server-side fix for the false alert, which is expected to disappear within 24 to 48 hours. Users can verify their installed version or edition by navigating to Settings > System > About. Microsoft has provided a rollback option for IT administrators to address this issue.

AppWizard

October 24, 2025

This Hidden Android Setting Makes Managing Apps Easier And Quicker

Smartphones can become cluttered with seldom-used apps, affecting user experience. Android users can declutter by archiving apps, which can be done automatically through the Google Play Store or manually via the Settings menu. To enable automatic archiving, users should go to the Google Play Store, tap their profile icon, navigate to Settings, expand the General tab, and toggle on the Automatically archive apps option. This will archive infrequently used apps when storage is low. For manual archiving, users can open Settings, select Apps, choose the app to archive, and tap Archive. Archived apps appear grayed out and dimmed in the app drawer. To restore an archived app, users can tap it in the app drawer or go to Settings > Apps > [archived app] and select Restore. Users can opt out of automatic archiving for specific apps by going to Settings, selecting the app, and toggling off the Manage app if unused option.