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How to measure and shrink the Windows search index
Winsage
September 18, 2026

How to measure and shrink the Windows search index

The initial storage cost of the search index on a fresh installation of Windows 11 is minimal, only a few megabytes. When a sizable work folder is added, the index expands, but it does not revert to its original size after the folder is removed. The search index is stored in Windows.db for Windows 11 and Windows.edb for Windows 10. Windows 11 has two indexing modes: Classic (default) and Enhanced, with Classic indexing Documents, Pictures, Music folders, and the Desktop, while Enhanced scans the entire PC. The index includes file names and content, allowing keyword searches. Users can measure their index items through Settings without special permissions, while file size requires administrative access via PowerShell. An index under 30,000 items is acceptable for average users, while performance issues may arise beyond 400,000 items, with a technical ceiling of one million items. In an experiment, the index grew from 462 items and 6.71 MB to 3,466 items and 18.66 MB after adding 3,000 text files, but remained at 16.81 MB after deleting those files. To reclaim disk space, users can exclude specific folders from indexing and rebuild the index, which can significantly reduce its size while retaining the same number of items.
Android 17 QPR2 Beta 5: key changes
AppWizard
September 18, 2026

Android 17 QPR2 Beta 5: key changes

Android 17 QPR2 Beta 5 was released on September 15, 2026, with a public rollout for Pixel devices starting the next day. This beta version enhances the Proactive Assistance feature on Pixel 10 and Pixel 11 devices, allowing users more control over personalized suggestions and addressing various bugs. It is a development build for supported Pixel devices and Android Emulator images, with identified builds CP41.260828.004.A8 and CP41.260828.005.A6, and a security patch level dated August 5, 2026. The update package size for the Pixel 10 Pro XL is approximately 667 MB. The notable change in Beta 5 is the introduction of two Proactive Assistance entries in the Settings menu, allowing users to manage proactive suggestions more effectively. The updated settings page includes a "Use app content for suggestions" option, enabling users to control which applications can share screen content and notifications. Google's release notes list several fixes, including issues with Bluetooth device icons, unexpected reboots, missing volume controls, search-field highlight rendering, unlocking Private Space, HDR behavior, Google Wallet touchscreen unresponsiveness, camera crashes, and distorted Bluetooth call audio. The stable release of Android 17 QPR2 is expected in December 2026, and users are advised that Beta 5 is a developmental tool that may contain errors. Additionally, new restrictions on programmatic USSD requests for call forwarding have been introduced to reduce potential fraud.
Microsoft confirms Windows 11's update kills audio on some PCs, and the bugs keep piling up
Winsage
September 14, 2026

Microsoft confirms Windows 11’s update kills audio on some PCs, and the bugs keep piling up

Windows 11 update KB5124008, released on September 8, has caused significant audio issues for users, including failure of audio devices to initialize or produce sound, and problems with microphones and multichannel audio. The update is linked to Explorer.exe crashes, disruptions in File History backups, Remote Desktop difficulties, and GPU issues on certain AMD systems. Microsoft has acknowledged these problems and indicated that the audio issues primarily affect USB Audio Class 1.0 devices. Users may see error logs in Device Manager indicating "This device cannot start (Code 10)." A temporary workaround is to switch to a 2-channel mode, and wireless audio devices appear to be unaffected. Microsoft is working on a permanent solution.
Android System Services Blackout Issue: Mid-September 2026
AppWizard
September 13, 2026

Android System Services Blackout Issue: Mid-September 2026

As of mid-September 2026, Android devices are experiencing a blackout of the “System Services” settings page, which is completely blank. Users are also facing similar issues in the “Google Play Store,” where pages for applications like “Google Play services” are not displaying correctly. This problem has been observed across several devices, including the “Pixel 10,” “Pixel 10 Pro XL,” “Pixel 11 Pro XL,” “Pixel 9a,” and “Nothing Phone (3a),” but does not affect larger-screen devices such as the “Pixel Tablet,” “Pixel 10 Pro Fold,” and “Pixel 11 Pro Fold.”
Announcing new builds for 8 September 2026
Winsage
September 9, 2026

Announcing new builds for 8 September 2026

New Insider Preview builds for Windows 11 are being released for the Beta and Experimental channels, featuring enhancements aimed at improving user experience. 1. Cross-device resume improvements: Users can now continue browsing on their PC from where they left off on their phone, with options to open the webpage in the PC's default browser or install the phone's browser if not already present. 2. Narrator: The Narrator feature has been upgraded to include math reading and navigation support, enhancing accessibility for users who are blind or have low vision, especially in STEM fields. 3. Magnifier: The Magnifier tool now allows each display to maintain its own zoom level, enabling users to set different zoom percentages for multiple screens, improving comfort and clarity when working across different resolutions.
Microsoft Now Lets AI Build Native WinUI 3 Apps for Windows 11 in Under 30 Minutes
Winsage
September 6, 2026

Microsoft Now Lets AI Build Native WinUI 3 Apps for Windows 11 in Under 30 Minutes

Microsoft has released a quick-start guide for developers to create native WinUI 3 applications for Windows 11 in about 30 minutes, using tools like VS Code, .NET 10, GitHub Copilot's free tier, and Microsoft's winapp CLI, without requiring Visual Studio. The guide details project scaffolding, AI integration for features, testing, and packaging as an MSIX installer. The AI agent, winui-dev, is a specialized plugin for WinUI tasks, and developers are encouraged to connect it to the Learn MCP server for updated documentation. This initiative aims to move developers away from web wrappers and Electron-style applications, which use more RAM. Microsoft announced at the Build 2026 conference that "3" will be removed from WinUI's name, reinforcing its long-term stability. WinUI 3 is being integrated into Windows 11 components, although some apps still use WebView2 technology, which consumes more RAM than native options.
Microsoft Releases Two New 26H1 Builds to the Windows Insider Program
Winsage
September 1, 2026

Microsoft Releases Two New 26H1 Builds to the Windows Insider Program

Participants in the Windows Insider Program can now install new builds in the Beta (26H1) and Experimental (26H1) channels, specifically Beta build 28020.2818 and Experimental build 28120.2824. Key updates include: - Personalization enhancements with DIB image support for desktop backgrounds and improvements to the Background settings page, including slideshow support across multiple displays. - Windows Recovery Environment (WRE) enhancements allowing automatic reuse of saved Wi-Fi profiles. - Temporary removal of the modernized Print Management experience for refinement, while traditional tools remain accessible. - File Explorer improvements that retain the state of sections on the Home page. - Magnifier user interface updates with improved icons and spacing. - Inclusion of Emoji 17.0. - Taskbar reliability improvements. - The Experimental build introduces first launch reliability for the new WinUI-based Run dialog.
I spent time with the August Windows 11 Insider builds, and these 8 changes reveal Microsoft’s next phase for the OS
Winsage
August 20, 2026

I spent time with the August Windows 11 Insider builds, and these 8 changes reveal Microsoft’s next phase for the OS

In early August, there were no new Windows 11 builds released for over 15 days in the Windows Insider Program. On August 17, Microsoft released five new preview builds, introducing several features and enhancements. Key updates include a fully customizable context menu, allowing users to tailor options directly from Settings under Personalization, and improvements to the desktop background experience with higher resolution previews and better slideshow transitions. The Camera Roll backup feature now automatically backs up photos and videos to OneDrive. The Magnifier tool received a visual refresh, and the Windows Recovery Environment was upgraded to reuse eligible Wi-Fi profiles automatically. Microsoft also removed the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) tool and the Drag Tray feature while maintaining access to WMI through PowerShell. File Explorer improvements include a faster launch for the "Home" page and touch scrolling support in the "Recommended" section. Minor visual adjustments were made to the Windows Security app, enhancing its alignment with the Windows 11 design language.
Improving File Explorer & Context Menu: faster, simpler, and more customizable
Winsage
August 18, 2026

Improving File Explorer & Context Menu: faster, simpler, and more customizable

File Explorer is a key component of Windows, and Microsoft is focused on improving its performance, reliability, and user experience. Enhancements include faster launch times, reduced freezes and delays, and improved navigation workflows. The Address Bar now supports more input types, and users can open folders in new tabs with middle-click. The context menu has been updated to be faster, simpler, and more customizable, allowing users to tailor it to their preferences. Users can manage built-in commands and app extensions, and there are options to restore layouts familiar from Windows 10. Microsoft is committed to ongoing improvements based on user feedback.
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