Settings Archives

Winsage

August 14, 2026

Windows has a secret database that makes your old games

Microsoft's Windows operating system has developed intricate compatibility mechanisms over decades to ensure that older games can run on modern machines. It maintains compatibility databases that recognize software with known issues and applies specific fixes, known as shims, which adjust the OS's responses to meet the game's expectations without modifying the game's executable. Users can also manually apply fixes through Compatibility settings, allowing them to emulate earlier operating system behaviors and address specific issues. The compatibility shims can modify interactions with APIs, file handling, system privileges, and display scaling. Microsoft provides AppHelp warnings for applications with known compatibility issues and maintains a comprehensive compatibility database located at C:WindowsAppPatch. Users can access this database and explore compatibility settings using the Windows ADK and the Compatibility Administrator tool.

Winsage

August 14, 2026

Microsoft Issues New Release Preview Channel Builds

The Windows Insider Program has released two new builds in the Release Preview Channel, introducing several enhancements for Windows 11. Key updates include: - Taskbar: Users can position and resize the Taskbar on any side of the screen. - Start Menu: The Start menu is now resizable and features a Recent section, replacing the Recommended section, with independent toggles for Pinned, Recent, and All items. - Windows Search: A streamlined home view allows users to choose whether to display web and Store results. - File Explorer: Improvements focus on performance and touch scrolling for smoother navigation. - Design: Updated progress indicators appear during startup, sign-in, restart, shutdown, and update installations. - Windows Share: A suggested app interface has been introduced for improved sharing options. - Administrator Protection: This feature returns but is disabled by default. - Additional Minor Updates: Enhancements have been made across multiple desktops, display settings, Task Manager, Setup, Windows Update, and more. Further refinements include: - File Explorer: Improvements in file size displays, middle-click support, and enhanced file thumbnails. - Windows Search: Adjustments for better accommodation of typos and partial app names, with results based on user Settings. - Additional Minor Changes: Updates across Start, Widgets, Touchpad, Windows Hello, and other components.

BetaBeacon

August 14, 2026

KONKR Pocket Advance Review: A Superb $89 Starter Android Handheld

- KONKR Pocket Advance specifications include a 3.5" LCD display, MediaTek Helio G90T CPU, 3GB or 4GB RAM, 32GB or 64GB storage, 4,000mAh battery, active cooling fan, Android 12, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C, microSD card slot, 3.5mm headphone jack, dual speakers, rotor vibration motor, gyroscope, and available in navy, coral, and grey colors. - The device is designed to resemble the original GAME BOY Advance with modern enhancements while maintaining a nostalgic design. - The display is a 3.5" LCD with a resolution of 960 x 640 and an aspect ratio of 3:2, suitable for upscaling GBA games by 4x. - The device has a textured matte feel, no metal or glass, and features soft, quiet buttons with a premium feel. - The Pocket Advance has a large Micro SD card slot, two speaker grills, USB-C charging port, 3.5mm headphone jack, and volume wheel. - The device runs on Android, offers good emulation performance for consoles like PlayStation 1, GAME BOY Advance, SEGA Game Gear, and SEGA Mega Drive. - Battery life ranges from 4 to 10 hours, with an average of around 6 hours. - The KONKR Pocket Advance is compared to the RG34XX and Pocket Air Mini, offering a competitive price, good build quality, and performance for retro emulation.

AppWizard

August 14, 2026

Google ordered to remove scary warnings when installing third-party app stores

U.S. District Judge James Donato has ordered Google to simplify the installation process for rival Android app stores to eliminate barriers that discourage users from exploring alternative marketplaces. The judge criticized Google's practices as "anticompetitive friction" and mandated changes to ensure users can install alternative app stores as easily as any other Android application, giving Google one week to implement these changes. The ruling follows a previous antitrust victory for Epic Games, which found that Google maintained an illegal monopoly over Android app distribution and in-app billing services.

Winsage

August 14, 2026

Microsoft warns users to install Windows 11’s latest update within 3 days, 400+ security bugs fixed

Windows 11's August 2026 Patch Tuesday update has been released, addressing 421 security vulnerabilities, including 400 specific to the Patch Tuesday release. The update rectifies at least 37 remote code execution bugs and five elevation-of-privilege vulnerabilities. Microsoft advises users to implement the update within three days for security. The update includes fixes for other Microsoft products like Entra, Office, and Teams. Users should verify their Windows 11 build number, with recommended versions being 26200.9168 for 25H2 and 26100.9168 for 24H2. The update is identified as KB5121003 and may require up to two reboots to apply fully. Key areas of focus in the update include the kernel, Remote Desktop, DNS, DHCP, SMB, and Windows Defender Firewall. Microsoft emphasizes the importance of timely updates and recommends limiting the deferral period for quality updates to less than three days.

Winsage

August 13, 2026

Slapping Windows 11 PCs with a Copilot key was a terrible idea, and it’s already outdated as Microsoft just released a new icon

On January 4, 2024, Microsoft introduced a dedicated Copilot key on its keyboards as part of its "year of AI-powered Windows PCs." This key has since become standard on newer PCs, including mini PCs, but is showing signs of obsolescence. Microsoft has integrated Copilot with Microsoft 365 Copilot, creating a unified Copilot Super app for a streamlined user experience. A new icon for Copilot has been announced, with its rollout already in progress. The Copilot key, a physical feature on millions of PCs, raises questions about hardware longevity amid rapid software changes. Microsoft has historically faced challenges with hardware design updates, as seen with the Start menu icon. The new Copilot icon's appearance on new PCs remains uncertain, with speculation suggesting a rollout may not happen until 2027 or 2028. Users will have the option to remap or disable the Copilot key on Windows 11 PCs due to challenges it has posed for some, particularly those relying on the Right Ctrl key. Microsoft plans to release a Windows update allowing users to customize the Copilot key's function.

Winsage

August 13, 2026

1 in 3 Windows users have ‘fallen into a reset trap’ and can’t escape Edge — I think it’s high time Microsoft stopped messing around with default browser choices

A survey by the Browser Choice Alliance (BCA) found that 26% of Windows 11 users had Edge set as their default browser without consent, with 7% feeling 'stuck' with it. Older users, particularly those over 65, reported difficulties in changing their default browser, with 44% describing the process as "complex" and 61% lacking confidence in selecting their preferred browser. Over 70% of participants faced challenges when trying to change their default browser, highlighting obstacles in navigating away from Edge. Critics, including Mozilla, have accused Microsoft of using misleading tactics to promote Edge, and there is a disparity in treatment between regions, with stricter guidelines in the EU leading to a more consumer-friendly approach.

Winsage

August 13, 2026

Your Windows 11 PC is getting a dozen small upgrades this week

Recent updates to Windows 11 have introduced several enhancements, including: - File Explorer now displays file sizes in more intuitive units (MB or GB for larger files, KB for smaller files). - Users can open folders in new tabs using the middle mouse button from the address bar and Start page. - Voice control improvements filter out background noise for clearer command recognition. - Windows Search provides smarter results even with typographical errors. - Touchpad gesture settings have been updated to adjust scroll and zoom speeds and enable accelerated scrolling. - Windows Hello now supports external fingerprint readers. - An expansion of updated Secure Boot certificates has been announced for more PCs. - After the August Patch Tuesday update, Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2 have build numbers 26200.9165 and 26100.9165, respectively, with features being rolled out gradually.

Tech Optimizer

August 13, 2026

PSA: Don’t trust that Chrome update popup

Users of Chromium-based browsers, including Google Chrome, Brave, and Opera, are experiencing deceptive pop-ups that falsely claim a "Critical Update Required" or "Update available." These notifications are part of a scam designed to trick users into downloading malware disguised as software updates. Clicking on these prompts can lead to the download of harmful scripts, such as .vbs or .exe files, which traditional antivirus software often fails to detect. The issue is linked to compromised browser extensions that fetch malicious scripts from external servers. A specific extension, QuickLens – Search Screen with Google Lens, has been identified as a source of these pop-ups and has been removed from the Web Store. Other extensions, like “Enable Right Click & Copy Smart Unlock + OCR,” have also been implicated despite their popularity. Users are advised not to click on any links or run downloaded files and to check their browser settings for legitimate updates, as well as to audit and disable suspicious extensions.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

3 Apps You Can Sideload On Android Auto

Transforming an old tablet into an Android Auto head unit involves activating developer mode and enabling "Unknown Sources" to sideload applications. Alternatively, third-party tools like Android Auto Apps Downloader (AAAD) can be used to integrate unofficial apps. Sideloading carries risks, as these apps are not officially vetted and may malfunction after system updates. CarStream is a sideloaded app that allows users to access YouTube on their car display without rooting their phone, making it useful during parked moments. Fermata Auto is an open-source media player that plays local media files from a phone or hard drive, ideal for offline use. Screen2Auto mirrors a phone's display onto the car screen, allowing access to any app, but should be used with caution while driving.