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Winsage

May 19, 2026

Microsoft announces plans to let you put the taskbar in Windows 11 pretty much anywhere you want

Microsoft is enhancing Windows 11 by improving the configurability of the taskbar and Start menu. Users can now position the taskbar on any edge of the desktop and align the Start button and icons in various configurations. A vertical taskbar option is available in slim or wider variants, and a thinner taskbar is designed for lower resolution displays. The Start menu will feature section-level toggles to show or hide Pinned, Recommended, and All sections, along with options to adjust its size and conceal personal information. The Recommended section will be rebranded as Recent, with improved accuracy in displaying recently installed applications and files. These updates will first be rolled out to Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel over the coming weeks, with a public release expected in the next few months.

Winsage

May 19, 2026

Microsoft is finally bringing the movable taskbar to Windows 11 – here’s who can try it now

Windows 11 users can now reposition their taskbar to the top, bottom, left, or right of their screens with the latest update for Windows insiders. To use this feature, users must be on the latest experimental build and can access it through Taskbar settings. The update also allows users to customize the alignment of the Start button based on the taskbar's position and introduces options for smaller taskbar buttons. However, auto-hide and tablet-optimized settings are not supported in alternate positions, and touch gestures for these locations are still being developed. Additionally, users can expect changes to the Start menu, including independent control over the Pinned and Recommended sections, the ability to disable file recommendations without affecting recent files, size adjustments, and privacy options to hide personal information. Users must enroll in the Windows Insider Program to access these features, with broader rollout timelines remaining uncertain.

Winsage

May 11, 2026

My Windows 11 PC now has the iconic Windows XP taskbar, and it’s weirdly perfect

An enthusiast with a gaming PC featuring an RTX 4070 Ti and 32GB of DDR5 RAM integrated a Windows XP taskbar into their Windows 11 setup using Windhawk, a customization tool. After installing Windhawk, they selected the "WinXP" theme from the "Windows 11 Taskbar Styler" mod, transforming the taskbar into a nostalgic XP version without compromising functionality. Core features like notifications and pinned applications remained intact, and the system tray adopted the XP theme. The user also explored various other mods, including real-time CPU and RAM usage display, a middle-click application close feature, and a volume control center on the taskbar, enhancing their personalized computing experience.

Winsage

May 5, 2026

April 2026 Windows Update Breaks Third-Party Backup Software by Blocking Vulnerable Driver

Microsoft will include the psmounterex.sys driver in its Vulnerable Driver Blocklist in the April 2026 security update, affecting third-party backup applications that use this driver for image mounting and Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) snapshots. This decision addresses CVE-2023-43896, a critical buffer overflow vulnerability. Affected software includes Macrium Reflect, Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, UrBackup Server, and NinjaOne Backup on Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows Server platforms. Users may face issues during image-mount operations, receiving error messages related to VSS timeouts and Code Integrity errors in the Event Viewer. To check if a system is affected, users can look for Event ID 3077 in the Code Integrity Operational log. Microsoft recommends upgrading to newer versions of backup applications that do not use blocked drivers and advises against uninstalling or delaying the April update. Additionally, the update may cause certain Windows Server 2025 devices to boot into BitLocker recovery mode and has led to out-of-band updates for Windows Server update failures and restart loops on domain controllers.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

FEMITBOT Network Abuses Telegram Mini Apps for Crypto Scams and Android Malware

A fraud network called FEMITBOT has emerged, using Telegram's Mini App feature to conduct investment scams and distribute malware. Identified by the research firm CTM360, the network operates through API responses and presents itself as organized. The scams involve Telegram Mini Apps that display phishing pages, fake dashboards showing fictitious earnings, and urgency tactics to pressure users into making quick decisions. FEMITBOT mimics well-known brands like Apple and Coca-Cola to enhance credibility and disseminates Android malware disguised as legitimate applications. The operation is highly organized, utilizing marketing tools to optimize their scams. Users are warned to be cautious of bots requesting deposits before granting access to funds.

AppWizard

April 27, 2026

I turned my $1,000 phone into a 1995 desktop computer with this quirky Android launcher

Most Android launchers focus on functionality, with options like Microsoft Launcher for productivity and Senior Home for a decluttered interface. The author struggles with organization, preferring a chaotic arrangement of apps and files. They decided to transform their Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra into a Windows 95 homage, inspired by nostalgia for the operating system. The community on the r/windows95 subreddit celebrates this legacy. To achieve the transformation, the author used Launcher95, which offers a free and paid version. The app provides a home screen reminiscent of Windows 95, featuring a Start button, alphabetical app listing, and customization options. While initially a novelty, the author found useful features like quick links to webpages. Launcher95 may not suit everyone, especially those with many apps, but it offers a unique charm and can promote a simpler digital experience when used minimally.

BetaBeacon

April 21, 2026

How to Install Steam on Android with ROCKNIX

The text provides a list of Steam-compatible devices from different brands such as AYN, AYANEO, Retroid, and KONKR. It also gives detailed instructions on how to install ROCKNIX on these devices, back up existing ABL, flash ROCKNIX ABL, change boot mode, install Steam, enable Steam Input, change game configs, and adjust ROCKNIX Steam settings. Additionally, it compares the pros and cons of using ROCKNIX versus Android on compatible devices and recommends installing ROCKNIX on a microSD card rather than on the internal storage due to potential risks.

Winsage

April 7, 2026

How to Reset Folder Permissions in Windows 11: 5 Proven Methods That Actually Work

Folder permissions in Windows 11 control access to files, determining who can read, modify, or delete them. Common issues arise from drive or file migration, Windows updates, malware, or user errors. Symptoms include "Access Denied" messages and ownership displayed as "unknown." Methods to resolve folder permission issues include: 1. Security Tab: Reset permissions through the Security tab by modifying access levels and ensuring proper inheritance. 2. Take Ownership: Claim ownership of a folder if the current owner is no longer valid, then reset permissions. 3. Command Prompt: Use commands like PLACEHOLDERfa5c045a85bc6cf0 and PLACEHOLDER14a87b7576573f58 to reset permissions quickly and efficiently. 4. PowerShell: Utilize PowerShell for advanced permission resets, allowing for conditional logic. 5. Windows Reset: As a last resort, reset Windows to restore default permissions while keeping personal files. To prevent future issues, back up permissions before changes, understand NTFS vs. share permissions, and avoid altering system folders. If problems persist, ensure commands are run as an administrator, check ownership settings, and verify that Group Policy or sync tools are not overriding changes.

Winsage

April 4, 2026

7 Ways to Fix Limbus Company Not Launching on a Windows PC

Limbus Company, an indie gacha game, is experiencing technical issues on Windows PCs, with players unable to launch the game. Troubleshooting steps include: 1. Running the game as an administrator by navigating to the installation folder and adjusting properties. 2. Verifying the integrity of game files through Steam. 3. Disconnecting unnecessary USB devices. 4. Performing a clean boot to disable conflicting startup applications. 5. Updating graphics card drivers for compatibility. 6. Disabling integrated Intel GPUs in Device Manager to ensure the use of dedicated graphics cards. 7. Reinstalling the game on a solid-state drive (SSD) for better performance. Players can also contact the game's support service for further assistance.

Winsage

March 11, 2026

5 Windows 11 Features That Are Slowing Down Your Computer

OneDrive automatically backs up essential folders and personalized settings for Windows users, allowing seamless data synchronization upon signing into a Microsoft account. However, uploading data can strain computer resources, particularly RAM and CPU, and consume significant bandwidth. Users can pause syncing by clicking the OneDrive icon, selecting the gear icon, choosing "Pause syncing," and selecting a duration of 2, 8, or 24 hours. Windows 11 features modern transparency effects and smooth animations that enhance user experience but can impact system performance, especially on older hardware with less than 8 GB of RAM. Users can disable these effects by navigating to Settings > Accessibility > Visual Effects and toggling off Transparency effects and Animation effects. The startup apps feature allows essential applications to load automatically at boot, but too many startup apps can prolong boot time and strain resources. Users can manage startup apps by right-clicking the Start button, selecting Task Manager, navigating to the Startup app tab, and disabling unnecessary apps. Windows allows certain applications to run in the background for tasks like notifications and updates, but excessive background apps can hinder performance. Users can prevent specific apps from running in the background by going to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps, clicking the three-dot icon next to the app, selecting Advanced options, and setting Background app permissions to "Never." Windows Update can cause temporary slowdowns, and while blocking updates is not advisable, users can pause updates for one to five weeks by going to Settings > Windows Update and selecting the desired pause duration.