system settings Archives

Winsage

June 15, 2025

5 Windows settings you should disable right now to improve your PC’s security

Adjusting operating system settings is essential for safeguarding your digital environment. To enhance security on public Wi-Fi networks, disable the network discovery feature by navigating to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced Network Settings > Advanced Sharing Settings and toggling off "Network Discovery" for both Public and Private Networks. It is advisable to turn off the File and Printer Sharing setting in the same menu to further protect your system. To manage Clipboard History, which saves everything copied, right-click the Start button, go to Settings > System > Clipboard, and toggle off Clipboard history to prevent sensitive information from being stored. You can control background apps by navigating to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps, selecting the app, and choosing 'Never' under 'Background Apps Permissions' to prevent it from running in the background. To disable Remote Assistance, go to Settings > System > About > Advanced System Settings > Remote tab and uncheck the option for Remote Assistance connections. For Remote Desktop, toggle off the Remote Desktop option in Settings > System. To prevent Windows from automatically reconnecting to previously used public networks, navigate to Settings > Network and Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage Known Networks and uncheck the Connect Automatically When in Range box for those networks.

Winsage

June 13, 2025

macOS 26 Tahoe vs Windows Vista: Who did glass better?

Apple announced a visual redesign called Liquid Glass, set to debut with macOS 26 Tahoe. This design features transparency effects in context and dropdown menus, system controls, and the Control Center, where elements exhibit a glass-like quality. The dock allows icons to have varying translucency, with options for classic, dark, clear, or tinted versions. However, some inconsistencies exist in the beta version, such as tinted icons lacking transparency. The glass effects are present in many of Apple's apps, with navigation panes on a glass-like surface and floating menu buttons that are translucent. In comparison, Windows Vista's Aero Glass was noted for its impactful use of transparency in title bars and window borders, creating a sense of depth and enhancing user experience. Although Apple's Liquid Glass is meticulously designed, it may come across as too subtle compared to the more pronounced Aero Glass effects. The impressions of macOS 26 Tahoe are based on the initial developer beta, and improvements are expected before its public release later this fall.

Winsage

June 10, 2025

6 essential steps that Windows 11 users often miss after a fresh install

Many users overlook crucial default settings after installing Windows 11, which can lead to performance issues, privacy vulnerabilities, and complications during recovery. Key settings to configure include: 1. System Restore: This feature is disabled by default and allows users to revert system files and settings to a previous state. To enable it, users must access the System Properties page, select the main drive, click Configure, and turn on system protection. 2. BitLocker Recovery Key: Windows 11 automatically activates BitLocker on new installations. Users should back up their recovery key in their Microsoft account to avoid issues during startup. 3. Power Settings: Users should adjust power settings to prevent underperformance. This includes selecting "Best Performance" for both "Plugged in" and "On battery" modes and configuring screen and sleep timeouts. 4. Privacy Settings: Windows 11 collects diagnostic data by default. Users can enhance privacy by turning off features like "Find my device," "Personalized offers," and "Advertising ID," as well as disabling optional diagnostic data transmission. 5. Device Drivers: Users should verify that all device drivers are correctly installed, as the operating system may not install drivers for critical components. This can be checked in Device Manager, and updates can be managed through Windows Update. 6. System Backup: Establishing a backup is essential for data protection. Users can set up regular backups using the "Backup and Restore" feature by connecting an external drive and following the setup process in Control Panel.

Winsage

June 3, 2025

Microsoft adds quick machine recovery to Windows 11 settings

Microsoft is piloting a new dedicated page within Windows Settings under System > Recovery to enhance machine recovery processes. This feature allows users to toggle recovery options, configure automatic solution searches, set check frequencies, and determine restart timings for fixes. It is currently available to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel using Windows 11 24H2 and will soon be accessible to Dev Channel Insiders. Quick Machine Recovery (QMR), introduced as part of the Windows Resiliency Initiative in November, allows IT administrators to address boot issues remotely. When activated, QMR boots devices into the Windows Recovery Environment to initiate the Quick Machine Recovery Tool if Windows fails to start. Microsoft plans to enable QMR by default in Windows 11 Home editions, while enterprise customers can customize it in Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise.

Winsage

May 30, 2025

Microsoft sees Windows Update as the unified platform for all software updates

The orchestrator manages updates by scheduling them based on user activity, system performance, and power availability. It supports MSIX/APPX and Win32 applications and provides custom installer support through additional executable packages. Users receive updates via Windows notifications, and a consolidated update history is available in system settings. The orchestrator aims to deliver a consistent management experience across Windows 11 products, offering centralized logs and policy enforcement for IT teams. However, enterprises with hybrid or air-gapped systems require robust support for localized deployment. The unified platform may raise compliance concerns for organizations with strict regulatory requirements, necessitating clear accountability between independent software vendors and Microsoft, along with pre-deployment validation.

Winsage

May 29, 2025

This is what data your Windows PC is actually sending back to Microsoft

Windows collects telemetry data, which includes hardware specifications, installed software, and system events, but does not reveal personally identifiable information. This data is encrypted and sent via HTTPS during significant events like system crashes. Users can manage optional data collection settings during initial setup or in the Privacy section of the Settings app, with enterprise versions offering more control. Mandatory data collection in Windows is more extensive than in macOS, while Linux has minimal data collection due to its decentralized structure. Users can disable some data collection, but some information will always be gathered unless advanced measures are taken.

Winsage

May 23, 2025

Microsoft to Make Windows Agentic for New Web Experience

Microsoft is transforming Windows into an agentic AI platform, a significant evolution in its operating system history. At the Microsoft Build 2025 event, CEO Satya Nadella discussed the need to update legacy internet systems for the rise of AI agents, likening this phase of generative AI to past technological revolutions. Microsoft is developing an ‘agentic web’ to allow intelligent agents to interact with data and users. To support this, the Model Context Protocol (MCP), developed by Anthropic, will be embedded in Windows, enabling AI agents like GitHub Copilot to perform tasks beyond code generation, such as installing software and modifying system settings with user consent. Microsoft introduced Foundry Local, a tool that allows AI features to run offline on PCs, enhancing response times and privacy. The company also launched Copilot Tuning, enabling enterprises to customize AI agents using their own data and workflows. Additionally, Microsoft announced NLWeb, an open standard to convert any website into an agentic platform, facilitating AI agents' understanding and interaction with web content. Microsoft is collaborating with companies like Tripadvisor to implement NLWeb for autonomous travel arrangements.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Pixel Phones Get a Taste of Material 3 Expressive in Android 16 Beta

Google I/O 2025 has concluded, and the Android 16 QPR1 Beta has been launched, introducing the Material 3 Expressive design language. This update is the first Quarterly Platform Release following the stable Android 16 Beta program and is primarily aimed at developers and testers. It enhances user experience with a fresh visual design, which will also extend to Wear OS 6. Key features of the update include a redesigned user interface with increased space for widgets and apps, new system icons in the status bar, a colorful quick settings panel, expanded customization options, and enhanced controls for home and lock screens. The beta is available for various Pixel devices, including Pixel 6, 7, 8, and 9 series, as well as Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet.

Winsage

May 22, 2025

Screw the Windows Search Bar, and Use Command Palette Instead

Mac users utilize Spotlight for searching applications, files, calculations, and web browsing, while Windows users have the Search Bar, which is less versatile. Command Palette is a new keyboard launcher for Windows, replacing PowerToys Run, allowing users to execute commands, search the web, find files, and create custom bookmarks with global keyboard shortcuts. Command Palette is part of PowerToys, which can be downloaded from GitHub, the Microsoft Store, or via the Windows Package Manager. After installing PowerToys version 0.9 or higher, users can enable Command Palette in the settings and customize its keyboard shortcut. Users can search for files by selecting the File search option and typing the desired term, and they can switch between open windows and execute commands in the Terminal. The hidden package manager WinGet allows users to install applications via Command Palette without opening the Terminal. Users can also enhance Command Palette with third-party extensions, which are currently limited but may expand in the future.

Winsage

May 21, 2025

5 Windhawk modules I couldn’t use Windows 11 without

Windhawk is a tool for customizing the Windows 11 interface, allowing users to make significant modifications to their operating system. It provides various mods, including: - Vertical Taskbar Mod: Restores the ability to reposition the taskbar and customize its width and jump list alignment. - Taskbar Labels Mod: Allows users to display labels for app icons, customize label text, combine apps, and adjust taskbar width, with options for increasing label font size. - Start Menu Syler Mod: Enables users to apply themes to the Start menu, including options that mimic the Windows 10 look. - Classic Explorer Navigation Bar Mod: Restores familiar items to the File Explorer navigation bar, enhancing user experience. - Classic Context Menu Mod: Reverts the context menu to a more familiar format, improving accessibility to options. Windhawk also offers a portable installation option and encourages users to create a restore point before installation to safeguard against potential issues. The platform features a marketplace for various modules, allowing users to customize their experience further.