system tray Archives

Winsage

August 7, 2026

Linux users finally get a real Copilot app, and Microsoft didn’t even make it

Linux is gaining popularity, with Microsoft acknowledging its relevance by introducing applications for the operating system. An unofficial Copilot alternative for Linux, developed by Hayden Barnes, features a dedicated GTK window for the Copilot web application, allowing secure login sessions and integration with the desktop environment. The app supports autostart, system downloads, and hardware permissions, while providing a native GTK design that enhances user experience with desktop accent colors and dark themes. It isolates Copilot from the browser to improve performance. The first public release of the app occurred this week, and its long-term stability and performance will be monitored.

Winsage

July 31, 2026

Announcing new builds for 31 July 2026

New Windows Insider Preview Builds have been released for both the Beta and Experimental channels, featuring renewed Windows Insider flight certificates valid until August 11, 2026. The Experimental channel has already incorporated these renewed certificates. Notable new features include: 1. Adaptive Hibernate Policy: Enhancements to improve instant-on resumes from Modern Standby and battery preservation, with less frequent hibernation above 80% battery and earlier hibernation below 10%. 2. Alternate Taskbar Position: Users can change the taskbar's position to bottom, top, left, or right through Settings. Tooltips, flyouts, and animations will function in alternate positions, but some features are still in development. 3. Smaller Taskbar: A new, smaller taskbar option is available for maximizing screen space, particularly on smaller devices, allowing for smaller icons and reduced height. Users can adjust this setting in Taskbar behaviors.

Winsage

July 29, 2026

Windows 11 is quietly installing OneDrive Photos, another image viewer that nobody asked for

In 2026, Windows 11 users noticed the unexpected addition of OneDrive Photos to the Start menu, a photo viewer and editor installed through a Windows Update or an update to the OneDrive sync client. OneDrive Photos is integrated into the existing OneDrive installation and operates via the executable file located at C:Program FilesMicrosoft OneDriveOneDrive.App.exe. It can scan local files for photos without requiring a Microsoft account and offers functionalities similar to the Microsoft Photos app. Users cannot remove OneDrive Photos independently from OneDrive, and to prevent its installation, OneDrive must be uninstalled entirely. The app includes features like AI-driven cloud search, Optical Character Recognition (OCR), and a People section for organizing faces in images, with privacy assurances regarding facial data.

Winsage

July 18, 2026

I tried this Linux distro that looks like Windows, is made by a Microsoft engineer, and is based on Ubuntu

AnduinOS is a new Linux distribution created by a Microsoft engineer, based on Ubuntu, designed to provide a user experience similar to Windows 11. It offers both Long-Term Support (LTS) and short-term releases, with the latter featuring enhancements over its predecessor. Unlike Ubuntu, which uses Snap packages, AnduinOS utilizes Flatpak for software management, allowing access to a wider range of applications. The desktop environment closely resembles Windows 11, featuring a taskbar, Start menu, and other familiar elements, enhanced by GNOME extensions. Users can customize the taskbar and Start menu extensively, surpassing the customization options available in Windows. The integration of GNOME extensions, such as Clipboard History and Tiling Shell, further enhances productivity and user experience.

TrendTechie

July 12, 2026

Релиз BATorrent 4.0 — BitTorrent-клиента, созданного на C++, Qt 6 и libtorrent-rasterbar

In mid-June 2026, BATorrent released version 4.0, a lightweight BitTorrent client developed with C++, Qt 6, and libtorrent-rasterbar. The source code is available on GitHub under the MIT license, with builds for Windows, Linux, and macOS. Key features include support for magnet links, resumable downloads, sequential downloading, customizable file priorities, and an automatic RSS download feature. The client prioritizes user privacy with no telemetry or analytics, and the only outgoing request is a release check on GitHub. The user interface includes three themes, a real-time speed graph, a detailed tabbed panel, drag-and-drop support, and multilingual options. Privacy features include a PT mode for anonymous connections and a one-click Tor proxy setup. Notifications are integrated with Telegram and Discord, and key improvements in versions 4.0 and 4.1 include an interactive tour, automatic launch after updates, refined protection against automatic updates, and the ability to add torrents via URL.

Winsage

July 12, 2026

Microsoft wants to integrate your smartphone more natively across Windows 11’s user experience

Microsoft is enhancing the Windows 11 user experience by improving the integration of smartphones through significant upgrades to the Phone Link feature. Key upgrades include enhancements to the Phone Companion feature in the Start menu, allowing users to view recent activities and notifications without launching the app. A new smartphone flyout will be tested in the Taskbar's system tray, displaying a phone icon for connected devices and offering quick access to settings and file sharing. Clipboard history synchronization between the phone and PC is also being considered, enabling users to access a comprehensive list of copied content. Additionally, a standalone Messages app for Windows 11 is in development, allowing users to sync SMS conversations and respond directly from their PC. These features are in the exploration and prototyping stages, with feedback from Insiders expected before any final decisions are made. Microsoft aims to create a cohesive ecosystem where smartphones and PCs work seamlessly together.

Winsage

July 12, 2026

Microsoft wants to integrate your smartphone more deeply with Windows 11: Plans major UX enhancements that will make your PC and phone more seamlessly connected

Microsoft is enhancing the Windows 11 shell and user experience by integrating smartphone features more seamlessly. Significant upgrades are planned for Phone Link, which will evolve into a more native experience. The Phone Companion feature in the Start menu will allow users to view recent activities without launching the Phone Link app, enabling easy scrolling and detailed information on hover. A new smartphone flyout is being tested for the system tray, featuring a phone icon that provides an overview of the phone's status and quick access to functions like Do Not Disturb and file sharing. These features are in the exploratory stages, reflecting Microsoft's commitment to integrating Phone Link capabilities into Windows, allowing access to phone files and using the phone's camera as a webcam.

Tech Optimizer

July 7, 2026

Avast Premium Security from Gen Digital – multi-device protection tuned for US households

Avast Premium Security is a multi-device security suite developed by Gen Digital, designed for U.S. households and small offices. It includes antivirus, ransomware protection, firewall, and web shield features. The product offers plans for one device, up to ten devices, or unlimited devices, with pricing around .99 per year for a single device and .99 for up to ten devices. It is compatible with Windows PCs, Macs, Android phones and tablets, and iOS devices. Key features include real-time malware scanning, advanced ransomware shields, phishing site detection, and a configurable firewall. The software operates quietly in the system tray and provides notifications when threats are detected. Avast Premium Security is positioned in a competitive market alongside brands like Norton, McAfee, Trend Micro, and Kaspersky, and is part of Gen Digital's strategy for recurring subscription revenue. The product is available for purchase online and targets U.S. households and small offices seeking comprehensive protection.

Winsage

July 6, 2026

Microsoft may redesign one of its most useful free Windows 11 tools to make it even better

Microsoft has released an update for Windows 11 that improves the Start menu and introduces new customization policies. The PowerToys suite, designed for power users, includes a feature called Awake, which prevents a PC from entering sleep mode. Awake is being redesigned to enhance accessibility and functionality, with a new flyout interface that consolidates key modes into a user-friendly format. Upcoming enhancements for Awake include custom durations for keeping the PC awake and the ability to attach the feature to specific processes. Microsoft is seeking community feedback on these proposals, which may lead to their inclusion in a future stable release.

TrendTechie

July 2, 2026

Релиз BATorrent 3.0 — легковесного BitTorrent-клиента, созданного на C++, Qt 6 и libtorrent-rasterbar

BATorrent 1.0 is a lightweight BitTorrent client released in March 2026, developed using C++, Qt 6, and libtorrent-rasterbar. It is open-source and available on GitHub under the MIT license, with builds for Windows, Linux, and macOS. Key features include support for magnet links and .torrent files, resuming capabilities, sequential downloading, file prioritization, and imports from qBittorrent. It has automatic RSS downloading with regex filtering, duplicate detection, and automatic tracker list generation from Stremio. Streaming is supported with players like VLC and IINA. BATorrent emphasizes user privacy with no telemetry or analytics, and the only outgoing request is a release check on GitHub, which can be disabled. The user interface includes three themes, a real-time speed graph, a detailed tabbed panel, a filter panel, drag-and-drop support, and system tray notifications. It supports multiple languages and prioritizes privacy with features like PT mode for private trackers, one-click Tor proxy setup, and leech blocking. Notifications can be sent via Telegram webhook, and it has enhanced Discord presence status and native OS notifications.