taskbar Archives

Winsage

February 23, 2025

12 Settings You Should Immediately Change On Your New Windows Laptop

Windows 11 introduces new features and settings that may require adjustments for user preferences. 1. To clean up the lock screen, go to Settings > Personalization > Lock Screen and set "Lock screen status" to "None" or select a relevant widget. Uncheck "Get fun facts, tips, tricks, and more on your lock screen" for a minimalist appearance. 2. To move the Start menu back to the left, navigate to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar and change the alignment to "Left." You can also customize pinned apps in the Start menu. 3. To trim down notifications, visit Settings > System > Notifications and disable unnecessary notifications or set up Do Not Disturb. 4. To disable the advertising ID, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > General and turn off "Let apps show me personalized ads by using my advertising ID." Also, disable "Show me suggested content in the settings app." 5. To reduce Windows location permissions, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location and disable permissions for specific apps. 6. To disable inking and typing personalization, navigate to Settings > Privacy & Security > Inking and Typing Personalization and toggle it to "Off." Consider disabling "Online speech recognition" under Privacy & Security > Speech. 7. To turn off diagnostic and feedback settings, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Diagnostics & feedback and turn off "Send optional diagnostic data." 8. To disable delivery optimization, navigate to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Delivery optimization and set "Allow downloads from other PCs" to "Devices on my local network." 9. To disable Copilot, go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar and toggle off Copilot or uninstall it via Apps > Installed Apps. 10. To disable Recall, navigate to Settings > Privacy & Security > Recall & Snapshots and turn off the "Save snapshots" toggle. 11. To remove unwanted apps, use tools like Geek Uninstaller or Revo Uninstaller to thoroughly uninstall applications and clean up leftover files. 12. PowerToys, a collection of utilities from Microsoft, can enhance productivity and can be downloaded from GitHub or the Microsoft Store. Disable any unused utilities after installation to conserve resources.

Winsage

February 22, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3291 (Dev and Beta Channels)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3291 (KB5052080) has been released for the Dev and Beta Channels, introducing enhancements for Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs. Key updates include an improved Windows Search feature that allows users to find cloud-stored files directly from the taskbar search box and a refined Recall (Preview) experience, which will delete previous snapshots but continue saving new ones if enabled in Settings. For Beta Channel users, the same updates are available as optional upgrades, with plans to make them recommended later this year. Insiders can switch from the Dev to the Beta Channel while both channels share identical build numbers, but this option will close once the Dev Channel progresses to higher build numbers. The improved Windows Search feature supports finding cloud-stored photos by describing them, available for users signed into OneDrive with a personal Microsoft account. Support for third-party cloud providers is expected soon. The update also includes fixes for live captions, File Explorer reliability, and issues with Remote Desktop. Known issues include inaccuracies in build version display after a PC reset and problems with Recall not saving snapshots automatically. An update to the Snipping Tool introduces a new trim feature for screen recordings, allowing users to adjust start and end times.

Winsage

February 22, 2025

4 Windows 11 features that make me regret upgrading

Windows 11 has become popular among users, but some experience frustrations with its features. The Copilot feature is heavily integrated, prompting users to engage with it frequently, which many find intrusive. The redesigned Start Menu is seen as cluttered and less user-friendly compared to Windows 10, requiring customization for better usability. The Widgets button on the taskbar has become a distraction, leading many to disable it for improved focus. Windows 11 frequently upsells Microsoft services, requiring a Microsoft account and inundating users with promotional notifications. Overall, users feel that navigating Windows 11 has become adversarial, prioritizing notifications over user experience and complicating basic usability.

Winsage

February 21, 2025

Windows tests long-awaited changes to Start, Share, and Search

Microsoft has released two test builds of Windows 11: Insider Preview Build 22635.4950 (KB5052078) in the Beta Channel and Insider Preview Build 26120.3291 (KB5052080) as an optional release in both Beta and Dev Channels. Build 26120.3291 introduces a semantic search capability, allowing searches by descriptive terms, but is limited to Qualcomm-powered Snapdragon PCs. Users of the Recall feature will lose all saved snapshots during the upgrade process. Build 22635.4950 tests a new Share interface that simplifies file sharing through a drag-and-drop mechanism. The Start menu will receive new configuration options, including a grid view and a "categories" view for app organization. These updates will be available to Windows Insiders receiving updates for Windows 11, version 24H2.

Winsage

February 21, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4950 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4950 (KB5052078) has been released to the Beta Channel for Insiders not upgrading to version 24H2. This update includes new features such as a drag tray for easier file sharing, and two new views (grid and category) in the Start menu. Improvements include enhanced text scaling support in File Explorer, fixes for taskbar app window previews, and corrections for Japanese name formatting in Settings. Known issues involve delays in app icon appearances in the Start menu and slow closing of File Explorer for some users. Insiders can enable a toggle for immediate updates via Settings > Windows Update. Features may change or not be released based on testing and feedback.

Winsage

February 20, 2025

5 new Windows 11 features should hit your PC soon

Microsoft has released Build 26100.3321 to the Release Preview Channel for Windows 11, introducing several new features: - A color-coded battery icon with a percentage indicator has been added to the Taskbar to help users manage battery life. - Users can now turn off or snooze backup reminders in File Explorer. - Windows Spotlight has improved visibility for the "Learn more about this picture" icon and includes a "Like" button for content curation. - A taskbar sharing feature allows users to share files directly from applications using a right-click option. - The Narrator's updated scan mode includes new commands for more efficient text navigation. These features will be rolled out gradually, with some expected to reach the general public soon.

Winsage

February 19, 2025

The Windows 11 Release Preview channel update finally makes the battery indicator useful

Microsoft has introduced an enhanced battery indicator in the Windows 11 Release Preview build version 26100.3321. The new feature includes a color-coded system for battery status: a green icon indicates charging, a yellow icon signals energy-saving mode (activated at 20% battery or less), and a red icon alerts users to low battery levels. Users can also display the battery percentage in the system tray by enabling the “Battery Percentage” option in Settings > Power & battery. The update is being rolled out gradually, so not all users will see it immediately. Other features included in the rollout are file sharing via the taskbar and improvements to Windows Spotlight. Resources are available for users interested in the Windows Insider Program.

Winsage

February 19, 2025

Why was Windows 95’s setup text-based? After 29 years, a veteran Microsoft Engineer admits “MS-DOS could do graphics,” but the company opted for a lackluster UI — as Windows 3.1 runtime already checked the missing boxes

On August 24, 2025, Windows 95 will celebrate its 30th anniversary. Microsoft Engineer Raymond Chen explained that the setup process for Windows 95 was primarily text-based due to the challenges of implementing graphics in MS-DOS, despite its technical capabilities. The graphical setup would have required intricate programming and optimization, as MS-DOS graphics were primitive and relied on slow BIOS calls to plot pixels. Windows 95 had a minimum VGA video card requirement, which simplified installation, but managing planar modes for effective graphics rendering was complex. The setup program needed dialog boxes, a window manager, and keyboard support, with additional challenges posed by accommodating non-alphabetic languages. Including animations would have required a scheduler for event management, and the limited storage capacity of 640KB further complicated the process. Although Windows 3.1 had the components for a graphical setup, the justification for creating a new installation process for Windows 95 remains questionable.

Winsage

February 19, 2025

These Windows 11 registry hacks will turn you into a PC pro

The Windows Registry Editor is accessed by pressing Win-R, typing regedit, and confirming with “OK.” The registry files are located in “C:WindowsSystem32config” and user-specific files in “C:Users[username].” The five main branches of the registry are: - HkeyCurrentUser: Configuration settings for the current user. - HkeyLocalMachine: Global settings for all users, requiring administrative rights for changes. - HkeyUsers: Contains user IDs for system profiles. - HkeyClassesRoot: Manages file name extensions and program shortcuts. - HkeyCurrentConfig: Links to keys under HkeyLocalMachineSystemCurrentControlSetHardware ProfilesCurrent. Users can create subkeys and values, which can be of different types. To modify the registry, select a key, use the “New” context menu, and double-click to edit. Creating a backup of the registry is recommended before making changes, which can be done using the Registry Backup Portable tool. To restore the registry, select the most recent backup and click “Restore Now.” Microsoft’s Process Monitor can be used to analyze registry values by filtering for “RegSetValue” and tracking changes. Certain registry values are restricted from modification for security reasons, such as the “widgets” feature in Windows 11. However, methods like batch files and PowerShell scripts can override these protections. Windows transmits diagnostic data to Microsoft, impacting user privacy. Tools like O&O Shutup10 and W10Privacy help manage telemetry settings.

Winsage

February 18, 2025

Windows 11’s February update breaks File Explorer and more

The update KB5051987 for Windows 11 24H2 aimed to enhance security and user experience but has led to numerous issues. Users have reported unresponsiveness in File Explorer, with the application freezing or failing to open. Some users experience a black desktop, and attempts at system restoration or reinstallation have not resolved the problems. Many users are unable to install the update due to persistent error messages, leading to an endless update loop. Clearing the software distribution folder may help, but patience is required. Camera functionality has also been affected, with systems failing to recognize webcams. Additional issues include performance drops during gaming, installation errors in Windows Sandbox, glitches in taskbar preview animations, and some users being unable to boot into Windows. Uninstalling the update is an option for those facing severe issues, but it leaves systems vulnerable until Microsoft addresses the problems.