third-party applications Archives

Winsage

July 24, 2025

Someone rebuilt Windows XP in the browser for pure nostalgia

Microsoft's Windows XP, launched in 2001, has a lifespan of over 17 years and has inspired a developer to create a web-based simulation called Win32.run. This project recreates a fictional instance of Windows XP using web technologies, allowing users to explore a simulated file system and interact with embedded programs. The developer originally created the simulation as a tribute to the operating system from his childhood, using the Svelte framework, SvelteKit, and Tailwind CSS. However, the project was halted due to significant breaking changes in SvelteKit that made the codebase difficult for other developers to understand. The simulation operates on a client-side architecture, enabling users to run it locally in their browsers. There are also ongoing efforts to transform various editions of Windows into web applications, with projects ranging from simple browser-based simulations to more complex emulation tools. For a more immersive experience, users can run legacy operating systems like Windows XP in dedicated virtual machines using modern desktop hypervisors such as VMware Workstation.

AppWizard

July 24, 2025

You can now lock your Windows machine via an Android phone app you may already have

Users can now lock their PCs remotely through the Link to Windows app on Android, enhancing security by allowing users to secure their device with a "Lock PC" button. This feature disables the Phone Link functionality while the computer is locked. To use this feature, users must have Link to Windows version 1.25071.165 or later installed.

AppWizard

July 23, 2025

Google Photos could soon get a surprising third-party integration (APK teardown)

Google is experimenting with a new feature in its Google Photos app that allows users to edit their Memories using CapCut, a video editing tool owned by ByteDance. An "Edit in CapCut" button has been found in version 7.38 of the Google Photos app, enabling users to edit auto-generated highlight reels of past photos and videos. If CapCut is not installed, tapping the button prompts a download from the Play Store; if it is installed, the memory is sent to the CapCut editor. However, CapCut is not available in certain regions, such as India, where this feature was first discovered. The integration raises questions about Google's promotion of a non-Google app, especially one owned by a company facing scrutiny. The feature has not yet been broadly rolled out or included in the app's beta version.

Winsage

July 22, 2025

Copilot+ PCs powered by Intel and AMD still trail behind Snapdragon counterparts — even with experimental features

Microsoft has introduced new Copilot+ experiences for AMD and Intel-powered PCs through recent Windows Insider Builds. The "describe image" action in Click to Do has been made available to these users starting with build 26200.5710, after previously being accessible only to Snapdragon X-powered devices. This feature provides detailed descriptions of images, charts, and graphs to enhance accessibility, particularly for blind and low-vision users. The Narrator tool has also been improved to generate rich descriptions of visual content. Users can activate this feature by pressing the Narrator key + Ctrl + D. Additionally, Microsoft is collecting logs to address performance issues and has updated the lock screen widget experience for Windows Insiders. A new section in Settings allows users to see which third-party applications have recently used generative AI models. There is a noted disparity in feature rollout between Snapdragon X and AMD/Intel-powered PCs, with Snapdragon devices receiving updates first.

Winsage

July 20, 2025

Miss Windows XP? You Can Now Relive It Right In Your Browser

Windows XP was launched in 2001 and is known for its user-friendly interface and improved performance. A new project allows users to experience Windows XP in their web browsers through an interactive emulation hosted on win32.run. This version replicates the original boot animation and desktop layout, includes classic games like 3D Pinball Space Cadet, Solitaire, and Minesweeper, and allows navigation of a functional file system. Users can save files, install third-party applications, and use an updated version of Microsoft Word. The emulation also features media content from the original Windows XP launch. Flash games can be played by downloading them and running them within the emulated environment.

Winsage

July 20, 2025

A Windows Insider user discovers an undocumented ‘Shared audio’ feature in the latest build — quick setting allows you to play audio through multiple outputs

Microsoft has introduced a new 'Shared audio' feature in the latest Windows Insider build, allowing users to stream audio across multiple devices or speakers. This feature can be accessed via a button in the Quick Settings panel, where users can select connected audio devices and initiate audio sharing. Currently, Windows does not have a native solution for simultaneous audio output to multiple devices, and users often rely on unreliable methods or complex third-party applications. The feature's broader rollout is unconfirmed, and its compatibility with Bluetooth devices is uncertain. Users can join the Canary Channel to explore this feature, but it may come with instability and no guarantee of availability for all Insiders.

Winsage

July 19, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.4741 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.4741 (KB5062678) has been released to the Beta Channel for users on Windows 11, version 24H2. This update includes new features, enhancements, and fixes. Key features include the "Describe Image" action in Click to Do for AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs, which provides detailed descriptions of images to enhance accessibility. Additionally, Narrator now offers rich image descriptions on Copilot+ PCs. Changes include updates to lock screen widgets and a new settings page for viewing third-party applications using generative AI models. Known issues include installation rollback errors and problems with touch navigation in the Start menu.

Winsage

July 18, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5710 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5710 (KB5062676) has been released to the Dev Channel. A new "describe image" action is now available in Click to Do for AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs, enhancing accessibility by providing detailed descriptions of images, charts, and graphs. This feature was previously available for Snapdragon-powered devices. Additionally, Narrator now generates richer image descriptions for blind and low-vision users on AMD and Intel-powered devices. Users can activate this feature using the Narrator key + Ctrl + D. Windows performance logs will be collected when PCs experience sluggish performance, and users are encouraged to provide feedback to help resolve issues. The Click to Do feature is undergoing a trial to remove the search box from its top bar. Lock screen widgets are being updated with widget suggestions, and users can view which third-party applications have recently utilized generative AI models in the Settings menu. There are known issues, including a rollback error (0x80070005) during the update installation and touch navigation problems in the new Start menu. Live captions may crash when using live translation, and some Xbox Controllers may cause a bugcheck when connected via Bluetooth. The Microsoft Changjie Input method is also experiencing issues with word selection.

Winsage

July 17, 2025

Hate Windows 11? Here’s how you can make it work more like Windows 10

User feedback has significantly influenced the evolution of Windows 11, particularly regarding changes to the user interface that differ from Windows 10. Early adopters expressed frustration, but many have adapted over time, while some still prefer the previous interface. Microsoft removed a considerable amount of legacy code, overhauling key components like the taskbar, Start menu, and File Explorer, which has disoriented some users. Microsoft has responded to feedback with updates, including the reinstatement of the Task Manager option in the taskbar's right-click menu and improvements to search functionality in version 22H2, as well as a redesign of File Explorer in version 24H2. Users can reposition the taskbar and Start button, but the ability to move the taskbar to the top or sides of the screen is still missing. A significant redesign of the Start menu is being tested. Keyboard shortcuts can help users navigate the new layout, and users can disable the widgets feature through Taskbar settings. Third-party applications like ExplorerPatcher, Open Shell, Start11, and StartAllBack offer customization options to revert to a more traditional layout, though they may pose compatibility risks with future updates.

AppWizard

July 15, 2025

How does your phone know so many private details? How thousands of apps are exploiting mysterious indoor location tracking

In 2023, a family at an amusement park experienced technology's impact on privacy when the park's app used geolocation to notify a waiting parent about fast-track entry. Spanish researchers investigated how apps exploit Bluetooth and Wi-Fi permissions to track users indoors, even without GPS. Their findings, to be presented at the Pets privacy conference, reveal that 86% of 9,976 analyzed Android apps collect sensitive data, including location coordinates. The study highlights ethical concerns regarding data sharing and potential misuse, as information can track individuals' movements and identify sensitive activities. Many apps use software development kits (SDKs) that include hidden location tracking features, with 52 SDKs identified in nearly 10,000 apps installed on around 55 billion devices. The Android Advertising ID allows companies to track users and create detailed profiles based on location data, raising ethical dilemmas about privacy and the commodification of personal information.