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Winsage

May 2, 2026

Microsoft is finally turning off the MSN feed and ads in Windows 11 Widgets by default

Microsoft has modified the default behavior of the Widgets feature in Windows 11, confirming that the MSN feed will no longer be displayed by default when users hover over the Widgets icon. This change is being gradually rolled out through the Windows 11 Insider Experimental Preview Build 26300.8346. The updated Widgets experience includes several modifications: - The Widgets board will no longer open on hover; users must click the Widgets icon to access it. - Taskbar badging for breaking news and alerts will be turned off by default. - Animated taskbar alerts will only appear after user interaction with the Widgets board. - Upon first launching the Widgets board, users will see core widgets like weather and calendar instead of the MSN news feed. Users can manually customize their Widgets experience by disabling the "Open Widgets board on hover" option, turning off the MSN feed, or completely removing Widgets from Windows 11. Additionally, a redesign of the MSN feed is planned, featuring rounded corners to distinguish it from the Widgets. Microsoft aims to create a calmer operating system by reducing distractions and excessive notifications.

Winsage

May 2, 2026

New Windows Insider Experience Starts Rolling Out to Some Canary Testers

Microsoft's Windows Insider program has transitioned Dev Channel testers to the new Experimental Channel and is expanding this initiative to include Canary testers on the 28000 series builds, who will also move to the Experimental (26H1) Channel. The new Windows Insider experience introduces feature flags in Windows Update settings, allowing testers to toggle features on and off. Microsoft plans to roll out new features through Controlled Feature Rollouts (CFRs) and has stopped gradual feature rollouts on the updated Beta Channel. Recently, Microsoft released four new builds available via downloadable ISOs. Canary testers on 29500 series builds will soon transition to the "Experimental (Future Platforms)" Channel and can currently download build 29580.1000, which includes a revamped Feedback Hub with a 500 MB file upload limit and design improvements. For Canary testers on the 28000 series, the transition to the "Experimental (26H1) Channel" follows the installation of build 28020.1921, which enhances the Task Manager app. Insiders who moved from the Dev Channel to the Experimental Channel can download build 26300.8346, featuring improvements such as a Widgets board that remains closed by default, a redesigned Run dialog, promotional app recommendations in Windows Share for Microsoft Entra account users, sharper file thumbnails in File Explorer, and enhanced Windows Magnifier functionality. The Beta Channel build 26220.8340 includes similar Windows Share improvements and minor UI enhancements for Task Scheduler. The Beta Channel is set to transition to a new experience that will eliminate Controlled Feature Rollouts.

Winsage

May 2, 2026

Microsoft tests modern Windows Run, says it’s faster than legacy dialog

Microsoft has introduced a modernized Run dialog in the latest preview build of Windows 11, version 26300.8346. This updated Run dialog features a sleek design, dark mode support, and improved performance, achieving a median response time of 94 milliseconds compared to the legacy version's 103 milliseconds. The Browse button has been removed due to low usage statistics, with less than 0.0038% of users engaging with it. New functionalities include support for the ~ command for quick access to the home directory and the addition of icons in the command list. Users can enable or disable the modern Run feature through the Advanced Settings menu. The update also includes improvements to the Windows Share UI for Azure Active Directory users and enhancements to the Magnifier tool, which now offers zoom levels ranging from 5% to 400%. The Windows 11 Build 26300.8346 is available for download from the Experimental Channel.

Winsage

May 2, 2026

Microsoft to Enable Windows 11 Updates to Be Skipped During Install or Even Paused Indefinitely by Users

Microsoft is enhancing the out-of-the-box experience for Windows 11 users by allowing them to skip updates during initial installation on consumer devices. Users can now pause updates for up to 35 days and re-enable this pause multiple times. Additionally, the shutdown and restart options during update installations have been revamped, allowing users to shut down or restart their devices without triggering the update process. These changes aim to provide users with greater control over their update experience while maintaining security.

Winsage

May 1, 2026

Microsoft brings a Linux-style window trick to Windows 11 via PowerToys, and I can’t go back

Microsoft's PowerToys version 0.99 introduces two new tools: Grab And Move and Power Display, along with enhancements to the Command Palette Dock. Grab And Move allows users to reposition application windows by holding the Alt key and dragging anywhere on the window, facilitating easier window management. Users can customize the activation key and toggle the feature off during gaming sessions. There are also options to exclude specific applications from using this feature. Power Display enables users to manage monitor settings directly from the system tray, including brightness, contrast, volume, rotation, and color temperature adjustments. It supports multi-monitor setups with DDC/CI standards and includes a Profiles option for saving specific monitor settings. The Command Palette Dock now features a compact mode and customization options for pinned commands, improving user accessibility and screen space utilization.

Winsage

May 1, 2026

Xbox mode is now available on PC Windows 11

Microsoft has begun rolling out a dedicated Xbox mode for Windows 11 PCs, providing a full-screen console interface that enhances the gaming experience. Users can switch between this Xbox mode and the standard desktop by pressing the Win and F11 keys. The new interface is optimized for modern gamepads and reduces background processes by 15%, improving performance during gaming. It includes a built-in library for easy access to the Xbox catalog, Game Pass, and other digital storefronts like Steam. Early access to the mode can be obtained through the update center, with a gradual rollout planned. Users will eventually be able to set the Xbox app as the default Home app for quicker access to gaming.

AppWizard

April 30, 2026

You Can Now Choose Which Games Use Quick Resume On Xbox

Microsoft is rolling out updates for Xbox consoles and the Xbox PC app as part of the April Xbox update, following a successful testing phase with Xbox Insiders in March. The update includes improved Quick Resume functionality, allowing users to toggle it off for online games that require a stable internet connection. Additionally, users can now pin more groups of games to their home screen, select custom colors for the Xbox interface, and access their play history. The Xbox app for PC has been enhanced to allow any gamepad to control the mouse cursor, pin favorite games, and add installed apps or games to the Xbox library. These updates reflect a strategy initiated by new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, who has also reduced the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tier.

AppWizard

April 30, 2026

Google AI is creeping into every app on your phone. Here is how to disable it

Google has integrated its Gemini AI into various applications, including Gmail, Google Drive, Messages, and Google Photos. There is no universal switch to disable AI across Android devices due to varying manufacturer implementations. Users can selectively disable AI features in specific apps: - Google Messages: Disable Gemini by going to Messages settings and turning off the Gemini option. - Gmail: Turn off Smart features in Google Workspace and other Google products through the Gmail settings. - Google Photos: Disable Gemini features in Photos settings under Preferences. - Phone app: Disable AI features like Call Screen in the Phone app settings under Call Assist. - Pixel Screenshots: Disable the AI feature for searching screenshots in the Pixel Screenshots app settings. Disabling the Gemini app itself will remove its integrations and deactivate AI features on the device.

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

Denuvo has been cracked in all single-player games it previously protected — 2K Games and Denuvo reportedly retaliate with mandatory 14-day online checks

The skull-and-bones community has declared that there are no games utilizing Denuvo that remain uncracked or bypassed. The MKDev collective and DenuvOwO developed a hypervisor-based bypass (HVB) in late 2025, which intercepts Denuvo's verification checks. The cracker voices38 successfully removed Denuvo from several titles, including Resident Evil: Requiem. Denuvo has since implemented a 14-day mandatory online check for certain games, complicating the HVB method. The latest version of HVB requires users to disable Core Isolation and Driver Signature Enforcement to run games. The community includes notable figures like repacker FitGirl, who has acknowledged the collaborative efforts of DenuvOwO and voices38.

Winsage

April 29, 2026

AI may be coming to Windows 11’s Clock app as Microsoft turns it into a focus tool

The upcoming Focus feature in the Windows Clock app includes enhancements aimed at improving user productivity, such as integration with Tasks, a visually appealing interface, analytics on focus sessions, and customization options. It will leverage the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) in newer Windows PCs, particularly enhancing the Insights feature, although the NPU page in the test version is mainly for debugging. The current test version lacks traditional elements like the clock and timer, featuring a modernized aesthetic with rounded corners. Users can customize their experience with music playback, volume adjustments, and background images. The redesigned tasks pane allows sorting by various criteria and includes options for AI-generated suggestions. Integration with Microsoft To Do is seamless, and a feature called Reflection prompts users to evaluate their focus sessions. An Insights page for focus sessions is under development, and initial tests show the new app consumes nearly double the RAM of its predecessor. The Settings page offers extensive customization options, including focus and break durations, and hints at future integration with e-learning platforms. Users can enable Focus insights to monitor concentration levels and pause sessions when needed. The timeline for the rollout of the new features remains unclear.