transparency effects Archives

Winsage

September 25, 2025

Customize Windows 11 to Restore Windows 10 Features and Style

Microsoft's Windows 11 features a modern interface with centered taskbars and rounded corners, which may be jarring for users accustomed to Windows 10. To recreate the Windows 10 experience, users can modify the taskbar and Start menu using third-party applications like StartAllBack or ExplorerPatcher, or through built-in registry edits. These modifications can restore the classic Start menu, reposition the taskbar, and revert context menus to their previous format. Users can also customize File Explorer to resemble its predecessor by enabling classic folder options and disabling new features. Visual elements such as wallpapers and icons can be changed to Windows 10 themes, and widgets can be disabled for a cleaner desktop. Performance optimizations, including disabling animations, can enhance system responsiveness. However, users should be cautious of potential risks associated with customizations, such as system vulnerabilities, and are advised to source tools from reputable developers and test changes in a virtual machine.

Winsage

July 15, 2025

Microsoft introduces fresh Windows 11 update to help laptops last longer on battery

Microsoft has released an update for Windows 11 that enhances battery life for laptops through a new adaptive energy saver mode. This mode manages power consumption based on the laptop's workload, activating energy-saving features during light activities like web browsing and reducing power during intensive tasks. The energy saver mode dims the display brightness by about 30%, disables transparency effects, and pauses background app activity. The update will also provide more accurate battery estimates and insights into power-hungry applications. Additionally, it includes smarter controls for screen refresh rates and brightness, automatically lowering them when the user steps away. The update is being rolled out in the latest Windows 11 release.

Winsage

July 15, 2025

Microsoft has a new trick to improve laptop battery life on Windows

Microsoft is testing a new adaptive energy saver mode for Windows 11 that aims to enhance laptop battery efficiency by managing energy consumption based on the device's workload. This mode will automatically toggle energy saver settings without changing screen brightness and will be available exclusively for devices with a battery. It is currently being trialed in the Canary Channel and is expected to roll out later this year. Desktop PCs will not support this adaptive mode, but the main energy saver functionality is available for all PCs.

Winsage

July 15, 2025

Microsoft tests new Windows tech to lengthen laptop battery life

Microsoft has introduced a "self-healing" PC technology as part of its Windows 11 Release Preview Channel, featuring an adaptive energy saver designed to enhance battery performance by managing power consumption. This technology activates various power-saving strategies during idle periods or low CPU demand, such as disabling transparency effects, pausing non-essential updates, and limiting background applications, without dimming the screen. The adaptive energy saver is currently in testing and operates on an opt-in basis, requiring users to manually enable it. One of its functions includes halting background syncing with OneDrive.

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.