UI Archives

Winsage

August 22, 2026

Windows 11’s legacy UI cleanup continues as Microsoft updates one of its oldest dialogs

Microsoft has introduced a revamped AutoPlay dialog box in the latest Windows Insider build, utilizing WinUI for improved performance and visual consistency. The updated AutoPlay interface supports dark mode and retains familiar functionalities, with notifications now docked in the notification center. A new accessibility feature, Open apps maximized, allows application windows to open automatically in a maximized state. Users can manage camera, microphone, and location access for desktop apps on an individual basis, with permissions reviewed in Settings > Privacy & security. Existing app permission decisions remain unchanged. PDF and non-HTML files can now be previewed in File Explorer, and the Microsoft Store update supports in-app purchases in packaged WinUI 3 apps. Recent builds have fixed taskbar animation issues and improved mouse cursor visibility in certain applications. The Settings section has been updated to display version numbers for packaged apps.

Winsage

August 21, 2026

New Windows 11 build brings automatic PDF previews to File Explorer for Insiders

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Experimental Preview builds 26340.9233 (26H2) and 28120.2760 (26H1), featuring enhancements such as automatic PDF preview support in File Explorer and in-app purchase capabilities for WinUI 3 applications in the Microsoft Store. The 26H1 build addresses a bug causing the mouse cursor to be invisible in some applications but has a known compatibility issue that may prevent some users from launching PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS. The AutoPlay dialog has been revamped with WinUI, supporting dark mode and improved responsiveness. A new accessibility setting allows apps to open maximized by default, enhancing usability for screen readers and magnification tools. Users can manage camera, microphone, and location permissions for individual desktop applications, providing more control over privacy. File Explorer now supports automatic previews for PDF and non-HTML files, and the Microsoft Store update allows in-app purchases for packaged WinUI 3 apps. Bug fixes include resolving taskbar animation issues and ensuring visibility of the mouse cursor.

AppWizard

August 21, 2026

Did you know the Gallery app on your Samsung phone has a secret menu? Here’s how to find it

Samsung's Gallery app has a hidden menu called Gallery Labs that offers additional features beyond the well-known tools. To enable Gallery Labs, users must open the app, access the menu, go to Settings, tap on About Gallery, and then tap the version number ten times. Once enabled, users can lock albums with a PIN or fingerprint, create slideshows with selected items, save images as PDFs, add a seek bar for videos, enable a timeline view for albums, and turn off video previews. Gallery Labs is regularly updated, and users can reset settings or disable the menu if needed. Similar hidden features exist in other Samsung apps like Wi-Fi settings and My Files.

AppWizard

August 19, 2026

This sideloaded Android Auto app is my favorite way to watch YouTube and browse the web in my car

Xtream Player is a sideloaded Android Auto application that offers stable YouTube access and web browsing capabilities, outperforming previous apps like Fermata Auto and Screen2Auto. It allows users to connect to platforms like Plex, access phone folders, view images, and stream internet radio. The app features fluid swipe navigation and a responsive on-screen keyboard, enabling users to log into their YouTube accounts for personalized content. However, it has a quirky user interface and some glitches, such as a persistent pop-up related to video playback safety. Xtream Player originated as a fork of Fermata Auto and requires users to enable Developer Mode on their Android devices for installation. Users must grant extensive permissions for the app to function properly, raising potential privacy concerns. Official YouTube support for Android Auto is expected later this year.

Winsage

August 18, 2026

Microsoft Vows To Fix Windows 11’s ‘Cluttered And Sluggish’ Right-Click Menu

Microsoft has released an update in its Insider Experimental Preview build for Windows 11, specifically Build 26340.9212, featuring a redesigned right-click menu in File Explorer that is more aesthetically pleasing and organized intuitively. This update includes a customizable dropdown menu for app extension options, addressing a banding issue with image previews, and introducing various enhancements such as updated "Get Started" screens, a modernized Magnifier tool, and upgraded Emoji 17.0 designs. Additional changes include new entry points for the Camera Roll Backup feature, the removal of the deprecated Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line, and the discontinuation of the Drag Tray. The update aims to improve performance and user interface experiences, particularly in File Explorer.

Winsage

August 18, 2026

The 32-year-old Windows placeholder that Microsoft says is now a permanent feature

The Windows Format dialog box was initially created in late 1994 by Microsoft engineer Dave W. Plummer as a temporary solution during the transition from Windows 95 UI to Windows NT. It has remained largely unchanged for over three decades, retaining many of the same options and layout, despite the advancements in Windows 11's design. The dialog box has effectively functioned over the years, leading to a lack of updates or complaints from users. Additionally, the FAT32 format limit of 32GB, also established by Plummer, persisted until it was raised to 2TB in 2024, although the maximum file size remains at 4GB. Windows 11 features many elements from older versions, including the Windows 7 personalization menu and the Disk Management utility, showcasing a blend of nostalgia and functionality.

AppWizard

August 17, 2026

Minecraft 26.3 Snapshot 9

The latest Snapshot introduces new customization options for Realms, allowing owners to adjust render distance up to 25 chunks and fine-tune render and simulation distances. It includes technical improvements and bug fixes for overall performance. New features for Realms include render distance and simulation distance sliders. Minor tweaks include Endermen taking damage from projectiles while riding entities and restrictions on their teleportation abilities. A "Right Click Emulation" option has been added for macOS users. The Data Pack version has been updated to 117.0, with changes to advancements, slot sources, loot functions, and number providers. New tags for blocks, items, and potions have been introduced. Bugs related to block breaking on macOS, teleportation glitches, rendering issues, and crashes have been fixed. Snapshots are available for Minecraft: Java Edition, and users are advised to back up their data before testing.

Winsage

August 17, 2026

Microsoft just rebuilt one of Windows 11’s oldest tools in modern UI, rollout starts in the next few days

Microsoft has transitioned its newly designed Print Management tool into the Release Preview channel for Windows 11, moving it closer to general availability after initial appearances in Beta and Experimental builds. The new Print Management app, built on WinUI 3, replaces the outdated MMC-style console and features a modern layout with a user-friendly interface. It serves as a comprehensive management system for administrators, allowing oversight of printers, print queues, drivers, ports, and print servers. The rollout schedule includes an optional update anticipated for late August and integration into the regular September cumulative update. However, the timeline may be subject to delays. The updated application maintains essential administrative functionality while simplifying tasks such as renaming printers and customizing displayed information. Some legacy elements remain, requiring administrative privileges to launch the app. Microsoft is actively modernizing Windows 11's user interface, including the Print Management tool, as part of a broader initiative to replace outdated components.

Winsage

August 17, 2026

DayFrame brings Windows Phone tiles to your desktop, but just in one app

Jeff Fritz, a former Microsoft engineer, is developing an app called DayFrame, which revitalizes the concept of Live Tiles. The app combines Windows Phone aesthetics with Outlook functionality, serving as a centralized hub for email, calendar, and contacts. It features a retro design with bold, square icons and a blue color scheme, and will be available on both PC and Mac. DayFrame has a modular design that allows independent development of each module, enabling continuous improvement. Currently marked as "Coming soon," a private preview is expected to launch soon, with real, running code already demonstrated.

AppWizard

August 17, 2026

Here’s what the Googlebook ‘Desktop Camera’ UI will look like

Google has updated the Play Store listing for its 'Desktop Camera' app, introducing a new app icon that reflects Google's gradient design. The updated listing features a more detailed view of the user interface with four new screenshots, maintaining a layout similar to the Pixel Camera app. Key controls are positioned along the right edge, with additional settings accessible from a button in the bottom-left corner. The app includes four main features: 1. Optimized for large screens (tablets, laptops, desktops). 2. External webcam support. 3. Document scanning with machine learning for auto-cropping and image enhancement. 4. QR code scanning. The Desktop Camera app is expected to enhance the user experience on upcoming Googlebook devices, anticipated to launch this fall, with leaks about designs and specifications from manufacturers like Lenovo, Acer, and ASUS.