uninstall option Archives

Winsage

April 8, 2025

How to check apps draining the most battery on Windows 11

Users experiencing rapid battery drain on Windows 11 laptops may find that certain applications are consuming excessive energy. To identify and mitigate the impact of these power-hungry apps, users can take several steps: 1. Change Power Mode: - Open Settings > System > Power & battery. - Click on Power Mode and select "Best Power Efficiency." 2. Enable Energy Saver: - Open Settings > System > Power & battery. - Click on Energy Saver and either turn on the "Always use energy saver" toggle or set a battery level to activate it automatically. 3. Energy Recommendations: - Open Settings > System > Power & battery. - Click on Energy Recommendations and apply individual or all suggested changes. 4. Restrict Background Permissions: - Open Settings > System > Power & battery. - Click on Battery usage, analyze app usage, select the app, and manage background activity by choosing "Never" under background app permissions. 5. Uninstall App: - Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps. - Select the app to uninstall and follow the instructions. These actions can help optimize battery life on Windows 11 laptops.

AppWizard

March 4, 2025

Google’s ‘consent-less’ Android tracking probed by academics

Research by Doug Leith, a professor at Trinity College Dublin, shows that Android users are subjected to advertising cookies and tracking mechanisms that start collecting data before any app is launched, without user consent or the option to opt out. The study identifies systems within Android that send user data to Google via pre-installed apps like Google Play Services and the Google Play Store. One such mechanism is the "DSID" cookie, which is created shortly after logging into a Google account and is used for personalized advertising, lasting two weeks. Another tracker, the Google Android ID, is generated upon first interaction with Google Play Services and continues to transmit data even after the user logs out, with removal only possible through a factory reset. Leith's findings raise concerns about potential violations of data protection laws, particularly regarding the classification of the Android ID as personally identifiable information under GDPR. Google responded to the findings, emphasizing user privacy and compliance with privacy laws, while also stating disagreement with Leith's legal analysis. Additionally, the introduction of the Android System SafetyCore feature, which scans photo libraries for explicit content without user consent, has sparked user discontent, with many reviews criticizing the lack of consent during its installation.

Winsage

October 31, 2024

Nasty Windows 11 24H2 bug leaves you confused about the number of apps running on your PC

Users have reported mixed experiences with Windows 11, version 24H2, particularly regarding the KB5044384 optional update released in October 2024. This update has introduced a bug that causes the Task Manager to inaccurately display the number of active applications, showing "0" for Apps, Background Processes, and Windows Processes when the "Group by Type" view is enabled. Microsoft has acknowledged this issue and plans to provide a fix. Users can uninstall the KB5044384 update to restore accurate reporting by navigating to Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates.

Winsage

October 29, 2024

Microsoft isn’t secretly installing Recall on your Windows PC

Microsoft's Recall feature, intended for capturing screenshots on Copilot Plus PCs, has faced controversy due to security concerns, leading to its delay and prioritization of security enhancements. Currently, Recall is not available for testing on Copilot Plus PCs, and there is speculation about its automatic installation with the Windows 11 version 24H2 update. IT manager Chris Titus claimed that Recall would be installed on all systems with the 24H2 update, but Microsoft clarified that it will be an optional feature that users can uninstall. Windows expert Albacore noted that the 24H2 update includes changes to simplify Recall's removal for system administrators, not mandatory installation. Bugs related to Recall's removal have been reported, and Microsoft confirmed that users would have the ability to uninstall the feature. Brandon LeBlanc from Microsoft reiterated that Recall has not been made available to Windows Insiders yet. Despite this, concerns about potential covert installation persist in online discussions.

Winsage

September 28, 2024

How to install and uninstall Microsoft Edge | Digital Trends

Microsoft Edge is the default web browser for Windows, with mixed user opinions regarding its features and privacy. It integrates AI capabilities and is difficult to remove from Windows systems. Edge is available on multiple platforms, including Apple and Chromebook. To install Microsoft Edge on Windows, users can download it from an alternative browser or the Microsoft Store. For macOS, users can download it from the official site and follow the installation prompts. On Chromebook, users can install it via the Google Play Store. Uninstalling Microsoft Edge on Windows can be challenging as it is a default application. Traditional uninstall methods may be disabled in some regions, and alternative methods can disrupt system functions. Users can ignore Edge by setting a different browser as the default or use the Registry Editor to enable the uninstall option. PowerShell commands and third-party uninstallers like Wise Program Uninstaller can also be used, but caution is advised due to potential system instability. To prevent Microsoft Edge from reinstalling after uninstallation, users can modify the Windows Registry to disable automatic updates for Edge.

Winsage

September 27, 2024

Microsoft’s more secure Windows Recall feature can also be uninstalled by users

Microsoft has reimagined its AI-powered Recall feature to enhance user security and privacy, making it an opt-in experience that users can fully uninstall. The default activation for Recall has been removed, requiring users to actively enable the feature. An uninstall option for Recall is now available, allowing users to remove it and its AI models from their machines. Microsoft has implemented full encryption for Recall data and integrated Windows Hello for authentication, ensuring that users must be physically present to activate the feature. All sensitive processes related to Recall are now handled in a virtualization-based security enclave, with data in memory erased once the app is closed. Recall will only function on Copilot Plus PCs that meet specific security requirements, and new settings will allow users to filter applications and block certain websites from being recorded. Sensitive content filtering will prevent the storage of passwords and financial information, and users can delete specific content. Microsoft plans to preview the redesigned Recall feature with Windows Insiders in October for further testing.

Winsage

September 4, 2024

False alarm! Microsoft says that Windows 11 users will NOT be able to uninstall controversial Recall feature

The KB5041865 update for Windows 11 introduced an option to uninstall the Recall feature, which was later clarified by Microsoft to be a bug. Microsoft announced that Recall will be a permanent feature on all Windows 11 devices, although users will be able to disable it. Brandon LeBlanc, a senior product manager at Windows, confirmed that the uninstall option was incorrectly listed and will be fixed in a forthcoming update.

Winsage

September 3, 2024

Microsoft’s ‘Recall’ feature can’t be uninstalled after all

Windows 11 users are experiencing issues with Microsoft's "Recall" feature, which captures screenshots of user activity. An update to Windows 11 version 24H2 suggested that users could uninstall Recall, but Microsoft clarified this was a glitch. Brandon LeBlanc from Microsoft stated that Recall was incorrectly listed as an option in the Control Panel and would be fixed in a future update. Recall uses an on-device generative AI model to track user actions, raising concerns about the capture of sensitive data. Kevin Beaumont, a former Microsoft security expert, criticized Recall as a significant cybersecurity risk. In response to backlash, Microsoft announced that Recall would be opt-in and disabled by default, and the UK's Information Commissioner's Office is investigating potential privacy violations. The rollout of Recall, originally planned for June, has been postponed to October for testing by Windows Insiders.

Winsage

September 2, 2024

Microsoft’s Recall AI Uninstall Is Only a Bug, Still Coming as Mandatory Copilot Plus Feature

Microsoft has acknowledged a bug in its Recall AI feature that allows users to uninstall it from Windows, which was not intended. The company is working on a fix to remove this uninstall option from the Control Panel. While no specific timeline for the fix has been provided, it will be included in an upcoming update. The Recall AI feature will remain mandatory for Copilot+ PCs, with a preview set to launch for Windows Insiders in October. Recall AI is designed to track user activities but has faced backlash over privacy concerns, leading to a delay in its initial release. Microsoft aims to address these issues in the upcoming launch.

Winsage

September 2, 2024

Sorry, Windows 11 users, but you’re not escaping Microsoft’s all-seeing Recall feature that easily

Windows 11's Recall feature will not have an option for users to uninstall it, as clarified by Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc, who stated that the earlier indication of an uninstallable feature was due to a bug. Recall is an AI-driven search tool that captures screenshots of user activity to improve search capabilities and is exclusive to Copilot+ PCs. Although Recall faced backlash leading to its initial retraction, it is set to return for testing in October. There is uncertainty regarding whether European users will have alternative options due to strict data and privacy regulations.