usability issues Archives

Winsage

April 19, 2026

Microsoft reportedly redesigning Start Menu in Windows 11 after actually listening to user complaints

Microsoft is updating the Start Menu in Windows 11, focusing on enhanced customization and improved performance. The update will allow users to disable specific sections, choose between small or large layouts, and toggle off elements like the recommended feed and pinned apps. The new Start Menu is expected to be more responsive, especially during heavy usage, and will improve search functionality. Feedback on the redesign has been mixed, with some users expressing dissatisfaction and nostalgia for the Windows 10 Start Menu.

Winsage

April 14, 2026

Microsoft’s VP brings macOS-style click to reveal desktop feature to Windows with new tool

Scott Hanselman, VP at Microsoft, has introduced a tool called PeekDesktop for Windows, which allows users to minimize all open windows by clicking on an empty area of their desktop wallpaper. A second click or switching back to any application restores the windows to their original positions. This feature is similar to the "click wallpaper to reveal desktop" function in macOS Sonoma, which has not been available in Windows until now. PeekDesktop is easy to install from GitHub, requires no additional setup, and is compatible with Windows on ARM. It uses minimal system resources and operates through lightweight Windows APIs to manage window states. Users can customize settings from the system tray, and Hanselman is working on enhancements to replicate more macOS-style behaviors.

Winsage

March 25, 2026

Microsoft is doubling down with monthly updates to ‘fix’ Windows 11

Microsoft is shifting its update approach for Windows 11 to a monthly schedule instead of the traditional annual overhaul, responding to user feedback. Starting this month, users can expect early fixes and enhancements, with testing already in progress through Windows Insider preview builds. Key areas of focus include enhanced flexibility for the taskbar, improvements in RAM efficiency, and increased reliability of Windows Update. Additionally, a redesigned Bluetooth experience is planned to improve device connections. The change aims to provide continuous refinements based on user feedback, moving away from significant changes bundled into a single annual update. User reactions have been cautious, reflecting skepticism from past experiences.

AppWizard

March 19, 2026

Google Might Reverse the Controversial Photos App Editor Redesign

Google is planning to revise its Photos app redesign due to user feedback on usability issues. The update will reintegrate elements of the previous editor interface, including direct access to essential tools like Crop, Adjust, and Filters, which will return to a scrollable carousel at the bottom of the editor. The dedicated “Crop” menu will also be reintroduced as a unified category. Visual enhancements will include Action labels in pill-shaped borders for better visibility and a more compact “Ask” button replacing the larger “Help Me Edit” prompt. Additionally, Google is testing a new “Explore” tab that will feature a vertically scrolling, TikTok-style feed of personal videos generated by AI. This update is being rolled out to a select group of users, with a broader release expected soon.

AppWizard

March 1, 2026

Spotify Android App Draws Ire For Rigid Gestures

Spotify's Android app relies on mandatory swipe gestures that cannot be disabled, causing usability issues that conflict with Android's navigation system. This design choice has led to accidental actions, such as skipping tracks or altering playlists, particularly affecting users with motor or dexterity challenges. Research indicates that invisible gestures can lead to unintended activations, and guidelines recommend providing multiple input methods. A proposed solution is to introduce a Gestures menu for user customization, allowing users to disable or modify swipe actions. With Android's market share at around 70% and Spotify having approximately 626 million monthly active users, minimizing accidental actions could enhance user experience and provide a competitive advantage.

Winsage

February 28, 2026

Steam OS vs. Windows: Which Wins for Handheld Gaming?

The handheld PC market is currently divided between powerful Windows devices, like the ASUS ROG Ally X, and Steam OS-powered devices that focus on gaming immersion. Steam OS allows users to access their game libraries immediately upon booting, providing a distraction-free experience. In performance comparisons, devices like the Lenovo Legion Go S show a 69% speed increase on SteamOS (39 fps) compared to Windows (23 fps), while the ROG Ally X can see a 32% performance boost with SteamOS. Battery life differs significantly, with the Steam Deck offering 3 to 6 hours of gameplay versus the ROG Ally X's 2 to 4 hours, despite the latter having a larger battery. Windows handhelds provide compatibility with various gaming platforms but suffer from inefficiencies due to background processes that consume CPU resources. Microsoft's Xbox Full Screen Experience attempts to improve usability but does not resolve the underlying issues. Windows handhelds typically have 8GB or 16GB of VRAM, which may be insufficient for future games, while SteamOS's lighter footprint allows for better VRAM allocation, enhancing performance. SteamOS is gaining traction not necessarily due to technical superiority but because of its efficiency in addressing the unique constraints of handheld gaming.

AppWizard

October 19, 2025

If emulating classic DOS games seems like a pain, there’s a DOSBox fork ‘aiming for simplicity and ease of use’, now standalone for the first time

DOSBox Pure is a standalone application derived from the core of RetroArch, designed to simplify the process of running classic DOS games on modern systems. It allows users to load ZIP files, mounted CD and floppy disk images, and DOS executables. Available as a pay-what-you-want download on itch.io, it features a user-friendly interface and provides step-by-step instructions for launching games. Users must supply their own game files, which can be sourced from platforms like GOG. Key features include rebindable keys, gamepad and joystick support, save states, a CRT video filter, and touchpad mode. The application automatically assigns controller buttons when detecting the game and gamepad, with customization options available.

Winsage

October 14, 2025

Microsoft October Patch Tuesday for Windows 11 Fixes 175 Flaws

Microsoft's October 2025 Patch Tuesday addressed 175 vulnerabilities, including two zero-day elevation-of-privilege flaws: CVE-2025-24990, related to the legacy ltmdm64.sys Agere Modem driver, and CVE-2025-59230, affecting the Remote Access Connection Manager. Five vulnerabilities were classified as critical, including CVE-2025-59246 (remote code execution in Azure Entra ID), CVE-2025-55315 (ASP.NET Core vulnerability), CVE-2025-49708 (Microsoft Graphics Component bug), CVE-2025-59287 (Windows Server Update Service flaw), and CVE-2025-59228 (SharePoint vulnerability). The update (KB5066835) also resolved usability issues, such as print preview hangs and input detection failures. Microsoft notified administrators about the expiration of Secure Boot certificates in June 2026. Windows 11 users can install the update via Settings > Windows Update, requiring a system restart and data backup before installation.

AppWizard

September 29, 2025

Famed gamer creates working 5 million parameter ChatGPT AI model in Minecraft, made with 439 million blocks — AI trained to hold conversations, working model runs inference in the game

A developer known as Sammyuri has created a project called CraftGPT on GitHub, which is a small language model running on a computer built entirely in Minecraft using Redstone engineering. The project consists of 1,020 x 260 x 1,656 blocks, totaling 439 million blocks. While the model functions, it has significant usability issues, requiring several hours for responses to queries. The system typically takes about two hours to generate a response to a simple prompt, even with a boosted tick rate of approximately 40,000x speed. CraftGPT is not intended to compete with mainstream chatbot applications due to limitations in chat quality, depth, and accuracy.

AppWizard

August 25, 2025

The OnePlus Pad 3: The OnePlus Laptop Hiding Inside A Tablet

The OnePlus Pad 3 features a sleek design with a 13.2-inch display and eight speakers, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. It includes a full-sized keyboard and a wide kickstand, enhancing its usability for productivity tasks. Users can access Google Docs through the Chrome browser, which offers a more comprehensive experience compared to the Android app. While Android has improved support for tablet apps, some applications, like Reddit, still face compatibility issues. The Pad 3's larger screen encourages web usage and facilitates multitasking. Overall, it resembles a laptop in functionality and design, despite some ergonomic challenges.