user control Archives

Winsage

May 23, 2026

Microsoft says you should pause Windows 11 Updates when you need to work, as it tests greater controller

Microsoft is shifting its approach to Windows updates, responding to user frustrations about receiving update notifications during critical work hours. The company is currently testing more nuanced controls for updates with Windows Insiders, including a "Pick a date" feature that allows users to pause updates for up to 35 days, with the option to extend the pause indefinitely. Retail Windows 11 users can pause updates for up to five weeks, after which updates will automatically download without further pause options. Microsoft acknowledges that the frequency of updates can disrupt workflows for its 1.6 billion users, many of whom view mandatory updates as interruptions. The time required for updates has increased due to larger cumulative update packages, which can exceed 4GB, and the complexity of the operating system. To improve user control, Microsoft is testing a new power menu that separates update and shutdown options, allowing users to power down without installing updates. Additionally, updates will now include device class information in their titles for better user awareness. These changes aim to streamline the update experience and address long-standing user complaints.

Winsage

May 15, 2026

Microsoft fixes a major BitLocker bug… but leaves Windows 10 users hanging (for now)

Microsoft confirmed a BitLocker-related issue caused by the April 2026 Security Update (KB5083769) for Windows 11, which led some devices to boot into the BitLocker recovery screen. A fix has been released, but it is currently available only for Windows 11, version 25H2, with Windows 10 and Windows Server users awaiting a solution. Administrators are advised to remove the "Configure TPM platform validation profile for native UEFI firmware configurations" Group Policy setting before installing the April 2026 update. Additionally, a security researcher named Chaotic Eclipse has developed a zero-day exploit called YellowKey, which can bypass BitLocker security using a USB stick, affecting Windows Server 2022 and 2025 but not Windows 10.

Winsage

May 15, 2026

Windows Update will soon roll back problematic drivers automatically

Microsoft has introduced a feature called Cloud-Initiated Driver Recovery (CIDR) for Windows 11, which allows the automatic rollback of problematic drivers without user intervention. This feature aims to restore system stability by reverting to a previously verified, stable driver directly from the Hardware Dev Center when a driver update causes issues. CIDR will begin a gradual rollout starting in September. Additionally, Microsoft is enhancing user control over update management, allowing users to pause or skip updates and manage restarts without immediate installation. The company also launched the Driver Quality Initiative (DQI) to improve kernel-mode driver security and reliability.

Winsage

May 15, 2026

Windows Update Will Soon Revert Problematic Drivers Automatically

Microsoft has introduced "Cloud-Initiated Driver Recovery" (CIDR) for Windows Update, which automatically rolls back problematic drivers without user intervention. This system allows Microsoft to trigger recovery actions directly from the Hardware Dev Center, eliminating the need for partners or users to resolve driver issues. The CIDR rollout began in September and aims to address long-standing driver problems, such as the NVIDIA "Nvlddmkm.sys" error. Additionally, users can now pause and skip updates and restart their PCs without mandatory installations. Microsoft is also launching a Driver Quality Initiative (DQI) to enhance the security and reliability of kernel mode drivers through improved verification processes and lifecycle management.

Winsage

May 14, 2026

Windows Update will soon automatically roll back faulty drivers

Microsoft is introducing a feature in Windows 11 that allows users to pause updates indefinitely, enhancing user control over their systems. Additionally, they are rolling out a "Cloud-Initiated Driver Recovery" feature that enables automatic reversion of problematic drivers installed via Windows Update, allowing Microsoft to replace faulty drivers directly from the cloud without user intervention. This updated Windows Update experience is currently being tested with hardware partners and is expected to begin a gradual rollout in September. Users will also gain the ability to extend pause dates, skip updates during device setup, and restart or shut down their PCs without needing to install pending updates.

AppWizard

May 13, 2026

A smarter, more proactive Android with Gemini Intelligence

Gemini has been integrated with Autofill through Google to streamline mobile form completion, allowing users to opt-in and toggle the connection in settings. Gboard on Android has improved speech-to-text conversion but still struggles with natural speech nuances. Rambler, a new feature powered by Gemini Intelligence, transforms spoken language into polished text while capturing the essence of speech. Users are notified when Rambler is active, and audio is used only for real-time transcription without being stored. Rambler supports multilingual communication, switching between languages within a single message and refining them for clarity.

AppWizard

May 13, 2026

Bringing the best of Gemini in Chrome to Android

Next month, Chrome for Android will introduce new AI capabilities powered by Gemini 3.1, enhancing the mobile browsing experience. The Gemini feature will act as a personal AI browsing assistant, allowing users to ask questions about webpages, summarize articles, and explore complex topics without switching apps. It integrates with Google applications, enabling tasks like adding calendar events, transferring recipe ingredients to Google Keep, and finding information in Gmail. The assistant offers context-aware assistance and can provide personalized responses based on user interests and details about family and pets.

AppWizard

May 12, 2026

Gemini Intelligence Brings App Automation To Android

Google has developed Gemini Intelligence, an advanced AI agent aimed at improving user interaction with mobile applications by managing multi-step tasks. It can interpret information from emails, such as analyzing a class syllabus to compile a shopping cart for textbooks. Gemini can also utilize contextual information from a user's phone screen or images to assist in real-world scenarios, like finding tours based on travel brochures. To address user privacy concerns, Gemini will only initiate tasks when explicitly instructed, require user confirmation for purchases, and allow users to manage data access through a permissions menu. A progress bar feature enables users to stop the agent's activities at any time. Gemini Intelligence is set to launch on the latest Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones, with its success depending on reliability and user experience compared to other AI agents.

Winsage

May 10, 2026

I dug into the new Windows Update rules coming to Windows 11, and these are the 5 things you need to know

Microsoft is implementing enhancements in Windows 11 to improve the Windows Update experience for users. Key changes include new pause controls, a redesigned Power menu, reduced forced restarts, and smarter recovery features for failed updates. A new system will automatically resolve installation issues in the background, reducing the need for manual troubleshooting. Users can now skip system updates during the Out-of-box Experience (OOBE), but doing so will prevent the download of the latest drivers, features, or security patches until a manual download is initiated or automatic updates resume. Despite these improvements, there are still limitations on user control over updates, such as the need for manual extensions to pause updates indefinitely and the requirement to confirm skipping updates twice during setup.

AppWizard

May 9, 2026

Android’s Photo picker may finally fix its biggest missing feature

Google is set to introduce a built-in camera shortcut within the Android Photo picker, as indicated by findings in the Android 17 QPR1 Beta 2. This feature will allow users to take photos directly from the Photo picker interface, improving the user experience by eliminating the need for separate camera entry points in various applications. Additionally, the beta version includes a feature that allows users to delete their search history within the Photo picker by long-pressing on a search query. These updates aim to streamline media sharing and enhance user control over privacy and search preferences.