user experience Archives

Winsage

July 26, 2025

How to Fix Windows 11 24H2 BSOD and Crashes

The Windows 11 24H2 update has caused complications, leading Microsoft to compile a list of affected hardware and software along with potential fixes. Users experiencing crashes can try the following solutions: 1. Remove Windows Hello: Users with laptops that have integrated cameras may experience system freezes. To fix this, navigate to Settings > Accounts > Sign in options, expand the Facial Recognition section, and click Remove. Optionally, remove fingerprint and PIN settings and set up a password. 2. Change Registry Settings for SSDs: The update has made certain SSDs from Western Digital and SanDisk incompatible. A temporary fix involves modifying the registry. Open the Registry Editor, navigate to ComputerHKEYLOCALMACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlStorPort, locate or create the DWORD HmbAllocationPolicy, modify its value to 0 or 2, and restart the PC. 3. Perform Windows Updates Again: Subsequent updates may resolve existing issues. Check for updates in Windows Update, download all related to the 24H2 version, and restart the PC as necessary. 4. Reroll Windows 11: Users can revert to the previous version within 10 days of the update if the option is available. Go to Settings > System > Recovery and select Go back. If the option is greyed out, users can download Windows 11 23H2 from Microsoft’s website for a clean installation, ensuring to back up data first.

AppWizard

July 26, 2025

Valve could revolutionize gaming with a Steam-powered console

The PC market share for game sales is expanding, prompting Microsoft to consider integrating PC storefronts into the next Xbox. Valve may enter the console market, leveraging its expertise in digital distribution. A potential Valve console could be inspired by the Steam Deck, offering standardized hardware and compatibility with various games. This console could consolidate PC, PlayStation, and Xbox games, providing access to indie titles and making PC gaming more accessible for casual gamers. While Valve's success with Steam raises questions about the necessity of a dedicated console, the company has shown interest in exploring new hardware opportunities, as evidenced by its successful VR headset and handheld gaming device.

Winsage

July 26, 2025

6 Chromebook features I wish Windows had

Chromebooks run on ChromeOS, which includes features such as the customizable Home Launcher for app organization, the Quick Insert button for integrating various elements into documents, and three-finger tab swipes for efficient multitasking in the Chrome browser. The Welcome Recap feature provides a daily overview of tasks, while Select to Search allows users to highlight text or images for immediate contextual information. Additionally, ChromeOS simplifies the process of pinning files to the taskbar compared to Windows.

AppWizard

July 26, 2025

Google makes great apps, but these aren’t it if you ask me

Google Keep lacks advanced formatting options and a notebook feature, limiting its usability despite being a popular note-taking app. Google Tasks offers only basic task management capabilities, missing essential features like priority levels and filters. YouTube Music, while more developed, struggles with podcast integration and discovery, and has limitations in its free plan compared to competitors. Google Wallpapers has a limited selection and basic functionality, lacking creativity and integration with custom wallpaper creation tools.

Winsage

July 26, 2025

6 power user Registry tweaks I use to make Windows more tolerable, and you should too

Windows 11 is praised for its refinement but has quirks. The Registry can enhance user experience, but incorrect modifications can cause instability, so backing up keys is essential. To disable automatic updates, navigate to ComputerHKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows, create a key named WindowsUpdate, another key called AU, and a DWORD (32-bit) Value named NoAutoUpdate with a value of 1. Restart the PC to check for updates manually. To disable the Home page in Settings, go to ComputerHKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExplorer, create a String Value named SettingsPageVisibility with value data set to hide:home, and restart. To remove Bing results from Search, modify the Registry at ComputerHKEYCURRENTUSERSOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows by creating a key named Explorer and a DWORD (32-bit) Value called DisableSearchBoxSuggestions with a value of 1. Restart the machine. To disable the lock screen, navigate to ComputerHKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows, create a key named Personalization, and a DWORD (32-bit) Value called NoLockScreen with a value of 1. Restart for quicker sign-ins. To speed up shutdowns, adjust the WaitToKillServiceTimeout service in the Registry at ComputerHKEYLOCALMACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControl by changing the WaitToKillService value from 5000 milliseconds to 3000 or 2000 milliseconds. To enable verbose mode, go to ComputerHKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesSystem and create a DWORD (32-bit) Value named VerboseStatus with a value of 1.

Winsage

July 26, 2025

You’ll never worry about leaving your PC unlocked again, Microsoft’s phone app just solved it

Microsoft has updated its Link to Windows app, allowing users to lock their Windows PC directly from their Android phone with a simple tap. This feature enhances security by enabling remote locking, which is useful when users leave their devices unattended. The app also provides insights into the PC's status, such as battery level and Wi-Fi connectivity, and has streamlined the setup process. This update reflects Microsoft's responsiveness to user feedback, offering a proactive approach to device security.

Winsage

July 25, 2025

This update could finally solve Windows 11’s sluggishness

Microsoft has introduced a new logging system in a test build of Windows 11 that automatically gathers performance logs when users experience sluggishness. This feature allows Windows Insiders to provide feedback on slow performance, with logs collected automatically to help identify issues. Users should select the Desktop > System Sluggishness category for feedback, and logs are stored locally in the %systemRoot%TempDiagOutputDirWhesvc folder before being sent to Microsoft upon feedback submission. This initiative is part of ongoing performance enhancements for Windows 11, which have included improvements to the Taskbar, notifications area, and quick settings panel, as well as reduced impact from startup applications. The upcoming 25H2 update will introduce new certification requirements for Windows drivers, including static analysis to identify potential issues before deployment.

Winsage

July 25, 2025

Your Android phone can now control more of your PC, and here’s how

Microsoft is updating its Link to Windows app for Android, introducing new features that enhance connectivity between Android devices and Windows PCs. Users can now remotely lock their Windows PCs, check battery and Wi-Fi status from their phones, and cast their phone's screen without using the PC app. These features, previously in development channels, are being rolled out through the Insider program. The app also allows direct file transfers without using Android’s share sheet, provides access to recent files, and enables viewing the clipboard from the PC. Additionally, the app has a refreshed interface for improved usability. Users can join the Insider program to access these updates by ensuring they have version 1.25071.155 of the app and following specific steps in Windows Settings to enable the new features.

Winsage

July 25, 2025

Microsoft claims Windows 11 24H2 is the ‘most reliable’ Windows version ever

Microsoft announced enhancements to Windows 11 with the optional July update (KB5062660), which includes the new features Windows Recall for EU users and Quick Machine Recovery for repairing boot failures. The company claims Windows 11 24H2 is the most reliable version of Windows yet, citing a 24% reduction in unexpected restart failure rates compared to Windows 10 22H2. However, the reliability of this claim is questioned due to selective telemetry data and reports of disruptions in functionalities such as USB printers, audio output, Bluetooth connections, Windows Update, and Windows Firewall.

Winsage

July 25, 2025

Windows 11 Latest Update Is ‘Most Reliable’ Ever, Microsoft Claims

Microsoft has released Windows 11 version 24H2, claiming it to be the "most reliable Windows yet," supported by a 24% reduction in failure rates and unexpected restarts compared to previous versions. The update features a new black screen for the Blue Screen of Death, which includes a stop code and faulty driver information, reducing wait time from 40 seconds to 2 seconds. However, users have reported issues such as Blue Screen of Death errors, sluggish performance, and driver failures. Critics have raised concerns about compatibility issues with drivers and legacy applications. The update also introduces a quick machine recovery feature that automatically detects and resolves critical boot issues, although immediate patches for minor problems are not guaranteed. User sentiment regarding the reliability of Windows 11 24H2 remains mixed.