user frustration Archives

Winsage

May 8, 2025

6 reasons I want Microsoft Plus back, even though I never had it growing up

Microsoft's evolution of Windows has included various enhancements and features over the years, originally exemplified by the Microsoft Plus! add-on package. Key features that could be included in a modern add-on pack are: - Ad-Free Experience: An option to eliminate advertisements from the Windows experience, addressing user frustration with prompts for subscriptions like Microsoft 365 or Game Pass. - Engaging Games: The potential to reintroduce classic games or develop new titles that provide a more engaging gaming experience without microtransactions and ads. - Dynamic Desktop Themes: The ability to create dynamic themes with animated wallpapers and custom frames, allowing for more personalized desktop experiences. - DVD Playback and Codec Support: Inclusion of DVD playback functionality and enhanced codec support for modern formats like H.265 and AV1, along with a transcoding tool for media conversion. - Enhanced Video Editing: Development of a robust, native video editing application similar to Windows Live Movie Maker, with advanced features and support for 4K exports.

Winsage

April 29, 2025

New Windows 11 beta brings more changes to Control Panel settings

Microsoft is transitioning away from the traditional Windows Control Panel, moving settings to the Windows 11 "Settings" app. Recent updates have relocated keyboard character repeat delay and repeat rate options to the Accessibility > Keyboard section in the Settings app, although these changes are currently hidden and require manual activation by users. Additionally, all remaining options from the mouse properties dialog box have also been transferred to the Settings app. Despite these updates, keyboard options still exist in the traditional Control Panel. Microsoft began this transition in 2020 and plans to retire the Control Panel entirely, but the process is progressing slowly, with remnants of the Control Panel still present in Windows 10 and 11.

Winsage

April 11, 2025

Microsoft starts trimming the clock on Windows 10

Microsoft is testing a change that removes the seconds display from the Calendar flyout in Windows 10, coinciding with the operating system's approaching end-of-support date in October. The update to build 19045.5737 includes bug fixes but strips away the clock feature for some users as part of an A/B testing phase. User reactions on platforms like Reddit indicate frustration over this change, which may be linked to the new Outlook application introduced earlier this year. Restoring the previous functionality requires technical skills in registry editing, and the new design is criticized for providing less information and having a visually unappealing layout. While Windows 11 still supports the seconds display, some Windows 10 users do not have this feature. Microsoft has also released a checklist advising Windows 10 users to consider upgrading their machines.

Winsage

April 8, 2025

How to replace your Windows 11 Start menu with a better alternative

The Windows 11 Start menu has received criticism for its layout and limited customization options, prompting user frustration. Microsoft has made minor updates, such as allowing folder creation for organizing shortcuts, but a comprehensive redesign is expected in 2025. The Start menu has not changed significantly since its launch in October 2021. Third-party applications like Start11 and StartAllBack offer alternatives to the Windows 11 Start menu. Start11, developed by Stardock for .99, provides seven layouts, including classic Windows 7 and Modern styles, with extensive customization options for appearance and functionality. It also enhances the Taskbar, allowing modifications to color, transparency, and size. StartAllBack, available for .99, offers three themes and similar customization features, including options for the Taskbar and File Explorer. Open Shell Menu is a free alternative that supports various styles and customization options for the Start button and Taskbar. Each of these alternatives aims to improve the user experience on Windows 11.

Winsage

April 6, 2025

Microsoft changes the blue screen of death in Windows 11: why?

Microsoft has changed the blue screen of death to a green screen in its operating system, aligning it with the aesthetics of Windows 11. The new error screen features a simple message stating, “Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart,” along with a progress percentage and minimal technical details. Reports suggest that Microsoft may eventually switch the error screen color to black for future public releases. Additionally, the sad emoji and QR code previously found on the error screen have been removed.

Winsage

April 2, 2025

Windows’ Iconic Blue Screen of Death Is No Longer Blue

Microsoft is changing the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) to a Black Screen of Death (BSOD) in the upcoming Windows 11 24H2 update. This change is currently being tested in the Beta, Dev, and Canary channels. The new message during a crash will state, “Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart,” along with an error code for troubleshooting. A temporary Green Screen of Death (GSOD) was introduced in recent Insider builds, but the stable release will feature the Black screen. This change aims to modernize Windows' error messaging. Users in the Insider program can test the new feature with build 26120.3653 by triggering a BSOD.

AppWizard

March 27, 2025

What you need to know about One UI 7: Software is hard

Samsung initially aimed to deliver the One UI 7 update to eligible Galaxy S phones by Q1 2025, but this timeline will not be met, with a new expected arrival date in April. The recent launch of the Galaxy S25, which includes the update, has added to user frustration. Users have formed distinct groups in response to the situation: some vow to stop purchasing Samsung devices, others rationalize the delays by blaming Google, and some remain indifferent as long as their devices function properly. The situation highlights issues in communication and transparency from Samsung regarding software updates.

Winsage

March 24, 2025

How has the Windows Start menu evolved? Looking back in time as Microsoft turns 50

In 2025, Microsoft will celebrate its 50th anniversary. The Start menu was first introduced in Windows 95 on August 24, 1995, replacing the "Program Manager" and providing a more intuitive user experience. Subsequent versions included refinements in Windows 98, minimal changes in Windows ME, a redesigned two-column layout in Windows XP, enhanced search functionality in Windows Vista, and updates in Windows 7 that included "Jump Lists." Windows 8 replaced the traditional Start menu with a full-screen Start screen, while Windows 10 reintroduced the Start menu with a hybrid design. Windows 11 featured a centered Taskbar and a simplified Start menu layout with static icons. Each iteration has aimed to balance innovation with user familiarity.

Winsage

March 12, 2025

CrossOver 25 makes gaming on macOS and Linux even better — could it help gamers ditch Windows 11?

CodeWeavers has released CrossOver 25 for macOS and Linux, featuring Wine 10.0 with over 5,000 changes to improve the gaming experience on non-Windows systems. The update includes a new configuration system that automatically selects optimal graphics settings and introduces DXMT, a Metal-based DirectX 11 implementation for macOS, enhancing performance for lower-spec Macs. D3DMetal 2.1 improves compatibility with Apple Silicon, allowing games like Street Fighter 6 and The Last of Us Part 1 to run more efficiently. CrossOver 25 also enhances startup times for Steam games and fully supports GOG Galaxy and the Epic Games Store on macOS. Notably, it allows Red Dead Redemption 2 to run on Mac without additional configuration and improves multiplayer functionality for games like Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition and Tekken 8. Other games such as Fallout 76 and Monster Hunter Rise have also received various improvements.

AppWizard

March 10, 2025

Is X down? Thousands report issues with app and website

Account holders of the social media platform X have been experiencing significant disruptions since around 9:30 AM, with many users unable to access the app and website. The issues are widespread across the UK, particularly in major cities such as London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Glasgow. According to data, 61% of complaints are about the app, 34% about the website, and 5% involve server connection issues. The platform is owned by Elon Musk, who acquired it in 2022 for £34.5 billion. DownDetector is a resource that allows users to report issues with various services, including X, and detects incidents when problem reports exceed typical levels.