utilities Archives

Winsage

June 25, 2026

PowerToys replaced tools I used to install on every Windows PC

Raycast for Windows, a productivity app, was initially a valuable tool for launching applications and executing actions quickly. However, the introduction of the Command Palette in Microsoft PowerToys provided similar functionality, leading to Raycast being less essential for the user's needs. The user found that the Command Palette effectively served as a fast app launcher, integrating well with other PowerToys features. The user also transitioned from GlazeWM, a tiling window manager, to FancyZones in PowerToys for better window management, as FancyZones offered more tailored window layout options. Additionally, Text Extractor in PowerToys streamlined the user's optical character recognition (OCR) tasks by allowing easy text extraction from images. Overall, PowerToys consolidated several utilities into one suite, enhancing the user's productivity while reducing the need for multiple separate applications.

Winsage

June 24, 2026

A bunch of bugs that broke PowerToys have been squashed

PowerToys has updated to version 0.100.1, fixing critical bugs from version 0.100.0 that affected core features. - Color Picker: Resolved a bug causing the main window to appear within the zoomed-in picker view. - Command Palette: Corrected initialization of Run history in Ahead-of-Time builds, fixed "???" display in Performance Monitor after restart, adjusted Hibernate command to use the Sleep icon, and limited "pin to dock" dialog to enabled displays. - Keyboard Manager: Addressed remapped modifier keys being delivered as system-key events. - Power Display: Fixed monitor power-state control not waking monitors from standby and resolved display detection and brightness control issues on dual-GPU laptops. - PowerToys Run: Improved discovery of Visual Studio Code workspaces. - Quick Access: Fixed crashes in the Quick Access flyout due to unhandled XAML exceptions. - Shortcut Guide: Resolved a crash in the sidebar navigation, corrected number-key rendering in shortcut manifests, and updated bundled manifests for consistent rendering. - ZoomIt: Fixed a race condition in audio initialization for video recording.

AppWizard

June 19, 2026

4 security upgrades in Android 17 you didn’t know about, but will be glad to have

Google's Android 17 update is being deployed to Pixel devices, introducing new features such as multitasking bubbles, expanded dark theme controls, and a revamped screen recording interface. Key user preferences from a poll indicate that 32% favor multitasking app bubbles, while other features received varying levels of support. The update includes App Memory Limits to prevent excessive RAM usage by apps, enhancing performance. It also restricts apps from scanning local networks without explicit permission, improving user privacy. Additionally, Android 17 tightens restrictions on dynamic code loading to strengthen malware protection and implements Certificate Transparency protections by default for secure HTTPS connections. Overall, these changes aim to enhance performance, security, and user experience.

Winsage

June 16, 2026

A Brief History Of Unix Commands On Windows: CoreUtils (Again)

The interaction between Unix/Linux and Windows has historically been marked by significant differences in their architectures and philosophies. Unix uses a fork() function for process management, while Windows employs CreateProcess(), complicating the implementation of Unix-like tools on Windows. Early solutions to bridge this gap included the MKS Toolkit, which provided Unix-like commands for Windows, and UWIN from AT&T Bell Labs, which aimed to create a Unix interface layer on Windows. Cygwin offered a compatibility DLL to run Unix software on Windows, but required rebuilding from source. Microsoft's initiatives included POSIX, Interix, and later Services for UNIX. The introduction of the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) allowed users to run a Linux userland directly on Windows, with WSL 2 incorporating a real Linux kernel. Recently, Microsoft released Coreutils for Windows, providing native builds of Unix-style tools to enhance cross-platform consistency.

Winsage

June 14, 2026

What’s New With Windows 11 in 2026

Windows 11, introduced by Microsoft in 2021, has evolved into a simpler and more attractive platform while retaining familiarity. As of 2026, it continues to enhance features and address customer feedback. Microsoft now releases a new version of Windows 11 annually, with each version supported for two years for Home and Pro editions. Currently, versions 24H2 and 25H2 are supported and functionally identical, while the new 26H1 version is for laptops with Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 processors. The hardware requirements have become more lenient, and Microsoft has introduced a Copilot+ PC brand for high-end machines with advanced microprocessors. Updates have been revamped for a more predictable experience, and users can manage updates through new options. The user interface has been refined with a modern aesthetic, including Light and Dark modes, centered Taskbar icons, and an evolved Start menu. Windows 11 supports multitasking with familiar tools like Alt + Tab and enhanced Snap features. File Explorer has been updated with a modern interface and integration with OneDrive. The Microsoft Store has been redesigned for a broader selection of apps, and Microsoft Edge is bundled with Windows 11, although it has faced criticism for overriding user preferences. Windows 11 includes preloaded apps leveraging AI, such as Microsoft Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot, along with updated core applications. It supports gaming with a dedicated Xbox app and Game Pass subscriptions, and simplifies user account management with robust security features like Windows Hello. For power users, it offers a modern Terminal app and advanced configuration options in the Settings app.

Tech Optimizer

June 11, 2026

Avast One: Security and privacy suite under the microscope

Avast One is the flagship consumer security suite from Avast (Gen Digital), combining antivirus, firewall, VPN, and privacy utilities into a single subscription for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It offers four primary areas: device security, online privacy, identity protection, and performance tools. Device security includes real-time antivirus, Web Shield, Mail Shield, and Ransomware Shield. The online privacy component features a full VPN service with bank-grade encryption and a no-logs policy. Identity protection includes data breach monitoring and, in some markets, credit monitoring. Performance tools assist with disk cleanup and system optimization. Avast One has three plan tiers: Avast One Essential (free), Avast One Individual (paid, supports multiple devices), and Avast One Family (paid, supports up to 30 devices). Pricing varies based on promotions, with Avast One Individual typically around per year and Avast One Family ranging from to 0 per year. The suite can be downloaded directly from Avast's website, with installers available for various platforms. Avast One includes automatic updates and is designed to operate lightly on modern hardware, with options to minimize system impact during scans. Customer support includes self-help documentation, community forums, and direct support for paying customers. Avast One aims to appeal to both non-technical users and power users, providing a user-friendly interface while allowing for advanced configurations. The product is positioned as a comprehensive solution for households looking to secure multiple devices with a single subscription.

Winsage

June 11, 2026

PowerToys 0.1 Arrives With Improvements to Several Utilities

Microsoft released PowerToys 0.1, featuring several enhancements: - The Shortcut Guide now appears as a side pane, detecting the active application and displaying relevant shortcuts. - The Command Palette includes an extension gallery for easy management of extensions and supports multiple monitor configurations, along with a new Battery widget. - PowerDisplay has improved startup speed, monitor identification, and settings preservation, with a new Max compatibility mode. - ZoomIt now supports a webcam overlay during recordings and allows appending multiple clips with transitions. - Transition to .NET 10 has optimized performance, reduced installation size by 15%, and improved the auto-update feature. Quick Access and Workspaces have migrated to WinUI with a refreshed UI. - Additional improvements include the Keyboard Manager using the new WinUI editor, a Refresh Connections feature in Mouse Without Borders, enhanced high DPI and multi-monitor reliability in Quick Accent, an option to disable file preview tooltips in Peek, and various calculator enhancements in PowerToys Run. PowerToys can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store, Windows Package Manager (winget), or the web.

Winsage

June 9, 2026

Windows 11’s Widgets panel is still a wasteland, even after Build

Microsoft's Build conference highlighted tools and hardware for enhancing the developer experience for Windows applications and AI agents, with a focus on refining Windows 11 and its applications through Windows K2. The Widgets panel, accessible via the weather icon or WIN+W shortcut, has not received significant attention and currently offers only 56 widgets, with few providing genuine utility. Notable widgets include MagicPods, Calendar Flyout, and some utilities, but overall, the panel is seen as lacking. Despite improvements in the Microsoft Store and a growing library of applications, the Widgets panel remains underdeveloped, with only minor enhancements made, and its future is uncertain.

Winsage

June 9, 2026

Hybrid AI Agents, Orchestration, and the Real Reason Microsoft is Fixing Windows 11 ⭐

Over the past weekend, the author reviewed session videos from Build 2026, focusing on Windows 11. The sessions were categorized into three areas: Windows app development, developer productivity, and agentic AI. The introduction of hybrid agents, which combine local AI sub-agents, was a notable development. Microsoft's partnership with Qualcomm led to the launch of Windows 10 on Arm-based PCs branded as Always Connected PCs, which evolved into Copilot+ PCs with Nuvia-powered chips for Windows 11. The Copilot+ PCs emphasize on-device AI experiences through powerful neural processing units (NPUs). The introduction of second-generation Snapdragon X2-based PCs is underway, although adoption is slower than expected. Microsoft confirmed that Windows 11 will integrate AI agents, including local AI agents and hybrid agents. The capabilities of local AI models are being enhanced, and Windows AI APIs will now support CPUs and GPUs. New Nvidia chipsets will enable large language models to run locally on PCs. The orchestration of local and cloud AI components is essential for efficient AI workload management. Microsoft is addressing user pain points to support a robust local foundation for hybrid AI, aiming to improve Windows 11 overall.

AppWizard

June 8, 2026

Marketplace Content: June 2026

Hourglass Studios has released the Ocean Expansion Add-on 3.0, featuring 84 marine creatures and an underwater vehicle. Tools by Misfits offers gadgets like night vision goggles and jetpacks. TNTgames' Living Dead add-on introduces undead mobs and a miniboss, the Skeleton King. Glowfischdesigns' Combat Utilities enhances combat with enemy health bars and off-hand weapons. SandBlock Studios' Stitched Monsters Add-on presents marionette-like creatures and crafting options. Ascent's Ultimate City Mash-up features a 2,000 by 2,000 urban world with over 30 vehicles. Logdotzip's Biome Weapons [DX] includes over 20 elemental weapons. 5 Frame Studios' Combine Mace allows weapon merging. Lifeboat's RVs offer outdoor exploration options. Dodo Studios' High School Roleplay provides interactive academic experiences. Blocky's Skyblock Lucky Block 2 adds random surprises to the skyblock format. Lifeboat's The Sky is Falling! challenges players with falling blocks. Honeyfrost's Ultimate PvP Texture Pack enhances visuals and user interface. Heropixel Games' Pastel Paradise features pastel-themed environments. 57 Digital's Wardens add-on offers ten unique skins, while ManaLabs' Strawberry Trends provides strawberry-themed skins. CupcakeBrianna's Cozy Cats HD Skin Pack includes ten cat skins. The Marketplace Pass includes 21 new add-ons, skin packs, texture packs, mini-games, and mash-ups.