visual elements Archives

Winsage

December 27, 2024

4 ways to restart File Explorer in Windows 11

When File Explorer on Windows 10 or 11 has issues like freezing, it can often be resolved by restarting it. There are several methods to restart File Explorer: 1. From Task Manager: Press Win+Shift+Esc, go to the Processes tab, right-click Windows Explorer, and select Restart. 2. Kill explorer.exe and run a new instance: Open Task Manager, right-click Windows Explorer, choose End task, then click Run new task, type explorer.exe, and hit OK. 3. From the command line: Use PowerShell or Command Prompt as an administrator and execute the commands: - taskkill /f /im explorer.exe - start explorer.exe 4. Create a Batch File: Write the following in Notepad:


   taskkill /f /IM explorer.exe
   start explorer.exe
   exit

Save it with a .bat extension for quick access. These methods help restore access to files and folders when File Explorer is unresponsive.

AppWizard

December 14, 2024

I made my dream Google widget with one of my favorite Android tools

The author previously used Nova Launcher to create custom widgets but found Google's existing widgets difficult to enhance. This led to the idea of creating a new widget using KWGT that serves as a centralized hub for Google services. The author aimed to build an "omniwidget" that organizes essential Google services while maintaining a customizable design. They downloaded KWGT Pro, added a 4x4 widget, and followed steps to create the widget's shape, buttons, and visual elements, including icons and a font. The widget features nine buttons for shortcuts to various Google services and includes a section for displaying time, date, and temperature. After completing the design and functionality, the author expressed satisfaction with the outcome and the potential for an official Google widget that offers customizable shortcuts.

AppWizard

December 10, 2024

Fellow Diablo 2 snobs: Path of Exile 2 is the game we’ve been waiting for

Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) entered early access on December 6, allowing players to engage with the game during a significant snowstorm. The game is an action role-playing game (ARPG) that combines elements of hacking, slashing, looting, leveling, crafting, and questing. Players can tackle challenges solo or cooperatively, with the initial act presenting a high level of difficulty. Enemy levels do not scale with the player's character, making strategy and skill essential for survival. Each boss encounter is designed to test player skill, and the game features a support gem system for creative playstyles and a customizable passive skill tree. Grinding Gear Games is addressing player feedback with hotfixes to improve gameplay, including adjustments to loot and currency drops, map systems, and dodge mechanics. PoE 2 runs smoothly on PC and is compatible with gaming handhelds, offering a visually stunning experience. It will be free-to-play after the early access phase.

Winsage

November 25, 2024

Microsoft’s Recall release throws up issues in preview

Windows Recall, initially launched earlier this year, captures snapshots of a user's screen at regular intervals but faced privacy and security criticisms, leading to its withdrawal less than three weeks post-launch. After refinement, it returned exclusively for Windows Insiders with Copilot+ PC hardware. Users reported challenges such as delays in storing snapshots, complete storage failures, and lingering remnants of the application after disabling it. While the optical character recognition (OCR) functionality is effective, the application struggles with accurately identifying visual elements and has significant delays between snapshots. Some users find the current preview more secure, but frustrations remain regarding the time taken to generate results and the limited functionality of the "Click to Do" feature. Microsoft has not provided a timeline for a broader release, and users must reboot their systems to reactivate the snapshotting service.

AppWizard

November 25, 2024

A Minecraft Movie Director Explains Why It Isn’t Called The Minecraft Movie

Recent trends in movie adaptations show many films starting their titles with "the," but the upcoming A Minecraft Movie will not follow this pattern. Mojang Studios' Torfi Frans Olafsson and director Jared Hess explained that the title choice reflects the film's focus on individual experiences within the Minecraft universe. The film features Jason Momoa as Garrett "The Garbage Man" Garrison, a former arcade champion, alongside characters voiced by Jack Black, Sebastian Eugene Hansen, Emma Myers, and Danielle Brooks. The film will also explore darker elements of the Minecraft universe, including creatures like zombies and Creepers. A Minecraft Movie is scheduled for theatrical release on April 4, 2025.

Winsage

November 23, 2024

You can now try Microsoft’s Recall AI feature on a Copilot Plus PC

Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel are receiving a preview of the Recall AI feature for Copilot Plus PCs, which includes functionalities like Recall and Click to Do. Recall captures snapshots of user activities, allowing for easy retrieval through natural language queries and a scrollable timeline. It is an optional feature requiring user consent, initially available only on Qualcomm-powered Copilot Plus PCs, with plans to support Intel and AMD systems later. Users can control their snapshots, including deleting them and excluding specific apps from recording, while sensitive information is automatically protected. Microsoft assures that no snapshots are sent to the cloud or used for AI training, emphasizing user privacy and security. The Click to Do feature allows users to perform actions with text and images from captured snapshots and will eventually enable broader interactions with screen content. Recall's introduction was delayed due to security concerns, but Microsoft has enhanced its security framework, allowing users to opt-in or uninstall the feature.

AppWizard

November 20, 2024

Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl review: a bone-chilling, realistic-feeling survival horror experience

Players navigate a vast, open world in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, set for release on November 20, 2024, on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC. The game features a survival horror theme, where players assume the role of Skif, a Stalker in The Zone around the Chornobyl power plant. The gameplay emphasizes exploration, resource scarcity, and interactions with various factions. Combat is strategic and challenging, with a focus on realism. The game includes basic accessibility options but lacks advanced features. Players may encounter minor visual bugs, expected to be addressed in a day-one patch. The reviewer spent nearly 50 hours playing the game on Xbox Series X.

BetaBeacon

October 30, 2024

Monument Valley 2 joins Netflix Games ahead of the third instalment’s global release

Monument Valley 3 is set to release on Netflix Games on December 10th.

Winsage

October 3, 2024

How Microsoft is thinking about the future of Copilot and AI hardware

Microsoft has launched a revamped version of its Copilot for consumers, which includes voice capabilities and improved comprehension of visual content on screens. The company is considering a complete reimagining of applications on the Windows platform, driven by AI advancements and the potential introduction of dedicated Copilot hardware. The new Copilot reflects a departure from previous offerings, influenced by the recruitment of personnel from Inflection AI, and features more polished promotional materials. The updated experience resembles Inflection AI’s Pi chatbot, with new visual elements and prompts to encourage user interaction, indicating a broader vision for AI's role in enhancing user experience across Microsoft’s ecosystem.

Winsage

October 2, 2024

What is Microsoft’s Copilot Labs, and how does it compare to Google Labs?

Microsoft has introduced updates to its Copilot platform, including tools like Copilot Voice, Think Deeper, and Copilot Vision, which will initially be available only to select testing groups through Copilot Labs. Copilot Labs is designed for experimental features, allowing user feedback for product enhancement. Copilot Vision enables the Copilot in Microsoft Edge to visually interpret screen content and provide real-time voice assistance, with privacy measures in place. The Think Deeper feature allows for more detailed responses to complex inquiries. Access to Copilot Labs is limited to Copilot Pro users who subscribe at a monthly rate, while Google Labs offers a no-cost alternative for experimenting with AI features.