visual refresh Archives

Winsage

December 14, 2025

My top 17 Windows 11 features introduced in 2025 — personal picks from cleaner UI experiences to major PC gaming upgrades

- Windows 11 received numerous enhancements in 2025 through monthly cumulative updates. - The revamped Start menu consolidates Pinned, Recommended, and All sections into a single scrollable interface, allowing up to eight pinned items per row. - The Recommended section can showcase up to six app and file suggestions, with an option to disable it. - The All section organizes apps by category by default, with options for grid or list view. - A redesigned Widgets board integrates a new settings page, allowing users to select which board opens by default. - Users can customize Lock Screen widgets through a new section under Personalization. - A new setting allows users to reposition on-screen hardware indicators for brightness and volume. - A dedicated page for Virtual Workspaces in the Settings app centralizes virtualization controls. - Users can opt for smaller icons on the Taskbar for a more compact arrangement of app buttons. - A new sharing shortcut allows users to send files to compatible apps directly from recent file icons. - An option to disable the "Drag Tray" has been added in the Nearby Sharing settings. - The Notification Center now supports a large clock with seconds and multiple clocks. - The Windows Hello interface has been redesigned with animations for better user engagement. - Support for third-party passkey providers has been integrated into Windows Hello. - A new security feature, Administrator Protection, adds an authentication prompt for actions requiring elevation. - Quick Machine Recovery is designed to repair the operating system during boot failures. - Windows Backup now supports local file transfers during new device setup. - The Xbox Full Screen Experience has been tailored for handheld gaming devices. - A battery percentage display has been added to the Taskbar, along with new battery iconography. - Multi-stream support for cameras allows multiple applications to access the same camera feed simultaneously.

Winsage

December 3, 2025

Windows gets a ‘Liquid Glass’ makeover in a concept, and fans want Microsoft to hire the creator

Microsoft is integrating AI capabilities into Windows, aiming for an "agentic OS" that performs tasks autonomously. This initiative has faced backlash, prompting clarifications from the company. A fan-made concept video by YouTube creator AR 4789 presents a "Liquid Glass" aesthetic for Windows, featuring smooth animations and rounded corners. The concept includes a lock screen with a weather widget, a macOS-style Dock, an AI-powered search bar, and a redesigned system tray. Key applications like File Explorer and Settings have also been updated, along with features allowing users to pin widgets to the desktop and a revamped Start menu. The community has responded positively, encouraging Microsoft to consider this design.

Winsage

November 20, 2025

I miss when Windows came with fun games

Windows has included built-in games since its inception, starting with Reversi in Windows 1.0. Classic games like Minesweeper, Pinball, and chess were staples, particularly during the golden era of Windows XP in 2001, which offered a diverse selection of games. Windows Vista and 7 maintained enjoyable built-in games, but Windows 8 marked a decline, moving many classic games to the Windows Store and redesigning them with monetization strategies. Windows 10 further complicated the gaming landscape by integrating heavily monetized titles, leading to a perception of greed rather than enjoyment. The shift in gaming experiences reflects broader industry trends, with fewer companies offering free built-in games.

AppWizard

November 7, 2025

Minecraft’s Vibrant Visuals update now looks better than ever, and water is next in line for an upgrade

Minecraft's recent update, Vibrant Visuals, introduced over 3,000 new textures, refined shadows, and improved water reflections, enhancing the game's visual experience. The update aims to create an immersive environment by subtly integrating changes such as consistent sky visuals during rain and improved lighting transitions. Adjustments to gamma calibration have clarified shadows, and future updates will include tweaks to water colors in different biomes. The upcoming Mounts of Mayhem expansion will simplify underwater exploration with a new nautilus mount.

AppWizard

October 27, 2025

Chrome for Android just got its long-awaited dose of Google’s latest redesign

The Material 3 Expressive redesign has launched on Chrome for Android with version 141, featuring a modern aesthetic that aligns with other Google applications. Key updates include a redesigned three-dot menu with circular icons for actions like bookmarking and refreshing, a transformed Tab Grid with rounded elements and clearer groupings, and a dynamic color theme that adapts to the user's wallpaper. Additional enhancements include a segmented progress indicator with rounded corners and a star icon with a rounded square background for bookmarks. The update is server-side, meaning it may not be immediately available even if the Chrome version is 141 or higher. Users can try force-stopping the app to prompt the update.

Winsage

October 20, 2025

Microsoft highlights all the new features that have shipped on Windows 11 in 2025 — and promises more to come

Microsoft has announced a series of enhancements for Windows 11, which will be available or rolling out through 2025. Key updates include a revamped File Explorer featuring an AI Actions menu and a redesigned home page, as well as an upgraded Widgets board powered by Copilot Discover. Quality-of-life improvements have been made, including a visual refresh of Windows Hello and updated context menus. For Copilot+ PC users, a new homepage interface for Windows Recall has been introduced, along with an AI agent in Windows Settings for easier navigation. A more customizable Start menu is expected to debut later this year, along with a consistent dark mode theme and advanced AI capabilities in the future.

Winsage

September 1, 2025

This powerful app that lets you dodge Windows 11’s system requirements gets a flurry of killer updates

Flyoobe has released version 1.6, which includes several enhancements to improve user experience, particularly for transitioning to Windows 11. The app simplifies the upgrade process for any PC and has undergone three updates since its initial release a week ago. Key features of version 1.6 include: - Enhanced bloatware remover that effectively identifies and eliminates unwanted software. - A revamped home menu with a new entry screen presenting four core options. - An expanded Install Only OOBE View with badges, full-text search, and one-click actions for clean installs and repairs. - A unified user interface with a visual refresh across all views. - A broadened selection of installable apps. - Updated core functionality in the Experience OOBE View. - Reduced RAM usage and faster startup times. - Minor optimizations and fixes throughout the application. - Access to nightly (Dev) builds for users wanting the latest enhancements before stable releases. - Plans to rename the repository from Flyby11 to Flyoobe, unifying both projects under a single codebase.

Winsage

August 2, 2025

Boost Team Productivity and Security With Windows 11 Pro, Now $15 for Life

The author upgraded to Microsoft Windows 11 Pro, currently priced at .97 (regularly 9) for a lifetime license. Windows 11 Pro offers significant performance improvements, refined multitasking capabilities, and robust security features, including faster boot times, seamless app transitions, and improved cloud service integration. It includes productivity tools like Snap Layouts and virtual desktops, built-in BitLocker encryption, and remote desktop access. The Pro version provides essential features such as Group Policy, Hyper-V virtualization, and enterprise-grade identity management, making it suitable for small business owners and freelancers. The upgrade includes the AI assistant, Copilot, powered by ChatGPT-4o. The one-time purchase eliminates subscription fees, offering predictable costs and reduced licensing complexities.

AppWizard

June 18, 2025

Minecraft’s Nintendo Players Request “Switch 2 Edition” After Graphics Update Skips Switch

Mojang has launched a visual graphics upgrade for Minecraft called 'Vibrant Visuals' alongside the 'Chase the Skies' drop. Nintendo Switch players are disappointed that the Switch trailer does not feature the new visual enhancements, leading to calls for a "Switch 2 Edition" that would include these updates. The Vibrant Visuals update enhances the game's aesthetics without changing gameplay mechanics and allows players to toggle the enhancements on and off. Mojang has expressed a commitment to bringing this graphical update to as many devices as possible in the future. The latest update for the Switch version introduces new features, including a flying mount, building in the sky, leashing camels, a new music disc, and a Player Locator bar.

AppWizard

June 11, 2025

Here’s an early look at the Material 3 Expressive changes headed to the Google app (APK teardown)

The Google app on Android is undergoing a visual refresh with the beta release of version 16.22.44, featuring design updates aligned with Material 3 Expressive language. Key changes include a translucent gradient background for the status bar, a redesigned thicker and more rounded progress bar, and dynamic tabs that will hide during scrolling. A new "Refresh" button will also be introduced under the search bar, although it is not yet functional. These updates aim to enhance user experience and interactivity within the app.