watermark Archives

Winsage

May 29, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27868 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27868 has been released to the Canary Channel. There are no plans to release SDKs for the 27xxx series builds. The voice access feature has been enhanced with a new in-product experience to highlight new features. A fix has been implemented for pen input issues on certain PCs, and problems with launching applications like Spotify from the Microsoft Store have been addressed. A rendering issue in the Group Policy Editor for some display languages has been corrected, and a SYSTEMTHREADEXCEPTIONNOTHANDLED bugcheck issue has been fixed. Known issues include potential loss of Windows Hello PIN and biometrics for Copilot+ PCs transitioning to the Canary Channel, an Administrative Templates error in the Group Policy Editor, taskbar display issues after upgrading, and audio problems with high sampling rate devices. Applications reliant on virtualization will require the "Windows Hypervisor Platform" component when Virtualization Based Security is enabled. Search and filtering options in Task Manager are currently non-operational. Insiders in the Canary Channel should note that builds reflect early development changes and may not align with any specific Windows release. Features may not reach the general public, and a clean installation is required to exit the Canary Channel. The desktop watermark is standard for pre-release builds.

Winsage

May 16, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27858 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27858 has been released to the Canary Channel. A new system tray icon for the emoji and more panel has been introduced, allowing users to access emojis, GIFs, and Kaomojis, with customization options available. Several fixes have been implemented, including resolving black screen issues during upgrades, enhancing accessibility in File Explorer, updating desktop icon logic, fixing voice typing initiation issues, resolving explorer.exe crashes related to snap layouts, addressing taskbar icon resizing problems in tablet mode, fixing night light functionality, and resolving MIDI device recognition issues. Known issues include potential problems with Windows Hello PIN and biometrics on new Copilot+ PCs and unresponsive pen input on certain devices. Insiders are reminded that builds in the Canary Channel are early development versions and may change. A clean installation is required to exit the Canary Channel, and a desktop watermark will be present in pre-release builds.

Winsage

April 23, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27842 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27842 has been released to the Canary Channel. There are no plans to release SDKs for the 27xxx series builds. Changes include: - Temporary disappearance of enhanced battery iconography. - A new user interface for unexpected restarts is being previewed, appearing as a “green screen” for Insiders on version 24H2 and higher. - The Windows Security app will display additional details about Pluton TPM chips under Device security. Fixes include: - Resolved issues with Windows Update toggle, high CPU usage by lsass.exe, and crashes in ctfmon.exe and DWM. - Improved reliability of explorer.exe and fixed display issues with external graphics cards and JPG images. - Corrected problems with the Smart App Control icon and the Run dialog autocomplete. Known issues include: - Users on new Copilot+ PCs may lose access to Windows Hello PIN and biometrics. - Night light functionality is not working for some Insiders. - Bugcheck issues when using Xbox Controllers via Bluetooth. Insiders in the Canary Channel should note that builds may evolve and features may be removed or never reach general release. A clean installation of Windows 11 is required to exit the Canary Channel.

Winsage

March 27, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27823 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27823 has been released to the Canary Channel. There are no plans to release SDKs for the 27xxx series builds. The update includes general enhancements and fixes, a new feature called "top cards" under Settings > System > About that displays essential PC specifications (processor, RAM, storage, GPU), and various bug fixes across File Explorer, Input, Login and Lock, Settings, Printing, and other areas. Known issues include a potential loss of Windows Hello PIN for users transitioning from other channels and a visual issue with the update toggle in Settings. A fix is being worked on for taskbar icon sizing in tablet mode. Insiders are reminded that Canary Channel builds may change and are not aligned with specific Windows releases.

Winsage

March 7, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27808 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27808 has been released to the Canary Channel. There are no plans to release SDKs for the 27xxx series builds. A significant update to the Task Manager has been initiated, aligning CPU utilization metrics with industry standards, and a new optional CPU Utility column is available on the Details tab. Several fixes have been made, including resolving issues with popular games, printing bugs, blank search windows, Settings app crashes, inaccurate battery icon colors, and BitLocker performance. Known issues include a d3d9.dll crash affecting application launches and a warning for Copilot+ PCs transitioning to the Canary Channel regarding the loss of Windows Hello PIN and biometrics. Enhancements to the Microsoft Store include a new spotlight design and updates to the Downloads page. Insiders in the Canary Channel are reminded that builds may not correspond to specific releases and may evolve or be removed. A clean installation is required to exit the Canary Channel.

Winsage

March 1, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27802 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27802 has been released to the Canary Channel, with no plans for SDKs for the 27xxx series builds. Key updates include improved battery iconography, featuring colored icons to indicate charging states (green for optimal charging, yellow for energy-saving mode below 20%, and red for critically low battery). Users can display battery percentage in the system tray by toggling the option in Settings. New features include file sharing from taskbar jump lists and changes to the Desktop Spotlight icon interaction model. Several fixes have been implemented, including resolving installation errors and issues in File Explorer, Taskbar, Input, Lock Screen, Administrator Protection, Audio, and Remote Desktop. Known issues include potential loss of Windows Hello PIN on Copilot+ PCs transitioning to the Canary Channel, bugchecks in certain games and printing applications, and display issues with new battery icon colors. Insiders are reminded that features in the Canary Channel may change and that a clean installation is required to exit this channel.

Winsage

February 28, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27802 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27802 has been released to the Canary Channel. Key updates include new battery iconography with colored icons indicating charging states (green for charging, yellow for energy-saving mode, and red for critically low battery), an option to display battery percentage in the system tray, and the ability to share files directly from taskbar jump lists. Changes also include improvements to the Desktop Spotlight icon interaction and various bug fixes across different components, such as File Explorer and audio issues. Known issues include potential problems with Windows Hello PIN, certain games causing bugchecks, and printing from specific applications leading to errors. Users transitioning to the Canary Channel may face issues that require a clean installation to exit the channel.

Winsage

February 12, 2025

Microsoft issues Windows 11 alert and says to ‘roll back to Windows 10’ now

Windows 10 will reach its end of life on October 14, 2025, after which Microsoft will stop providing free updates and security patches. Users can transition to Windows 11 by purchasing a new laptop with it pre-installed, opting for Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for older machines, or upgrading existing devices. Windows 11 has specific system requirements, including a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. Microsoft warns that installing Windows 11 on incompatible hardware will result in a watermark and operational issues. A PC Health Check tool is available to assess device compatibility with Windows 11. The minimum requirements for running Windows 11 include a 1 GHz processor with 2 or more cores, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, a DirectX 12 compatible graphics card, and a high-definition display.

Winsage

December 25, 2024

Permanently remove “Learn more about this picture” icon in Windows 11

Windows 11 users enabling the Spotlight feature for desktop backgrounds often encounter the "Learn more about this picture" icon, which many find distracting. Microsoft has not provided an option to remove this icon through Personalization settings, leading to significant feedback on the Microsoft Feedback Hub. Users can disable Spotlight entirely to avoid the icon or modify the Registry Editor to remove it while keeping Spotlight active. The steps include navigating to a specific registry path, creating a new DWORD value, and changing its data. Alternatively, users can use third-party applications like Explorer Patcher to hide the icon easily.

Winsage

December 24, 2024

Free Guide – How to Edit a PDF File on Windows 10

Editing PDF files on Windows 10 is often necessary for correcting errors, filling out forms, adding comments, or updating information. Various free PDF editors are available online, including Tenorshare PDNob, which offers a free month of premium features. To edit a PDF using Microsoft Word, open the program, select the PDF file, and make edits after it converts to an editable format. Adobe Acrobat allows for professional editing but requires a subscription for advanced features. Tenorshare PDNob provides a free solution with features like text editing, file conversion, compression, watermark removal, image extraction, and secure editing. Windows 10 does not include a built-in PDF editor, but it has Microsoft Edge for basic viewing and annotations. Editing a PDF file is possible with tools like Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, or dedicated editors like Tenorshare PDNob.