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Winsage
April 1, 2025

7 PowerToys Run plug-ins I use to boost my productivity

PowerToys is a suite of productivity tools for Windows 11, featuring over two dozen modules. PowerToys Run is a launcher and search bar that simplifies launching applications and finding files. It can be enhanced with plug-ins, including: - Window Walker: Allows users to search for running applications for quick window switching. - OneNote: Enables quick access to notebooks and pages after activation. - WinGet/Scoop: Streamlines app installation and uninstallation from a trusted repository. - BrowserSearch: Facilitates quick searches of browser history across different web browsers. - FastWeb: Allows users to create shortcuts for websites accessible via text commands. - Everything: Provides a fast search engine for files, improving upon the basic file search capabilities. - Clipboard Manager: Makes clipboard history searchable for easier reuse of text clips.
5 nostalgic Windows programs I wish were still around
Winsage
March 30, 2025

5 nostalgic Windows programs I wish were still around

Windows Live Movie Maker was a free video editor that allowed users to create and edit videos without ads or upsells, contrasting with today's monetized tools. Rockmelt was a Chromium-based web browser from the early 2010s that integrated Facebook into the browsing experience with real-time notifications and built-in Messenger functionality. Windows Media Center was a media management interface in Windows Vista and 7 that had potential for growth with the rise of Home Theater PCs and streaming services. Iconic games from Windows XP, such as 3D Pinball: Space Cadet and Minesweeper, created lasting memories for users. Windows Live Messenger was a messaging service known for its user-friendly interface and features like tabbed conversations and customizable emoticons, which many users miss compared to newer platforms like Skype and Teams.
7 ways to customize the Windows taskbar for maximum productivity
Winsage
March 21, 2025

7 ways to customize the Windows taskbar for maximum productivity

The Windows 11 taskbar can be customized for better functionality and personalization through various adjustments. Users can disable unnecessary icons by accessing Taskbar settings, which allows for more space to pin preferred applications. Disabling taskbar grouping can enhance navigation by displaying individual windows instead of grouping them under a single icon. The Windhawk application offers customization options for taskbar labels, including adjusting width, text size, and padding. Volume control can be made easier with Windhawk's Taskbar Volume Control mod, allowing users to adjust sound levels by scrolling over the taskbar. The Middle click to close on the taskbar mod lets users close applications directly from the taskbar instead of opening new instances. Users can reposition the taskbar to any edge of the screen using Windhawk or ExplorerPatcher. Finally, Start11 allows users to pin folder menus to the taskbar, transforming it into a file navigation tool.
silver Android smartphone
Winsage
March 19, 2025

6 essential skills every Windows 11 user needs to master

- Windows 11 users can enhance their experience and security by mastering essential skills such as managing updates, securing online presence, and utilizing system settings. - To protect accounts and sensitive information online, users should consider using a password manager, passkeys, and enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) on accounts. - A VPN with end-to-end encryption can enhance online security, and users should familiarize themselves with their web browser's security settings. - Windows 11 updates are released on the first Tuesday of each month, with a major feature update annually; users can prevent auto-restarts and pause updates for up to five weeks. - The Settings app in Windows 11 has replaced much of the Control Panel for managing system settings, and users should explore it thoroughly. - OneDrive is integrated into Windows 11 for backing up, restoring, and sharing files, and users can create encrypted folders and use Files-on-Demand. - Regularly reviewing and uninstalling unnecessary applications can help maintain PC performance, and users can manage default applications and disable startup apps via Task Manager. - Accessing the BIOS/UEFI allows for updates, security adjustments, and hardware configuration changes, typically done by pressing keys like Esc, F2, or F8 during boot.
Microsoft is supercharging Windows 11’s voice commands on Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon CPUs, and fine-tuning a few Recall features
Winsage
March 18, 2025

Microsoft is supercharging Windows 11’s voice commands on Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon CPUs, and fine-tuning a few Recall features

Windows 11 is enhancing its voice command capabilities for Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon (Arm-based) processors through the latest preview build, 26120.3576. Users can now issue commands in natural language, such as “Please open the Chrome browser,” instead of using rigid phrasing. This feature is being rolled out to testers, and Microsoft is also expanding Voice Access support to include simplified and traditional Chinese. Adjustments have been made to the Recall feature to fix bugs and process ‘intelligent text actions’ locally for improved security and efficiency. The natural language processing in voice commands aims to enhance user experience and accessibility. Currently, these advancements are limited to Snapdragon (Arm-based) Copilot+ PCs, with no specific details on future expansions to Intel or AMD processors. The testing phase does not guarantee all features will be included in the final release.
7 forgotten Windows apps that somehow still exist
Winsage
March 16, 2025

7 forgotten Windows apps that somehow still exist

WinAmp, foobar2000, and RealPlayer were once essential media players but have seen a decline in popularity due to improvements in Windows Media Player and the rise of streaming services. Foobar2000 and RealPlayer still appeal to a niche audience. Napster, originally a peer-to-peer file sharing service, has transformed into a legitimate music streaming service after facing legal challenges. TeamSpeak, once favored in the gaming community for voice chat, has been overshadowed by Discord but remains operational with ongoing updates. Netscape Navigator was a leading web browser that declined with the rise of Internet Explorer and was discontinued in 2008, but has been reintroduced as a Chromium-based browser by AOL. WordPerfect was a dominant word processing software in the late 80s and early 90s but lost market share to Microsoft Word; it continues to exist as an office suite. WinZip, once the preferred file compression tool, has seen its relevance decline due to native ZIP support in Windows and free alternatives like 7-Zip; it is now owned by Corel. WindowBlinds, a customization tool for Windows, has been updated for Windows 11 but lacks the popularity it once had, reflecting a trend towards less customizable operating systems.
Months before millions of PCs will get stuck on Windows 10, Google makes its case for running ChromeOS to use Microsoft 365
Winsage
March 12, 2025

Months before millions of PCs will get stuck on Windows 10, Google makes its case for running ChromeOS to use Microsoft 365

Google has outlined five key ways in which ChromeOS enhances the Microsoft 365 experience for organizations: 1. Microsoft 365 applications are accessible to ChromeOS users, providing a desktop-like user experience. 2. ChromeOS devices can automatically log into Microsoft 365 applications using Single Sign-On (SSO) powered by Microsoft EntraID and other providers. 3. Integration of Microsoft OneDrive with the ChromeOS Files app is seamless. 4. ChromeOS devices can utilize OneDrive storage exclusively, ensuring no local data is retained on the device. 5. These features are easily configurable for IT administrators through the Google Admin console. Google's ChromeOS Flex allows users to run ChromeOS on existing PCs without additional costs, providing a secure, cloud-based operating system as an alternative to unsupported versions of Windows. This approach aims to refresh functional devices that cannot run Windows 11. ChromeOS is particularly suited for users who primarily need to perform basic tasks like web browsing and accessing Office applications.
Windows' Cortana is back from the dead, and you're not going to like her new form
Winsage
March 11, 2025

Windows’ Cortana is back from the dead, and you’re not going to like her new form

Cortana has been reintroduced as Copilot, which allows voice interaction through a hotkey. The Copilot update features voice commands and a microphone icon, aiming to enhance productivity in Windows 11. Users can engage with Copilot by holding the Alt + Spacebar for two seconds and can end the conversation by pressing the Esc key. Unlike Cortana, Copilot does not permit users to adjust system settings via voice commands; instead, it directs users to the Copilot app for interaction.
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