WebView2 Archives

Winsage

August 22, 2026

Microsoft built a dedicated app that forces Bing everywhere on Windows 11, including Chrome, Firefox, and Brave

Microsoft has introduced a standalone application called MicrosoftSettings.exe that prompts users to change their default search engine to Bing across all browsers on their PC. This application is not force-installed via Windows Update or available in the Microsoft Store; it can be downloaded from Microsoft's official servers. Upon installation, it encourages users to add a Chrome extension named Microsoft Bing Homepage & Search, which alters search settings and directs users to the Microsoft Rewards page. The installation process features a welcome screen with a pre-set toggle for changing the search engine to Bing, applicable to Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. The extension has a 4-star rating and claims 5 million users, but it triggers alerts from Chrome regarding its permissions. Microsoft has also launched a sweepstakes for Bing users and made it possible to sign into Bing using Google or Apple accounts. Despite efforts to promote Bing, Microsoft has committed to decluttering MSN and simplifying its offerings in other areas.

Winsage

August 12, 2026

OneDrive Photos Lands on Windows 11 by Accident

A new application, OneDrive Photos, has started appearing on Windows 11 PCs since August 1, despite being incompatible with enterprise machines. Microsoft acknowledged that the rollout exceeded its intended scope and is working on a remedy. Users cannot remove the app without uninstalling OneDrive entirely. OneDrive Photos functions as a web app, scanning local photos without requiring a Microsoft account sign-in and offering features like search and albums. There is no separate uninstall option for the app; removing it necessitates uninstalling OneDrive, which also eliminates File Explorer integration. Microsoft plans to introduce separate removal controls in the future, and the app will be removed from unsupported Intune-managed PCs.

Winsage

August 12, 2026

Windows 11’s faster app launches released today, enable it using these steps

Windows 11 introduced the Low Latency Profile feature with the August 2026 security update, enhancing app launch speeds. This feature allows the CPU to quickly reach near-maximum frequency when an application is launched, improving loading times and conserving energy by returning to low-power idle states more rapidly. Initially limited to core Windows shell elements, the August update (KB5121003) expanded this functionality to a wider range of applications. Testing showed significant improvements in app launch times, with no adverse effects on CPU performance or battery life. Users can manually enable the feature using the ViVeTool if it hasn't been rolled out to them yet. Microsoft is also working on optimizing Windows 11 for devices with 8GB of RAM and above by the end of 2026.

Winsage

August 9, 2026

Microsoft confirms it accidentally installed new OneDrive app on Windows 11 PCs, and there’s no easy way to remove it yet

Microsoft has unintentionally rolled out its AI-powered OneDrive Photos app on Windows 11, affecting enterprise PCs where it is non-functional. The app was initially limited to select consumer PCs but became widely available starting August 1, 2026. Microsoft confirmed that this rollout was not intended and is working on a solution to allow users to remove OneDrive Photos independently from the OneDrive sync client. Currently, the app cannot be uninstalled without removing OneDrive entirely. OneDrive Photos serves as a centralized hub for viewing images stored locally and in the cloud, integrating with OneDrive.com’s Gallery. It appears in search results above the traditional Microsoft Photos app, even on systems not part of the Windows Insider Program. IT administrators have expressed frustration over its unexpected presence on enterprise PCs, as the app is designed for personal accounts.

Winsage

August 3, 2026

Can Microsoft Really Make Windows 11 Suck Less on Weak PCs?

Microsoft is refining Windows 11 to improve user experience by reducing unnecessary AI integration, enhancing control over widgets and taskbar configurations, and streamlining File Explorer. The company aims to decrease the operating system's memory usage, particularly for devices with 8GB of RAM, addressing concerns about excessive memory consumption. Historically, Microsoft recommended 16GB of RAM for new PCs, but rising prices have led to a shift towards lower RAM configurations to attract budget-conscious consumers. For example, Dell offers an XPS 13 with 8GB of memory for 9, while a model with 16GB costs ,299. The minimum requirement for Windows 11 is 4GB of RAM, which is barely sufficient to run the OS. Microsoft is working on optimizing the OS by remaking components to reduce reliance on the memory-intensive WebView2 and implementing a more efficient memory allocator. These enhancements aim to improve the experience for users with 8GB laptops, but potential buyers must decide between purchasing a less powerful machine or investing in a more capable system.

Winsage

August 3, 2026

Windows 11: Microsoft optimizes memory requirements for systems with 8 GB RAM

Microsoft is focusing on enhancing the efficiency of Windows 11 for systems with 8 GB of RAM, identifying memory optimization as a key priority. The company is revising multiple technical areas, including a more efficient memory allocator and adaptations to WinUI 3 to reduce RAM usage. Improvements are also planned for Chromium and WebView2 to decrease resource consumption. Microsoft has not committed to specific metrics for memory reduction or paging activity but aims to improve performance for budget-friendly devices. The official minimum requirement for Windows 11 is 4 GB, but higher memory allocations may be necessary for certain applications. Microsoft plans to roll out improvements tested since March more broadly in the autumn, although it remains unclear if these changes will apply to all supported versions of Windows 11. Users with 8 GB of RAM will not need to take immediate action, as the new memory management features will be revealed in future updates.

Winsage

August 2, 2026

Windows 11’s Photos app just got debloated, but Microsoft is already ruining it with a WebView2 sequel

Microsoft Photos for Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel has been updated to feature a cleaner interface with fewer icons and a faster context menu. The update removes unnecessary elements, including the "Ask Copilot" button, and focuses on essential actions like Edit, Print, and Share. The context menu now opens faster and includes a concise list of relevant options. Additional enhancements include a richer file info pane, support for HEIC files without conversion, SVG viewing support, improved launch performance, and new device import controls. However, a new app called "Photos (Preview)" has been introduced, which operates as a WebView2 process and adds complexity to the user experience. Microsoft is seeking user feedback on this experimental app.

Winsage

July 30, 2026

A major Windows 11 UI redesign is coming, Microsoft is dumping legacy code for WinUI

Microsoft is transitioning more Windows UI elements to WinUI3, moving away from legacy UI inconsistencies that have led to increased RAM usage. WinUI serves as the native UI framework designed to replace older technologies like Win32 and UWP. An early preview of the redesigned Properties dialog, rebuilt in WinUI, showcased new native elements. Microsoft plans to bring more Windows UI to WinUI3, despite previous issues with hastily integrating dark mode into legacy code. The decision to rebuild the Properties dialog indicates a commitment to investing resources in this initiative. Updates across various dialogs and system components are ongoing, with the file copy dialog already rewritten in WinUI. The Run dialog has also transitioned to WinUI, loading faster than its predecessor. However, the Start menu rewrite is being cautiously managed due to current memory usage issues with WinUI. Microsoft is actively working to enhance WinUI’s memory usage and integrate it with the Windows system compositor for improved performance.

Winsage

July 29, 2026

Windows 11 is quietly installing OneDrive Photos, another image viewer that nobody asked for

In 2026, Windows 11 users noticed the unexpected addition of OneDrive Photos to the Start menu, a photo viewer and editor installed through a Windows Update or an update to the OneDrive sync client. OneDrive Photos is integrated into the existing OneDrive installation and operates via the executable file located at C:Program FilesMicrosoft OneDriveOneDrive.App.exe. It can scan local files for photos without requiring a Microsoft account and offers functionalities similar to the Microsoft Photos app. Users cannot remove OneDrive Photos independently from OneDrive, and to prevent its installation, OneDrive must be uninstalled entirely. The app includes features like AI-driven cloud search, Optical Character Recognition (OCR), and a People section for organizing faces in images, with privacy assurances regarding facial data.

Winsage

July 22, 2026

Microsoft is Modernizing Decades-Old Properties Window in File Explorer

Microsoft is updating the File Properties window in Windows 11's File Explorer to use the WinUI 3 framework, aiming to improve design consistency across the operating system. This change addresses longstanding user interface inconsistencies caused by a mix of legacy frameworks, including elements from Windows 7. The transition to a desktop-only WinUI 3 framework is intended to reduce application latency and enhance the user experience. All desktop elements are expected to operate on the WinUI 3 framework for the first time since Windows 11's launch in late 2021. Additionally, the classic Win32 Control Panel is being gradually integrated into the modern Settings app, with careful consideration to avoid disruptions.