window management Archives

Winsage

December 1, 2025

5 Essential Windows Apps Everyone Should Be Using In 2025

Everything is a free application from Voidtools that indexes file and folder names quickly, allowing searches of up to a million files in a minute. It can index mapped network drives and supports Boolean operators and wildcards for advanced search needs. Flow Launcher is an open-source application that serves as a quick launcher and search utility, integrating with Everything for fast file searches and allowing users to open applications, search for files, and perform calculations from a single interface. NanaZip is an open-source archive manager derived from 7-Zip, supporting various archive formats and offering faster processing times, improved encryption, dark mode, and context menu integration. Microsoft PowerToys is a suite of utilities for power users that includes tools like Command Palette, PowerRename, and FancyZones, available for free from the Microsoft Store. Ferdium is an open-source tool that consolidates web applications into a single platform, allowing users to manage multiple web apps within one window, supporting multiple instances of the same app and offering workspace management and a built-in To-do list panel.

Winsage

November 28, 2025

3 Windows frustrations Microsoft PowerToys finally fixed for me

Windows 11 has a sleek interface but comes with some quirks. Integrating Microsoft PowerToys can alleviate minor irritations and improve productivity. FancyZones allows users to create custom layouts for window management, enabling better organization of the desktop. PowerToys Peek lets users preview file contents in File Explorer using the shortcut Ctrl + Space, reducing the need to open multiple files. Advanced Paste enables pasting text as plain text or Markdown, helping maintain consistent formatting and eliminating issues with unwanted formatting from web content. PowerToys may not be necessary for users with basic computing needs, as the built-in features of Windows 11 might suffice. However, for daily users, the tools provided by PowerToys can enhance workflow and efficiency by addressing small annoyances that accumulate during multitasking.

Winsage

November 26, 2025

5 Linux desktop environments that make ditching Windows 10 easy – including my top pick

KDE Plasma is a Linux desktop environment that resembles the Windows desktop and offers extensive customization options. It serves as the default desktop for distributions such as KDE Neon, Kubuntu, openSUSE, and Fedora KDE. Cinnamon is the default desktop environment for Linux Mint, designed for user-friendliness and closely resembling Windows in aesthetics and functionality. It is included in distributions like Linux Mint, Ubuntu Cinnamon, and Fedora Cinnamon. MATE is a continuation of GNOME 2, retaining familiar Windows features while being lightweight for older hardware. It can be found in distributions such as Debian, Fedora, Gentoo, and Ubuntu MATE. Budgie features an elegant design that mimics Windows and offers a customizable experience with a notification system called Raven. It is available in distributions like Ubuntu Budgie and Fedora. Xfce resembles Windows and includes essential features, but its high level of customization may overwhelm new users. It is the default desktop for distributions like Xubuntu and MX Linux.

AppWizard

November 26, 2025

Android set to lead Google’s charge into the PC market

Google is considering a new initiative called Aluminium, which aims to adapt Android's features for laptops and desktops, focusing on ARM architecture and improving multitasking, keyboard-and-mouse input, and file management. Android has over 3 billion active devices globally, while ChromeOS has a low market share in the PC sector. Android has evolved with updates like Android 12L, enhancing usability on large screens, and real-world implementations like Samsung DeX show its potential as a desktop OS. However, challenges remain regarding app usability on larger displays, and improvements in performance, security, and enterprise readiness are needed. Google plans to develop a refined Desktop Mode, implement UX guidelines, establish a native Linux workspace, enhance file access, integrate audio features, and collaborate with OEMs for compatible hardware.

Winsage

November 13, 2025

Upgrade your PC in one go with Office 2021 Pro and Windows 11 Pro for $49.97

A bundle including Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and Windows 11 Pro is available for .97, reduced from a regular price of .99. The bundle includes a one-time activation code for use on one Windows PC, with instant delivery. Office 2021 Pro features applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, Publisher, OneNote, and a free version of Teams. Windows 11 Pro offers enhancements such as snap layouts, improved voice typing, faster search, BitLocker encryption, TPM 2.0, biometric sign-in, DirectX 12 Ultimate support for gaming, and built-in Teams. Customer support is available for activation assistance. Prices are subject to change.

Winsage

November 11, 2025

Windows 11’s November Patch Tuesday update brings new Start, battery icon improvements, and important Task Manager fix

Microsoft has rolled out the November Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11, designated as KB5068861 and build 26200.7121, which is now available through Windows Update. Key features include: - A revamped Start menu interface allowing users to pin more app icons, hide the recommended feed, modify the all apps list display, toggle the visibility of the Phone Link companion, and enjoy a larger Start menu that adjusts to screen size. - An updated Taskbar battery icon that is larger, changes color based on battery and power state, and includes a battery percentage indicator. The update also addresses several critical fixes: - Voice Access issue resolved where it would fail during initial setup without a connected microphone. - Fixed a problem where selecting the desktop could open Task View inadvertently. - Corrected an issue in the HTTP.sys request parser for compliance with RFC 9112 standard. Users can download KB5068861 via Windows Update or manually from the Microsoft Update catalog.

Winsage

November 11, 2025

The 7 apps I always install first on a Windows 11 PC — and they’re all FREE

PowerToys is an open-source collection of utilities that enhances productivity for Windows 11 users, featuring tools like FancyZones for window management and Image Resizer. Google Chrome is a popular web browser known for its synchronization across devices. Steam is a primary gaming platform with a robust library and the ability to stream games to a Steam Deck. The Heroic Games Launcher is a third-party alternative to the Epic Games Launcher, offering customizable features and support for GOG and Amazon Games libraries. GIMP is a powerful open-source photo editing tool that provides advanced features without the cost of commercial software. The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) allows seamless integration between Windows and Linux, supporting applications like Docker Desktop and Visual Studio Code. Spotify is used for audio entertainment, helping users maintain focus during work. Tools like Ninite, the Microsoft Store, and winget streamline the installation of applications on Windows 11, with winstall.app providing a user-friendly interface for generating installation scripts.

Winsage

November 3, 2025

Windows 11 Pro License With Expert Course Drops to $24.99.

A bundle is available for .99 that includes a Windows 11 Pro license and an expert-led training course. Microsoft has ended support for Windows 10, leaving users exposed to security vulnerabilities. To upgrade to Windows 11, devices must meet specific requirements, including a compatible CPU, TPM 2.0, and Secure Boot. The bundle provides access to advanced features of Windows 11 Pro, such as BitLocker drive encryption and Remote Desktop, along with practical guidance on setup and customization. Users are advised to back up their files, clean up their systems, and choose the appropriate upgrade path. Windows 11 offers enhanced security features and improved productivity tools. The bundle is a cost-effective alternative to Extended Security Updates for those still using Windows 10.

Winsage

October 29, 2025

Crowbarring Windows 95 into Windows NT with CAPITALS

The early versions of Windows NT transitioned from the Program Manager of Windows 3.1 as Windows 95 was developed, leading to the integration of the Windows 95 shell into Windows NT. The Windows NT team, while preparing for their launch, considered how to incorporate features from Windows 95, resulting in Windows NT 4.0. The teams maintained communication, with the NT team integrating the Windows 95 user interface and window management capabilities into their system. The integration involved using Windows 95 as a reference for reimplementing features rather than merging code directly. Explorer was integrated into Windows NT's architecture, allowing updates in Windows 95 to avoid redundant changes. To prevent bugs from affecting Windows 95, the NT team enclosed new code within #ifdef WINNT directives. They faced challenges with the sizeof operator due to Windows NT's Unicode awareness, leading to a macro definition for tracking verified instances. Microsoft used an internal source code management system called SLM, which lacked branch support, making the transfer of changes between Windows 95 and Windows NT a manual process.

AppWizard

October 27, 2025

AppContext To Keep Apps Alive In Android

Google is set to enhance tablet multitasking in the upcoming Android Q release by introducing a new gesture that allows users to create a compact floating "bubble" window for any app. This feature will enable users to drag an app icon from the taskbar to the screen's bottom corners, facilitating a more seamless app-switching experience. The floating windows will allow various applications, such as browsers and note-taking tools, to float above the main workspace, enabling users to engage with multiple applications simultaneously, particularly on larger devices. This enhancement aims to improve the user experience on Android tablets and foldable devices by providing a more intuitive multitasking environment. The feature will utilize the Bubbles API and is expected to be rolled out for user testing as part of Google's quarterly platform release schedule.