Windows 11 build Archives

Winsage

February 16, 2025

Windows 11 Update Brings Surprising Changes You Need to Know About

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Build 22631.4969 (KB5052094) for Insiders in the Release Preview Channel, featuring enhanced file-sharing from the taskbar's jump list, upgrades to Windows Spotlight for easier image discovery, a refined lock screen experience with additional information on images, and new Narrator functionalities in scan mode, including a "Skip past links" feature and improved navigation with the comma key. These features will be rolled out gradually, and user feedback is encouraged to refine the updates.

Winsage

February 7, 2025

Latest Windows 11 build adds full MIDI 2.0 support and improved performance

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27788 in the Canary Channel, which includes significant enhancements to the MIDI standard. This update supports both MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0, designed exclusively for 64-bit operating systems, and extends full MIDI compatibility across all modern Windows architectures, including Arm64-based PCs. The MIDI 2.0 standard features high-speed data transmission, high-fidelity messages, and endpoint discovery and negotiation. The new MIDI stack improves performance with better timing and reduced jitter, and a faster MIDI driver supports both versions with automatic API translation for interoperability. The update also includes a USB MIDI 2.0 class driver developed in collaboration with the Association of Musical Electronics Industry of Japan and AmeNote, ensuring compatibility with both MIDI 2.0 and legacy MIDI 1.0 devices. Additionally, the preview introduces a 1-click resume function for OneDrive and selective installation options for games in the Microsoft Store.

Winsage

February 7, 2025

Looking for a Useful Valentine’s Day Gift? For $17.26, an Office Suite Is Yours Forever! Windows 11 for Just $14.91

Keysoff is offering a Valentine's Day Sale with significant discounts on Microsoft Office and Windows products. A lifetime license for Microsoft Office 2021 Professional Plus is available for .20, representing a 90% discount. Microsoft Office 2016 Professional Plus is priced at .26. Windows 11 Pro can be purchased for .91, with recent updates enhancing its features. A bundle of Windows 11 Pro and Office 2021 Pro is offered for .79. This sale ends on February 9. Keysoff is a trusted third-party reseller providing legal keys and a seamless purchasing experience, with savings up to 95% off MSRP.

Winsage

February 6, 2025

Microsoft makes massive MIDI improvements for musicians using Windows 11

Microsoft has introduced the Windows MIDI Services Public Preview with the rollout of Windows 11 build 27788, which includes full support for MIDI 2.0. This update features a new USB MIDI 2.0 Class Driver that is backward compatible with MIDI 1.0, and a Windows MIDI Services App SDK for managing MIDI settings. Key enhancements include: - Full support for the MIDI 2.0 Standard, enabling high-speed data transmission and improved message fidelity. - Faster transports for better timing and reduced jitter. - Multi-client endpoints allowing multiple applications to access each endpoint simultaneously. - Enhanced endpoint and port management for improved organization. - In-service scheduling for managing timestamped messages. - Built-in loopback and app-to-app MIDI for complex routing. - Automatic translation between MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0. - Expanded device metadata for enhanced functionality. - Improved notifications for device management. - Backward compatibility with the WinMM MIDI 1.0 API. - An open-source initiative for the MIDI Service and associated tools.

Winsage

February 5, 2025

Hands on: Microsoft is giving classic Windows 11 Paint app a big Copilot AI upgrade

Microsoft has introduced a new Copilot button in the Paint app, accessible to all users with the release of Windows 11 Build 26120.3073 (KB5050090) in the Developer Channel of the Insider Program. This update is also available as an optional update for Windows Insiders on the Beta Channel, while those on the Canary and Dev Channels will receive it for Paint version 11.2412.271.0 and higher. The Copilot button consolidates various AI features, including Cocreator, Image Creator, Generative Erase, and Remove Background, each accompanied by descriptions to assist users. Cocreator generates images locally on Copilot+ PCs using the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) based on user prompts. Image Creator allows users to create images on an existing canvas by entering prompts and adjusting creativity levels. Generative Erase enables users to remove unwanted image portions, seamlessly blending the remaining elements. The Remove Background feature automatically eliminates backgrounds from images, with effectiveness depending on contrast and resolution. Using Image Creator requires AI credits, which are included with a Microsoft 365 subscription. The update also includes improvements to Windows Search functionality, allowing natural language searches for OneDrive files.

Winsage

December 19, 2024

At long last, Microsoft makes it possible to use your webcam with multiple apps simultaneously in Windows 11

Microsoft is rolling out a feature called "Multi-app camera" for Windows 11, allowing users to access a single webcam across multiple applications simultaneously. This feature is currently available to Windows Insiders with the latest Dev Channel release (Windows 11 build 26120.2702) and is part of a broader update with new settings under Windows Camera Advanced Configurations. Users can find these settings under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Cameras. The two new options include: 1. Multi-app camera: Enables multiple applications to access the camera stream at the same time, developed with input from the Hard-of-Hearing community. 2. Basic camera: Provides essential camera functionality for troubleshooting, recommended as a last resort. Microsoft plans to introduce a third option in future builds, allowing users to select different media types such as resolution and frame rate, with a default setting of "Let Windows Choose."

Winsage

December 19, 2024

Final Windows 11 Dev Channel build of 2024 adds support for live captions and real-time translation to Intel and AMD Copilot+ PCs

Windows 11 Build 26120.2705 introduces real-time translation and live captions for Copilot+ PCs powered by AMD and Intel processors, expanding features previously exclusive to Qualcomm Snapdragon devices. Users can access these functionalities by installing the latest build and ensuring their drivers are updated through Windows Update. The live captions feature translates over 44 languages into English, enhancing communication during video calls and streamed content. Additionally, real-time translation support for Snapdragon-powered PCs now includes Chinese (Simplified), with an expanded range of supported languages.

Winsage

December 16, 2024

Windows 11 will finally support this highly requested webcam feature

Windows 11 is introducing a multi-app camera feature in Build 26120.2702, allowing multiple applications to access the same camera simultaneously. This functionality aims to improve accessibility for the Hard-of-Hearing community by enabling video streaming to both a sign language interpreter and the audience at the same time. Users can access this feature through new configuration options in the Settings app, which will also include options for basic camera features and troubleshooting. Additionally, Microsoft is adding API support for third-party passkey providers in this build. Windows 11 Build 22635.4655 included minor updates, such as improvements to the Start menu's recommended websites filtering, experiments with the lock screen's hotspot, changes to the Desktop Spotlight icon interaction, and a visual preview in the Windows share window for shared links or web content.

Winsage

December 11, 2024

Windows 11 build 27764 is out with Start menu improvements and more

Microsoft has released a new preview build for Windows Insiders, designated as 27764, in the Canary Channel. Key enhancements include: - Start Menu: Users can access jump lists by right-clicking pinned apps. - Dynamic Lighting: A placeholder message appears when no compatible devices are connected, and new directional options have been added to the Wave and Gradient effects. - Input: The IME toolbar will be hidden in full-screen mode for Chinese or Japanese typing. - Narrator: New shortcuts allow users to skip links and jump to lists in scan mode. - Speech in Windows: Improvements to speech-to-text and text-to-speech functionalities, with prompts for manual language file updates. Resolved issues include: - A bugcheck issue causing PAGEFAULTINNONPAGEDAREA errors. - File Explorer improvements to prevent hanging with numerous media files. - Fixes for widget text overlapping on secondary monitors. - Resolution of mouse cursor visibility issues when pointer trails are enabled. - Corrections for HDDs being misidentified as SSDs in Task Manager. - Addressing lag and screen tearing on secondary monitors. - Fix for Excel hanging when opening certain files. Known bugs include: - Issues with Windows Hello PIN and biometrics for users transitioning to the Canary Channel. - Rollbacks during installation of Canary builds. - Ongoing work to resolve issues with accent-colored window borders, window shadows, and animations.

Winsage

December 7, 2024

Windows 11 is finally getting a redesigned battery indicator

Windows 11 build 26120.2510 introduces a redesigned battery indicator that features a larger size for a more precise display of the current charge level. The new design includes a vibrant green glow when charging and a warm yellow hue in energy saver mode, replacing the previous monochromatic interface. The updated indicator is currently available on the taskbar, while the lock screen still uses the old version. To enable the new battery indicator, users must update to build 26120.2510 and follow specific instructions involving the use of ViveTool. Additionally, this build introduces AI-powered features for Copilot+ PCs, available for users with the latest Intel and AMD processors equipped with neural processing units.