Windows 11 laptops Archives

Winsage

April 8, 2025

How to check apps draining the most battery on Windows 11

Users experiencing rapid battery drain on Windows 11 laptops may find that certain applications are consuming excessive energy. To identify and mitigate the impact of these power-hungry apps, users can take several steps: 1. Change Power Mode: - Open Settings > System > Power & battery. - Click on Power Mode and select "Best Power Efficiency." 2. Enable Energy Saver: - Open Settings > System > Power & battery. - Click on Energy Saver and either turn on the "Always use energy saver" toggle or set a battery level to activate it automatically. 3. Energy Recommendations: - Open Settings > System > Power & battery. - Click on Energy Recommendations and apply individual or all suggested changes. 4. Restrict Background Permissions: - Open Settings > System > Power & battery. - Click on Battery usage, analyze app usage, select the app, and manage background activity by choosing "Never" under background app permissions. 5. Uninstall App: - Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps. - Select the app to uninstall and follow the instructions. These actions can help optimize battery life on Windows 11 laptops.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

Chrome failed to install on Windows PCs, but Google has issued a fix

Several Reddit users have reported difficulties installing Google Chrome on Windows PCs, a problem also experienced by the Laptop Mag team on multiple Windows 11 laptops. Users noted that the direct download from Google was problematic, while a workaround using the installer from ninite.com was successful. Issues were reported on both Windows 10 and 11, with speculation about a glitch in the latest installer release. Google acknowledged the issue and confirmed a fix had been implemented, allowing successful installations afterward. A step-by-step guide for resolving the installation hurdle was provided, recommending the use of an offline installer named “ChromeStandAloneSetup64.”

Winsage

December 26, 2024

Got a new laptop with Windows 11 in S Mode? Let’s break down what that means (and how to switch it off if it’s not for you)

Many Windows 11 laptops come preinstalled with Windows 11 in S mode, which restricts app installations to those available in the Microsoft Store to enhance security and efficiency. S mode is beneficial for families and less tech-savvy users as it prevents downloading unverified applications and continues to provide security features like Windows Defender and Windows Hello. To switch off S mode, users need a stable internet connection and an active Microsoft account. The process involves opening the Settings app, navigating to the System page, and selecting the Activation category to switch to Windows 11 Home or Pro. After confirming the choice in the Microsoft Store, users can verify the transition by attempting to download a non-Microsoft browser.

Winsage

December 10, 2024

Windows 11 laptops are getting an improved battery indicator

Microsoft is introducing a revamped battery indicator for Windows 11 laptops as part of Build 26120.2510, currently available only to Insiders on the Dev Channel. The new battery indicator features a larger, more vibrant design, displaying a green hue when charging and yellow when Power Saving Mode is activated. Currently, this design is visible in the taskbar, while the traditional icon remains on the lock screen. The updated design is expected to be available on the lock screen after testing. The build also includes enhanced experiences for Copilot+ on AMD and Intel hardware.

Winsage

November 21, 2024

Meta Quest 3 will get better Windows support in December

Microsoft will introduce Windows in mixed reality in December, allowing users to access Windows 11 on Meta's Quest 3 and Quest 3S headsets. This feature enables seamless connection to local Windows PCs or Windows 365 Cloud PCs, with public preview starting next month. The integration was first announced at Meta Connect 2022, and while Windows will not run directly on the headset, it will be streamed from a local PC or cloud. Meta recently showcased a feature that extends Windows 11 laptop screens to digital displays on Quest headsets. Initially, the preview will support only Quest 3 and Quest 3S, with potential future compatibility for more headsets.

Winsage

October 2, 2024

Microsoft-paid study shows Windows 11 is just way too fast compared to Windows 10

Microsoft has provided details about the Windows 11 upgrade and its compatibility with office PCs, along with enhancements in Windows 11 2024 LTSC. A study by Principled Technologies indicates that Windows 11 generally outperforms Windows 10, showing improvements in battery life, system responsiveness, and overall performance. Mainstream laptop users can expect extended battery life, quicker task completion, efficient operation of demanding applications, and activation of the VBS feature without significant performance loss. The study reported a minimum performance advantage of 18.8% for Windows 11, with some cases showing a lead of 246.2%. However, comparisons made in the study raised questions about validity due to differences in the devices tested.

Winsage

September 26, 2024

Quests Can Soon Extend Windows Laptops By Just Looking At Them

Quest headsets will enhance the functionality of Windows 11 laptops later this year through a collaboration between Meta and Microsoft, allowing users to extend their laptop screens by simply looking at them without needing software installation. The feature will utilize Windows 11's remote desktop capabilities, enabling Horizon OS to connect directly to the PC, resulting in a virtual display that replicates the laptop's screen and allows for multiple virtual monitors. Currently, Meta offers similar functionalities through its Remote Display and Horizon Workrooms apps, as well as third-party applications like Virtual Desktop and Immersed. The Meta-Microsoft partnership distinguishes itself by not requiring users to launch an app or install new software. The user experience is inspired by Apple’s visionOS, but it is unclear if a home Wi-Fi network will be necessary for operation.

AppWizard

September 24, 2024

Valve could come to the rescue of Copilot+ PCs for running games, as test version of Proton for Arm CPUs is spotted

Valve is exploring a version of its Proton translation layer for Arm processors, specifically an Arm64 variant called ‘proton-arm64ec-4’, which is being tested with various PC games. The Steam Deck operates on an Arm chip, contrasting with the existing x86 AMD custom Zen 2 CPU model. The potential benefits of an Arm-based Steam Deck include cost-effectiveness and improved battery life. Valve may be aiming to create a version of Steam compatible with Arm-based Windows 11 laptops, particularly targeting the anticipated growth in Copilot+ PCs by 2025. Currently, Arm-based laptops using Snapdragon X face limitations in the selection of playable titles due to Microsoft’s Prism technology. Valve's initiative to develop Proton for Arm chips is still in preliminary stages, and it is uncertain if it will lead to a final product.

Winsage

August 6, 2024

Windows 11 laptops with Snapdragon X ARM chips can now run Adobe Premiere Pro under emulation

Adobe has launched the x86 version of Premiere Pro for Windows 11 on ARM devices using Qualcomm's Snapdragon X processors, operating under emulation until an ARM-native version is developed. Premiere Pro was previously allowed to run under emulation but was temporarily disabled due to performance issues. It has now returned to the Creative Cloud app, with improvements made. The application may perform slower than on Intel or AMD machines but is adequate for basic video projects at 1080p resolution. Adobe is working on an ARM-native version, but no timeline for its release has been provided. Currently, Photoshop is the only Adobe application available natively for Windows on ARM, with others like After Effects expected to follow later this year. Other software, such as DaVinci Resolve and Microsoft's Clipchamp, are already available in native formats for Windows on ARM.

Winsage

July 16, 2024

Forget Chromebooks, these Windows 11 laptops are just as cheap but much more powerful

This year, there are Windows 11 laptops selling for 0 and under that are actually worth buying, with modern processors, plenty of RAM, and good storage space. Windows 11 is a more versatile operating system than Chrome OS and supports a wider range of applications, making these laptops a good option for work and study.