Windows Experience Archives

Winsage

June 4, 2025

Microsoft will stop pestering Windows users about Edge in EU

Microsoft has made adjustments to its Windows operating system to comply with Europe’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). Designated as a "gatekeeper" under the DMA in 2023, Microsoft is required to modify its core platform services. The changes announced in March 2024 for European users include the ability to uninstall Edge and Bing, support for third-party web applications on the Windows taskbar, and revisions to sign-on practices. Users will now only receive notifications to set Edge as their default browser after opening it, and the "Set Default" button will cover more file types in the EEA. Some enhancements are available in the Beta Channel, with a broader rollout expected in July. Windows Search will allow EEA users to install applications that designate alternative web search providers, and users will soon be able to uninstall and reinstall the Microsoft Store. Jon S. von Tetzchner, CEO of Vivaldi, praised the changes but noted that the process for setting a preferred default browser still needs improvement.

Winsage

June 3, 2025

Windows 11 news and updates: Sora video AI comes to Bing while USB-C changes will make all of our lives easier

Microsoft has made adjustments to Windows 11 and Windows 10 to comply with the Digital Markets Act for users in the European Economic Area, including stopping prompts to set Edge as the default browser and automatically pinning users' preferred browsers to the Taskbar. The optional update KB5058499 (OS Build 26100.4202) for Windows 11, released on May 28, 2025, improves gaming stability and includes upgrades to AI tools. OpenAI's Sora AI model is now available globally in the Bing Video Creator within the Bing mobile app. Notepad has added support for Markdown syntax. Microsoft has committed that all USB-C ports on Windows 11 will support data, charging, and display functionalities, with USB4 ports being compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and USB4 peripherals. The release date for Windows 11 version 25H2 is anticipated between September and October 2025.

Winsage

May 30, 2025

Windows 11 Version 24H2 Gets a Featured-Packed Optional Update

Microsoft has released the May optional update for Windows 11 version 24H2, introducing features such as the Win + C keyboard shortcut for quick access to Copilot, a drag tray feature, and cross-device resume notifications for OneDrive files. The Copilot+ feature is now available in the European Economic Area (EEA) and supports intelligent text actions in Spanish and French. Users can utilize the 'Ask Copilot' option to highlight text or images and open Copilot with the selected content. New text actions for summarizing, creating bulleted lists, or rewriting highlighted text are available for AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs. Pen users can configure a shortcut button for Click to Do, and Windows Search improvements allow direct typing of settings. The Narrator feature provides detailed descriptions of images for blind and low-vision users. Energy saver controls for IT admins have been introduced, along with HDR and Dolby Vision controls. A new FAQs section in Settings assists users with common inquiries, and mouse settings have been simplified. Users can now edit images shared through the Windows Share window, and a new drag tray area appears when dragging local files. Taskbar policies have been improved to allow unpinning specific apps. The features will roll out with the upcoming Patch Tuesday update, alongside the optional KB5058481 update for Windows 10, which reinstates the clock view displaying seconds on the calendar flyout.

Winsage

May 29, 2025

Microsoft is ruining Windows customization

Customizing a Windows PC has become increasingly complex and frustrating due to several factors. Microsoft has introduced more locked-down UI elements with Windows 10 and 11, which complicates the customization process. Frequent and substantial updates alter UI elements and introduce new features, creating challenges for developers of customization tools to maintain compatibility. Microsoft has also removed certain legacy features that facilitated customization, limiting the capabilities of these applications. Additionally, some customization apps are labeled as malware, discouraging users from installing them and hindering the customization ecosystem. As a result, many users feel that the joy of customizing their Windows experience has diminished, as streamlined interfaces lack the flair and personality of earlier versions.

Winsage

May 27, 2025

Windows on Arm vs Intel: Which laptop platform is right for you?

The Windows laptop market has shifted towards devices powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, moving away from traditional Intel and AMD architectures. This initiative, known as Windows on Arm, has produced notable products like the Asus ZenBook A14 and Dell XPS 13, which are praised for their performance in AI applications and impressive battery life. These devices can run Intel-based applications through an emulation layer called Prism, which translates x86-64 code into ARM64 instructions, allowing compatibility with non-native software. While they perform well for office tasks and some creative applications, limitations exist in gaming and high-demand software due to the need for specific drivers and graphics performance. Currently, the market features three Windows on Arm processors: Snapdragon X Elite, X Plus, and X. Pricing for these laptops often exceeds ,000, making Intel and AMD options more appealing for budget-conscious consumers.

Winsage

May 24, 2025

VMware Fusion is the best way to run Windows for free on Mac

VMware Fusion is a free solution for virtualizing Windows on Macs, including those with Arm chips. It simplifies the setup process by allowing users to automatically download Windows 11 for Arm devices. Performance testing on an M4 Mac Mini showed impressive results, with smooth operation for everyday tasks and light gaming, despite limitations compared to Parallels, such as lack of support for 120Hz refresh rates and Coherence mode. Users need to create a Broadcom account to download the software, which can be cumbersome. Overall, VMware Fusion is a practical option for users seeking a cost-effective way to run Windows on their Macs.

Winsage

May 21, 2025

5 Windhawk modules I couldn’t use Windows 11 without

Windhawk is a tool for customizing the Windows 11 interface, allowing users to make significant modifications to their operating system. It provides various mods, including: - Vertical Taskbar Mod: Restores the ability to reposition the taskbar and customize its width and jump list alignment. - Taskbar Labels Mod: Allows users to display labels for app icons, customize label text, combine apps, and adjust taskbar width, with options for increasing label font size. - Start Menu Syler Mod: Enables users to apply themes to the Start menu, including options that mimic the Windows 10 look. - Classic Explorer Navigation Bar Mod: Restores familiar items to the File Explorer navigation bar, enhancing user experience. - Classic Context Menu Mod: Reverts the context menu to a more familiar format, improving accessibility to options. Windhawk also offers a portable installation option and encourages users to create a restore point before installation to safeguard against potential issues. The platform features a marketplace for various modules, allowing users to customize their experience further.

Winsage

May 20, 2025

Microsoft is giving Windows 11 power users and developers new Advanced Windows Settings

Microsoft has introduced Advanced Windows Settings, replacing the previous For Developers segment, aimed at enhancing user control for developers and power users. This feature consolidates various options into a single interface, making it easier to access settings that were previously hidden or difficult to find. Key features include easy toggles for displaying file extensions, options to show folder paths in Explorer’s top bar, and a method to run software as a different user. The Advanced Windows Settings will allow users to customize their experience with powerful settings, such as enabling File Explorer with GitHub version control, currently available in the Windows Insider Program. To access these features, users must install the latest Beta or Dev build of Windows 11 and activate the new settings page using the command: vivetool /enable /id:56005157.

Winsage

May 19, 2025

Microsoft’s Edit on Windows is a new command line text editor

Microsoft introduced a new command-line text editor, Edit on Windows, during its Build conference. This open-source tool allows developers to edit files directly within the command prompt by typing “edit” and is designed to enhance the developer experience. Edit on Windows is less than 250KB in size and includes features such as key bindings for menu options, support for multiple files with ctrl + P shortcut, find and replace functionality with match case and regular expression support, and word wrapping capabilities. The motivation for creating Edit was to provide a default CLI text editor for 64-bit versions of Windows, which previously lacked an integrated command-line editor. Edit on Windows will be available through the Windows Insider program in the upcoming months. Additionally, Microsoft is rebranding Windows Dev Home to Advanced Windows Settings, which will simplify customization for developers and integrate additional features into the main Windows 11 settings interface.

Winsage

May 17, 2025

9 Months Later, Microsoft Finally Fixes Linux Dual-Booting Bug

In August 2024, a security update aimed at improving Secure Boot disrupted dual-booting of Windows and Linux due to a vulnerability in the GRUB bootloader. This allowed malicious actors to bypass Secure Boot protections. Microsoft released a patch, KB5058385, on May 13, 2025, to resolve the issue by enhancing the Secure Boot Advanced Targeting (SBAT) system's ability to recognize legitimate Linux bootloaders, preventing them from being blocked. The patch is applicable to various versions of Windows, including Windows 11 (multiple versions) and Windows Server (multiple versions). The update will be automatically applied through Windows Update for affected installations.