Windows Insider Archives

Winsage

May 23, 2025

Windows 11 Notepad gets AI-powered text writing capabilities

Microsoft is piloting an AI-driven text generation feature called "Write" in Notepad for Windows Insiders using version 11.2504.46.0. The feature allows users to create content from prompts, either starting from scratch or enhancing existing text. Users can access it by right-clicking, selecting "Write" from the Copilot menu, or using the Ctrl + Q shortcut. After entering instructions, AI-generated text can be incorporated into documents or discarded. A Microsoft personal account is required to use the feature, which utilizes AI credits from Microsoft 365 subscriptions. Microsoft has also introduced other AI features in Notepad, including a text rewriting tool named "Rewrite," a character counter, spell-check, and autocorrect. Additionally, new AI capabilities have been rolled out for Paint and Snipping Tool users in the Windows Insider program, including a sticker generator and enhanced screenshot tools.

Winsage

May 22, 2025

You’ll never manually crop screenshots again thanks to this new Snipping Tool feature

Microsoft is updating the Snipping Tool to version 11.2504.38.0, introducing a Perfect screenshot feature that uses AI to intelligently resize selections for precise screenshots. Users can access this feature by selecting the Perfect screenshot button or by holding the Ctrl key while selecting a region. Additionally, a color picker feature will allow users to obtain exact color values from their screen. Both features are available exclusively on Copilot+ PCs. Furthermore, Paint will receive an AI-powered sticker generator and an Object select tool, while Notepad will introduce an AI-powered Write function for text drafting. Access to these functionalities requires a Microsoft account and a subscription to Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, Enterprise, or Copilot Pro.

Winsage

May 22, 2025

Signal signals discontent with Microsoft Recall

Signal has activated Digital Rights Management (DRM) features within Windows to prevent Microsoft Recall from capturing screenshots of its chat windows. Recall has been criticized for its imprecise screenshot capturing, which affects sensitive communications. Signal's DRM solution ensures that Recall and other screenshot tools do not capture its content. The "Screen security" setting in Signal Desktop for Windows 11 is enabled by default, requiring users to confirm if they wish to disable it. Recall was initially criticized during its launch at Microsoft's 2024 Build event and has since been revised, remaining an opt-in feature with a "Preview" label. Microsoft claims users control what apps and websites are saved in snapshots.

Winsage

May 21, 2025

Windows quietly tests AI power management and redesigned Widgets

Microsoft is experimenting with new features in its Windows Insider builds, including an automatic power-management feature that uses AI to optimize device performance based on user activity. This feature aims to enhance battery life while ensuring full performance is restored when work resumes. Additionally, Microsoft is introducing "Click To Do" functionalities in File Explorer, allowing users to access AI-driven options like Bing Visual Search and background editing directly through right-click commands. The company plans to integrate Microsoft 365 functionalities for summarizing files without opening them. Widgets are being redesigned with a new interface powered by Copilot, which suggests content based on user preferences. Other updates include a new shortcut for the Snipping Tool, options for image quality when sharing documents, improved taskbar search functionality, and enhanced accessibility settings.

Winsage

May 20, 2025

Microsoft is putting AI actions into the Windows File Explorer

Microsoft is integrating AI shortcuts, called AI actions, into the File Explorer of Windows 11, allowing users to right-click on files for quick access to various AI features. Four image-related actions currently being tested include Bing visual search, background blurring, object erasure from the Photos app, and a remove background option in Paint. Microsoft plans to introduce AI actions for Office files, enabling document summarization and AI-driven list generation for Microsoft 365 commercial subscribers with a Copilot license. An "Ask Copilot" option will also be added to the right-click menu. Additionally, Microsoft is experimenting with visual updates to the widgets feature and has introduced a new power management feature that reduces energy consumption on laptops and tablets after periods of inactivity.

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 15, 2025

Releasing Windows 10 Build 19045.5912 to the Release Preview Channel

The Windows Insider Program Team has released Windows 10 22H2 Build 19045.5912 (KB5058481) to the Release Preview Channel for Insiders using Windows 10, version 22H2. This update includes several enhancements and fixes: - The calendar flyout now displays seconds and extends the visibility of upcoming events to 30 days, with added description text for the weather button. - A fix for rendering GB18030-2022 characters in plane 2 has been implemented, along with corrections for certain characters being rendered wider than intended. - Updates to the Country and Operator Settings Asset (COSA) profiles have improved connectivity options. - A fix for the Windows Account Sync Consent system addresses issues in the European Economic Area where secondary accounts were not recognized, reducing server load.

Winsage

May 15, 2025

Microsoft Copilot+ Recall: who should disable it, and how

Microsoft's Recall feature for Copilot+ PCs was initially announced a year ago but delayed due to privacy concerns raised by cybersecurity experts. The updated version was released in April 2025 for Windows Insider Preview builds and rolled out more broadly in May. Key updates include requiring user permission for activation, encrypting database files with hardware-based Trusted Platform Module (TPM), and implementing a filter to prevent saving sensitive information. Recall is enabled on a per-user basis, can be uninstalled, does not require a Microsoft account, and processes data locally. However, it still has vulnerabilities, such as allowing access with a regular Windows PIN after initial biometric authentication and failing to consistently filter sensitive data. Recall can log interactions during calls and capture self-destructing messages, posing privacy risks. It can impact performance and battery life, especially during gaming. Users handling sensitive data or frequently using video conferencing may want to disable or remove Recall. Instructions for disabling or removing Recall are provided, along with precautions for those who choose to use it.

Winsage

May 13, 2025

Windows 11 upgrade block lifted after Safe Exam Browser fix

Microsoft has lifted an upgrade block that prevented certain users of the Safe Exam Browser from installing the Windows 11 2024 Update due to compatibility concerns. The block was initially implemented in September to protect users from issues with Safe Exam Browser version 3.7 or earlier. Users are encouraged to upgrade to Safe Exam Browser version 3.8 or later before proceeding with the Windows 11 24H2 update. If users still encounter the safeguard hold after 48 hours of updating, they should contact Safe Exam Browser Support. The Windows 11 24H2 feature update is now available for all compatible PCs, except those under safeguard holds. Microsoft has resolved issues that previously blocked the update for some users and has removed other compatibility holds for specific devices and applications. However, some upgrade blocks remain due to incompatible hardware and software. Windows 11 24H2 began its rollout in May 2024 for enterprise testing, with a broader release in October.