Windows Insider Archives

Winsage

June 24, 2025

Windows 11 gets a fresh new Start menu and it’s one of the most useful changes to the UI in yonks

Windows 11 has received an update to the Start menu that enhances customization and accessibility for users in the Insider Program. This update allows users to create a scrollable list of applications and categorize them according to personal preferences, improving access to frequently used apps. Users can now switch between Category, Grid, or List views directly from the Start menu, simplifying the customization process. The update also expands scrolling capability, reducing the need for multiple clicks to access additional recommendations and promoting a more organized workspace. Users interested in this functionality can join the Windows Insider Program to select their update channel.

Winsage

June 24, 2025

Windows 11’s indicators for volume and brightness can soon be moved out of the way

The latest test build of Windows 11 allows users to reposition hardware indicators, such as volume and screen brightness, from the bottom-center of the screen to the top-left and top-center. The top-right position is not available to avoid interference with application management buttons. Additionally, Microsoft is introducing a new Recall homepage that provides easy access to frequently used applications and websites, showcasing recent activity and top-used content. This feature includes a navigation bar on the left side for transitioning between the new homepage and the existing Timeline feature. These enhancements are currently being tested with Windows Insiders.

AppWizard

June 24, 2025

Steam games come to the Xbox app in latest beta

Microsoft is integrating PC games into the Xbox PC app, starting with access to the Steam library. The updated Xbox app, available through the “Insider Hub” program, allows users to see games from supported PC storefronts in their library. However, some users have reported issues with the app not recognizing their Steam games. Microsoft plans to integrate additional PC storefronts in the future. This development coincides with the upcoming launch of the ROG Xbox Ally, a handheld gaming device running Windows 11, which aims to compete with the Steam Deck. This move reflects Microsoft's strategy to focus on software and services over hardware sales.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

Microsoft readies new Windows 11 feature drop for next month — here’s what’s coming, and when

Microsoft is set to release a new update for Windows 11 on July 8, coinciding with Patch Tuesday updates. Key enhancements include: - Taskbar improvements with dynamically resizing icons and a wider indicator pill for open applications. - A visual preview feature for sharing links and web content, along with adjustable image compression levels. - A new PC-to-PC migration experience for transferring files and settings during new device setup. - Performance enhancements in File Explorer for extracting archive files. - The Screen Curtain feature in Narrator for enhanced privacy by blacking out the screen while content is read aloud. - An improved Narrator experience with guided prompts for discovering features. - Voice access now supports navigation and dictation in Simplified and Traditional Chinese and allows adding custom words to the dictionary. - Tailored enterprise-focused settings for IT-managed PCs. - Region settings will display the selected country or region during device setup. These features are currently in testing through the Windows Insider Release Preview Channel, with general availability expected on July 8. Users who opt for early updates may experience some features as a non-security preview update in late June.

Winsage

June 19, 2025

Microsoft Drops New Windows 11 Builds for Canary and Release Preview Testers

Microsoft has released two new Windows 11 preview builds for Insiders on the Canary and Release Preview Channels. The Canary build 27881 includes features such as: - Speech recap in Narrator for monitoring spoken content and live transcriptions. - A profanity filter setting for voice typing that can be disabled. - A redesigned needy state pill UI for taskbar icons. - An accessibility flyout in quick settings categorized by assistive technology types. - Enhanced Windows Share allowing image editing and sharing through the context menu. - A new FAQs section in Settings addressing common system questions. - Updated touch input visual design with "animating bubbles." ISOs for the Canary build 27881 are available for clean installs, and an updated Snipping Tool with GIF export is accessible for Insiders. The Windows 11 24H2 build 26100.4482 for the Release Preview Channel includes: - An option for the taskbar to automatically resize icons. - Enhanced Windows Share with visual previews and three image compression levels. - A Screen Curtain feature in Narrator for privacy. - A settings homepage tailored for managed PCs with enterprise features. - Updated app defaults in the EEA for selecting new default browsers. - A new PC-to-PC migration experience for transferring files and settings during setup. Additionally, Microsoft has released the Windows 11 23H2 Build 22631.5548, which addresses issues from a previous build, and Windows 10 Insiders can access build 19045.6033 to rectify issues from an earlier release.

Winsage

June 16, 2025

Microsoft Accidentally Replaces Windows 11 Startup Sound with Vista Chime

Microsoft's latest Windows 11 Insider Preview build inadvertently replaced the startup chime of Windows 11 with the boot sound from Windows Vista. This change was acknowledged by Microsoft, which plans to rectify it in an upcoming update. Users expressed nostalgia and some even preferred the Vista sound, but the original Windows 11 startup sound is expected to return soon.

Winsage

June 16, 2025

Microsoft accidentally swapped Windows 11’s startup sound with Vista’s

Users of the Windows 11 Dev Channel have experienced a glitch in build 26200.5651, where the boot sound has been mistakenly replaced with the Windows Vista chime. This error is linked to the imageres.dll file, and Microsoft has acknowledged it in the release notes, stating they are working on a fix. Brandon LeBlanc from the Windows Insider team humorously commented on the situation, while community reactions have included amusement and nostalgia regarding the Vista boot sound.

Winsage

June 16, 2025

Windows Vista’s startup sound suddenly reappears in Windows 11’s beta build, and no, it’s not a joke

The latest beta builds of Windows 11 have a glitch that swaps the startup sound with that of Windows Vista. This issue was reported by tester XenoPanther, who found that the .WAV file for the startup sound had been replaced. Brandon LeBlanc from the Windows Insider Program confirmed the bug, humorously suggesting it was a response to user nostalgia for Vista, but clarified it was not intentional. The cause of the sound swap is unclear, with speculation about it being a playful act by an employee. Microsoft is working to fix the glitch.

Winsage

June 16, 2025

Microsoft Weekly: redesigned Windows 11 Start menu, Xbox handheld is here, and more

Microsoft has released Patch Tuesday updates for June 2025, with Windows 10 receiving KB5060533 and Windows 11 receiving KB5060842 and KB5060999. The Windows Insider Program has unveiled several new builds, including a redesigned Start menu in build 26200.5641 and various enhancements in other builds. Microsoft has introduced Copilot Vision with Highlights for Windows, currently available in the U.S. for two applications. A quirky bug in the latest builds causes Windows 11 to play the Windows Vista startup sound. Microsoft Edge received an update in the Dev Channel, while Firefox rolled out version 139.0.4. Microsoft announced enhancements to Outlook and OneDrive for Mac. New Xbox handhelds, the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, were unveiled, optimized for gaming. Steam's Next Fest allows free trials of hundreds of games until June 16, 2025, and the Epic Games Store is offering Two Point Hospital for free.

Winsage

June 15, 2025

User calls Windows 11 “pure horror,” Microsoft says it’s listening to feedback

Windows 11 has received mixed reviews, with some users expressing dissatisfaction as the mandatory upgrade deadline approaches on October 14, 2025. A user who switched to Fedora described Windows 11 as “pure horror,” citing issues with privacy, bloat, performance, bugs, and UI/UX. The Start Menu has become frustrating for some, leading to abandonment of the OS, although it is still used in professional settings. Brandon LeBlanc from Microsoft acknowledged the user's feedback and expressed hope for their return. Microsoft has made improvements based on user feedback, including refining features and enhancing the Settings app. Recent updates introduced a toggle to disable the Recommended feed in the Start menu and a redesigned layout for applications. However, users still have concerns about strict hardware requirements, performance issues, and aggressive promotion of Edge and Bing. Many find the inability to move the taskbar particularly frustrating.