Windows Phone Archives

Winsage

April 28, 2025

Windows profanity filter finally gets a ******* off switch

Microsoft is introducing a toggle feature in Windows 11 that allows users to disable the profanity filter in voice typing. This feature is part of the latest Insider Preview Build, specifically build 26120.3941, available in the Beta Channel. The update aims to enhance user expression by allowing unfiltered language. Additionally, the update includes improvements to Copilot+ PCs, customizable shortcut buttons on supported pens, and refinements to the “Improved Windows Search” feature for OneDrive users. Users must activate the toggle in Windows Update to access these features, but there is no guarantee they will be included in the production environment.

Winsage

April 26, 2025

Blame your phone for killing off this traditional Windows app

Microsoft has announced that Windows Maps will be deprecated by April, with the app being removed from the Windows Store by July and ceasing to receive support thereafter. A July update will deactivate the Maps app entirely. Personal data saved in the app will remain intact but will not function after July 2025. New PCs running future versions of Windows 11 will not come preinstalled with the Maps app beyond the current 24H2 release. Users can still access mapping services through Bing’s dedicated maps page.

Winsage

April 11, 2025

Readers name Windows 2000 Server peak Microsoft

Microsoft's 50th anniversary has sparked nostalgia among its community, particularly for Windows Server 2000, which is viewed as a high point in the company's history. Readers fondly remember Windows NT and acknowledge Windows 2000 Server for its robust capabilities. While Windows XP and Windows 7 received positive feedback, Windows 8 and its successors were less well-received due to their design choices. The handling of Windows Phone post-Nokia acquisition is seen as a significant misstep. Despite criticisms regarding software pricing and code quality, the Office suite remains valued. Microsoft's shift to cloud computing is noted as a strategic achievement, and the company has shown resilience in facing legal challenges. The community sentiment suggests that Microsoft's most celebrated days may be behind it, with future success dependent on the next generation of IT professionals and their views on the company's focus on artificial intelligence.

Winsage

April 4, 2025

Microsoft unveils AI assistant with ‘memory’

Microsoft launched an enhanced version of its AI assistant, "Copilot," which can remember user preferences and perform tasks autonomously, during its 50th anniversary event. The assistant can independently book tickets, make reservations, and shop online. This update is part of a strategic overhaul to improve Microsoft's consumer image and reduce reliance on OpenAI. The event featured former CEO Steve Ballmer and co-founder Bill Gates, highlighting past challenges in the consumer market. Current CEO Satya Nadella has shifted focus to cloud services, resulting in a significant increase in share price. Copilot will include a podcast-generating feature and a "Vision" feature for processing information from a user's phone camera. Microsoft aims to enhance its Bing search engine to compete with Google, which dominates the search market. The company hired Mustafa Suleyman and invested in his start-up Inflection AI to advance its AI capabilities. Microsoft maintains a profit-sharing agreement with OpenAI and access to its models until at least 2030.

Winsage

April 3, 2025

Windows 8 tiles were ahead of their time — The Xbox handheld could be the perfect place for a similar interface

Microsoft plans to launch its next-generation Xbox hardware, including an Xbox handheld device, in 2027. The handheld is expected to be more integrated with Windows, potentially using a design similar to the "Metro" interface from Windows Phone and Windows 8. This new approach aims to streamline game development by aligning Xbox consoles more closely with Windows, allowing for easier porting of PC games. The design of the handheld is still in development, with a focus on comfort and functionality, and it will need to compete with other devices like the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck. The operating system will play a crucial role in user experience, with a simpler interface being a priority to enhance accessibility for gamers.

Winsage

April 2, 2025

Forget Satya Nadella’s Windows Phone fumble, Bill Gates’ “greatest mistake of all time” cost Microsoft $400 billion

CEO Satya Nadella acknowledged a strategic error in discontinuing the Windows Phone during its peak popularity. Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, identified his greatest mistake as failing to dominate the mobile space, which allowed Android to take the lead. Gates attributed this failure to his mismanagement and antitrust challenges that hindered Microsoft's growth. Android, acquired by Google in 2005 and launched in 2008, is now the world's most popular operating system, holding a market share of 45.53%, compared to Windows' 25.36%. Gates conceded that Microsoft's missed opportunity in the mobile sector could have positioned the company as a leader. Rich Miner, co-founder of Android, criticized Gates for his misplaced lamentations regarding Microsoft's mobile missteps.

Winsage

April 1, 2025

How have 50 years of Microsoft been for you?

Microsoft is approaching its 50th anniversary, marked by significant milestones in personal computing and enterprise solutions. Key achievements include the introduction of Windows 3.0 and 3.1, while notable missteps include Microsoft Bob, Windows 8, the underperformance of Windows Mobile and Windows Phone, and the acquisition of Nokia. Microsoft's productivity suite remains strong despite competition from Google. The company gained popularity with its dialect of BASIC and has made strategic investments in cloud technology and artificial intelligence, including the acquisitions of GitHub and LinkedIn. However, it faced challenges with Internet Explorer losing ground to Google's Chrome and the failure of the Zune to compete with the iPod. Windows Vista is also noted as a less successful product.

Winsage

March 27, 2025

4 of the strangest Windows bugs to have ever existed

Copilot was removed from Windows 11 without explanation. A Windows Update notification claimed a PC would restart five hours ago due to daylight saving time adjustments. Windows Phone displayed an error message asking users to insert an installation disk. A bug in the Task Manager can create a ghostly duplicate cursor when dragging the window.

Winsage

March 22, 2025

Your PC might have been blocked from updating Windows 11 because of this game

Microsoft has lifted a compatibility hold that was preventing certain PCs from upgrading to Windows 11 version 24H2 due to the presence of the game Asphalt 8 (Airborne). The issue has been resolved, allowing affected PCs to proceed with the upgrade, which may take up to 48 hours to become available. Asphalt 8 was originally launched for Windows 8 in 2018.

Winsage

March 10, 2025

Windows 11’s built-in share tool is getting an image editor and compression feature

Microsoft is enhancing the system-wide sharing interface in Windows 11 by introducing image editing and compression tools. Users will be able to crop, rotate, highlight, draw, and compress images directly before sharing them. Recent updates have improved the share UI and integration with Windows Phone Link for easier file sharing between PCs and mobile devices. A new drop-down menu will appear at the top of the screen when a file is selected in File Explorer. The compression feature allows users to reduce the size of an image before uploading. The editing capabilities include options for cropping, rotating, marking up images, adjusting colors and brightness, and applying filters.