Zoom Archives

Winsage

June 30, 2026

Windows 11 just took its first major step toward version 26H2, and Insiders can already test 9 features shaping Microsoft’s next big update

Microsoft has rolled out updates for Windows 11, confirming the development of version 26H2, which has transitioned from version 25H2 in the Experimental channel. Key updates include enhancements to the Search page, a revamped Mobile Devices page, a new GIF provider (GIPHY), a smaller Taskbar size option, improved system sounds in dark mode, rebranding of the Gaming section to "XBOX mode," a new "Screen tint" feature for accessibility, enhanced Magnifier zoom controls, and improved personalization features for accent color selection.

Winsage

June 27, 2026

Windows 11’s built-in apps are getting quiet but welcome improvements

Microsoft has released a preview version of its upcoming Windows update for members of the Windows Insider Program, enhancing several pre-installed applications including Calculator, Camera, Clock, Media Player, Notepad, Paint, Photos, and Sound Recorder. Key updates include: - Calculator: Improved accuracy in square root calculations, high-contrast readability for settings, right-to-left language support, and a fix for startup issues. - Sound Recorder: Added Bluetooth microphone support, a streamlined interface, immediate access to features, disabled WAV file tags, a smoother deletion process, and a resolved memory leak issue. - Additional features: AI-generated image watermarks in Photos, a zoom slider in Camera, customizable subtitles in Media Player, and a new option to delay alarms by 15 minutes in Clock.

Winsage

June 26, 2026

Windows 11’s built-in apps are getting quiet but welcome improvements

Microsoft has released a preview version of an upcoming Windows update for members of the Windows Insider Program, enhancing several pre-installed applications including Calculator, Camera, Clock, Media Player, Notepad, Paint, Photos, and Sound Recorder. The Calculator update includes improved accuracy for square root calculations, better readability in high-contrast designs, right-to-left language support for Arabic and Hebrew, and a fix for startup issues. The Sound Recorder enhancements feature an accurate live waveform display for Bluetooth recordings, a streamlined interface, immediate access to the "Highlight" button, disabled tags for WAV recordings, a smoother deletion process for multiple recordings, and a fix for a memory leak issue. Additional features include watermarks for AI-generated images in the Photos app, a zoom slider in the Camera app, customizable subtitles in Media Player, and a 15-minute delay option for alarms in the Clock app.

Winsage

June 26, 2026

Windows 11’s huge July 14 update is loaded with new features — these are the 13 that matter most

Microsoft will launch the Windows 11 July 2026 Security Update on July 14, 2026, introducing new features and bug fixes. Key features include the Point-in-time Restore recovery feature, which allows users to revert to a stable system state using restore points, and enhancements to Bluetooth, network virtualization, and touchpad functionality. The update will be available for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, managed through Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR) technology. The update enhances the "Pause updates" functionality with a calendar view for pausing updates for up to 35 days. The Magnifier tool will allow users to input exact zoom percentages, and printer installations will default to the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP). Location settings will be simplified, and File Explorer will see performance improvements, including new options on the Home page. Bluetooth enhancements will improve reliability and audio performance, while Phone Link will refine call handling between Windows 11 and smartphones. Voice Typing and Voice Access will be improved for real-time text refinement and support multiple languages. Networking improvements will focus on reliability and performance, particularly in virtualized environments, and touchpad customization options will allow adjustments to the right-click area.

AppWizard

June 25, 2026

18-year-old strategy game King’s Bounty: The Legend just got a quality-of-life update, as well as achievements and a Steam Workshop for mods

King's Bounty: The Legend has been updated for modern PCs, featuring full widescreen support, doubled maximum zoom-out distance, and improved user interface readability. Katauri plans to extend these updates to King's Bounty: Armored Princess. Currently, King's Bounty: The Legend and King's Bounty: Crossworlds are available for 85% off on Steam.

Winsage

June 20, 2026

Microsoft’s AI strategy feels like a beta test — at the expense of Windows and Office

Microsoft has shifted its focus towards generative AI, beginning with its investment in OpenAI in 2019. CEO Satya Nadella has indicated a departure from the company's traditional software-centric vision, emphasizing the need for transformation in light of the AI revolution. The adoption of Windows 11 has been slow, with a survey showing that 30% of HP PCs still run Windows 10, which will reach the end of support on October 14, 2025. Organizations like The Restart Project are helping users transition to Windows 11, while critics argue that Microsoft's upgrade requirements lead to premature obsolescence of functional PCs. Microsoft has launched the Windows K2 program to address user feedback and is exploring an agentic AI operating system. In response to potential EU antitrust fines, Microsoft has unbundled Teams from Office 365, offering a lower-cost option without the collaboration tool. This move has led to a lawsuit from Salesforce, alleging anticompetitive practices. Alternatives like LibreOffice and Euro-Office are emerging, but experts believe they pose limited immediate threats. Additionally, the French government plans to shift from Windows to Linux and replace Microsoft Teams with a domestic platform by 2027. Microsoft's AI initiatives have faced challenges, including backlash over the automatic installation of the Copilot AI app, which was temporarily suspended due to user complaints. Shareholders have filed a class action lawsuit, claiming the company overstated Copilot's success and failed to disclose a revenue decline in Azure. Analysts warn that continued investment in AI without meeting expectations may lead to significant challenges for Microsoft. Reports suggest that Azure was rushed to market, resulting in talent loss and performance issues.

AppWizard

June 20, 2026

I tried Samsung Health’s huge redesign for 2026. Here are the 5 biggest hits and misses

Samsung has redesigned its health tracking application, Samsung Health, coinciding with the launch of the Galaxy Watch 9 and One UI 9. The new interface features a vibrant color palette that some users find overwhelming, as colors no longer correspond to specific health metrics. The app includes a new top shortcuts bar for easier navigation to core health aspects like Activity, Sleep, Vitals, Mindfulness, and Nutrition, and allows customization of the dashboard. Graphs have been improved with pinch-to-zoom functionality, but this feature is inconsistently applied across different metrics. The app lacks a comprehensive graph page for comparing multiple metrics and may present unsupported features for users of older devices like the Galaxy Watch 4.

Winsage

June 17, 2026

I dug through the Windows 11 Insider builds for June 2026 and found 7 features worth paying attention to

Microsoft rolled out several preview builds of Windows 11 in early June 2026 as part of the Windows Insider Program, focusing on refining existing functionalities rather than introducing many new features. A new Beta channel for version 26H1 was launched, featuring: - Screen Tint: An accessibility feature that provides a system-wide color overlay to reduce eye strain, accessible through Settings > Accessibility > Vision > Screen Tint, offering six preset colors or custom hues. - Low Latency Profile: Temporarily boosts processor frequency for 1 to 3 seconds during interactive tasks, improving application launch times by up to 40% and interaction times by as much as 70%, operating automatically without manual toggles. - Widgets Experience Update: Widgets now open without hover activation, Taskbar badges are off by default, and alerts are limited until user interaction. The dashboard displays Widgets under "widgets," and badging aligns with the system accent color. - Magnifier Enhancements: Users can input specific zoom percentages directly and access additional zoom presets ranging from 5% to 400%. - File Explorer Changes: Improvements for compatibility, performance, and reliability, including support for paths with double backslashes and quotation marks, and middle-click support for opening folders in new tabs. - Windows Update: Unification of drivers, .NET, and firmware updates with monthly quality updates, reducing required restarts to one per month. - Windows Search Enhancements: Improved handling of typos, missing letters, and partial app names, prioritizing accurate search results even with input errors.

Winsage

June 13, 2026

Windows Insiders Are Getting Big Windows 11 In-Box App Updates

Microsoft is enhancing transparency in Windows 11 app updates through the Windows Insider Program, allowing users to view detailed descriptions of updates for key applications like Calculator, Camera, Clock, Media Player, Paint, Photos, and Sound Recorder on the Windows Insider Documentation Hub. Notable changes include: - Calculator: Enhanced accuracy for square-root results, improved readability in high-contrast themes, fixed layout for right-to-left languages, and reliability updates. - Camera: Improved zoom slider, front camera support, additional video resolution options, better QR link functionality, and intuitive default settings. - Clock: New timer features, option to disable daily goals in Focus mode, and a 15-minute snooze feature. - Media Player: Custom captions, indexing banner in the play queue, playlist enhancements, bug fixes, and improved reliability. - Paint: More responsive toolbar, adjustable eraser transparency, refined stamp brush strokes, selection improvements, and performance enhancements. - Photos: AI watermarking, improvements for viewing small images and pixel art, enhancements for scanned text, crash bug fix, and streamlined keyboard navigation. - Sound Recorder: Live waveform display for Bluetooth microphones, simplified deletion processes, bug fixes, and additional enhancements. The timeline for these updates is uncertain, but app updates are expected to be deployed more quickly than system updates.

Winsage

June 12, 2026

Microsoft Releases a Record Seven Windows 11 Insider Builds

Microsoft's Windows Insider program has released seven Insider builds across all Channels, including two builds on the Beta and Release Preview Channels and three builds for the new Experimental Channel. The updates focus on the Experimental (25H2), Beta (25H2), and Release Preview (25H2) Channels. The new 26H1 builds mainly feature elements from the 25H2 builds and are intended for new ARM-based PCs. Key features include: - A less disruptive Windows Update experience requiring only one monthly restart. - Improved Windows Search capabilities for better typo handling. - A new screen tint accessibility feature to reduce eye strain. - Quieter Widgets that do not open on hover and have a smaller memory footprint. - Magnifier tool enhancements with preset zoom increments and direct input options. - Bluetooth connectivity improvements for better compatibility with select devices. - Voice Access and Voice Typing now available in French, German, and Spanish. - Customizable right-click settings for touchpads. The Release Preview Channel is testing an optional update for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, set for release in late June.