News: Software News

After testing LAP Photo Manager on Windows 11, I’m convinced it outperforms the built‑in Photos app in all the ways that matter

Sun, 03 May 2026 21:39:29 +0000

Ditch the Photos app for the Lap app. It's free, open-source, and doesn't include any cloud clutter.

On Windows 11, it may be time to ditch the default Photos app in favor of Lap, a private, local-first photo manager built for speed and control.

If your photo library lives on your computer instead of the cloud, most modern apps don't feel built for that experience. That's where Lap comes in. It's a free and open-source desktop app available for Windows 11 (and 10), macOS, and Linux, designed around the simple principle that your photos stay on your device and that everything from browsing to search happens locally.

The developer created it as a response to the shutdown of tools like Picasa and the aging experience of apps like FastStone Image Viewer. Lap delivers a cleaner, more modern interface while maintaining the performance power users expect. It works directly with your existing folders, handles massive libraries, and even introduces local AI features like natural language search and face recognition without sending your data anywhere.

Why Lap stands out

Lap takes a different approach from most modern photo apps, including Microsoft's Photos app, by focusing on what happens on your device rather than in the cloud. There's no account setup, no forced sync, and no background uploads. Your entire library stays exactly where you store it, giving you full control without relying on external services.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Privacy is built into the core of the experience. Unlike many tools that depend on online processing, Lap runs everything locally, including its AI-powered search and face recognition features. That means your photos never leave your computer, making it a strong alternative to apps like the Photos app for Windows 11.

The app also skips the traditional import process. Instead of copying files into a managed library, Lap works directly with your existing folder structure. You can point it to your photo directories and start browsing instantly, which makes it especially practical for users who already organize files their own way.

Performance is another key advantage. Lap is designed to handle massive collections without slowing down, even with libraries exceeding 100,000 files. Scrolling, filtering, and searching remain responsive, making it suitable for anyone managing years of photos on a local drive.

Lap key features

Lap doesn't just focus on privacy and performance. It also delivers a set of tools for managing, finding, and editing your photos without leaving the app.

Browsing and organization

Managing large libraries feels intuitive thanks to powerful filtering and flexible organization tools. You can quickly narrow down photos by date, location, camera, lens, tags, or favorites, making it easier to find exactly what you need. The app also supports multiple libraries, allowing you to switch between collections without mixing everything into a single catalog.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

AI and search

Lap brings modern search capabilities to local storage. You can use natural language to find images, explore similar photos through visual matching, and organize people using face recognition, which is currently in beta.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Unlike the Photos app for Windows 11, all of these features run locally, without sending data to external servers.

Actually, the app uses ONNX Runtime as its AI backend, a cross-platform engine for machine learning inference and training.

Also, it integrates several well-known open-source models for different tasks, such as CLIP for image and text similarity search, and InsightFace for face detection and recognition.

Editing and cleanup

For quick adjustments, Lap includes built-in editing tools that let you crop, rotate, flip, and resize images directly in place.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

I personally like the duplicate files option, which helps to keep your library clean and lean, making it easy to remove unwanted copies and free up space.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Format support

Compatibility is another strong point. This photo manager app supports a wide range of formats, including RAW formats such as CR2, NEF, ARW, and DNG, as well as modern image formats such as HEIC, AVIF, WebP, and JPEG XL.

In addition, the app supports a wide range of video formats, including MP4, MOV, AVI, and MKV, making it a capable all-in-one media viewer.

Easy to use

Although Lap is inspired by FastStone Image Viewer and Google's Picasa, its design resembles the Photos app closely, making the learning curve minimal.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

You have a left navigation pane to connect and access your collection images and videos. At the bottom, you have the settings that include the available options, such as appearance, navigation, viewing settings, and search customization.

At the top-right, you have the different controls for sorting and viewing, and in the toolbar, you'll find the option to find duplicate files.

When opening an image, you can make edits, such as rotation, cropping, and resizing.

Also, from the "Adjust" tab, you can use image filters (presets) and manually change brightness, contrast, and more.

While in the library, right-clicking an image will give you access to the context menu with a slew of options, including the ability to add comments, ratings, and more.

Performance and real-world use

The app really proves its value when you start working with large, locally stored photo libraries. It's designed to handle extensive collections without slowing down, and in practice, browsing through tens of thousands of images remains smooth and responsive.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Scrolling, filtering, and switching between views feel consistent, even as the library scales. A key reason for this performance is its folder-first design. There is no import process or long indexing phase before you can start using the app. You simply point Lap to your existing directories and begin browsing immediately.

Compared to apps, such as Photos, which can become sluggish with larger libraries or rely on background syncing and processing, Lap feels more direct and lightweight. It focuses on immediate access to local files rather than layering cloud services on top, which makes a noticeable difference in real-world use.

I have even tested connecting a network folder with fewer than 500 images, and the Lap app feels more responsive than Photos.

Download and install

Lap is available as a free, open-source download for Windows 11, Windows 10, macOS, and Linux.

You can download the latest version directly from the project's GitHub releases page, where all official builds are published and regularly updated.

If you want to install the application for Windows 11 (or 10), you have to download the ".msi" option.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

It's worth noting that during installation, you may see a SmartScreen warning because the app is currently unsigned. This is expected for many open-source projects distributed outside the Microsoft Store. However, the warning is always, install and use at your own risk.

Once installed, Lap runs as a standalone desktop application with no account setup or cloud configuration required.

Windows Central's Take

I’m not looking for a photo app to replace cloud services, and that’s exactly why Lap stands out to me. It’s built for people like me who keep their libraries local, and in that role, it delivers a fast, modern experience without the overhead of syncing or subscriptions.

When I’m working with large collections, the performance difference is obvious. Being able to work directly with folders, skip imports entirely, and still get local AI‑powered search gives it a real advantage over Windows 11’s Photos app, which can feel slower and more cloud‑dependent as my library grows.

It’s not perfect. Some features still feel like they’re evolving, and the lack of cloud sync won’t work for everyone. But if privacy, speed, and control matter more to you than cross‑device access, Lap is the kind of desktop photo manager I think is absolutely worth trying.

Are you planning to try out the Lap photo manager? Let me know in the comments.

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Posted Monday 4 May 2026 at 7:38 am AEST (my time).

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Edge vs Chrome heats up again as Reddit users say performance and features matter more than brand loyalty

Sun, 03 May 2026 21:37:53 +0000

Reddit users reveal why choosing a browser is now about habits, not benchmarks.

On Windows 11, the battle between Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome is no longer about which browser works better, but which one fits better.

While both browsers now share the same Chromium foundation, Reddit users' feedback shows the differences are no longer about compatibility, but about efficiency, features, and ecosystem priorities.

Same engine, different experience

One point users consistently agree on is that both browsers are built on Chromium. That means websites generally behave the same, extensions are widely compatible, and performance differences are often subtle.

However, that's where the similarities end.

Edge gains traction for efficiency and the OS integration

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Across the discussion, many users highlight Edge's advantage in resource management. The browser is widely seen as using less memory and delivering better battery life, particularly on Windows 11.

This isn't accidental since the company has built system-level optimizations into Microsoft Edge, including features like sleeping tabs that reduce background activity and improve overall responsiveness.

The browser also includes Startup Boost, which helps Microsoft Edge launch faster by keeping background processes running, though this can slightly increase memory usage. In addition, Microsoft offers gaming-focused optimizations that reduce browser resource usage while you're playing.

Alongside these memory optimizations, Edge offers an energy saver mode that cuts down background tab activity and even limits some foreground processes to extend battery life on laptops.

Users also point to deeper integration with Windows 11, including tighter system hooks and a design language that aligns with the operating system.

For some, these additions make Microsoft Edge feel more complete out of the box.

Even macOS users like Edge, as @moneymakerbs noted, "Mac user here. Haven't used Chrome in years. I switched from Firefox to Edge as my main browser because it's so good. Better memory management than Firefox."

Chrome still leads in ecosystem and consistency

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Despite Microsoft Edge's momentum, Google Chrome continues to dominate in areas tied to Google's ecosystem.

Because both browsers are built on Chromium, raw performance is largely similar. However, Chrome often proves more reliable across websites, largely because many developers still prioritize it during development and testing.

That gap still shows up in real-world use. As user @Dull_Matter5910 put it, "I have had edge issues with certain websites but worked flawlessly on Chrome."

This consistency, combined with tight integration with services like Gmail, Drive, and YouTube, keeps Chrome as the default choice for many users.

As a side note, I genuinely like Microsoft Edge, but my primary browser remains Google Chrome. Chrome still uses more memory, yet I continue to rely on it because it offers the most consistent compatibility across websites.

I do use Edge as a secondary option. While many users highlight its features and deep integrations, from my perspective, the experience can feel somewhat bloated, especially with the growing number of built‑in tools that not everyone needs.

Privacy concerns remain on both sides

Privacy is another recurring theme, though opinions are mixed.

Some users argue that Edge offers more visible privacy controls out of the box, while Chrome is more tightly connected to Google's advertising ecosystem.

At the same time, skepticism extends to both companies. Several commenters point out that neither browser should be considered privacy-first, with alternatives like Brave or Firefox often entering the conversation.

Skepticism remains on both sides. As @Blandscreen bluntly put it, "both collect your data like a sponge."

Windows Central's Take

The real takeaway for me is that choosing between Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome is no longer about which browser is objectively better.

It comes down to which one fits the way I use my device. Edge has grown into a genuinely strong default on Windows 11, and I notice the benefits in efficiency, battery life, and how well it ties into the OS.

Features like sleeping tabs and the built‑in multitasking tools give me practical advantages in day‑to‑day use. Chrome, on the other hand, still wins when I need consistency. Its tight connection to Google services and the fact that most developers target it first mean I can count on it to behave the same way across almost every site, even if it eats more resources.

At this point, the gap between the two feels smaller than ever, and I often find myself switching depending on what I’m doing. For me, this is no longer a simple performance or feature comparison. It is a choice between ecosystems, and that is what shapes how I decide.

What browser is better in your opinion: Edge or Chrome? Let me know in the comments.

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Posted Monday 4 May 2026 at 7:37 am AEST (my time).

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Valve: 67.74% of Steam users run Windows 11

Sun, 03 May 2026 21:36:30 +0000

Windows 11 continues climbing, reaches 67.74%, while Windows 10 is at 25.63%.

Valve's latest Steam Hardware & Software Survey results are now available, showing a detailed breakdown of operating systems, processors, graphics cards, and other hardware and software PC gamers use to access the platform. Microsoft rarely announces specific stats and numbers about Windows 11 adoption rate, so the Steam survey is one of the few sources of this kind of data.

According to Valve, Windows 11 remains the go-to operating system on Steam, and its market share continues to grow. As of early May 2026, 67.74% (+0.89 points) of survey participants reported using Windows 11 on their devices. Windows 10 is third with 25.63% (-0.01 points). Windows 7 still has plenty of users to show up on Valve's gauges, and it has 0.07% (-0.01 points). In total, Windows dominates the market with its overwhelming 93.47% (+1.14 points).

Linux is the second most popular OS. In April 2026, its market share decreased by 0.81 points, reaching 4.52%. macOS is third with 2.01% (-0.34%).

As for hardware pics, the overall picture remains mostly the same. Your average gaming PC on Steam has an Intel processor (54.81% against AMD's 45.19%) with six cores (28.62%, +0.85 points), 16 GB of memory (40.86%, -0.11 points), and an NVIDIA graphics card (73.21%, with AMD having 18.6% and Intel 7.81%). The most popular graphics card on Steam is the desktop NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (3.99%, +0.07 points), while the RTX 3050 is second with 3.04%, and the RTX 5070 is third with 2.86%.

The average amount of VRAM is 8GB (26.76%), and the dominant display resolution is the classic 1920x1080 pixels (52.21%, +0.28 points).

As usual, you can find more details from the latest survey on the official website. The results for March 2026 are available here.

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Posted Monday 4 May 2026 at 7:36 am AEST (my time).

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Microsoft fixing strange Outlook bug where documents open blank or "corrupt" themselves

Sun, 03 May 2026 06:44:35 +0000

Microsoft is fixing a strange Outlook bug causing blank Office files; update rolls out tomorrow but workarounds are available.

Earlier this week, Microsoft released its latest Patch Tuesday update and while there are no known issues, the company explained that certain applications like backup apps won't work properly due to a specific recent addition.

However, things haven't been as great on the Microsoft 365 front as the company confirmed it's working on an issue wherein Office documents could go blank. The problem has been affecting users of Classic Outlook when accessing shared files hosted on SharePoint or OneDrive. In some cases, clicking a document link in an email forced the file to open in a desktop application, even when user preferences were set to open files in a web browser. Additionally, some documents appeared blank or triggered error messages indicating that the file was corrupted and required repair.

Microsoft stated that the issue is being addressed through a service-side update such that users don't need to install client-side patches. The fix is scheduled to roll out beginning tomorrow (May 4, 2026) and following the installation, users may need to restart their Outlook client for the update to take effect. Aside from that, no further action should be required once the update is fully deployed.

While the fix is being deployed, Microsoft has outlined several temporary workarounds for affected users. These include adjusting Outlook settings to open files directly in desktop applications, manually opening links in a browser via right-click options, or copying and pasting links into a browser address bar. Other suggested measures include accessing files directly through SharePoint or using Outlook on the web. The company also noted that advanced users could modify system registry settings to alter how links open, though such steps are typically recommended for experienced users or IT admins.

Microsoft writes: "To work around the issue, use one of these options that best suits your requirements:

Change classic Outlook to open links in the Desktop apps. Go to File > Options > Advanced > File and browser preferences > "Open Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files using: Desktop".
If you need the file to open in a browser, right-click the link in the body of the Outlook message, select Open with, then choose your browser.

To force the links to open in the browser you can set this registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\office\16.0\Common\Internet

```
DWORD: OpenDirectlyInApp
```
```
Value: 0
```

Copy the link from the email message and paste it into the browser address bar.
Open files directly from SharePoint instead of from the Outlook email.
Open links in Outlook Web App (OWA).

You can check out the official support article here on Microsoft's website. Meanwhile, a similar issue also affects Word wherein EUDC characters are displayed as blank squares.

For anyone wondering, EUDC or End-user-defined characters are custom characters based on the Unicode Private Use Area, enabling users, manufacturers, or organizations to represent symbols that are absent from standard fonts. Thus they support names or terms otherwise unrenderable in default character sets. The company wrote: "Users may see EUDC characters displayed as a blank square ("□") in Word after updating to version 2603 (build 19822.20180 or newer)." Microsoft is investigating the bug and is working on a fix.

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Posted Sunday 3 May 2026 at 4:43 pm AEST (my time).

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Microsoft released Windows 11 KB5087583, KB5084812 setup and recovery updates

Sat, 02 May 2026 21:30:20 +0000

These updates deliver improvements like those to the setup files and also help in recovery of the OS.

Earlier this week Microsoft released its latest Windows 11 25H2, 24H2 C-update under KB5083631 which brings some major performance benefits for users. While there are currently no known issues, Microsoft has confirmed that certain apps will fail to work due to a new addition, though there are unofficial workarounds. Microsoft also added that the update could restart more than one time but that's an expected behaviour, the company explained why.

Alongside the C-release, Microsoft also released new dynamic updates. These Dynamic Update packages are meant to be applied to existing Windows images prior to their deployment. Dynamic Updates also help preserve Language Pack (LP) and Features on Demand (FODs) content during the upgrade process. VBScript, for example, is currently an FOD on Windows 11 24H2.

This time both recovery and setup updates were released for Windows 11. The company writes:

"KB5083991: Safe OS Dynamic Update for Windows 11, version 26H1: April 30, 2026

This update makes improvements to the Windows recovery environment (WinRE) After installing this update, the WinRE version installed on the device should be 10.0.28000.1887.

KB5087583: Setup Dynamic Update for Windows 11, version 24H2 and 25H2: April 30, 2026

This update makes improvements to Windows setup binaries or any files that setup uses for feature updates in Windows 11, version 24H2 and Windows 11, version 25H2.

KB5084812: Safe OS Dynamic Update for Windows 11, versions 24H2 and 25H2: April 30, 2026

This update makes improvements to the Windows recovery environment (WinRE). After installing this update, the WinRE version installed on the device should be 10.0.26100.8309"

Microsoft notes that both the Recovery and Setup updates will be downloaded and installed automatically via the Windows Update channel.

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Posted Sunday 3 May 2026 at 7:29 am AEST (my time).

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Rufus explains why the new way to install Windows 11 is currently broken

Sat, 02 May 2026 21:28:36 +0000

Rufus is having trouble completing the installations of Windows 11 when using its new silent install method. The app's dev has explained why.

Earlier this week, Rufus received a major update with the final version of 4.14. It's a major update for sure as the new release brings a new way to install Windows 11 with a new silent option, allows you to disable several pre-installed apps and more. Check out the full details in its dedicated piece here.

However, a recently reported bug has been affecting the silent Windows installation feature and Peter Batard, the developer of the tool, confirmed it as he was able to replicate it too.

Affected users report that Windows installations created with Rufus seem to be failing consistently at around 75% completion, thus stopping the setup process before the installation is finished. The issue appears across multiple hardware specifications, indicating it is not limited to certain configurations only.

One of the users, pineapple63, was able to determine that the Autounattend XML file could explain what's going as without the XML file, the installation ran fine with no errors. This gave a clue as to what could be going on as a modified XML was able to get work around the issue.

Batard explained: "... now I am able to replicate the issue if I completely clear the target disk first. My current guess is that if Windows sees a partition it can access there, it might try to map it as D-drive (since it would of course reserve C-drive for the system drive), and because it is already mapped, our own mapping of the USB drive is pushed further down to something Windows is happy with. But Setup sees no partition it can map, our D-drive mapping succeeds, and it seems to throw Setup off for some reason."

This is not the first time that Windows or Microsoft has been blamed for issues on Rufus as something similar had happened back in February too.

He further added: "Interestingly, on a system with a blank disk, and even when not mapping anything to D-drive, you will find that there is a D-drive during the file copy stage, labelled EFI but with no data on it .... So it does indeed look like D-drive is a reserved letter by Setup, and trying to map something to it is asking for trouble... unless it was already automatically mapped by Setup during disk/volume discovery (which will be the case if you happen to reinstall Windows over a previous install... instead of starting with a blank system)."

For now, the Rufus author has devised a test version to see if it's working. If you wish to try it out yourself you can get it from here on GitHub thread discussing the issue. You can also avoid using the silent installation feature as a temporary workaround.

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Posted Sunday 3 May 2026 at 7:27 am AEST (my time).

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Microsoft admits Windows 11 widgets are 'distracting and overwhelming,' announces fixes

Sat, 02 May 2026 21:27:00 +0000

No more accidental launches, no more MSN feed, fewer alerts, and other changes.

When Microsoft introduced Windows 11 Widgets in 2021, the idea was to give users quick access to glanceable information about weather, calendar events, stocks, etc. However, the implementation turned out to be, let's say, questionable. Windows Widgets are full of irritating practices like auto-open on hover, constant alerts and nags, and, the worst of them all, MSN feed full of low-quality stuff.

All of that is far from what users want from Windows Widgets. Many think Microsoft should go back to Windows 7 gadgets or to what Apple offers in its recent macOS releases. While the ability to place widgets on the desktop is still somewhere in Microsoft's labs (there were rumors about Microsoft bringing that feature), the company is improving the current experience by getting rid of all the Windows Widgets irritations.

In the latest Windows 11 preview builds, Microsoft announced a "Spring cleanup" for the widget experience. The company openly admitted that Windows 11's widgets feel distracting and overwhelming. To fix this, Microsoft announced a set of improvements designed to "reduce unexpected alerts and visual interruptions."

As such, Windows Widgets will no longer open when you accidentally hover the cursor over them. You won't see any taskbar badges or alerts, and there will be no MSN feed enabled by default. Just your widgets, ready to appear whenever you want. Here is a quick before-and-after comparison:

It is worth noting that Microsoft is not removing taskbar badges or the newsfeed. You can still enable those features, but by default, Windows Widgets will be much quieter and less annoying. The current Windows 11 version also lets you disable the news feed and "open on hover," but that requires manual changes.

Changes to Windows Widgets are yet another user-oriented improvement Microsoft is bringing to Windows 11 to regain consumer trust. In April 2026, Microsoft introduced plenty of such changes, and you can check out a recap here to learn more about what Microsoft is doing to fix its operating system.

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Posted Sunday 3 May 2026 at 7:26 am AEST (my time).

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Microsoft: Windows 11 KB5083769, KB5083631 block backup apps like Macrium, here's why

Sat, 02 May 2026 07:27:04 +0000

Microsoft has blamed Macrium for the issue but there could be more to the story.

Back in 2022, Microsoft introduced a new feature in its Windows Security app called the "Microsoft Vulnerable Driver Blocklist," and earlier this year we did a write-up on with more details about the feature. It's essentially a list of compromised drivers that Windows 11/10, by default, blocks, such that user PCs don't get infected.

Today, Neowin noticed that Microsoft has confirmed that it is now blocking the Macrium Reflect driver as part of its vulnerable driver blocklist. The Redmond giant updated its April 2026 patch tuesday update (KB5083769) to confirm this. Macrium Reflect is a third-party backup application and after the April Patch, there are conflicts with the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) and users can no longer mount or explore an image.

Microsoft writes: "This update introduces a security hardening change that adds known vulnerable kernel drivers to the Microsoft vulnerable driver blocklist. Backup applications that rely on blocked drivers might experience failures when attempting to mount or manage disk images. ... These apps relying on blocked drivers might display error messages, including "The backup has failed because Microsoft VSS has timed out during the snapshot creation" or VSS_E_BAD_STATE."

Since the new driver was added in the April Patch, the latest available update (optional KB5083631) will also block Macrium Reflect from working.

If you are wondering, back in October 2023, the Macrium Reflect driver, versions 8.1.7544 and below, was found to be vulnerable to out-of-bounds write attacks and privilege escalation which would allow attackers to execute arbitrary code. This could lead to corruption of the kernel heap and potentially complete loss of system integrity. This was tracked under ID CVE-2023-43896.

In a new support article about the topic, Microsoft has added more details on the issue and the particular "psmounterex.sys" kernel driver that is being blocked. It writes: "After installing Windows updates released on or after April 14, 2026, certain third-party backup applications that rely on the kernel driver psmounterex.sys might experience failures when attempting to mount or manage disk images. .... This intentional change of behavior is designed to protect devices against known vulnerabilities in the psmounterex.sys kernel driver. Following the installation of Windows updates released on or after April 14, 2026, Windows Code Integrity enforcement will block vulnerable versions of this driver from loading when the Microsoft vulnerable driver blocklist is enabled."

As such, affected users and IT admins might observe the following behavior:

Backup applications that rely on the kernel driver psmounterex.sys might fail to mount backup image files as virtual drives.
Attempting to browse or restore from a backup image might result in errors or timeouts.
Failures might be followed by error messages, such as "The backup has failed because Microsoft VSS has timed out during the snapshot creation" or VSS_E_BAD_STATE.
Event Viewer might show Code Integrity errors indicating that psmounterex.sys was blocked from loading.
Backup creation (full image backups) may still succeed, but image-mount operations will fail.

If you suspect you are affected by this, Microsoft has added additional info on how to determine that. Users have to check for Event 3077 in the Code Integrity Operational event log. This will indicate that the driver was blocked in enforcement mode and will include Policy ID {D2BDA982-CCF6-4344-AC5B-0B44427B6816}.

As far as a solution is concerned, Microsoft says that the psmounterex.sys driver will remain on the blocklist until they are updated to a newer version that includes the required protections.

Interestingly, Macrium had seemingly already patched these vulnerabilities back in October 2023 in its software as is evident from its release notes. On versions 8.0.7690 and 8.1.7675 it wrote: "Security Update - CVE-2023-43896: This update applies a security patch to psmounterex.sys. We advise you to install this release to ensure the security of your system." Hence we wonder what could be going wrong here. Hopefully the issue is resolved soon.

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Posted Saturday 2 May 2026 at 5:25 pm AEST (my time).

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Microsoft will hide Windows 11's annoying MSN feed by default as it moves to reduce ads and noise across the OS

Fri, 01 May 2026 21:59:49 +0000

A new Windows 11 preview build has confirmed that the OS will soon hide the MSN feed by default, replacing it with a new default behavior that opens straight to your widgets instead.

Microsoft has launched new Windows 11 preview builds today that come with a very interesting change designed to make the OS lighter and less noisy. Starting with today's preview build, the Widgets Panel will hide the MSN feed by default, instead prioritizing the dedicated and customizable Widgets interface.

"We’re working to make Widgets feel less distracting and overwhelming by making the experience quiet by default," says Microsoft in a blog post published today.

This interface will no longer appear by default when you click the weather icon on the Taskbar. (Image credit: Future)

Microsoft is also changing some of the default behaviors around the Widgets Panel too. No longer will the panel open automatically when you hover over the weather icon on the Taskbar, and the icon itself will only show the weather unless you specify that you want to to show other information such as stocks.

Here are the changes being made:

Disabling Open on hover by default
Turning off taskbar badging by default
Opening to widgets experience on first launch
Limiting taskbar alerts until you choose to open and engage with the Widgets experience

This change is part of Microsoft's larger Windows K2 effort, which is a project that was put together in the second half of last year that's tackling Windows 11's biggest issues. Feedback from users is being addressed, and the company has confirmed that it's moving to reduce ads, AI, and bloat across the OS as part of this initiative.

Making it so the MSN feed no longer appears by default will go a long way to helping reduce the number of ads that appear in the OS out of the box. Now, users will have to manually set the MSN feed to be the default view if they want to see ads or stories in the Widget Panel.

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Posted Saturday 2 May 2026 at 7:59 am AEST (my time).

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Microsoft details Windows 11 improvements it brought to Windows 11 in April

Fri, 01 May 2026 21:58:39 +0000

Microsoft shared a list of all the user-requested changes to Windows 11 it has implemented over the course of the last few weeks.

Over the last few months, something truly earth-shattering happened at Microsoft. After years of falling on deaf ears with user complaints about Windows 11's UI and UX, Microsoft made a sudden U-turn and announced major changes to the operating system and its features as part of its effort to reignite lost enthusiasm and convince people that it still cares about Windows 11. Now, Microsoft is actively fixing Windows 11, and the last several weeks have brought some much-needed changes to the operating system. In a new recap, Microsoft shared some of the most important ones.

First, Microsoft revamped the Windows Insider Program. It now features two primary channels (Experimental and Beta), with Beta having no controlled feature rollouts and Experimental allowing you to toggle specific features. Microsoft also made it easier to move between channels and even leave the program without reinstalling Windows. Finally, there is a revamped Feedback Hub that makes it easier to share feedback, browse other people's suggestions, and much more.

Next, we have useful and meaningful changes to Windows Update. The power menu no longer forces you to install updates before restarting or turning off your PC. You can pause Windows updates as many times as you want, and the operating system now requires only one restart per month to install operating system, .NET, and driver updates.

Microsoft is also toning down its AI efforts and removing redundant Copilot entry points across inbox Windows apps. Snipping Tool and Photos no longer have the "Ask Copilot" button, and in Notepad, Microsoft replaced Copilot with better wording that is easier to understand (some are skeptical about this one, though).

File Explorer is also getting better, with Microsoft implementing "foundational architectural improvements" to reduce hangs, improve responsiveness, and deliver overall better performance and user experience.

The latest Windows 11 preview builds also ditch the frankly stupid MSN feed, switching to a widget-only UI by default. Finally, Microsoft is improving OS responsiveness and app launch times with performance/power tuning enhancements and an updated scheduler that better handles processor power states for better user-perceived responsiveness.

All these changes are now available for testing in the Insider program. Microsoft still has plenty to do (taskbar, Start menu improvements, reworked Windows Search, and more), so stay tuned for new Windows 11 preview builds going forward. While 2026 is unlikely to bring us Windows 12, it could be a pivotal year for the operating system.

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Posted Saturday 2 May 2026 at 7:57 am AEST (my time).

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Microsoft redesigns an old part of Windows 11 UI with a faster, more modern variant

Fri, 01 May 2026 21:57:04 +0000

The new Run is here with dark theme support, better performance, faster access to the user directory, and more.

The Run dialog is a pretty old part of Windows. As old as the Start menu itself. It debuted in Windows 95 alongside its Win + R shortcut. Over the decades, the Run dialog box has seen little to no updates. Now, Microsoft thinks it is time to give it a long-overdue redesign.

Today, Microsoft released new Windows 11 preview builds, and with them, the company announced the redesigned Run dialog. Microsoft says the new variant offers three key upgrades:

Modern design: The dialog now matches the rest of Windows 11's aesthetics, including dark mode support.
Better performance: Microsoft says the redesigned Run is faster than the previous version, and it only takes about 94 ms to appear on the screen.
New features: You can now access the user directory by typing ~\

In the announcement post, Microsoft also shared some insights into how the redesigned Run came to be. The company acknowledged that users and developers have very strong muscle memory, and those who rely on Run expect fast performance and instant responsiveness. As such, Microsoft took extra care to ensure the new version maintains solid performance and keeps the UI minimal, albeit more modern.

To make meaningful changes to the Run dialog, Microsoft studied how people use it and discovered that the existing dialog has a median time-to-show of 103 ms. Also, as it turned out, very few people use the "Browse" button (only 0.0038% of users with a sample of 35 million), which is why the new version has no such button. Interestingly, Microsoft also discovered that a common use for the Run dialog is to paste something and copy it again as a makeshift formatting cleaner.

Microsoft also revealed early prototypes of the redesigned Run dialog. After extensive work, developers managed to reduce the median time-to-show time to 94 ms, and Microsoft expects this number to go lower in future updates. Also, besides new looks and better performance, the new Run dialog makes it much easier to open your user directory, which is a handy improvement.

Right now, the new Run dialog is gradually rolling out to Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel. You can learn more about it in the official announcement post.

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Posted Saturday 2 May 2026 at 7:56 am AEST (my time).

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New Windows 11 Experimental build brings Task Manager upgrades and other improvements

Fri, 01 May 2026 21:56:02 +0000

Two "Canary" builds are out for testing, offering users new Task Manager features and general improvements.

In addition to new Windows 11 builds in the Experimental (Dev) / Beta Channels, Microsoft released two new "Canary" builds (now called Experimental and Experimental Future Platforms). Builds 28020.1921 and 29580.1000 contain only "a small set of general improvements," but one of them also brings new features for Task Manager.

Here is what is new for both builds:

This update includes a small set of general improvements and fixes that improve the overall experience for Insiders running this build on their PCs.

And here is what is available in build 28020.1921 (Experimental, version 26H1):

[Task Manager]

We’re updating Task Manager to provide better insight into NPU usage for PCs that include an NPU. New optional NPU and NPU Engine columns are now available on the Processes, Users, and Details pages. The Details page also adds NPU Dedicated Memory and NPU Shared Memory optional columns to give you deeper visibility into how workloads are using NPU resources. Additionally, if there are neural engines that are part of a GPU, they will now appear on the Performance page, providing a more complete view of AI‑related system activity.
We’re also adding a new optional Isolation column to the Processes and Details pages, allowing you to see which apps are running in an AppContainer.
Fixed the accuracy of CPU speed display on the Performance page of Task Manager for VMs after resume from hibernate, so it doesn’t sometimes show unexpectedly high, unrealistic numbers.

You can find full release notes for build 28020.1921 here and for build 29580.1000 here.

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Posted Saturday 2 May 2026 at 7:55 am AEST (my time).

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Windows 11 gets redesigned 'Run,' cleaner Windows Widgets, and more in new builds

Fri, 01 May 2026 21:54:09 +0000

The latest builds in the Experimental and Beta channels brings some welcome improvements to the operating system.

It is Friday, which means Microsoft has a couple of new Windows 11 preview builds for Windows Insiders to try. In the Experimental channel, Microsoft is rolling out build 26300.8346, while the Beta channel offers build 26220.8340. Today's updates bring a redesign to a very old piece of Windows UI, the Run dialog, less annoying Windows Widgets, more File Explorer improvements, new features for the magnifier, and more.

Here is what is new:

[Widgets are quiet by default]

We’re working to make Widgets feel less distracting and overwhelming by making the experience quiet by default.

To do this, we’re testing a new set of default settings designed to reduce unexpected alerts and visual interruptions. These changes include:

Disabling Open on hover by default
Turning off taskbar badging by default
Opening the widgets experience on first launch
Limiting taskbar alerts until you choose to open and engage with the Widgets experience

If you prefer more proactive updates, you can easily turn features like taskbar badging back on through Widgets settings.

[File Explorer]

We’ve eliminated a grey flash on load and unexpected scrolling to the top on the Home page in certain cases.
We’ve cleaned up the Favorites section, so OneDrive files no longer appear duplicated in some cases.
We’ve sharpened file thumbnails in the Recommended section on the Home page so they’re crisper and easier to read.

[Run dialog update]

We’re rolling out a refreshed Run dialog experience designed to bring a more modern look and improved usability. This update introduces updated visuals and a cleaner interface, along with new controls that make it easier to manage the experience from within Settings. The refreshed Run dialog is currently available as an opt-in experience for Windows Insiders on the Experimental channel, where you can enable it by going to Settings > System > Advanced and turning on the new Run dialog option.

[Windows Share] - also available in the Beta build

The Windows ShareSheet just got smarter for AAD users. You can now discover and install relevant apps right where you share - no need to jump to the Microsoft Store or interrupt your flow.
Previously available only to MSA users, this experience now extends to AAD accounts, bringing greater flexibility and convenience. You’re also in control, with a simple setting to turn promotional app recommendations on or off. The result is a faster, more seamless, and user-controlled sharing experience with helpful app suggestions exactly when you need them.

[Windows Magnifier]

Magnifier now gives you more control over how you zoom. You can type an exact zoom percentage directly in the magnifier toolbar to land on precisely the level you need.
We've also added preset step increments (5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 100%, 150%, 200%, and 400%) to the Settings dropdown, so you can jump to common levels in a single click. Whether you need a subtle boost or a dramatic close-up, Magnifier adapts to how you want to zoom.

[Storage] - also available in the Beta build

In the latest Insider builds, we’ve updated the dialog when creating a Dev Drive to now support specifying the size in GB instead of only MB. This has also been added when changing the size of volumes under Settings > System > Storage.

[Other]

If you were seeing a large number of APISet events in Event Viewer after the latest Insider builds, that should no longer occur after today’s flight.
[Also in Beta] Task Scheduler will now persist column width adjustments in task list view across sessions.
[Also in Beta] Fixed accuracy of CPU speed display on the Performance page of Task Manager for VMs after resume from hibernate, so it doesn’t sometimes show unexpectedly high unrealistic numbers.

Known issues in the Experimental build include the following:

[WIP settings]

Users who enable the Release Preview toggle may notice that it does not allow Release Preview to be selected. If this is the case, exit out of WIP settings and come back.

[Feature flags]

Insiders who use Feature flags to enable the new WIP experience may see the feature state incorrectly marked as current. However, changing state and applying changes will work as expected.

You can find the official release notes for the Experimental build here and the Beta build here.

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Posted Saturday 2 May 2026 at 7:52 am AEST (my time).

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My favorite screenshot-taking app for Windows updated with a reworked Image Editor and more

Fri, 01 May 2026 21:52:19 +0000

ShareX 20 is now publicly available, offering users a brand-new image editor with a more modern interface and multiple effects and tools.

Although Windows 11 has a built-in screenshot-taking utility (Snipping Tool), I still prefer ShareX, a free, well-made utility with a very rich set of features. Its latest update, version 20, is finally publicly available, offering users a reworked Image Editor and various improvements under the hood.

ShareX 20 introduces a reworked Image Editor, built using Avalonia UI. The developer says the update offers a more modern user interface and improved user experience, while remaining highly powerful and feature-rich. There are 18 annotation tools, 232 image effects, background tools, customizable keyboard shortcuts, and more. The new editor looks quite different from what ShareX used to offer, so you might need some time to get used to it.

You can find the list of all tools and shortcuts in the new Image Editor in the release notes for ShareX 20 on the official website.

Other changes in the update include the following:

Added option to disable capture region crosshair.
Added PrivateBin text uploader
Removed MEGA file uploader due to unmaintained library.
Added "Load models" button to populate OpenAI models automatically.
Added tick/cross icon to the hash checker target section to display the verification result.
Added smoothing and curve interpolation to freehand drawing tools.
Improved SFTP upload speed.
Added filtering for non-activatable tool windows during region capture.
Added OpenAI Legacy AI Provider option to support local deployments.
Removed Custom AI Provider option instead OpenAI provider can be used for same purpose.
Removed Blob Emojis because instead Microsoft 3D Fluent emojis are used now.
Added "Copy folder path to clipboard" option to "After capture tasks" menu.

Finally, ShareX 20 adds native ARM64 support for those having the app installed from the Microsoft Store.

ShareX 20 is now available for download from the official website and the Microsoft Store.

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Posted Saturday 2 May 2026 at 7:50 am AEST (my time).

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PowerToys is getting a new macOS-inspired tool for Windows 11 and 10

Fri, 01 May 2026 21:50:06 +0000

PowerToys will soon let you click on the desktop background or free space on the taskbar to minimize all apps, just like in macOS Sonoma and newer.

Last month, Microsoft released PowerToys 0.99, the latest major update for this set of utilities for Windows 10 and 11. The April 2026 update introduced two brand-new modules: one for monitor management and one for easier window dragging across the screen. Soon, another utility should make its way to PowerToys, inspired by a native macOS feature and a third-party Windows app.

"Show Desktop," as the name suggests, makes it easier to minimize all apps on your screen. While you can use Win + D or the bottom-right corner of the screen, the new utility adds a couple of extra methods to dismiss all open windows. With it, you will be able to click on the desktop background (empty space) or empty taskbar space to minimize or restore all apps.

Microsoft also wants to implement a few additional features, such as double-click instead of a single click or automatic gaming detection, where the utility remains inactive when you play games to avoid potential disruptions.

Show Desktop is inspired by PeekDesktop, a small utility made by a Microsoft engineer. PeekDesktop copies a feature that Apple introduced in macOS Sonoma, where clicking space on the desktop minimizes all open windows. While it is hardly an earth-shattering utility, it is a nice, small convenience, especially for users with large displays.

Speaking of conveniences, PowerToys 0.99 introduced (another bug-fixing update was shipped later) a new tool that lets you drag an app across the screen by clicking anywhere on its window while holding the Alt key (you can remap it to the Win key). Inspired by Linux, this app makes it much easier to arrange windows with cluttered title bars, such as browsers. This utility also lets you resize the current window while holding the modifier key and the right mouse button.

While there is no information on when Microsoft plans to ship Show Desktop to all users, you can track the feature on PowerToys' GitHub repository.

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Posted Saturday 2 May 2026 at 7:49 am AEST (my time).

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Microsoft fixes PDF editor crashes and security vulnerabilities in Edge browser

Fri, 01 May 2026 21:48:58 +0000

Version 1470.0.3912.98 has been released with fixes for PDF renderer crashes when working with certain documents, plus plenty of security fixes.

Microsoft Edge users have a new update to download and install. Microsoft released version 147.0.3912.98, a minor update for Edge 147, to address various security issues and fix a bug with the browser's built-in PDF viewer.

The release notes for Microsoft Edge 147 contain a few changes. There are no new features or major changes, except for a single fix for a bug causing PDF rendering issues when working with certain PDF documents. Microsoft explains it as follows:

Fixed an issue that could cause the PDF renderer to crash when printing PDFs protected with Azure Information Protection (AIP) or Microsoft Purview Information Protection (MIP).

For reference, Azure Information Protection (AIP) is a special system that protects documents and files by flagging them as internal, confidential, or highly confidential and limits viewing, editing, copying, or sharing. Microsoft Purview Information Protection is a successor to AIP with more advanced features and broader compatibility with cloud-based services.

In addition to fixing printing PDF documents, Edge 147.0.3912.98 addresses multiple security vulnerabilities that originate from Chromium. There are no Microsoft Edge-specific features, but the changelog is full of Chromium vulnerabilities, three of which are marked as critical.

Microsoft also released Edge 146.0.3856.139 in the Extended Stable Channel. Its changelog has even fewer changes, only claiming that the update "fixed various bugs and performance issues."

Microsoft Edge can download and install available updates in the background, but you can also force-update the browser by heading to edge://settings/help. The next feature update, Microsoft Edge 148, is expected in early May.

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Posted Saturday 2 May 2026 at 7:47 am AEST (my time).

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Microsoft improves Windows 11 File Explorer with new archive format support and fixes

Fri, 01 May 2026 21:46:48 +0000

File Explorer can now open more archive types, plus there are fixes for white flashes, reliability improvements, and more.

Microsoft has just released the latest non-security update for Windows 11, which brings a long list of changes and improvements, including Xbox mode, performance enhancements, bug fixes, and more. Some of the most notable upgrades include the newly announced Xbox mode for all Windows 11 PCs and a set of important File Explorer updates. The latter frequently gets plenty of criticism from users, and Microsoft is steadily shipping improvements with each release. The April 2026 non-security update is no exception.

With KB5083631, File Explorer's archive capabilities now include support for .uu (binary-to-text encoding), .cpio (archiving format for Unix systems, frequently used for backups), .xar (eXtensible ARchive format with compression and metadata support), and .nupkg (NuGet Packages). Now, you can work with these file formats without installing additional software.

In addition to the new archive format support, Microsoft brings some much-needed fixes to its file manager in Windows 11. For one, File Explorer should no longer reset View and Sort preferences when you open folders like Downloads and Documents from external apps. Also, Microsoft has finally fixed that infuriating bug where File Explorer would flashbang you when opening This PC or resizing the Details pane in dark mode.

Finally, KB5083631 improves File Explorer's processes. Microsoft says the update enhances reliability so that explorer.exe can stop properly after closing File Explorer windows.

KB5083631 is an optional update, so feel free to skip it. All these improvements will be included in the May 2026 Patch Tuesday update. If you want to install it now, head to Settings > Windows Update and click "Check for Updates." Windows 11 will offer to download and install KB5083631.

Microsoft has more File Explorer improvements on the horizon. Earlier this year, the company promised to focus on critical areas of the operating system, such as Windows Update, AI, performance, and stability. File Explorer is on the list, and Microsoft is committed to making it significantly faster and more reliable. As such, expect more meaningful File Explorer improvements this year, which will most likely show up first in the revamped Windows Insider program.

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Posted Saturday 2 May 2026 at 7:46 am AEST (my time).

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Microsoft explains why Windows 11 KB5083631, KB5083769 are making systems restart more times

Fri, 01 May 2026 21:45:48 +0000

Microsoft says the KB5083769 and KB5083631 updates may restart twice due to new Secure Boot certificate installations on some systems.

Earlier today Microsoft released its latest Windows 11 25H2, 24H2 update under KB5083631 which brings some major performance benefits for users. The latest update currently only lists a single known issue related to forced BitLocker recovery. The tech giant has issued a workaround for the bug which you can find in its dedicated article here.

However, aside from that, Microsoft notes that the update could lead to a system restarting or rebooting more than once after downloading and installing. The company has not documented this as a known issue since this is expected behaviour at least on some machines, and it's not the first time either as the previous month's KB5083769 update also had this quirk. Microsoft has explained that the double restart is due to the installation of new Secure Boot certificates on systems requiring them.

For anyone who missed it, back in early 2024, Microsoft announced that it was updating Secure Boot keys as they were going to become 15 years old in 2026, which is also when they are set to expire. As such, the new 2023 certificates are being rolled out with the newest Windows 11 updates. Updated boot manager and Secure Boot certificates are crucial for protection against malware like bootkits.

Microsoft writes: "Note: With recent and upcoming Windows updates over the next few months, a limited number of consumer and business devices might experience one additional restart during installation. This one‑time restart occurs after a Secure Boot certificate update is applied as part of the Secure Boot update process."

If you are not sure whether your system has the necessary update or not, Microsoft recently added a simple indicator to help you determine that info inside the Windows Security app. There are now new marks to help explain the stage at which your Windows 11/10 system is regarding Secure Boot status. You can check the details in this dedicated piece here.

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Posted Saturday 2 May 2026 at 7:44 am AEST (my time).

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Ubuntu is going all in on Generative AI and other Linux distros might follow

Fri, 01 May 2026 21:44:01 +0000

Canonical said it is "treading carefully" in how it introduces generative AI into Ubuntu, and that these AI models will be local-first.

Canonical (the maker of Ubuntu) recently announced that it is increasing its use of AI tools in a way that the company promises respects open-source values and prioritizes local processing. The company is adamant that it will not turn Ubuntu into a pure "AI product." (cough, Windows 11, cough)

In a community post, Jon Seager, VP of engineering at Canonical, detailed the company's approach by splitting AI into two categories: implicit and explicit features. Implicit AI will improve existing functions behind the scenes without introducing new workflows for users, such as enhancing accessibility with top-tier, locally run speech-to-text. Explicit AI features are new, agentic workflows that users can opt into, like automating troubleshooting or authoring documents.

When it comes to writing code, Seager promises that Canonical will "tread carefully" to avoid the kind of low-quality, "slop" AI-generated pull requests that have plagued other open-source projects. The company's goal is augmentation rather than replacement, encouraging its engineers to use AI where it makes sense:

There are certain tasks for which AI tools are a no-brainer. In these cases, AI tools can work autonomously and produce excellent results - particularly where the work is of a mechanical nature and they're given the right context. In other cases, they struggle. My hope is that over the coming months, all of our engineers grow to feel competent and fluid while driving the full range of AI tools: using them where they're effective, and avoiding them where they're not.

Ubuntu plans to deliver these AI features via containerized "inference snaps," which provide secure, local access to models optimized for specific user hardware. This tech will power a "context-aware" operating system. Users might get better text-to-speech, but also new agentic capabilities. Seager imagines a system where you can just ask your computer for help, something Microsoft has already explored (Copilot in Windows Settings😞

Imagine being able to ask your Linux machine to troubleshoot a Wi-Fi connection issue, or to stand up an open source software forge that's pre-configured, secured, and reachable over TLS. One could easily imagine using such a capability as a gateway for controlling your Linux machine from other devices through a variety of mediums - be that a mobile app, text messaging, voice commands or otherwise.

It appears there will not be a global switch in settings to turn off AI. Since the features arrive as Snap packages, the only workaround is to completely remove the specific Snaps you do not want.

The AI features will first debut as an opt-in preview in Ubuntu 26.10. Starting with Ubuntu 27.04, a setup wizard will ask users if they want to enable these AI features. The language models themselves are large, so they will be downloaded after installation if a user opts in.

Ubuntu is the most popular Linux distribution, with over 40 million desktop users. It is also (arguably) one of the most recommended alternatives for the legions of refugees fleeing Microsoft's AI shenanigans.

Historically, Linux distros tend to pick up upstream trends once they prove useful or catch on, and Ubuntu especially has a lot of influence since many distros are either based on it, like Mint variants, or at least borrow its packaging ideas, tooling, and UX patterns. So if Ubuntu actually normalizes local AI tooling like model snaps or built-in inference support, it's pretty likely that other distros would start experimenting with similar ideas over time or adapt parts of it.

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Posted Saturday 2 May 2026 at 7:43 am AEST (my time).

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Major Rufus update brings a new way to install Windows 11, can make your PC faster

Fri, 01 May 2026 07:40:00 +0000

Rufus update brings "silent" Windows 11 installs, fixes a 25H2 USB and local account bugs, allows disabling Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and more.

Following its beta that came out last month, Rufus 4.14 has been released as a final version today with several big Windows-focused improvements, including silent installation, removal of bundled Microsoft apps like Teams, Outlook, Copilot, fixes for Windows To Go, a local account issue, and more.

The new version introduces an unattended "silent" installation mode that allows Windows to be deployed automatically on the first detected disk without requiring user input. This feature is mainly aimed at advanced users and power users who want faster, hands-free installations. Another addition is the option to disable certain pre-installed Microsoft apps during setup like Teams, Outlook, and Copilot. So if you don't need any of those, this latest update can make your PC start up faster. This should be especially helpful for users running Windows 11 on lower-end hardware. Microsoft itself is also enhancing Windows 11 performance in certain aspects.

The release improves clarity during Windows Setup by enhancing the UEFI:NTFS partition label. If you don't know, UEFI:NTFS is a lightweight bootloader that enables UEFI systems to boot from NTFS or exFAT partitions, even when firmware only supports FAT32. It essentially works by loading an NTFS driver from a small FAT partition, then transferring control to boot files on the NTFS partition, bypassing typical file size and filesystem limitations.

The update also addresses an error in creating Windows To Go (WinToGo) media for Windows 11 25H2 caused by newer versions of BCDBoot. WinToGo is a legacy feature that allowed running Windows off a USB. BCDBoot on the other hand is a command-line utility that lets you configure boot files or boot configuration data (BCD).

Finally, a fix has been introduced for local accounts that begin or end with whitespace characters which would lead to issues with local account creation.

Beyond Windows-specific changes, Rufus 4.14 adds tooltips for all dialog options, clearer error messages when attempting to use an image located on the target drive, and limited support for El-Torito UEFI image extraction, primarily for Dell BIOS update ISOs. The update also improves detection and exclusion of hidden Bitdefender VHDs as previous versions did not filter them out correctly.

The full changelog is given below:

Windows User Experience improvements:
- Add a "Quality of Life" option, to disable Teams, Outlook, Copilot and other Microsoft forced nuisances
- Add a Silent installation option, that automatically, and WITHOUT PROMPT, installs Windows on the first detected disk on the target platform
- Add an option to copy SkuSiPolicy.p7b to the ESP on installation (please refer to KB5042562 for more info)
- Add tooltips for all the dialog options
Add limited support for El-Torito UEFI image extraction (Mostly for Dell BIOS update ISOs)
Improve error report when the user tries to use an image that resides on the target drive
Improve the UEFI:NTFS partition label to make the install media more explicit during Windows Setup disk partitioning
Improve support for Bazzite and other Fedora derivatives that don't follow EFI conventions
Improve reporting of GRUB and Isolinux MBRs
Improve detection and exclusion of the new Bitdefender hidden VHDs (#2953)
Fix potential errors during creation of Windows To Go media, due to the use of new versions of bcdboot (#2940)
Fix errors with local accounts that start or end with whitespaces (#2950)

You can download the Rufus 4.14 (final) from its official website or from its GitHub repo.

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Posted Friday 1 May 2026 at 5:38 pm AEST (my time).

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Microsoft confirms Windows 11 KB5083631 brings some performance improvements

Fri, 01 May 2026 07:37:44 +0000

Microsoft released the Windows 11 KB5083631 update, improving performance, reliability, file handling, memory management, and more.

Towards the end of last month, we learned about Microsoft's internal "K2" plan with which the company is trying to make Windows great again. It is no secret though that the tech giant has realized Windows 11 needs to be better especially in terms of its performance. Earlier this year the company had explained how it planned to do so, and with its recent Windows Insider release preview build Microsoft laid out all the improvements that would soon be available to Windows users with the KB5083631 update.

As such, earlier today, Microsoft released the Windows 11 preview update KB5083631 (Builds 26200.8328 and 26100.8328) to non-Insiders introducing a set of performance and reliability improvements across multiple system components.

The update includes refinements that enhance performance during UI interactions such as signing in, navigating the interface, and using core features like Task View and taskbar menus. The changes are designed to reduce latency and improve the consistency of everyday operations.

File management also benefits from performance tuning as updates to underlying system processes improve how users interact with file-related functions; this should contribute to smoother execution when accessing or organizing files. The update also enhances the reliability of the underlying explorer.exe processes, reducing instances where system resources remain tied up after closing the app, thus refining the memory management efficiency. Speaking of memory management, the Delivery Optimization process for Windows update downloads has been improved so that RAM usage should be reduced.

Aside from that, Microsoft also promises better system startup performance as well as a more snappy experience when navigating through the storage settings, similar to the File Explorer improvements above. It writes:

This update improves performance when viewing storage information for large volumes in Settings > System > Storage > Advanced Storage Settings > Disks & Volumes.
Improves performance of launching startup apps after boot (apps which display under Settings > Apps > Startup).

You could also get an even faster experience in regards to system startup with the latest Rufus update which lets you strip default Microsoft apps.

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Posted Friday 1 May 2026 at 5:35 pm AEST (my time).

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Here are all the new features Microsoft added to Teams in April 2026

Fri, 01 May 2026 07:35:10 +0000

From targeted bot messaging to smarter meetings and UI polish, Teams gets a packed update that quietly reshapes daily workflows.

The month of May has begun, which means that it is time yet again to recap all the features Microsoft added to Teams in the previous month. We already published a similar roundup for Excel, which details several new Copilot capabilities that were introduced to the spreadsheet software. Now, it is time for Teams, which has a relatively lengthier change log, as usual.

Starting off with chat and collaboration, bots and agents can now be configured to send targeted messages to specific people. In addition, the Teams app bar has been simplified to hide labels describing an app by default, the overflow menu is less cluttered, and you can even hide the app bar if you don't really need it.

Microsoft has also introduced new quick view controls in the chat list, so that you can instantly gain access to mentions, followed threads, and more. The Engage app on mobile has been enhanced so that admins can assign expert status to certain users, which allows the community to find trusted answers faster. Admins now also have the option to quickly add or remove members in their Viva Engage communities with their mobile.

Switching gears to meetings improvements, consecutive interpretation with Interpreter agent is in public preview, while meeting transcripts can attribute transcription content to the person using sign language rather than the interpreter. In the same vein, spoken language detection is now automatic. Some users will also be pleased to know that Teams meeting notes powered by Loop are available now for instant meetings triggered via Meet Now, and the top video gallery can be resized to see more people, even when content is being shared.

As usual, several pieces of hardware are now Teams-certified too, including:

Cisco Express Install Solutions for Teams Rooms
Neat Express Install: TAA-Compliant Neat Board Pro with Heckler Stand
Jabra Express Install: PanaCast 40 VBS Bundles (LG displays available in: 43″ / 50″ / 55″ / 65″)
Jabra PanaCast 40 VBS + Control IP
MAXHUB XBoard V7 (Display available in 55″ and 75″)
MAXHUB Universal Console TCP33T
MAXHUB XBar V70 Kit
Barco ClickShare Hub Pro and Huddly ®C1™ for Teams Rooms on Android
Yealink UH42 / UH44 and WH68 Headsets

That's not all, though. Microsoft also has several updates in store for Teams Phone users and frontline workers, you can check out additional details here.

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Posted Friday 1 May 2026 at 5:34 pm AEST (my time).

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Microsoft enables TypeScript 7 Beta by default in Visual Studio 18.6 Insiders 3

Fri, 01 May 2026 07:34:33 +0000

Visual Studio gets a massive performance boost with native TypeScript 7, cutting compile times by 10x and project loads by 8x.

Microsoft has now enabled TypeScript 7 Beta within the TypeScript SDK by default in Visual Studio 18.6 Insiders 3. This update will impact any project that uses the built-in SDK such as TypeScript projects, ASP.NET Core projects with npm packages, and any TypeScript or JavaScript files you’re editing.

For any project that doesn’t have a specific TypeScript version installed, Visual Studio will use the new native compiler by default.

Microsoft notes that TypeScript 7 is a native port of the TypeScript compiler and tools, marking a big change that gives you native execution speed and shared-memory parallelism to the TypeScript compiler and language service. Where users have large code bases, the compile time improvements can be up to 10x and it uses significantly less memory.

The TypeScript language service is also significantly better too with project load times decreasing by 8x. There are also general speed improvements across the board including:

IntelliSense and completions. Code completions and parameter info should appear faster, especially in large projects where you may have previously noticed a delay.
Find All References. Searching for references across your solution is significantly faster.
Go to Definition. Navigating to definitions is more responsive.
Error diagnostics. Squiggles and error lists update more quickly as you type.
Project load times. Opening TypeScript and JavaScript projects in Visual Studio should be noticeably faster, with load times decreasing by roughly 8x.

Microsoft previously announced the TypeScript 7.0 Beta earlier this month, but this announcement today marks the availability of it in the Visual Studio 18.6 Insiders 3 build. For more information on the new TypeScript, check out Neowin’s previous coverage. You can also refer to Microsoft's announcement for the commands to switch between TypeScript versions and learn about the known issues in TypeScript 7.0 Beta.

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Posted Friday 1 May 2026 at 5:34 pm AEST (my time).

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Windows 11 KB5083631 update released with major explorer.exe reliability upgrades, AI agent support, Xbox mode, and more

Fri, 01 May 2026 02:16:23 +0000

Windows 11's optional non-security preview update for April 2026 has finally been released, and includes a number of quality of life improvements and changes that are now rolling out.

Microsoft has released Windows 11's optional non-security preview update for April 2026, which includes a number of new improvements and changes designed to make the OS more reliable and easy to use. The update, marked KB5083631, is now available and includes the new Xbox mode that was announced as generally available earlier today, along with reliability improvements to explorer.exe, a new haptic feedback engine, an updated drop tray share menu, support for AI agents on the Taskbar, and more.

It's a big quality of life update that includes a lot of changes that many users will appreciate. File Explorer is gaining several improvements tied to the explorer.exe reliability updates, including the removal of the annoying white flash bug in dark mode, and support for more archive formats such as uu, cpio, xar, and NuGet Packages (nupkg).

The UI that AI tools can now utilize if they choose to.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

There are plenty of other improvements to note as well, including faster and more reliable Windows Hello authentication, a more intuitive voice typing feature, and more. The entire changelog is available below, and all features mentioned are rolling out in waves once the update is installed. To get the features faster, make sure you have the "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" toggle enabled in Windows Update.

Windows 11 KB5083631: What's new?

[Gaming] New! Xbox mode is available on Windows 11 PCs, including laptops, desktops, and tablets. Inspired by the Xbox console experience, Xbox mode offers a streamlined, full‑screen interface that puts your games front and center while minimizing background distractions. Xbox mode is designed for those moments when you want to lean back, pick up a controller, and focus on the game. Enter Xbox mode from the Xbox app, Game Bar settings, or by pressing Windows logo key + F11. For more information, see Xbox Mode Begins Rolling Out to Players on Windows 11PCs Today.
[File Explorer]
- New! This update expands the list of archive formats that can be used in File Explorer to include uu, cpio, xar, and NuGet Packages (nupkg).
- With this update, View and Sort preferences are preserved in folders such as Downloads and Documents when apps launch File Explorer directly to those locations.
- This update removes a white flash that could appear when opening This PC or while resizing the Details pane in dark mode.
- This update improves the reliability of relevant explorer.exe processes so they stop after closing File Explorer windows.
[Input]
- New! You can feel haptic feedback effects on compatible input devices when performing certain actions, such as aligning objects in PowerPoint, snapping or resizing windows. These haptic signals can be turned on or off in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mouse, Touchpad, or Pen > Haptic signals. This experience is supported on Surface Slim Pen 2, ASUS Pen 3.0, and MSI Pen 2 with haptic feedback. Support for additional compatible devices, including select mice such as Logitech MX Master 4, might become available as hardware partners release updates.
- New! Voice typing on the touch keyboard now looks simpler and more intuitive. The updated design removes the full‑screen overlay and shows voice typing animations directly on the dictation key, helping you stay focused without extra visual distractions.
- New! The Arabic 101 Legacy keyboard layout is now available. You can add it when selecting a keyboard for Arabic under Time & Language > Language & Region. This option is for those who prefer the keyboard design used before recent changes with AltGr.
- This update improves the reliability of setting custom tools under Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Wheel.
- This update improves the persistence of Fluid Dictation setting in voice typing.
- This update improves the reliability of keyboard navigation for emoji panels (Windows logo key + Period).
- This update improves the reliability of typing when using the ADLaM keyboard.
[Sharing] New! Drag Tray is now called Drop Tray. Its settings are now under Settings > System > Multitasking (previously Nearby sharing). Drop Tray uses a smaller peek view. This improvement helps prevent the Drop Tray from opening unintentionally and makes it easier to dismiss when you work near the top of the screen.
[Introducing Agents on Taskbar] New! Windows is adding a new way to monitor your agents from the taskbar. This experience supports agents across first- and third-party apps, with Researcher in the Microsoft 365 Copilot app as the first adopter. When Researcher works on a report, Windows shows progress on the taskbar so you can check updates at a glance. Hover over the Microsoft 365 Copilot icon to see real-time progress. When the report is ready, Windows notifies you. Select the notification or the icon to return to the app and review and use the results.

Developers can learn how to use this API with the Windows.UI.Shell.Tasks API.
[Enterprise State Roaming (ESR)] New! ESR can now be managed through Windows Backup for Organizations policies. This makes setup easier for IT administrators. To learn more, see Enterprise State Roaming.
[Policy-Based Removal of Preinstalled Microsoft Apps] New! This update adds support for a dynamic app removal list to the “Remove Default Microsoft Store packages” policy for Windows Enterprise and Education. Administrators can remove additional MSIX/APPX-packaged apps by specifying their app package family names using Group Policy. The dynamic list is not currently available in Intune Settings Catalog. Validation must be performed using Group Policy or custom OMA-URI. For more information, see Policy-based in-box app removal.
[Printing] New! This update adds a new icon to show where a printer supports Windows Protected Print Mode in print settings.
[Windows Driver Policy update] New! This update improves Windows security by changing how the Windows kernel trusts third‑party drivers. Default trust for cross‑signed drivers is removed, while drivers from the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP) and an allow list of trusted legacy drivers remain allowed. Windows audits driver compatibility for at least 100 hours and three reboots before enabling enforcement. After enforcement, a small number of cross‑signed drivers might be blocked. For more information, see the Windows driver policy and the Advancing Windows driver security blog.
[Enhanced security and performance for batch files] New! Administrators and Application Control for Business policy authors now have additional control over how the system processes batch files and Command Prompt (CMD) scripts. Starting with this release, administrators can enable a more secure processing mode for batch files. This mode prevents batch files from changing during execution.

To enable this setting, add the following value to the registry:

Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor

Value name: LockBatchFilesWhenInUse

Type: DWORD

Data to be set: 0 (disabled) or 1 (enabled)

Policy authors can also enable this mode by using the LockBatchFilesWhenInUse application manifest control, as documented in the Application Control for Business manifest schema.
[Microsoft Store] This update reduces unexpected errors when downloading and installing apps from the Microsoft Store, including errors 0x80070057, 0x80240008, and 0x80073d28.
[Fonts] This update includes improvements to the Leelawadee UI font family for the Thai, Lao, Khmer, and Lontara scripts to enhance glyph sequencing, positioning, and rendering.
[Audio] This update improves third-party driver compatibility with midisrv.exe.
[Taskbar] This update improves the reliability of loading the system tray area of the taskbar.
[Windows Hello] This update improves:
- Reliability of Windows Hello Face.
- Persistence of Windows Hello Fingerprint across upgrades.
[Storage] This update improves:
- Performance when viewing storage information for large volumes in Settings > System > Storage > Advanced Storage Settings > Disks & Volumes.
- The size limit for formatting FAT32 volumes from the command line from 32GB to 2TB.
[Delivery Optimization] This update improves memory usage, reducing likelihood it will use an unexpectedly large amount of memory.
[Display and graphics] This update improves persistence and availability of color profile options for supported monitors.
[Kiosk mode] This update simplifies configuration for allowed packaged apps in kiosks when Microsoft Edge is one of the allowed apps.
[General Performance] This update improves the performance of launching startup apps after starting your device (apps listed under Settings > Apps > Startup).
[General Reliability] This update brings underlying changes to help improve explorer.exe reliability, including at sign‑in, when interacting with taskbar menus and Task View, when unpinning items from File Explorer’s Quick Access, and more.

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Posted Friday 1 May 2026 at 12:14 pm AEST (my time).

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Microsoft should steal concepts from this Windows redesign project: Envisioning an ad‑free Windows 11 without AI clutter

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:35:23 +0000

A bold "Refining Windows" fan concept ditches clutter and ads, offering a customizable design and more.

Windows 11's design can be a sore topic for some avid users and enthusiasts. Many complaints on social media center on the premise that the operating system offers a seemingly degraded user experience compared to its predecessors, as well as on Microsoft's strict hardware requirements, and other issues.

Some have also argued that the operating system feels bloated with over-the-top features, AI, and other pre-installed parts that might not necessarily be appealing to the average user. As a result, the customization scene in Windows 11 is thriving, as third-party developers give users the experience they've wanted from Microsoft.

The "Redefining Windows" project addresses most of these concerns: "Start menu return with more clean and compact size, and completely removing forced recommendations and ads, focusing entirely on user-pinned applications, app list, and search," says Aryaputra in their descriptions.

Most notably, the redesign project brings back the fan-favorite movable and resizable project. Interestingly, Microsoft is restoring the beloved feature as part of its broader strategy to improve the general user sentiment around Windows 11 in 2026 (known internally as Windows K2).

The project also presents Windows Search as a more intuitive experience, allowing users to instantly find apps, files, settings, and more using shortcuts without injecting any ads or irrelevant recommendations: "Copilot is seamlessly integrated into the system search as a native, unobtrusive assistant".

(Image credit: Raditya Aryaputra on Behance)

Other notable changes include a simplified Widget panel, which barely receives any tweaks aside from scrapping the MSN News feed section from the platform, entirely designed to drive more focus to the pinned widget. While the project designer doesn't specify this, I'd assume that there would be an option to restore the news feed for users who find it instrumental.

The project also keeps the Calendar view and is straight to the point — displaying daily events and links to join meetings.

I'm a fan, but it might unfortunately remain as nothing more than a concept in the foreseeable future. However, Microsoft's Windows K2 ongoing initiative to rehabilitate Windows 11's current state and user perception shows great promise. It would also be interesting to see if any elements from this project make it to the end user in any form or shape.

Right now, user options are limited within the Windows ecosystem, especially after Microsoft ended mainstream support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Windows 10's ESU program cushions users a tad, postponing the inevitable transition to Windows 11 by one year — but it feels like a last-minute snooze button to a bleeding system.

Plus, it's no secret that many users have issues with how Windows 11's Start menu is set up, even after the company redesigned the app at the beginning of the year. While the overhaul delivered significant changes to the Start menu's overall user experience, users complained that it's now too big and too automated. It also lacks enough customization options.

In the interim, Microsoft has brought back Windows Insider meetups, bridging the gap between real Windows 11 users and the team at Microsoft. The company hopes to use customer feedback to improve and enhance the operating system's user experience.

Microsoft has also reevaluated its AI strategy in Windows 11, streamlining its user experience across its ecosystem and even removing Copilot in apps like Notepad, which happened earlier this month. However, some users claim that Microsoft didn't scrap Copilot from the app; it just renamed it to AI-writing tools.

For now, I'm inviting you to keep tabs on all the changes Microsoft makes on Windows 11 as part of its ongoing Windows K2 initiative via our status tracker.

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Posted Friday 1 May 2026 at 7:34 am AEST (my time).

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