Microsoft is internally testing a new behavior for the search feature in the Start menu. It currently includes a search box which redirects you to a dedicated search pane once you click it. It looks like the software giant isn't happy with this inconsistency, and is working on improving this experience.
Microsoft is testing a new Xbox homepage
The Xbox team starts a series of experiments to find the best solution for building the best experience for Xbox home page. They try to create a more personalized dashboard based on contribution and feedback from users. Starting this week, some Xbox Insiders on the Alpha Skip-Ahead channel will notice changes to the layout and design of the dashboard. There will be new groups of gaming content and collections that appear in the below area when you scroll the screen.
Here’s how to enable New Windows Spotlight UI in Windows 11
Starting in Windows 11 Build 25197, the operating system includes a new user interface for the desktop Spotlight. When you click the "Learn more about this picture", it opens a pop-up at the bottom of the screen with details about the image. Besides, it allows switching the wallpaper, and even use Bing to find similarly looking desktop backgrounds. As it is a hidden feature, we will learn how to enable it.
Windows 11 Build 25197 (Dev) features Tablet-optimized taskbar, new system tray, and more
Microsoft has released a new Dev channel Build 25197 to Windows 11 Insiders. The key changes in this build are the return of the Tablet-optimized taskbar, the updated appearance of the system tray. Also, there are more fancier animations in the Settings app, and improvements made to the built-in apps.
uBlock Origin ad blocker with Manifest V3 support is available for testing
Raymond Hill, the author of uBlock Origin advanced ad-blocker, published an experimental "uBO Minus" browser add-on that is built around the declarativeNetRequest API of Manifest V3. Unlike the classic uBlock Origin, the new version directly uses built-in browser's capabilities to filter content. It also no longer need a permission to access site data.
A bug may prevent you from signing in to Windows 11
Microsoft has confirmed one more bug in Windows 11. It affects the stable version of the OS, and may prevent the user from signing in to a newly added Microsoft Account. Fortunately, the company already mitigated the issue.
Xbox OS September update adds party chat noise suppression and more
Microsoft has released a new firmware update for the Xbox game consoles that brings noise cancellation support in voice chats. This feature allows you to get rid of annoying clicks, background music and breathing sounds. Another new feature in this update is the ability to go to a game from a screenshot or clip shared by your friends.
PowerToys 0.62 comes with new tools, Screen Ruler, Quick Accent, and Text Extractor
Microsoft today released a new version 0.62 of their famous PowerToys app set. Besides regular fixes and general improvements, the update includes three brand new tools. If you are reading Winaero, you may be already familiar with them.
Microsoft Adds New Mica Alt Visual Effect to Windows 11
Microsoft has quietly add a new "surface" for the Windows 11 UI, which is a more strongly colored version of the widely used "Mica". The new effect is called Mica Alt.
Fix Defender flags Chrome and Edge as Behavior:Win32/Hive.ZY
There are a huge number of users who ran into trouble with Microsoft Defender. The app started flagging everything that is Chromium based as "Behavior:Win32/Hive.ZY". Even the Edge binaries were marked as infected.
