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Windows 11 augments desktop wallpapers with JXR and HDR compatibility
Windows 11 brings a new feature that allows users to set JXR files as their desktop background using the Settings app. This feature enables the use of JPEG extended range images, known for their high-quality continuous tone photographs, with HDR on desktop backgrounds. Since its inception, Windows has always supported JXR files, as it is…
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Initial Thoughts on the Lenovo Slim Pro 9i (16″ Intel)
The past year has witnessed the release of exceptional 16-inch laptops that cater to creators, and Lenovo’s latest addition, the Slim Pro 9i, appears to be a standout example. Boasting premium build quality, stunning aesthetics, powerful internals, and a mini-LED display (a first for me), this laptop holds great promise. While I have yet to…
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Microsoft Unveils Additional Windows 11 Dev Channel Features for Canary Insiders
After commencing the Windows Insider August 2023 bug bash yesterday, Microsoft is concluding this week with Windows 11 preview build 25921 for Insiders on the Canary channel. This latest build includes features that were recently introduced to the Dev Channel, such as HDR background support and improved thumbnail previews for cloud files in the Start…
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Testing Microsoft’s leaked app for unlocking hidden functionalities in Windows 11: A hands-on experience
Microsoft has a secret weapon called “StagingTool” that allows its engineers to unlock hidden features in Windows 11 and provide feedback to program managers. Recently, Microsoft accidentally revealed details about this tool in a now-deleted post on the Feedback Hub. While discussing a new setting feature in Windows 11 that allows users to sign in…
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Microsoft eliminates Cortana app on Windows 11, prioritizing AI
After stumbling upon an update in the Microsoft Store, I discovered that Cortana, Microsoft’s assistant, has stopped working on Windows 11. This shouldn’t come as a surprise since Cortana hasn’t received any feature updates in the past two years. Cortana was introduced as Microsoft’s response to Apple’s Siri in 2014. Microsoft even released advertisements that…
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Microsoft Discontinues Cortana App on Windows 11
Microsoft has discontinued the standalone Cortana app on Windows 11. If you have the app installed on your PC, a recent update will display a message informing you that it is now deprecated (source: Windows Latest). In June, Microsoft announced that it would stop supporting Cortana as a standalone app in Windows 11 and Windows…
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Leaked: Microsoft’s StagingTool App Unveils Hidden Features on Windows 11
With the start of the latest Windows Insider bug bash yesterday, it seems that Microsoft inadvertently shared its internal “StagingTool” app that can enable hidden features in Windows 11 Insider builds. Windows Insider Xenopanther discovered the tool in some bug bash quests before it was eventually removed by Microsoft. The installer for Microsoft’s StagingTool app…
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Windows’ End? Not Quite (Premium)
In my acclaimed literary work, “Windows Everywhere,” I meticulously document the rise and, subsequently, the decline of Windows as a dominant platform. However, despite its challenges, Windows continues to reign supreme in the realm of desktop productivity functionality. Whether it’s due to user inertia or the shortcomings of its potential competitors, the fact remains that…
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Windows Copilot Preview Begins Rolling Out to Beta Channel Participants
Microsoft recently released new preview builds of Windows 11 for Insiders on the Dev and Beta channels. The Windows 11 Dev build 23516 brings several new features, including HDR background support, expanded Voice Access to the lock screen, and improvements to presence sensing. Meanwhile, the Windows 11 Beta build 22631.2129 includes some of the same…
