third-party tools

The growing power and convenience of Windows 11’s Snipping Tool have made it a core staple in the daily workflows of millions, but a fresh injection of Google’s intelligence—through a community-driven project called Snipping Lens—is redefining what “search with a screenshot” really means on the...

Recording your screen as a GIF on Windows 11 is a feature that has long been requested by users seeking a lightweight and easily shareable alternative to traditional video screen captures. As GIFs remain popular for tutorials, quick bug reporting, and social media, Windows 11 has taken...

Windows 11 users have long expressed nostalgia for features missing since the operating system replaced its predecessor, and few omissions have drawn more commentary than the absence of a visible clock in the taskbar calendar flyout. With the introduction of the latest Windows 11 Insider builds...

The Windows desktop landscape has long been dominated by the Start menu—an iconic feature since Windows 95—serving as both a launchpad for applications and a central touchpoint for system navigation. Yet, in recent years, a new breed of power users, productivity enthusiasts, and keyboard...

The Windows Start menu has remained at the heart of the user experience since its debut in Windows 95, but its evolution has not always been universally celebrated. When Windows 11 arrived, many long-time fans bemoaned changes that seemed to favor form over function: cramped app layouts...

The refreshed Windows 11 Start Menu is rolling out its latest iteration to Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel, marking yet another chapter in Microsoft’s ongoing evolution of desktop navigation. This update, deployed as part of build 26200.5641, arrives after a period of anticipation fueled by...

Windows 11, Microsoft’s latest operating system, rolled out with promises of greater performance, a sleeker interface, and enhanced security. Yet, for countless users, the experience of starting up a brand-new Windows device is often marred by an age-old frustration: bloatware. This...

Regularly restarting your Windows 11 PC is a fundamental yet often overlooked aspect of system maintenance that can have a significant impact on performance, stability, and security. While many users are accustomed to simply putting their computer to sleep or leaving it running for extended...

A cluttered desktop can be a major distraction, especially for users who value both productivity and aesthetics in their computing environment. The Windows 11 taskbar, while functional, often takes up valuable screen real estate and, for many, blocks the full appreciation of custom wallpapers or...

Few operating systems have managed to embed themselves so deeply into daily life as Windows, powering everything from home laptops to sprawling business servers. With Windows 11, Microsoft has taken visible strides toward modernizing the platform, introducing visually appealing design changes...

Microsoft’s rapid integration of Copilot into virtually every layer of Windows 11 has been nothing short of strategic and, for many, overwhelming. What began as an experimental sidebar is now a persistent presence, even in the native right-click context menu, thanks to updates rolled out since...

With the Windows 11 24H2 update, Microsoft has taken a firmer stance on system integrity, especially toward third-party customization utilities that modify core visual or behavioral aspects of the operating system. One such casualty of Microsoft's increasing lockdown has been ExplorerPatcher—a...

The Start menu stands at the heart of the Windows operating system, yet its evolution has not come without controversy or resistance. While Microsoft’s transition to a minimalist, widget-driven Start menu in Windows 11 strives for modern appeal and touch-friendliness, a vocal portion of the...

Every seasoned Windows user remembers the thrill—and efficiency—of first discovering the power of keyboard shortcuts. Among these, Alt-Tab stands tall, a classic quick-switcher that’s saved countless clicks and boosted multitasking for decades. Yet, as familiar as this shortcut may seem...

For more than three decades, the Start Menu has anchored the Windows desktop, offering users a familiar gateway to apps, files, and essential controls. Yet, Microsoft’s cyclical compulsion to reinvent this iconic feature has become a running joke—and a recurring pain point—in the Windows...

For many Windows users, the Start menu has always been more than just an application launcher—it’s a central hub embodying years of muscle memory and deeply personal workflows. Whenever Microsoft tinkers with this iconic feature, reactions run the gamut from cautious curiosity to impassioned...

For many Windows power users, customization stands as one of the last frontiers where personal taste and productivity intersect. While Windows 11 brings a bevy of enhancements in performance, design language, and security, its approach to customization has left significant portions of its user...

Windows 11’s pursuit of performance gains has always been a central talking point since its initial release, with Microsoft promising smoother operation, increased productivity, and a host of incremental refinements. Yet, as recent updates roll out, many users and power testers continue to voice...

Searching for files on Windows 11 can be a real test of patience, especially for power users accustomed to blazing-fast responses and advanced customization. While Windows Search comes built into the operating system and offers decent integration across apps and settings, many users report that...

Determining whether your PC is compatible with Windows 11 is a pressing question for many users, especially as the new operating system comes with stricter requirements than its predecessors. Attempting to upgrade without confirming compatibility can result in errors, frustration, and...