#windows

After 20 years together, VLC and I are finally breaking up, and it's because of this app

Sau 20 năm trung thành, tác giả quyết định chuyển từ VLC sang PotPlayer trên Windows nhờ …

Windows Search will stop searching your embarrassing typos on Bing

Windows 11 cải tiến tính năng Search nhằm khớp chính xác hơn các lỗi chính tả với ứng dụng đã cài đặt, giảm thiểu tình trạng vô tình tìm kiếm trên Bing. Bản build thử nghiệm đã xử lý các đầu vào như "tskm" thay cho "Task Manager". Microsoft cũng đang phát triển tùy chọn tìm kiếm chỉ trên thiết bị, loại trừ kết quả web và Microsoft Store.

Lập trình viên nên đọc bài này để hiểu cách cải tiến cơ sở hạ tầng tìm kiếm của Windows 11, giúp phát triển ứng dụng của mình tối ưu hóa hơn với các trường hợp nhập liệu sai chính tả và tích hợp hiệu quả hơn với hệ thống tìm kiếm nội bộ.

I'm ditching Docker Desktop — just not for every workflow

Một nhà phát triển Windows chia sẻ quyết định ngừng dùng Docker Desktop và đánh giá tính năng WSL Containers (wslc) mới của Microsoft từ Build 2026. WSL Containers phù hợp thay thế cho các workflow đơn giản (như chạy PostgreSQL), nhưng anh ấy vẫn giữ Docker Desktop cho các stack phức tạp yêu cầu mạng liên-container. Tính năng này chưa ra mắt công chúng nên chưa được thử nghiệm thực tế.

Là người phát triển cần tìm hiểu cách tối ưu hóa môi trường chạy ứng dụng từ các công nghệ mới như WSL Containers để giảm thiểu phụ thuộc vào Docker Desktop, đặc biệt khi công nghệ này có thể thay thế hiệu quả cho các trường hợp đơn giản mà vẫn giữ lại sự linh hoạt cho các dự án phức tạp.

Microsoft quietly extends free Windows 10 ESU support to October 2027

Microsoft has silently extended its free Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for consumers by one additional year, now covering enrolled devices through October 12, 2027. The change was not formally announced but appeared in updated documentation and a blog post editor's note. Consumers can enroll for free by backing up Windows settings to a Microsoft account, redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Reward points, paying $30, or — if in the European Economic Area — simply logging in with a Microsoft account. One ESU license covers up to 10 devices on the same account, and already-enrolled users are automatically covered through the new date. The program is limited to personal devices and excludes domain-joined or MDM-managed systems.

Microsoft extends Windows 10's extra security updates program to October 2027 for free

Microsoft has quietly extended Windows 10's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program by one additional year, now running until October 12, 2027. Consumers who sign in with a Microsoft account get the extension for free; those who prefer not to link an account can pay $30. Users already enrolled in the ESU program will automatically receive continued coverage with no action required. The extension is likely tied to the ongoing RAM shortage driving up PC costs and slowing Windows 11 adoption.

Making Windows a developer platform, again

Microsoft announced at Build 2026 a set of tools to make Windows a first-class developer workstation. Key additions include Coreutils for Windows, a Rust-based fork of Unix core utilities that lets developers use familiar Linux commands natively on Windows, and Windows Developer Config, an open-source automated setup tool that configures a full development environment using winget, WSL, and scripting. The Dev Config mirrors the setup used for Microsoft Dev Box cloud PCs, installs tools like VS Code, Git, Node.js, Python, and .NET, and includes WSL Comfort scripts to tune the Linux subsystem with zsh, Homebrew, and Starship. The tooling is idempotent, extensible, and designed to give development teams consistent environments across machines.

Windows is getting better because Microsoft stopped reinventing the wheel and copied the best tools from enthusiasts

Microsoft has been steadily improving Windows by adopting features popularized by third-party enthusiast tools rather than building from scratch. Key examples include WinGet (inspired by AppGet and Chocolatey) bringing native package management, File Explorer gaining support for RAR and TAR archives, the Snipping Tool evolving to include OCR and annotations rivaling ShareX, and Phone Link consolidating cross-device features previously scattered across apps like KDE Connect and Intel Unison.

Microsoft just fixed one of Windows 11's most frustrating little quirks

Microsoft is rolling out updates to Windows 11 that make Widgets less intrusive. The key change: Widgets will no longer pop open automatically when hovering over the taskbar button. Additionally, taskbar badge colors will be adjusted to match the user's Windows accent color. The update arrives first as an optional update, then becomes mandatory with the July 2026 Patch Tuesday rollout. Other improvements in the same wave include indefinite update pausing, screen-tint options, and improved Bluetooth reliability.

You don't need extra cleanup apps; Windows already has the tools most people need

Windows 11 has built-in tools like Storage Sense, Temporary Files cleanup, and Cleanup Recommendations that make third-party cleanup apps like CCleaner unnecessary for most users. The real storage hogs are large game installs, duplicate media, and forgotten downloads — not registry entries or cache files that cleanup apps typically target. For those who still want a dedicated tool, Microsoft PC Manager is recommended over third-party options.

Windows 11 KB5095093 update rolls out new Point-in-Time restore feature

Microsoft released KB5095093, an optional preview cumulative update for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2. The headline feature is Point-in-Time Restore, which uses Volume Shadow Copy Service to automatically snapshot the full system state every 24 hours (retained for up to 72 hours), enabling quick rollback of the OS, apps, and files. Enterprise users get configurable snapshot intervals (4–24 hours). The update also fixes a Recycle Bin bug showing internal filenames in delete dialogs, switches the emoji panel GIF provider from Google Tenor to GIPHY, adds a calendar-based Windows Update pause UI, improves Bluetooth reliability, adds voice access in French/German/Spanish, and includes numerous File Explorer, networking, and graphics fixes. A known issue remains where third-party apps cannot launch Office applications.

Reviving MSN Messenger’s I-Buddy USB Accessory

A look at reviving the i-Buddy, a USB HID accessory originally designed for MSN Messenger that could light up, twist, and flap wings in response to IM notifications. Using a Windows 7 PC, the Escargot service (a community-run MSN Messenger revival), and a patched Windows Live Messenger 2009 client, the i-Buddy is brought back to life after tracking down a compatible version 2.10 of its software from an old forum post.

I stopped opening Event Viewer after finding this buried Windows tool that actually makes sense

Windows Reliability Monitor is a built-in diagnostic tool that has existed since Vista but remains largely unknown. Unlike Event Viewer, it presents system stability data as a visual timeline with a 1–10 stability index, categorizing application failures, Windows failures, warnings, and informational events in plain language. It covers the past 28 days and includes a consolidated problem report list. The tool is buried under Control Panel > System and Security > Security and Maintenance > Maintenance, but can be found via the Start menu search. While it excels at identifying when and what went wrong, it does not provide repair guidance, making it best used as a first diagnostic step alongside tools like WhoCrashed.

Microsoft quietly expands its Surface lineup with lower-cost 8GB Snapdragon X Plus models

Microsoft has quietly added 8GB RAM configurations to its new Surface Pro 12 and Surface Laptop 8 lineup, powered by the Snapdragon X2 Plus chip. These entry-level models start at $849 and $949 respectively, undercutting the existing 16GB base models priced at $1,500 and $1,600. Notably, the 8GB variants do not qualify as Copilot+ PCs and are positioned as additional options for basic productivity, browsing, and entertainment — not replacements for higher-RAM configurations. The author notes the audience for 8GB Windows 11 devices is likely limited, as Windows tends to be more memory-hungry than macOS, and draws a comparison to Apple's criticized 8GB MacBook Neo.