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Microsoft Windows Archive

Archives for May 2023

Sean Hollister
Sean Hollister
Imagine never formatting a flash drive to make it bootable again.

Today I learned about Ventoy, which makes an entire USB drive bootable — then, you just drag and drop ISOs to it!

I now have Win 11, Win 10, Arch Linux and HoloISO on a single stick, which shows up as a single drive with plenty of space for regular files, too. I might never use the dependable Rufus again.

Framework Laptop 13 review: a DIY dream come true

The 2023 Framework Laptop 13 remains a DIY dream while fixing many of the 2022 Framework Laptop’s biggest issues.

Monica Chin
Monica Chin
Monica Chin
The kids these days are spoiled for (processor) choice.

Dell has announced updates to its Inspiron line, a tried-and-true favorite of high school and college students everywhere. There’s a 16-incher, a 16-inch 2-in-1, and a 14-inch 2-in-1 — and they’ll all be available with both 13th-Gen Intel processors and AMD Ryzen 7000 processors.

Boy, do I wish these had been available in my college era when I was living life on a clunky, pink Inspiron that could barely open my word processor. Actually, maybe it’s a good thing that all these options weren’t available — I probably would’ve spent days Googling them all instead of writing my Comparative Literature papers.

A day on the Acer Aspire 5

The Acer Aspire 5 has gotten a design upgrade, but it’s not as fancy on the inside.

Monica Chin
A day on the Gateway 14

I spent a day on a $279, bright blue, cow-spotted 14-inch laptop, and I’m seriously impressed by how much it has to offer.

Monica Chin
Tom Warren
Tom Warren
Windows 11’s File Explorer is looking more modern.

Microsoft has started testing a modern details pane for File Explorer in Windows 11. It’s part of a bunch of changes in the Dev Channel, including a Facebook notifications widget, animated widget icons in the taskbar, and improvements to narrator in Microsoft Excel. Here’s hoping File Explorer will eventually get the kind of overhaul that was in this recent Windows 12 fan concept.

Another area in File Explorer gets a modern look.
Another area in File Explorer gets a modern look.
Image: Microsoft
Tom Warren
Tom Warren
This Windows 12 concept has a great taskbar idea.

Microsoft is rumored to be working on an AI-powered Windows 12 for 2024 and a new fan concept imagines what it might look like. Addy Visuals has mocked up a new Start menu with integrated widgets and a dynamic taskbar (that floats) with some truly unique features. It wouldn’t be a concept without a redesigned File Explorer and the temporary drop zone is a great idea here. Hopefully some of these concepts become reality.

Barbara Krasnoff
Barbara Krasnoff
Windows 11 lets you tweak your right-click menu — as long as you’re comfortable with changing regedit.

It’s not really that difficult to personalize your right-click Windows menus. We offer some examples of what you can do, including getting rid of that “Show more options” selection and adding shortcuts for your favorite apps. Just remember to back up your Registry Editor first.

Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED (2023) review: lighter than Air

If you’re looking for a Windows-based alternative to Apple’s MacBook Air, the Zenbook S 13 is what you want. It’s even thinner and lighter than last year’s version, too.

Monica Chin