The most popular operating system in the world, Microsoft’s Windows is the software that powers hundreds of millions of PCs. Introduced back in November 1985, Windows has changed and evolved over time to grow as gaming, design, development, and productivity needs have shifted. Whether XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, or, most recently, Windows 11, Microsoft’s OS is one of the most important pieces of software ever made.
The feature, seen previously in Microsoft’s Designer and Photos apps on desktop and mobile, will start rolling out today to Windows Insiders members in the Canary, Dev, and Beta Channels. You’ll need Paint version 11.2509.441.0 and a Copilot Plus PC with a Snapdragon processor to try it out.
While you’ll need a Microsoft PowerToy to do it, you can now automatically switch between light and dark modes on Windows 11 based on a schedule or when the sun rises and sets. The latest Light Switch PowerToy is very similar to the Auto Dark Mode app that’s been around for years, and you can also use it to set whether the shell, apps, or both should switch automatically.
Windows 10 reached end of support today, and now Microsoft appears to be teasing what’s next. “Something big is coming Thursday,” says the official Windows account on X, with some vague clues about your hands and fingers getting some rest. Is it gestures? Voice controls? The return of Clippy? I guess we don’t have long to find out.
The latest Dev Channel Windows 11 Insider Preview Build brings dark mode to Run. Why did it take this long?
If you have a Copilot Plus PC, Microsoft is adding summarize, write, and rewrite AI-powered features to Notepad soon. Windows Insiders are testing the changes, which don’t require a Microsoft 365 subscription. Microsoft is using the local models on Copilot Plus PCs to power this Notepad feature.
If you’ve ever wanted to check a Wi-Fi network speed, Microsoft is making it easier to do it straight from the Windows 11 taskbar.
Good: quick access to a speed test from the Windows 11 taskbar.
Bad: it opens Bing to do the speed test.
Rejoice, Windows and em dash fans! Microsoft is finally adding an improved Windows-wide keyboard shortcut for em dash and en dash. The change is part of the latest Windows 11 Dev channel builds, so it should arrive for all Windows 11 users later this year. Currently, you have to use Alt+0151 for an en dash (–) and Alt+0150 to get em dash (—), which is problematic on smaller keyboards.
