Latest news with #Windows11InsiderPreview
CNET
10 hours ago
- CNET
Microsoft Accidentally Replaces Windows 11 Startup Sound with Vista Chime
Microsoft briefly transported users back to 2007 this week when the company mistakenly swapped Windows 11's familiar startup chime with the iconic Windows Vista boot sound. The mix-up appeared in a recent Windows 11 Insider Preview build in the Dev Channel. Users who rebooted their systems noticed that instead of the modern Windows 11 tone, they were greeted by Vista's distinct (and now nostalgic) startup sound. Microsoft has since acknowledged the issue, calling it an unintentional change and confirming it will be fixed in an upcoming update. "This week's flight comes with a delightful blast from the past and will play the Windows Vista boot sound instead of the Windows 11 boot sound," the Windows Insider team wrote in its release notes for the latest Dev Channel build. Though the switch was accidental, the brief return of Vista's audio cue sparked curiosity and nostalgia online, with some users even preferring the retro flair. But for now, it looks like Vista's comeback is limited to this brief cameo, as Windows 11's usual startup sound will return shortly.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
This Can't Be a Coincidence: Windows Vista Sound Returns to Windows 11, Just as Apple's 'Liquid Glass' Similarities Surface
Microsoft's latest Windows 11 Insider Preview build has unexpectedly brought back the Windows Vista startup sound, replacing the usual Windows 11 chime. The best part of this release is that it happened just as Apple unveiled macOS 26, which has a new 'Liquid Glass' design that many say is similar to Windows Vista's Aero Glass look from 2006. The timing makes me wonder whether Microsoft intended this as a response to Apple's design choices, but the company says it was simply a bug. In the release notes for the latest Windows 11 preview, Microsoft addressed the issue directly, as reported by Windows Central: This week's flight comes with a delightful blast from the past and will play the Windows Vista boot sound instead of the Windows 11 boot sound. We're working on a fix. Brandon LeBlanc from the Windows Insider team also commented on social media, first joking about the return of the sound but then clarifying that it was not intentional. According to reports from users and those examining the system files, the Windows Vista sound file was found in place of the Windows 11 startup sound file, which means the change was due to a technical error rather than a planned update. There is no evidence to say this was a deliberate action by Microsoft, and all official statements say it was a bug that will be corrected soon. But when do official statements ever agree on things like this? Either way, I loved this little banter/dig from Microsoft. What do you think: Did Microsoft deliberately do it?
Mint
17 hours ago
- Mint
Microsoft rolls out smarter, scrollable Start menu in Windows 11: Here's how to test it now with Insider Preview
Microsoft's at it again – redesigning things, tweaking this, getting rid of that – just a regular day at Windows HQ. This time, the Start menu is getting a fresh twist in the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview, and it's all about making life easier (and a bit prettier) for users. Forget the old 'see more apps' button. Now, you just scroll down to a new 'All' section, where your apps are sorted into folders like Productivity, Social, Creativity, and Games. Your most-used apps always show up at the top of each folder, and if there aren't enough apps for a category, they'll be tucked into an 'Other' group at the bottom. If you're someone who likes things neat and alphabetical, you can switch to Grid view for a classic A-to-Z list. The Start menu is also smart enough to adjust to your screen size: on big monitors, you get up to eight columns of pinned apps; on smaller screens, it's six. The Pinned section now defaults to two rows, but if you only have a handful of favourites, it'll shrink down to just one. Want to keep things minimal? You can hide the Recommended section in Settings (just head to Personalisation > Start). There's even a new mobile button next to the search bar - click it, and the Start menu expands to show your phone's info via the Phone Link widget. Here's your step-by-step guide: Join the Windows Insider Programme's Dev Channel: Open Settings, go to Windows Update > Windows Insider Programme, and sign up for the Dev Channel. Install the latest build: Check for updates and install build 26200.5641 (KB5060824) to unlock the new Start menu. Not ready for test builds on your main PC? Download ViveTool from GitHub, extract it, open Terminal as an administrator, and run the official commands (to enable the features. Restart your computer: After that, your updated Start menu should be ready to explore. Just remember, these preview builds are for testing and might not be the most stable for everyday use. But if you're curious about what's next for Windows 11, this is your chance to get a sneak peek at a smarter, more organised Start menu - proof that Microsoft's never done fine-tuning your desktop experience.
