Dev
Stay ahead with the latest developer tools, API updates, and coding insights for the Windows ecosystem. From Visual Studio to Azure, we cover what matters most to Microsoft-focused developers.
UniGetUI 2026.2.6 Ships WinGet Fixes and CSV Exports You’ll Actually Want
UniGetUI version 2026.2.6 fixes stubborn WinGet update loops and adds CSV exports for installed packages and available updates. The release also brings a refreshed WinUI-inspired interface, improved UAC handling, and environment variable support for custom install paths. It's a practical maintenance update that makes the open-source package manager more reliable for both power users and administrators.
Microsoft Gives Windows Native Linux Containers and Unix Commands — What Developers Need to Know
Microsoft has released public previews of WSL Containers and Coreutils for Windows, letting developers run and manage Linux containers natively without Docker Desktop and use real Unix commands directly in Windows. WSL Containers uses a per-session VM model and introduces a container API for Windows apps, while Coreutils installs via winget. The tools represent the culmination of Microsoft's decade-long embrace of Linux, offering developers a tighter, more consistent cross-platform workflow.
Endstate Brings Settings Backup to 357 Windows Apps After a Clean Install
A new open-source Windows utility called Endstate restores both applications and their settings after a clean Windows 11 install. It uses WinGet and Chocolatey for app installs and supports settings backup for 357 apps, including VS Code, OBS Studio, and PowerToys. The tool works offline and free, but users should download from its official GitHub repository and exercise caution as it is not yet code-signed.
When Windows 11 Goes Silent: Restart Audio Services to Bring Back Sound
Audio dropouts in Windows 11 often stem from stalled background services, not hardware failure. Restarting the Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder services—via the Services app, Task Manager, or command line—is a quick, Microsoft-recommended fix that can restore sound without a full reboot. The article explains why this works, walks through the steps for users of all skill levels, and outlines when to escalate to automated troubleshooting or a system restart.
ZoomInfo Makes API Access Standard, Opening the Door to No-Code GTM Automation
ZoomInfo has removed a plan restriction that previously limited API access to select paid tiers, making its commercial intelligence available to all customers—including trial users—through its native Zapier integration. The change lets sales, marketing, and revops teams build automated workflows that trigger from buying signals and enrich records in real time, but it also raises urgent questions about governance, latency, and data control.
Before New Start Menu, Microsoft Fixes WinUI to Stop Hogging Your PC’s Memory
Microsoft is overhauling the WinUI framework to reduce memory usage and improve performance before it rewrites the Windows 11 Start menu. The move, confirmed at Build 2026, prioritizes memory management and a shift to the system compositor, aiming to make native apps and the shell feel snappier on everyday PCs, with the redesigned Start menu expected to offer smoother operation and lower RAM consumption.
PowerShell Required: Fixing Windows 11’s Right-Click Menu, Web Search Clutter, and Widgets
A recent How-To Geek guide reveals that three common Windows 11 irritations—the shortened right-click menu, Bing web results in local search, and the persistent Widgets board—still require PowerShell commands to fix because Microsoft hasn’t added simple toggles in Settings. The article breaks down each command, its risks, and how to reverse the changes, while exploring why these options remain buried.
Windows 11’s Hidden Dev Drive Slashes npm Installs to 21 Seconds in Real-World Tests
Windows 11's Dev Drive uses the ReFS file system and a tuned Microsoft Defender mode to dramatically accelerate developer workloads. Real-world tests saw npm install times drop from 58 to 21 seconds, and similar gains for Git clones and archive extraction. The feature is targeted at folders with heavy small-file I/O, not general storage, and setup takes only a few minutes through Settings. This article explains who benefits, how to configure it, and the security trade-offs to consider.
5 Underrated Linux CLI Tools That Supercharge Your WSL Development Environment
A recent How-To Geek article highlights five Linux command-line tools that transform WSL into a powerful development and writing platform. From readability analysis with GNU Style and Diction to persistent sessions with tmux and reproducible Python environments with Pixi, these utilities fill crucial gaps for Windows users. Our guide shows how to install, configure, and integrate each tool into your workflow.
Reddit's Favorite Windows 11 Features: The Built-In Tools That Replace Extra Software
A Reddit discussion unearthed ten built-in Windows 11 tools that users call life-changing for daily productivity. From clipboard history to Windows Sandbox, these features can replace several third-party applications and are available on your PC right now. Learn how to activate and use them effectively.
Apple’s Court Win Over COVID App Developer Is a Legal Wake-Up Call for Windows Software Makers
A federal appeals court upheld the dismissal of PhantomALERT's antitrust lawsuit against Apple, ruling the developer failed to define a relevant market after its COVID-19 tracking app was rejected from the App Store. The decision underscores the high legal bar for platform exclusion claims and serves as a cautionary guide for Windows developers on how market definition can make or break a case.
HackerNoon’s 220-Post Developer Reading List Lands: How Windows Users Can Cut Through the Noise
HackerNoon released a curated collection of 220 developer blog posts ordered by reader engagement, covering topics from WSL and Git to burnout and Web3. This guide explains what the list contains, how different Windows users can extract value from it, and why the collection reflects the expanding scope of modern development. Practical strategies are provided to turn the reading list into real skills without getting lost in the volume.
Windows 11 Insider Build Delivers Movable Taskbar, WSL Containers, and a Smarter Start Menu
Microsoft's latest Windows 11 Insider build, released in late July 2026, introduces a movable taskbar, WSL containers in public preview, and a revamped Start menu with category views and Android phone sync. These changes address long-standing user requests, making Windows more flexible for power users and developers while improving everyday usability.