Copilot key

Copilot: I see some use for the assistant on Windows at the horizon, finally

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

The integration of the Copilot AI in Windows has been lackluster up to this point, if you ask me. It felt rushed and Microsoft is still scrambling to improve its use for users. The same is true for any other AI that is available as an application.

While there are plenty of options to use AI on Windows, the tools do not really offer much in terms of usability that is not also available elsewhere.

Microsoft seems to have forgotten a key ingredient regarding the successful launch of a new product: the benefit for the user.

The initial Copilot offered some of that, as it supported the tiniest amount of Windows-specific control options. It demonstrated what could have been, even though the implementation itself was cumbersome. Even Microsoft did not publish the full list of commands that Copilot supported back then.

Microsoft changed its strategy suddenly and replaced the integration with a copy of the web version. Windows-specific options were gone and the clear signal was that they would not be back anytime soon.

Two new Copilot for Windows features were shown this week. While I would not call them gamechangers, some Windows users may find them useful.

Number 1: Gaming

Copilot for Gaming. Source: Microsoft

Microsoft describes Copilot for Gaming as “the ultimate gaming sidekick that helps players get to play faster, sharpen skills with expert coaching, and enjoy a more social gaming experience”.

The key feature is helpful coaching, not game recommendations, maintaining connections with friends, or seamless game setups.

One particularly exciting area which Kardar demonstrated on the podcast is a future feature of Copilot for Gaming: in-game assistance. In example scenarios, players were presented using natural language, where Copilot was able to provide situation-specific advice to assist players in overcoming challenges and improving their gameplay.

So, when you are stuck in a game currently, you may fire up a web browser to find a solution. Maybe it is a YouTube video or a tutorial that explains how to beat a particularly difficult boss in the game you are playing.

Clearly, it remains to be seen how useful this AI assistance is really going to be, but it is finally something specific and not just a feature that everyone is also offering.

Number 2: Press to talk

Copilot push to talk. Source: Microsoft

The main mode of interaction with AI is typing currently. Microsoft, Google, and other major players are evolving their AIs to allow different means of communication.

Talking offers advantages in some situations, for instance when you have your hands busy or do not want to leave an app or game that you are using at the moment.

Press to talk is a new feature of Copilot for Windows that is rolling out currently to Windows Insiders. Microsoft mapped the function to the Alt-Spacebar shortcut of Copilot. Press the two keys for two seconds to start a conversation with Copilot.

Ask anything over the microphone and you get an answer from the AI. Copilot ends the conversation automatically when there is no speaking for several seconds.

This may be useful in several scenarios, from gaming over other fullscreen applications to asking for contextual help without having to do a lot of typing.

Closing Words

Yes, these features may not persuade the majority of Windows users to give it a try or buy a new Copilot+ PC. What I like about them is that they introduce usefulness to Copilot when using Windows in particularly.

I expect more features like these to become available in the future.

What is your take on this? Do you see your “future you” using Copilot or another AI? Feel free to leave a comment down below.

How to take high quality screenshots of YouTube videos

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

There are quite a few ways to take a screenshot of a specific scene of any YouTube video. Sometimes, I need to get a screenshot for work, for instance to use an image as a teaser for an article.

Other YouTube users may have different reasons for wanting to capture a specific frame. Maybe because they like what they see, want to save a copy for eternity, or get a new wallpaper image.

Whatever the reason, there are several options to do that. While many require an extension, not all do.

The not-so-secret shortcut

YouTube Save Screenshot

Did you know that you can take screenshots of any YouTube video in any modern desktop browser? Here is how that works:

  1. Open the desired video in your browser of choice.
  2. Use the settings to set the video quality. The screenshot will always be in that quality.
  3. Play the video or use seek to jump to the right frame.
  4. Hold down the Shift-key, right-click twice on the video, and select “save video frame as” from the context menu that opens.
  5. Save the image to the local system.

The process described above should work in all Chromium-based browsers. Firefox users need to select “take snapshot” instead from the context menu to save the frame to the local system.

Firefox YouTube Screenshot

Second option: browser extensions

There is not really any need for using an extension to take a screenshot. The only exception is mobile use. Some browsers, Firefox for example, support extensions. This allows you to capture YouTube screens on your mobile as well, as the not-so-secret shortcut does not work on mobile.

Here are some suggestions:

There are plenty more on the official extension stores.

Microsoft is not done yet, adds more “Recommendations” to Windows 11

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

One of the new features of Windows 11 was the recommendations section of the start menu. Windows displays recently added programs or opened files in the section.

Microsoft likes it that much, that it made it a mandatory feature. You can reduce the number of recommendations or even display none at all, but you can’t remove the entire section to make room for more pinned items and other useful things.

Note: third-party programs or Start menu replacement apps do away with this, but that is another story.

The latest Windows 11 Insider preview build adds another recommendations section to the operating system. It is not really a new feature, considering that Microsoft tested it in the year 2023 already. It does come with a new design though.

File Explorer: Recommendations

This time, it is File Explorer that is going to show a recommended section when you launch it or display the home section.

Here is how Microsoft describes the feature:

These files will provide you quick access to relevant files based on your activity in the Recommended section which is displayed as a carousel with thumbnail previews. This includes content such as files you frequently use, have recently downloaded, or added to your File Explorer Gallery.

It is interesting to note that Home is already showing recently used files on the very page. Even Microsoft’s screenshot shows the same file under recommended and recent.

The new section is displayed only for users who sign-in with a personal Microsoft account or a local account. Users from the European Economic Area do not get the feature at this point.

It is unclear at this point whether this section will also be mandatory, or if users may disable it. There is an option to collapse it.

Registry hacks exist to remove the entire Home section in File Explorer. This could be another option for users who do not really need the recommendations there.

What is your take on these recommendations? Is it a useful feature that you would like to use? Or do you prefer to hide these whenever possible?

Spotube open source Spotify client

Spotube: open source Spotify client without ads

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

You have plenty of options when it comes to listening to music. From traditional radio and Internet radio to locally stored music, music CDs, or online services such as Spotify or YouTube.

If you like Spotify, but do not like the advertisements that come with a free account, then you might like what the open source software Spotube has to offer.

It uses music information from Spotify, but links all the music to YouTube. Means: you get most features that Spotify offers, including popular radios, mixes and whatnot, but without ads, as music is streamed from YouTube.

Spotube is a cross-platform application. It is available for the desktop systems Windows, macOS and Linux, and also the mobile operating systems Android and iOS.

Installation is straightforward. First thing you may do is sign-in to a Spotify account. You can create one or sign-in to an existing one. This is not a requirement, but your playlists, artists that you follow and albums are carried over, which means that you get direct access to them.

You may also browse Spotify’s selection of radios, mixes and other content. The only features that are not supported are Spotify Podcasts and Shows. These are only available on Spotify and require a premium subscription.

Click on the play button and music starts to play. There is a noticeable delay. It may take a few seconds before you start to hear the music, but playback was reliable during tests. Never got the wrong song or no song at all while testing the application and its features. There is an alternative track sources feature, which may help if a song is wrong or not of the best quality.

Speaking of which, features do not end here. You can create or generate playlists, like tracks, follow artists, and even download music to the local system for offline playback.

Closing Words

Spotube is an excellent option when it comes to playing music on your devices. It uses Spotify’s vast database of music, mixes, radios, and such, and combines those with freely streamed music from YouTube to avoid advertisement entirely.

Do you listen to music on your devices? If so, which services do you use? Feel free to leave a comment down below.

Migrating from Skype to Microsoft Teams

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

Microsoft plans to retire the communication software Skype in May 2025 and recommends that users switch to Microsoft Teams for all their communication needs.

You may ask yourself now how that works. How do you get data like your contacts migrated to Microsoft Teams? This guide walks describes what Microsoft has in store for you and how to export your Skype data manually as well.

First, the information that Microsoft provided so far:

  • Skype users will be able to sign into Teams using their credentials.
  • Chat and contacts will automatically appear, according to Microsoft.
  • During a transition period, calls between Teams and Skype users will be supported.

This makes the migration to Microsoft Teams quite convenient, provided that you want to migrate to the new application.

Note that it may take days before you are able to sign in to Microsoft Teams with your Skype credentials. Microsoft says that this will happen “over the coming days”, but does not provide additional details.

Skype users may export their data. This can be useful if Microsoft Teams is not an option, or if you prefer to switch to a different communication platform altogether.

Important: Skype remains available until May 5, 2025. It is advised to export the Skype data before the date to avoid disruptions or issues.

Export Data from Skype

Here is how you export your Skype data manually:

  1. Sign-in on the web-based version of Skype.
  2. Locate settings and preferences on the page that opens.
  3. Click on “export contacts (.csv)” to export all contacts.
  4. Click on “export files and chat history” to save it to the local system.
  5. Click on “export caller ID numbers” to save the data locally.

Not all third-party communication services may support Skype imports, but you can also open the files manually to access the information whenever you require it.

Now it is your turn. Did you use Skype in the past or are you using it still? What is your take on Teams? Is it a good replacement? Let us know in the comments below.

Microsoft is finally giving Edge Game Assist a necessary feature

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

If you do play games on your computer, you may have tabbed out of the game before to launch a web browser and run a search for clues or information. Steam users can use the integrated browser for that, which has been around for a long time.

Game Assist is Microsoft’s universal answer to the Steam browser, at least on Windows. It is an in-game browser that is available as a preview currently. It uses Microsoft Edge to render webpages and browse the Internet without leaving the game.

While that is theoretically also possible without the browser, as you can tab-out of most games to use other programs, some gamers may find the integration useful.

One of the most interesting features up to this point is the ability to display Game Assist information while you are playing. You can watch a video or display guides while playing the game.

One major downside up until now was that Game Assist did not support extensions. This meant that you had to endure ads and other unwanted elements while using it.

This changed with this week’s Game Assist update. The major addition is support for extensions. Install extensions in Edge and you can use them on Game Assist as well. Most extensions should work according to Microsoft.

Microsoft writes:

We heard your feedback that ad blockers are crucial, so we’re thrilled to bring initial support for extensions to Game Assist! Game Assist currently supports many extensions that automatically run on the webpage, like ad blockers. Extensions can be installed and managed using the desktop version of Microsoft Edge.

It is a good addition to Game Assist. The release notes highlight several other features of interest. More games are supported, there is a new menu that offers common browser controls such as opening a new tab, right-click support for certain page elements, an option to pin the current tab, and more.

The list of supported games is still relatively short. To become a truly universal option, Microsoft needs to improve game support significantly.

4K Video Downloader+ Review: solid program with a big weakness

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

Internet users have plenty of options when it comes to the downloading of videos. From online services over browser extensions to programs.

Problem is: not all of them have the best interest of the user in mind. Some may be riddled with ads, track users, or limit downloads in one way or another.

You may be especially wary when it comes to programs to download. There are malicious programs out there that claim to be downloaders.

My favorite program is Internet Download Manager, but it is a commercial application. 4K Video Downloader+ offers an alternative. This review looks at the feature set and compares it to Internet Download Manager.

4K Video Downloader+ is the successor of 4K Video Downloader, which has been retired this year. The version has been around for some time. It is a freemium program that limits free use, but it does not contain any ads.

Let’s talk about the limitation first: you can use it to download 10 videos per day. All paid versions do away with the limits. A lifetime version is available for about $30.

Why download videos? Downloading videos offers several advantages:

  • Offline playback: watch videos, even if there is no Internet.
  • Backup: videos may get pulled or deleted, but offline copies remain.
  • Bad Internet reception: if Internet connectivity is not great, you may have a bad experience with stutters and pauses.
  • Save bandwidth: watch videos over and over again without using bandwidth.

4K Video Downloader 4K+: the features

The video downloader is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. You can start using it right after installation and do not need to create an account first. I used the Windows version exclusively for this review.

As far as features are concerned, there are plenty. You can paste video URLs into the interface or use the integrated browser to pick videos while you browse.

The app supports “all popular sites” according to the website. This includes YouTube, but also sites such as Facebook, SoundCloud, and others. The list of supported sites is relatively short and there is just one adult site supported. Limited support may not be a problem for some users, but it may be a dealbreaker for others.

The default configuration downloads video in best quality. You can modify the preference, for instance by switching to audio-only or a specific quality that you want downloaded to the local system.

Apart from the base functionality, 4K Video Downloader+ supports a few nice-to-have features.

Here are the highlights:

  • Subscribe to YouTube playlists or creators, and download new videos automatically as they are published.
  • Download entire YouTube playlists or channels.
  • 3D Video download support.
  • Support for login-protected media (by signing in).
  • Extract annotations and subtitles and download them along with YouTube videos.
  • Download dubbed audio on YouTube.

Free users are limited to downloading 10 videos per day. If that is not enough, you either have to wait a day or purchase a license to download an unlimited number of videos.

Verdict: 4K Video Downloader+ is an easy to use download app. The integrated browser makes downloading videos a breeze, as you do not have to juggle around with video URLs. Main downside is the 10 video limit for free accounts and the fairly limited list of supported sites.

Lack of site support is a deal-breaker for my use cases. Internet Download Manager supports hundreds if not thousands of video and audio sites. But, if all you need is support for a site that 4K Video Downloader+ supports, then it may be worth a try.

Now You: do you use video downloaders at all? If so, which is your favorite app or extension for the job and why?

How to add HEIC image file format support on Windows 10

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

Microsoft’s Windows 10 operating system does not support the HEIC image format natively. The same is true for Windows 11. You can check out my guide on adding HEIC and HEVC support to Windows 11, if you run that operating system.

Microsoft is offering a paid extension to add support, but there is a way to add support for free. This guide explains how to do that.

Note that this still installs an official Microsoft extension and does not rely on third-party codec packs at all.

Here is how you go about it:

  1. Open the Adguard website in a web browser.
  2. Set the first field to ProductID.
  3. Paste the following string into the second field: 9n4wgh0z6vhq
  4. Keep the third field at RP.
  5. Click on the checkmark icon on the right.
  6. Wait for the results.
  7. Right-click on “Microsoft.HEVCVideoExtension_2.2.33.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe.appxbundle” in the results and select the save option of the browser.
  8. Pick a directory.
  9. Double-click on the file after it has been downloaded to install the extension.
  10. Click on the install button to install it.

Note: Some browsers may refuse to download the file as it is delivered via a regular (insecure) HTTP connection and not HTTPS. You may need to open the download manager of the browser and select the “Keep” option or something similar.

This depends largely on the browser, but if no file is downloaded after you have selected the save option, then this is your best bet to get the file downloaded.

Once installed, many programs are capable of opening HEIF and HEVC media files. This is true for all built-in image viewers, e.g., Photos or the preview of File Explorer, but also third-party apps such as Paint.net or Adobe Photoshop.

KeePass 2.58

KeePass 2.58 password manager is out

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

A new version of the password manager KeePass for Windows is now available. KeePass 2.58 is the first release of the password manager in 2025. The last version, KeePass 2.57.1, was released in October 2024.

The update is a smaller one. It introduces a few minor features and changes. Good news is that no security issues needed fixing, which is why this is a non-security update for the password manager.

The list of changes is relatively long, and it may be confusing to navigate the listing. Here is a quick overview of the most important or useful changes in the release:

  • You may now use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl-H to toggle password visibility in report dialogs. Note that this works when viewing passwords in the table-like interface, but seemingly not, when you display a single password.
  • The preview tab of the password generator displays the average estimated quality of the passwords now and has the number of passwords increased to 50.
  • KeePass will abort the preview generation of passwords if the operation is taking too long.
  • User-Agent header for web requests added.
  • On systems with Microsoft Edge uninstalled, the browser no longer appears in the URL(s) menu.

Again, there is more to discover but these look to be the highlights of the release.

How to update KeePass: this is relatively easy. Since there is no integrated update system that you may use to download and install updates, you need to visit the developer website, download the latest release, and install it manually.

If you like winget, you could also run winget upgrade DominikReichl.KeePass to download and install the latest version using the built-in software package manager.

Now it is your turn. What is your favorite password manager right now and why? Feel free to leave a comment down below.

Opera’s AI Browser Operator: AI in the browser acts now in your name

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

Most interactions with AI follow a chat-like system. You write or say something, and the AI responds. This may go back and forth, for instance when you have follow-up questions or need corrections.

Opera Software unveiled AI Browser Operator today. The integrated AI agent is more capable than traditional AI, as it is designed to act on your behalf.. You could, for instance, ask the Browser Operator in Opera to find and buy something for you on the Internet.

So, if you forgot to buy your significant other an anniversary gift, you could let the AI do all the heavy lifting. What could possibly go wrong.

While you could argue that other AIs can also point you at products on the Internet, Opera’s implementation is not done at that point. It supports you from start to finish according to Opera Software

Here is how Opera Software describes the functionality:

So how does it work? Browser Operator understands your written instructions in natural language using your browser client’s local resources, and our AI Composer Engine processes this information to complete tasks in the browser. Browser Operator will pause and ask you to take action whenever it needs you to fill in a form, confirm an order, or perform some other sensitive task. In this entire process, you are in control and can take over at any moment from Browser Operator, while you can also review all the steps it took to perform the task you requested.

Opera Software says that Browser Operator has been designed with security and privacy in mind. The AI agent does not use screenshots or video captures of the browsing session, and it is not running in the cloud either according to Opera Software.

Browser Operator “runs natively inside your browser” according to the blog post on Opera’s website. It “uses a textual representation of the webpage” for its activity.

Browser Operator is available as a preview at this stage. I checked several Opera installations, including the latest development builds, and did not find it in the sidebar or when using the command line.

Here is the demo video:

Closing Words

The example that Opera Software provided, the buying of socks, is probably not the best when it comes to the capabilities of AI agents. While some Internet users may appreciate that mundane tasks are taken over by AI agents, human interaction is still required throughout the process.

You need to confirm that you want to buy the product the AI found for you, sign in or create an account, enter payment details, and more.

AI agents may shine when it comes to tasks that do not require user confirmation or input after the task has been given. You can let your imagination run wild at this stage. It is fairly certain that agentic AI will play a large role in the coming months and years.

What is your take on this? Would you use an AI agent in the future for certain tasks? Feel free to leave a comment down below.