I’m excited to announce a significant update to Winhance, my Windows enhancement utility that helps keep Windows 11 debloated and optimized. This new version (v25.05.22) includes several highly requested features and improvements that make Winhance even better at enhancing your Windows experience.
If you’ve been using Winhance to optimize your Windows 11 installation, you’ll definitely want to update to this latest version. And if you haven’t tried it yet, now is the perfect time to start using this powerful utility to make Windows 11 more user-friendly and efficient.
Key Takeaways
- Winhance and its installer are now digitally signed, improving security and trust with Windows and antivirus software.
- The user interface has been enhanced with clearer toggle states, improved scrolling, and a new “More” navigation menu for better usability.
- New optimization and customization options have been added based on community feedback, giving you more control over your Windows experience.
Requirements
- Windows 10 x64 (22H2) or Windows 11
- Administrator privileges
- Internet connection (for downloading and installing external software)
Why Update to Winhance v25.05.22?
With Windows 10 support ending in October 2025, many users will be transitioning to Windows 11. This latest update to Winhance makes that transition smoother by providing powerful tools to customize and optimize Windows 11, making it more user-friendly and efficient as a daily driver.
The improvements in this update address many user requests and pain points, from installation issues to UI clarity, making Winhance more reliable and easier to use than ever before.
Digital Signing Improvements
One of the most significant improvements in this update is that both Winhance.exe and Winhance.Installer.exe are now digitally signed. This means when you run the application or installer, you’ll see “Verified Publisher” instead of “Unknown Publisher,” followed by “Open Source Developer” and my name.
This digital signing helps build trust with Windows and antivirus software, reducing false positives and security warnings. It’s something I’ve wanted to implement for a while, and I’m excited to finally have it in place.
User Interface Enhancements
New “More” Navigation Menu
I’ve added a convenient “More” button in the main window that provides quick access to:
- Winhance version information (with update checker)
- About Winhance
- Winhance logs folder
- Winhance scripts folder
- Close Winhance option
This makes it easier to access important information and functions without cluttering the main interface.
Improved Toggle Visualization
One of the most requested changes from the community was clearer indication of toggle states. I’ve implemented this with:
- Enabled State: Green fill with a checkmark on the knob
- Disabled State: Red fill with a cross/X on the knob
This makes it much easier to see at a glance which settings are enabled or disabled throughout the application.
Enhanced Scrolling and UI Cleanup
I’ve improved the scrolling speed across all views for a smoother user experience and removed redundant “Selection Indicators” from the headers of the subviews in the OptimizeView for a cleaner interface.
New Optimization Options
Gaming & Performance
Based on community requests, I’ve added an option to disable the High Precision Event Timer (HPET), which some users report can improve FPS and gaming performance. As with any performance tweak, you’ll want to test this on your specific system to see if it helps.
Explorer Improvements
You can now toggle desktop wallpaper compression, which is enabled by default in Windows but can be disabled using Winhance if you prefer higher quality wallpapers.
Notification Controls
New toggles have been added for “Location Notifications” and “Windows Security Notifications,” giving you more control over which system notifications you receive.
Enhanced UAC Controls
I’ve improved the User Account Control (UAC) slider by changing it from a three-state slider to a combobox with 4 options that match the Windows UAC GUI exactly:
- Always Notify
- Notify Me When Apps Try to Make Changes to the Computer
- Notify Me When Apps Try to Make Changes (Don’t Dim Desktop)
- Never Notify
New Customization Options
Taskbar Improvements
I’ve added an option to “Always show all system tray icons” (works on Windows 10 only), which removes the hidden menu and displays all icons in the system tray.
File Explorer Enhancements
New toggles have been added to:
- Show hidden files, folders, and drives
- Hide/show protected operating system files
- Toggle lock screen visibility
These settings match those found in the folder options in Windows itself, making it easier to configure these options directly from Winhance.
Software & Apps Improvements
External Software Additions
I’ve added numerous requested applications to the External Software section, including:
- KeepassXC
- PotPlayer
- Wise Registry Cleaner
- BCUninstaller
- Explorer Patcher
- Volume2
- Crystal Disk Info
- TailScale
- StreamLabs OBS
- Input Leap
- Bulk Rename Utility
- AutoHotKey
- Text-Grab
- VenToy
- Unlocker
- Windhawk
- Lively Wallpaper
- Rainmeter
- Sucrose Wallpaper Engine
Installation Process Improvements
I’ve made several improvements to the installation process:
- Added a cancel button for app installations
- Added internet connection verification before and during app installation
- Fixed issues with the OneNote uninstallation on Windows 11
- Resolved the Xbox integration issue that would trigger unwanted popups
- Fixed the issue where apps were falsely reported as installed after WinGet installation
Installation and Compatibility Improvements
Several key installation issues have been fixed:
- Resolved the problem where Winhance shortcuts weren’t appearing in the Start Menu
- Fixed the issue where the installer wasn’t honoring custom installation directories
- Verified compatibility with Windows 10 IoT LTSC 21H2 and Windows 11 IoT LTSC 24H2
I’ve also investigated installation issues in Windows Sandbox, which appear to be related to known Windows Sandbox limitations affecting .NET applications rather than Winhance itself.
Technical Improvements
Behind the scenes, I’ve made several technical improvements:
- Refactored the WinGet installation process to download the latest version and dependencies directly from the winget-cli GitHub repo
- Enhanced progress reporting for both WinGet installation and app installation
- Improved dialog boxes to correctly display longer messages
- Created a dedicated SoftwareAppsDialog for App Installations and Removals, formatted into 4 columns for better readability
- Improved code architecture to avoid duplication and make the codebase more maintainable
Known Limitations
There are a few known limitations in this release:
- New toggles or items don’t have visual indicators showing they’re new (planned for future updates)
- New toggles or items will be skipped when importing existing config files (robust handling will be implemented in future releases)
- Some requested applications couldn’t be added to External Apps due to unavailability through WinGet or the Microsoft Store
Conclusion
This update to Winhance represents a significant step forward in making Windows 11 more user-friendly and customizable. With digital signing, improved UI, new optimization options, and better installation processes, Winhance is becoming an essential tool for anyone who wants to get the most out of their Windows experience.
As Windows 10 support ends in October 2025, I’m committed to making Winhance a stable, reliable tool for those transitioning to Windows 11, helping make it more enjoyable as a daily driver.
You can download Winhance from the official website, and check out the full release notes on GitHub for more detailed information about this update.
If you appreciate the work I’m doing with Winhance, consider supporting the development through the donate button in the application or via Ko-Fi. Your support helps me continue improving and expanding this tool.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Winhance compatible with both Windows 10 and Windows 11?
Yes, Winhance is compatible with both Windows 10 x64 (22H2) and all versions of Windows 11. It’s also been verified to work with Windows 10 IoT LTSC 21H2 and Windows 11 IoT LTSC 24H2.
Will my existing configuration work with the new version?
Yes, but be aware that new toggles or items added in this update will be skipped when importing existing config files. I’m working on implementing robust handling to address this in future releases.
Why doesn’t Winhance work in Windows Sandbox?
This is due to a known limitation in Windows Sandbox that affects .NET applications, not a Winhance-specific issue. Unfortunately, there’s no workaround available at this time.
How do I access the new toggles and options?
The new toggles and options are integrated into their respective sections in the Optimize and Customize views. For example, the HPET toggle is in the Gaming & Performance section, while file visibility options are in the Explorer section of the Customize view.
Can I suggest new features or report bugs?
Absolutely! You can submit feature requests and bug reports through the GitHub issues page. I actively monitor these submissions and incorporate community feedback into future updates.
