application compatibility Archives

Winsage

April 27, 2025

Windows 10 support ends soon, but shockingly, 35% of SMBs are either clueless or refusing to upgrade their systems

A recent survey by Canalys revealed that over a third (35%) of channel partners reported their small and medium-sized business (SMB) clients are either unaware of the upcoming end-of-service (EoS) deadline for Windows 10 or lack a plan to transition away from it. Additionally, 14% of respondents admitted they do not know that support for Windows 10 is ending on October 14, 2025. The market for business PCs is growing, with a 9.4% year-on-year increase in shipments, reaching 62.7 million units in Q1 2025. Experts warn that the lack of upgrade plans could lead to significant financial repercussions for SMBs, especially with rising tariffs and potential supply constraints. A structured approach for transitioning to Windows 11 is recommended, including assessing current hardware, evaluating application compatibility, developing a timeline for upgrades, budgeting for investments, training staff, and implementing endpoint security strategies.

Winsage

April 15, 2025

These PCs can finally upgrade to the latest version of Windows 11

PCs previously barred from upgrading to Windows 11 version 24H2 can now proceed with the upgrade following updates to affected applications, such as Wallpaper Engine, which improved compatibility. Microsoft had previously placed a compatibility hold on devices using certain applications to prevent disruptions. Users may not see the upgrade option immediately, but as updates for affected applications are released, the upgrade path will become more accessible.

Winsage

April 5, 2025

ReactOS, an Open Source Take on Windows

ReactOS is an open-source operating system designed to be compatible with Windows, aiming to recreate the Windows experience while ensuring compatibility with existing software applications. The first stable release occurred in 2011, followed by a beta version in 2013 that improved support for 64-bit systems. By 2020, ReactOS reached a Technical Alpha milestone, indicating progress in stability and performance. The latest version resembles the outdated Windows XP interface, which may appeal to some users but lacks modern functionality. The ReactOS Application Manager allows users to install applications, but many popular software versions are outdated or incompatible. Users are advised to use the Application Manager for installations, as external downloads can lead to issues. ReactOS appeals to Windows users reluctant to switch to Linux or invest in new hardware, but it remains a work in progress with bugs and limited application support. The project invites contributions to enhance the user interface and application compatibility.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

An open-source Windows alternative you’ve probably never heard of just got updated

ReactOS 0.4.15 is the largest release to date, focusing on compatibility, bug fixes, and improved system stability. It introduces new features such as registry mechanisms, enhanced security, and improvements to system tools. The release supports 64-bit x86 architecture and includes significant updates to the Plug and Play Manager, audio enhancements, and better memory management. Users can now boot from USB devices and utilize more third-party drivers. The update also features quality-of-life improvements in tools like Notepad and Paint, and a new visual style. Future upgrades are promised, including power management and UEFI support. ReactOS 0.4.15 is available for download, but it remains in alpha status.

Winsage

March 7, 2025

How to Disable Microsoft Defender for a Specific App in Windows

Microsoft Defender can obstruct the functionality of certain applications for Windows users. Users can selectively disable Microsoft Defender for specific apps by following these steps: 1. Open Windows Security via the Start menu. 2. Navigate to the 'Virus & threat protection' section. 3. Click on 'Manage settings' under 'Virus & threat protection settings.' 4. Select 'Add or remove exclusions' in the 'Exclusions' section to specify the app or file to exempt. 5. Save the changes to allow the app to run without interference. This process helps maintain a balance between security and functionality.

Tech Optimizer

February 27, 2025

Upgrade strategies for Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL and Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL 12

Standard support for Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition and Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL version 12 will end on February 28, 2025. The final update for PostgreSQL 12, version 12.22, was released on November 21, 2024. PostgreSQL follows an annual major version release cycle, supporting each version for five years post-release. Upgrading to newer major versions requires careful planning and testing to ensure application compatibility. New features in higher PostgreSQL versions include performance improvements, enhanced security, and new functionalities. Aurora PostgreSQL now supports AWS Graviton4 instances, which provide up to 40% performance improvement over Graviton3 instances. Recommended upgrades include moving to PostgreSQL 16 or newer, with options for in-place upgrades, blue/green deployments, and out-of-place upgrades. Amazon RDS Extended Support allows continued operation on a major version beyond the standard support end date, available at an additional cost. Extended Support for Aurora PostgreSQL 12.x and Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL 12.x will incur charges starting March 1, 2025, and will cease upon upgrading.

Winsage

February 7, 2025

Microsoft improves Windows Terminal: new features, bug fixes and better stability

Microsoft has released an update to Windows Terminal, version 1.22.10352.0, for all users outside the preview channel. The update includes support for Sixels, enhanced emoji functionality, command snippets, a refined Cascadia Code font addressing Arabic glyph issues, and a new colour palette named Ottosson currently in testing. The settings interface has been revamped, introducing a compatibility page and terminal emulation page within Profiles, allowing easier management of application compatibility settings. Users can now dictate path translations when dragging or copying files into the terminal with four available options. Changes include reselecting previously used commands saving them in history, updated translation modes for POSIX paths, and a new compatibility setting to block applications from writing to the clipboard. Bug fixes include proper functioning of the Ctrl+Insert hotkey and the Close Window action now requiring confirmation. Future updates promise enhancements in version 1.23.10353.0, including a complete rewrite of support for multiple windows, improved tray icon consistency, and a streamlined customization experience for the New Tab menu. New simple settings have been added, including rainbow suggestions and an icon picker feature. Users can now copy screen content with escape sequences and applications can utilize specific escape sequences for C1 controls. The full changelog and download options are available on GitHub and the Microsoft Store.

Winsage

December 27, 2024

Mythbusters: Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC for Arm

Advantech's infographic addresses myths about Microsoft Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC for Arm, distinguishing it from Windows Home or Professional editions. Myths about the operating system include: 1. Windows on Arm consumes significant power and resources, leading to poor performance. 2. The image size of Windows on Arm is greater than or equal to that of Windows on x86. 3. Desktop mode is unavailable on Windows on Arm. 4. Windows on Arm is a stripped-down version of Windows. 5. Arm architecture may face limitations with complex tasks. 6. All Windows devices are power-hungry, and switching to Arm offers no improvement. Key facts include: - Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC typically occupies about 6GB of storage, with a minimum requirement of 16GB. - Desktop mode is available on Windows on Arm. - Windows on Arm retains core functionalities, though some hardware drivers may have compatibility issues. - Arm processors are generally more efficient than x86 counterparts. Myths regarding applications and workload include: 7. Windows on Arm exclusively supports Arm64 applications. 8. Multimedia applications perform poorly on Windows on Arm devices. 9. Windows Copilot can be extended to all versions of Windows running on Arm. Key facts include: - An emulation system allows x86 applications to run on Arm hardware. - Multimedia performance depends on hardware acceleration, which is supported by major SoC manufacturers. - Cloud-based services like Windows Copilot operate effectively on Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC for Arm, but on-device Copilot+ requires specific hardware capabilities. Myths about licensing and development include: 10. The Windows license fee for x86 is expensive, and the fee for Windows on Arm is similarly high. 11. Windows on Arm has limited support for certain Windows frameworks. 12. Development and debugging on Windows for Arm architecture present challenges requiring extended transition periods. Key facts include: - Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC is priced between 0 and 0, offering a decade of security updates. - Transitioning from x86 to Arm for application development is streamlined, with common programming languages and frameworks remaining compatible. Tools like Visual Studio facilitate the development process.

AppWizard

December 17, 2024

Google urges Android developers to prep for 16 KB memory page

Android developers are preparing for a transition to a 16 KB memory page size, expected to improve performance by 5–10% across applications and games. Google has introduced developer options for testing on Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 devices, with support from other OEMs like Samsung and Xiaomi anticipated. Developers using native code must assess and rebuild their apps, ensuring compatibility with the new page size by upgrading to Android Gradle Plugin version 8.5.1 or later and using NDK version r28 or later. Applications without native code will remain compatible without modification. Testing for compatibility can be done using emulators or physical devices like the Pixel 8/8 Pro and future Pixel 9 models. Developers are advised to avoid hardcoding assumptions about memory page sizes to prevent compatibility issues.

Winsage

November 6, 2024

What apps do you need on Windows on Arm?

Microsoft has released a new build of Windows 11 for Insiders in the Canary channel, enhancing support for additional CPU extensions for emulated 64-bit x86 applications, which improves the functionality of Windows Arm PCs. Adobe Premiere Pro is one of the first applications to benefit from this update. Users are encouraged to share their experiences with application compatibility on Arm PCs, highlighting any applications that have caused issues or underperformed during emulation. The author noted that the messaging app Beeper performed poorly on a Windows on Arm PC.