clients Archives

Winsage

August 11, 2026

5 years later, Windows 10 refuses to die, and Microsoft just can’t push holdouts to Windows 11

Windows 11 was released in 2021, but Windows 10 remains a significant presence, with approximately 17% market share among enterprise PCs as of 2026. Lansweeper reports that Windows 10 has lost users, dropping from nearly 50% in early 2025 to around 40% by October 2025, and settling at 16.9% a year later. Key sectors using Windows 10 include healthcare (23%), consumer retail (22.7%), small and medium businesses (21.4%), manufacturing (18%), and enterprises (16.6%). Windows 10 has 1,903 active CVEs compared to 652 on Windows 11, indicating a 2.9 times higher vulnerability. About 14% of Windows 10 users receive Extended Security Updates, leaving 2% on unsupported versions. HP reports that 30% of its installed base still uses Windows 10, reflecting a core group resistant to upgrading. Microsoft states that Windows is active on 1.6 billion PCs globally, with a noted 7% decrease in Windows OEM revenue attributed to lower PC demand and the end-of-support effects for Windows 10.

Tech Optimizer

August 7, 2026

Bitdefender partners Digimune to sell consumer security

Bitdefender has partnered with Digimune Australia to allow Digimune to distribute Bitdefender's consumer cybersecurity products in Australia. This partnership aims to improve access to cybersecurity solutions amid rising threats like scams and ransomware. The products available through Digimune include Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, Bitdefender Total Security, Bitdefender Premium, Bitdefender Mobile Security, and Bitdefender Premium VPN, which support various platforms such as Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. The collaboration focuses on household consumers, providing local support and simplifying the purchasing process for multi-device subscriptions. The partnership also addresses the growing competition in the Australian consumer security sector and aims to meet the demands for protection against various digital threats.

TrendTechie

July 29, 2026

WinBitTorrent: обернул qBittorrent в WinUI 3, красивый интерфейс и новые фишки

WinBitTorrent is a new torrent client developed using the qbittorrent-nox engine (version 5.2.3 with libtorrent 2.0.13) but features a native application interface built on WinUI 3 and the Windows App SDK 2.2, using .NET 8 and the MVVM pattern. It communicates with the engine through its Web API and can operate in both local and remote modes. Unique features include in-app torrent search with providers like RuTracker and The Pirate Bay, a movie catalog via TMDB, and a customizable context menu. WinBitTorrent is free and open-source, with an auto-update system in place.

Winsage

July 29, 2026

Microsoft will make it harder to illegally activate Windows and close a popular piracy loophole

Microsoft is requiring the use of TPM 2.0 security modules for Key Management Service (KMS) activation servers to combat unlicensed software and corporate piracy. KMS, used by organizations for mass activation of devices, has been targeted by hackers who create counterfeit servers. The new protocol mandates that KMS hosts validate their hardware credentials through the TPM 2.0 chip before activating client devices. This initiative will mainly affect illegal infrastructures in the corporate sector, while legitimate PC users will not be impacted. Starting in August 2026, Windows Server 2025 will introduce hardware readiness alerts to help system administrators prepare for these changes. TPM 2.0 has been required for Windows 11 since 2021, and its application is being expanded to address vulnerabilities in volume licensing.

Winsage

July 29, 2026

Microsoft reportedly using TPM chips to weed out Windows piracy

Microsoft's Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 has been integral to Windows 11's security since its launch in 2021. TPM is now standard in most CPUs, allowing Microsoft to enhance device activation security. The current Key Management Service (KMS) model has vulnerabilities that hackers exploit, prompting the need for stronger device identity and activation integrity assurances. TPM provides a hardware-level security mechanism for the activation process, where KMS hosts must present TPM credentials to validate their hardware identity and confirm they are uncompromised. Starting with upcoming Windows Server releases, KMS hosts will be required to prove they run on verified hardware before activating clients. By August 2026, Windows Server 2025 will help administrators prepare for these changes.

Tech Optimizer

July 28, 2026

ClamAV Setup: Linux Antivirus in 12 Steps [2026]

Malware can threaten Linux systems, which are often mistakenly believed to be immune to viruses. It can be introduced through email attachments, infected files, or compromised plugins, especially when Linux servers interact with Windows clients or handle internet uploads. ClamAV is an open-source antivirus engine maintained by Cisco Talos, designed for scanning mail traffic and file uploads. As of mid-2026, the stable release is ClamAV 1.5.x, with version 1.5.2 being the latest patch. To deploy ClamAV, users need root or sudo access on a compatible Linux machine, at least 2 vCPUs and 2GB of RAM, 5GB of free disk space, and outbound HTTPS access to ClamAV’s signature mirrors. The installation process involves several steps, including configuring freshclam for automatic updates, validating detection with the EICAR test file, and setting up cron jobs for regular scans. ClamAV can also be integrated with mail servers and a SIEM for enhanced security. Common pitfalls in deployment include skipping the initial freshclam run and using clamscan instead of clamdscan for repeated scans. ClamAV is free for commercial use and can also scan Windows systems, although it does not replace comprehensive endpoint protection solutions.

Winsage

July 27, 2026

Microsoft moves to end pirated Windows activations

Microsoft is introducing the KMS Hardware Secured system to enhance Windows licensing security by making unauthorized activation methods more difficult. This system will use TPM-based attestation to authenticate the server managing activation requests, ensuring only legitimate devices are recognized. Readiness notifications for Windows Server 2025 will begin in August 2026, allowing administrators to prepare for the transition to TPM-based attestation, which is expected to become a requirement for KMS activation in a future Windows Server release. This initiative targets corporate clients using Windows volume licensing to complicate unauthorized activation. Additionally, Microsoft plans to reduce its workforce by approximately 4,800 positions, or nearly 2.1% of its global staff, as part of a corporate transformation strategy.

TrendTechie

July 24, 2026

BitTorrent исполнилось 25 лет. Как программа одного человека изменила интернет и поставила Голливуд в тупик

On July 2, 2001, Bram Cohen announced the operational status of his program, BitTorrent, on a mailing list for peer-to-peer network developers. BitTorrent revolutionized file sharing by segmenting files into smaller pieces, allowing users to download from multiple sources simultaneously and share already downloaded data, which improved download speeds as file popularity increased. Unlike earlier peer-to-peer networks, BitTorrent did not have a built-in catalog, relying on external websites for users to locate torrents. The first major torrent catalog, Suprnova, emerged in 2002, followed by The Pirate Bay in 2003, making the protocol widely accessible. By 2004, BitTorrent accounted for nearly a third of all internet traffic. In 2004, Cohen founded BitTorrent Inc., which acquired the client µTorrent in 2006. The company launched the BitTorrent Entertainment Network in 2007, but it closed in 2008 due to competition from free pirated content. BitTorrent Inc. later explored various technologies but struggled to establish a sustainable business model. The protocol evolved with decentralization features like the distributed hash table (DHT) and magnet links. In 2018, BitTorrent was acquired by the blockchain project TRON for an estimated 0 million. BitTorrent Inc. claims around 54 million active users per month, with additional users on independent clients. Despite a decline in torrent traffic from its peak, the network has been experiencing growth, attributed to rising streaming costs and fragmented content availability.

Tech Optimizer

July 23, 2026

Simplify AI agent orchestration with Lakebase Postgres

The auditing process has traditionally been labor-intensive, requiring extensive document reviews. CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP) partnered with the Databricks Forward Deployed Engineering team to develop a document processing application that reduces extraction time from hours to minutes while maintaining quality. The application is built on the Databricks platform, utilizing technologies like Lakebase Postgres, Databricks Apps, Lakeflow Jobs, MLflow, and Unity Catalog Volumes. The application addresses challenges in document parsing, including unpredictable per-task latency, rate-limit-aware throttling, workload prioritization, cost attribution per task, and real-time progress visibility. It eliminates the need for multiple specialized systems by integrating components such as a web application for user interaction, Lakebase for state management, an orchestrator for task management, and AI agents for document processing. The task queue is supported by two Postgres tables in Lakebase, tracking task status and execution attempts. Concurrency safety is ensured through a locking mechanism, and crash recovery is facilitated by lease-based locking. The orchestrator implements rate-limit-aware throttling and idempotent webhook callbacks to manage task processing effectively. An operator dashboard provides real-time metrics on task status, agent performance, and workload costs, with live updates through Postgres LISTEN/NOTIFY events. Cost attribution is managed at the application level, allowing for detailed monitoring of expenditures. Lakebase enhances the orchestration process with features like autoscaling compute, OAuth-rotated authentication, Unity Catalog integration, and support for branching and snapshots.

Winsage

July 23, 2026

How to build the ultimate Windows 11 home office setup for freelancers

Freelancers can optimize their Windows 11 home setup by choosing the Pro version for its productivity and security features, including snap layouts, virtual desktops, Focus Sessions, and Microsoft Copilot. Microsoft Office 2024, priced at , offers essential applications like Excel, Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, and OneNote to streamline project management and communication. Investing in a larger monitor enhances productivity and visibility, especially for multitasking, while adjustable tables and blue-light features can improve comfort and reduce eye strain. Quality peripherals, such as ergonomic keyboards and customizable mice, along with a docking station for multiple connections, are crucial for an efficient workspace.