cloud storage Archives

Tech Optimizer

May 19, 2026

Norton 360 review: what the security suite adds for US users

Norton 360 is a subscription-based consumer security software suite developed by Norton, a division of Gen Digital, designed for everyday home devices. It includes antivirus protection, VPN capabilities, and privacy tools, catering primarily to the US consumer market. The suite offers features such as malware scanning, spyware detection, and Card Shield for managing payment data. It provides cloud storage and multi-device coverage, making it suitable for personal devices like phones, tablets, and computers. Norton 360 aims to meet the evolving cybersecurity needs of consumers by integrating various protective measures into one cohesive package. It is available through Norton channels and app stores, appealing to a broad global consumer base.

Winsage

May 18, 2026

Switcher 2026: Minimizing the Microsoft in Windows 11 ⭐

Many users of Windows 11 seek to minimize reliance on Microsoft products while still utilizing the operating system's capabilities. This can be achieved through a thoughtful configuration of the system. Two laptops, the Surface Laptop 7 (Windows 11 Pro) and the HP OmniBook 5 (Windows 11 Home), were reset using the "Reset this PC" feature for a clean setup. A local account can be created during the Out of Box Experience (OOBE) by bypassing the online requirement. After connecting to Wi-Fi, updates were installed, and account security was enhanced by adding a password, PIN, and facial recognition. For Windows 11 Pro users, BitLocker can be enabled for disk encryption, while Windows 11 Home users may need to upgrade to Pro for this feature. Unnecessary Microsoft applications, such as OneDrive, OneNote, and Microsoft 365, were uninstalled, and the Start menu was cleaned up. Preferred applications were installed using web-based methods and the Windows Package Manager (winget). A preferred web browser was set as the default, and measures were taken to prevent Microsoft Edge from launching unexpectedly. OneDrive was uninstalled in favor of an alternative cloud storage client, and File Explorer was configured to improve usability. The Copilot key was repurposed to avoid accidental activation, and optional diagnostic data transmission was disabled to enhance privacy. Additional configurations included removing unnecessary taskbar items and adjusting power settings for a more personalized experience.

Tech Optimizer

May 13, 2026

Databricks Syncs Postgres to Lakehouse Natively

Databricks has introduced Native Lakehouse Sync, currently in public preview, which enables direct replication of data from Lakebase Postgres into Unity Catalog managed tables, simplifying data transfer without traditional pipeline complexities. This feature operates natively within Lakebase, utilizing its Write-Ahead-Log (WAL) and requiring minimal setup time. It does not negatively impact Postgres performance or incur additional costs, and schema changes are automatically propagated. Native Lakehouse Sync supports agent-first development by scaling down when idle and integrating monitoring functions. Data transferred to Unity Catalog is immediately accessible for AI-native analytics and benefits from unified governance features. Every data operation is captured as SCD Type 2 history by default, facilitating compliance and audit processes. The setup of Lakebase and activation of sync is quick, allowing existing and future tables to be available in Unity Catalog within a minute.

Winsage

May 10, 2026

Windows 11 testers say new touchpad upgrades and File Explorer fixes finally make Insider builds feel smoother

Windows Insiders can check for new builds weekly, with Microsoft releasing four Insider builds that include various enhancements. The Beta Channel Insiders have not yet transitioned to the new Beta experience. Users in the Dev Channel moving to the Experimental Channel will receive Build 26300.8376, while those in the Canary 28000 series will also transition to Experimental, receiving Build 28020.2075. Insiders from the Canary 29500 series will be updated to Build 29585.1000. A free upgrade path to Windows 11 Pro Education from Windows 11 Home is available for K-12 educational settings, allowing institutions to manage devices effectively. This upgrade is one-way only. Build 26300.8376 introduces new gesturing functionalities for precision touchpads, including control over scroll/zoom speed and automatic scrolling. File Explorer has received updates for improved address bar functionality, more readable file size formatting, and refinements to the renaming experience. Build 28020.2075 includes improved typing reliability with the ADLaM keyboard and enhanced clipboard history performance. Font improvements have been made for the Leelawadee UI font family. Build 29585.1000 features a streamlined voice typing experience with the touch keyboard, reducing distractions.

Winsage

May 8, 2026

Microsoft Tests Point-in-Time Restore for Windows 11, a Full System Backup Beyond Classic System Restore

Microsoft is testing a recovery feature for Windows 11 called Point-in-Time Restore, which offers a more extensive system snapshot than the traditional System Restore. It was first introduced in the Windows 11 Insider Experimental preview on April 24, 2026. The feature aims to minimize downtime and simplify troubleshooting and can be accessed through the Windows Recovery Environment and the Windows Settings app. Point-in-Time Restore backs up a broader range of data compared to System Restore, including user files, applications, settings, passwords, secrets, certificates, and keys. It restores the entire PC to a previous state, losing any local changes made after the snapshot. The feature operates on an automated schedule, with snapshots retained for up to 72 hours, and users can create new snapshots at specified intervals. For optimal use, Point-in-Time Restore is enabled by default on PCs with at least 200GB of drive space, with a storage cap of 2% of total drive capacity. It remains optional for consumer versions of Windows. A specialized version for Windows 365 Enterprise cloud PCs is always active, retains restore points for up to a month, and uses scalable cloud storage. Remote management support for Point-in-Time Restore is under development and not yet available. Currently, it is limited to builds within the Windows 11 Insider Experimental channel, with broader availability details pending.

AppWizard

May 8, 2026

It’s time to do some spring cleaning with the Files by Google app to free up storage on your Android phone

Many Android devices from brands like Samsung and Google still come with 128GB or less of on-device storage as we approach 2026. The Files by Google app includes a Clean tool that helps users reclaim storage by identifying and removing unnecessary files. To use the Clean tool, users can open the app, select the Clean tab, view storage usage, and choose files to delete. Deleted files move to Trash and still occupy space until permanently deleted. Users can also enable Smart Storage on Pixel devices, which automatically deletes media backed up to Google Photos that is older than 60 days. Regular storage maintenance is important to avoid running out of space for apps or photos, and the Files by Google app offers features to assist with this management.

AppWizard

May 7, 2026

The old Fitbit app is becoming Google Health in under two weeks — here’s what to know

The Fitbit app will transition to the Google Health app on May 19 through an automatic update, ensuring all Fitbit data carries over. Google Fit users will be able to migrate their data later this year. Fitbit Premium is rebranded as Google Health Premium, with an annual subscription price increase. Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in over 30 countries will receive this premium service at no extra cost. The updated Google Health app will feature enhanced leaderboards for step tracking and cardio load, improved cycle tracking, and a flagship feature called Health Coach, which requires a Google Health Premium subscription. Basic features like activity tracking and health monitoring will remain available for free, while premium functionalities will be powered by AI. The Health Premium subscription will be complimentary for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers, expanding access compared to the previous Fitbit Premium availability.

Winsage

May 6, 2026

“Minimize downtime and simplify troubleshooting”: Microsoft’s powerful new recovery tool is quietly fixing System Restore. Here’s how it actually works.

System Restore is a recovery tool in Windows that allows users to revert their systems to a previous state, originating with Windows ME. It generates restore points that can be created manually or automatically, with a maximum retention of 60 days starting from the Windows 11 24H2 update in 2025. System Restore captures essential system files and settings but does not recover personal files. The new Point-in-Time Restore feature, introduced in 2025 and appearing in the Windows 11 Insider Experimental preview in April 2026, captures a broader range of data, including user files and applications, and operates on a scheduled basis with snapshots retained for up to 72 hours. It is optional for standard users, enabled by default for PCs with 200GB or more storage, and has storage limits set to 2% of total drive capacity. In enterprise settings, it is always enabled for Windows 365 Enterprise, maintaining restore points for up to one month and utilizing cloud storage. Point-in-Time Restore aims to improve the recovery experience and address limitations of the classic System Restore.

BetaBeacon

May 6, 2026

A rigged game: ScarCruft compromises gaming platform in a supply-chain attack

- ScarCruft, also known as APT37 or Reaper, is a North Korean espionage group targeting government, military organizations, and companies in Asia. - BirdCall is a Windows backdoor attributed to ScarCruft, with spying capabilities such as taking screenshots and logging keystrokes. - The Android version of BirdCall collects contacts, SMS messages, call logs, and media files, and was actively developed over several months. - The BirdCall backdoor was discovered in a trojanized card game on a gaming platform tailored for ethnic Koreans living in Yanbian, China. - The attack was likely aimed at collecting information on individuals from the Yanbian region deemed of interest to the North Korean regime, such as refugees or defectors.

BetaBeacon

May 5, 2026

ScarCruft Hacks Gaming Platform to Deploy BirdCall Malware on Android and Windows

ScarCruft compromised a video game platform in a supply chain attack, trojanizing its components with a backdoor called BirdCall to target ethnic Koreans residing in China. The attack enabled the threat actors to target both Windows and Android devices, turning it into a multi-platform threat. The campaign targeted sqgame[.]net, a gaming platform used by ethnic Koreans in China, known as a transit point for North Korean defectors. BirdCall has features like screenshot capture, keystroke logging, and data gathering, and relies on legitimate cloud services for command-and-control. The Android variant collects various data and has seen active development.