Command Prompt Archives

Winsage

June 27, 2025

Microsoft is just turning Notepad into WordPad at this point, and I’m not sure I like it

Microsoft has phased out WordPad from Windows 11 as of 2024. Notepad has undergone updates that introduced a modern user interface, tab support, and autosave features, but concerns have arisen about it losing its simplicity due to new features like spellchecking and AI capabilities. Microsoft plans to release Edit, a command line-based text editor, to provide a straightforward alternative for users. Alternatives to Notepad include Notepad++ and CherryTree, which offer more advanced features.

Winsage

June 25, 2025

New FileFix attack brings ClickFix social engineering to Windows File Explorer — how to stay safe

Researcher mr. d0x has introduced a new variant of the ClickFix social engineering tool called FileFix, which uses the Windows File Explorer address bar as its interface to deceive users into executing harmful commands. FileFix targets corporate employees and employs familiar elements like reCAPTCHA prompts or error messages to spread malware, including infostealers and ransomware. The method integrates malicious commands directly into Windows File Explorer, enhancing its effectiveness by utilizing the environment users are comfortable with. The phishing scheme includes a deceptive ‘Open Fixe Explorer’ button that activates File Explorer and copies a PowerShell command to the clipboard, initially displaying a fake path in the address bar. ClickFix tactics are effective because they manipulate victims into compromising their own security, often exploiting urgency and existing online behaviors. Users are advised to be cautious of verification pop-ups and requests to open command windows, and to share this knowledge to help others navigate safely.

Winsage

June 24, 2025

Bring the “Windows 10 look” back to Windows 11 — Everything I changed to restore the desktop UI experience

Many users transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11 find the new design and interface changes challenging. Windows 11 features a centered Taskbar, a simplified Start menu, and an updated File Explorer and Settings app. Users can customize their Windows 11 experience to resemble Windows 10 by making several adjustments. To align the Taskbar and Start menu to the left, users can go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors and select "Left" for Taskbar alignment. To show app labels in the Taskbar, users need to select "Never" for the "Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels" setting in the same menu. For those preferring the classic File Explorer, they can access it by searching for Windows Tools in the Start menu and selecting Home or This PC. Users can also change the color scheme by going to Settings > Personalization > Colors and selecting "Custom" mode, choosing a dark theme, and enabling accent colors for the Start and taskbar. To display classic desktop icons, users can go to Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings and check the desired icons. In Notepad, users can disable new features by adjusting settings in the app to revert to a more classic experience. For further customization, third-party tools like ExplorerPatcher and Windhawk can be used. ExplorerPatcher allows users to restore various interface elements from earlier Windows versions, while Windhawk provides a framework for modifying Windows 11 with community-created mods. Both tools can be installed via the Windows Package Manager and offer options to revert to classic aesthetics.

Winsage

June 24, 2025

FileFix attack weaponizes Windows File Explorer for stealthy commands

A cybersecurity researcher named mr.d0x has introduced a new attack method called FileFix, which is a variant of the ClickFix social engineering attack. FileFix allows malicious actors to execute harmful commands on a victim's system through the Windows File Explorer address bar, rather than using the traditional method of pasting commands into PowerShell. The attack still relies on a phishing page, which masquerades as a notification about a shared file, prompting users to paste a path into File Explorer. Attackers can conceal the malicious PowerShell command by embedding it within a dummy file path in a comment, making it invisible in the address bar. Mr.d0x has also implemented measures in the proof-of-concept code to prevent users from selecting files during the attack. The ClickFix method has been effective in deploying malware, including ransomware and state-sponsored operations, with notable examples involving the North Korean hacker group Kimsuky and cybercriminals impersonating Booking.com. FileFix represents an evolution in phishing attacks by providing a more user-friendly interface for executing commands.

Winsage

June 15, 2025

Windows 11 finally gets a small, but long-requested Windows 10 taskbar feature

Windows 11 is nearing its fourth anniversary, and Microsoft has reintroduced the clock in the calendar flyout, a feature that users missed since its initial release. This feature allows for a larger clock display with seconds, visible whether the calendar is collapsed or expanded. Users can toggle the clock off in the Settings menu, but the feature is being rolled out gradually. To enable it sooner, users can use the ViVeTool app with specific commands. However, the taskbar calendar still lacks advanced functionalities like displaying user agendas or creating new events.

Winsage

June 15, 2025

I’ve used a lot of Windows launchers, but this is the best one by far

Flow Launcher is a desktop productivity tool for Windows 11 that excels in speed, opening instantly with a keyboard shortcut and providing audio cues. It features an extensive library of plugins, allowing users to enhance functionality with ease, including pre-installed plugins for searching bookmarks, managing files, and executing system commands. The plugin store offers a variety of extensions, catering to diverse needs, including tools for OneNote, Spotify, and gaming. Flow Launcher is highly customizable, enabling users to adjust extension functions, search result priorities, and activation shortcuts. It also allows the creation of custom hotkeys for quick access to frequently used tools, such as an enhanced clipboard history.

Winsage

June 14, 2025

6 registry tweaks every tech-savvy user must apply on Windows 11

Windows 11 provides customization tools such as the Settings app, Control Panel, and Group Policy Editor, but advanced users often utilize the Registry Editor for deeper control. Key Registry tweaks include: 1. Disable the Home page in Settings: Modify the Registry to revert the Settings app to open directly to the "System" section instead of the "Home" page by creating a string value named SettingsPageVisibility and setting it to hide:home. 2. Disable automatic Windows Update: Prevent automatic downloads and installations by creating a key named WindowsUpdate under Policies, then a subkey AU, and a DWORD value NoAutoUpdate set to 1. 3. Disable the Lock Screen experience: Expedite the sign-in process by creating a key named Personalization and a DWORD value Nolockscreen set to 1. 4. Enable automatic Registry backup: Restore automatic Registry backups by creating a DWORD value EnablePeriodicBackup set to 1 and scheduling a task to run daily for backup. Editing the Registry carries risks, and it is advised to back up the PC before making changes.

Winsage

June 5, 2025

Microsoft is adding a simpler text editor than Notepad to Windows 11 soon

Microsoft is enhancing Notepad following the discontinuation of WordPad and is introducing a new text editor called Edit for Windows 11, which operates within the Command Prompt. Edit is a compact tool that resembles the classic MS-DOS Editor and has a contemporary interface similar to Visual Studio Code, occupying 230KB of disk space. Users can launch Edit by typing "edit" in the Command Prompt, allowing basic text file editing without advanced features like text formatting or AI summaries. Currently, files cannot be saved directly in Edit; users must copy text to other applications for finalization. Edit is in development and can only be accessed through manual installation from GitHub, with plans to make it the default text editor for command line use in the future.

Winsage

May 27, 2025

I keep all of my software up to date with Winget, and here’s how you can too

Keeping software up to date is essential for an efficient computing environment, as updates introduce new features and fix bugs. The Windows Package Manager, Winget, allows users to manage software installations and updates via the command line interface (CLI) in Windows 11. To check for updates, users can run the command "winget update" in PowerShell or Command Prompt as an administrator, which shows outdated applications and their current and available versions. For updating a specific application, the command "winget update [application ID]" can be used, while "winget upgrade --all" updates all applications at once. Winget supports various command-line interfaces and has a repository of over 6,000 applications. For users preferring a graphical interface, tools like UniGetUI provide a simpler way to manage updates. Executing "winget upgrade --all" in an elevated CLI window is an easy method for updating all software.

Winsage

May 26, 2025

Deadline approaching: It’s time to say goodbye to Windows 10

Microsoft will officially discontinue support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Users are encouraged to upgrade to Windows 11, which has specific hardware requirements including a modern processor, a minimum of 4 GB of RAM, and a TPM 2.0 security chip. To check compatibility, users can use the PC Health Check app. If a device does not meet the requirements, hardware upgrades or firmware adjustments may be necessary. If the BIOS mode is set to Legacy, users must convert the hard drive from MBR to GPT using the command mbr2gpt /convert /allowfullOS. It is recommended to back up data before upgrading. Microsoft is also offering an Extended Security Updates (ESU) option for approximately €27, extending support for an additional year.