compression Archives

AppWizard

April 22, 2025

Hot damn: The Oblivion Remaster is 125 GB, 2600% heavier than the original game from 2006

Bethesda has remastered The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion using Unreal Engine 5, available for £50, including horse armor but not the deluxe edition. The remaster requires 125 GB of storage, with a download size of 115 GB due to Steam's compression, marking a 2600% increase from the original game's 4.6 GB. The remaster combines Unreal Engine 5's graphics with Gamebryo's logic, maintaining Bethesda's signature quirks.

Winsage

April 22, 2025

These 7 WSL programs changed how I use Windows

Windows users previously faced challenges using Linux tools via virtual machines until the introduction of the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), which was further improved with WSL2. WSL2 integrates a lightweight virtual machine into Windows, allowing users to run Linux applications seamlessly. Runtipi and CasaOS can be easily set up on WSL2 to host self-service applications without complex configurations. Visual Studio Code (VS Code) offers a WSL extension that enables code execution directly in Linux distributions from Windows, enhancing the coding experience. Gigolo is a frontend for managing network shares, which can also be integrated into Windows 11 through WSL2. Ansible can automate the provisioning of virtual machines and containers on WSL2, making it easier for users engaged in DIY projects. Rsync can be installed via WSL2 for efficient file synchronization and backups on Windows. Podman Desktop allows Windows users to explore container runtimes using WSL2, providing a GUI for managing containers. Lastly, WSL2 enables users to access the Linux terminal and run various Linux distributions directly within Windows 11.

AppWizard

April 18, 2025

I just spent $6 on this Steam app that compresses PC games — and it’s already saved me 100GB

The acquisition of the Steam application CompressorX allows gamers to compress game files, maximizing existing storage without needing hardware upgrades. Modern games like The Last of Us Part II Remastered (150GB), Monster Hunter Wilds (75GB), and Cyberpunk 2077 with its Phantom Liberty expansion (100GB) contribute to high storage demands. External SSDs and hard drives provide additional space, but CompressorX offers a quick solution for optimizing current storage. While it has some quirks, such as a confusing automation feature and variable compression times, it helps gamers maintain their game libraries without deleting titles.

Winsage

April 16, 2025

What does Microsoft’s new ReFS file system mean for Windows?

The NTFS file system has been the default for Windows operating systems for decades, but Microsoft is developing the Resilient File System (ReFS), which has been in use primarily in Windows Server environments since its introduction in 2012. ReFS is designed to enhance system and data resilience, featuring error detection and correction capabilities, a data integrity scanner, and the ability to repair detected corruption using another volume. It supports file and volume sizes up to 35 petabytes and includes advanced features like Block Clone and Sparse VDL, which improve performance in specific scenarios. However, ReFS is not a full replacement for NTFS, as it lacks several critical features such as file system compression, encryption, bootable media support, and support for removable media. Its current limitations make it unsuitable for typical home PC use, and while it may eventually replace NTFS, this transition is not expected to happen soon. ReFS is primarily designed for specialized applications involving large data sets and environments with multiple drives.

BetaBeacon

March 28, 2025

Bully Gets Surprising New Update Nearly 20 Years After Release

- The update includes fixes to improve game stability on 64-bit mobile operating systems and supported devices.

Winsage

March 28, 2025

Microsoft’s ReFS file system resurfaces in latest Windows 11 build

Microsoft's Resilient File System (ReFS) was introduced in 2012 with Windows Server 2012 and has been relatively obscure compared to NTFS. It has recently emerged as an optional feature in a preview build of Windows 11 (Build 27823), allowing users to format partitions with a "Flexible Storage" option, offering a choice between NTFS and ReFS. ReFS is designed for larger storage capacities, can format partitions up to 35 petabytes, and supports single files as large as the entire volume. It includes advanced features like block cloning and file-level snapshots but lacks support for certain NTFS functionalities such as bootable volumes and file compression. Currently, ReFS is primarily aimed at enterprise and server environments, but its inclusion in Windows 11 may indicate plans for broader consumer access. The open-source community is developing unofficial documentation for ReFS, and Paragon Software has created a closed-source ReFS driver.

Winsage

March 27, 2025

Windows Photos gets revamped with powerful AI features and smarter tools

Microsoft has updated its Photos app for Windows Insiders, integrating AI features, including the Copilot assistant. This update introduces a dedicated button for accessing Copilot, which offers personalized photography editing tips and image insights. Users can upload images to receive AI-generated feedback, although Copilot does not yet edit photos. The app now includes enhanced optical character recognition with a "Search in Web" option, allowing users to highlight text in images and search online. New shortcuts in File Explorer enable users to access AI editing tools easily. The "Visual Search with Bing" tool allows exploration of similar images and related products. The updated Gallery View supports smarter folder navigation, and JPEG XL support improves image quality and compression. Microsoft has also addressed bugs affecting AI features and made general performance improvements.

AppWizard

March 21, 2025

Microsoft’s DirectX update could double ray tracing performance in PC games

DirectX Raytracing 1.2 is a rendering API developed by Microsoft that aims to improve ray tracing efficiency in gaming. It introduces enhancements such as opacity micromaps, which can increase performance by up to 2.3 times in path-based gaming, and shader execution reordering, which could double performance in certain scenarios. Nvidia has committed to providing driver support for this API across its GeForce RTX GPU lineup, and Microsoft is also working with AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm for compatibility. Additionally, techniques like neural block texture compression and neural supersampling are being explored to enhance real-time path tracing. A preview software development kit for DirectX Raytracing 1.2 is set to be released in April.

Winsage

March 16, 2025

7 forgotten Windows apps that somehow still exist

WinAmp, foobar2000, and RealPlayer were once essential media players but have seen a decline in popularity due to improvements in Windows Media Player and the rise of streaming services. Foobar2000 and RealPlayer still appeal to a niche audience. Napster, originally a peer-to-peer file sharing service, has transformed into a legitimate music streaming service after facing legal challenges. TeamSpeak, once favored in the gaming community for voice chat, has been overshadowed by Discord but remains operational with ongoing updates. Netscape Navigator was a leading web browser that declined with the rise of Internet Explorer and was discontinued in 2008, but has been reintroduced as a Chromium-based browser by AOL. WordPerfect was a dominant word processing software in the late 80s and early 90s but lost market share to Microsoft Word; it continues to exist as an office suite. WinZip, once the preferred file compression tool, has seen its relevance decline due to native ZIP support in Windows and free alternatives like 7-Zip; it is now owned by Corel. WindowBlinds, a customization tool for Windows, has been updated for Windows 11 but lacks the popularity it once had, reflecting a trend towards less customizable operating systems.

Winsage

March 11, 2025

Microsoft is adding image editing and compression to its Windows Share feature – and I couldn’t be happier

Microsoft has released a beta update for Windows 11 version 23H2 that enhances image editing and sharing capabilities. This update allows users to edit and compress images directly within the Windows Share interface, enabling cropping, adjusting, and filtering without the Snipping Tool. The feature is currently available in the beta version, but its future in subsequent updates is uncertain. This development aids users in managing file sizes when sharing larger images and may reduce reliance on third-party compression tools. Users have expressed satisfaction with the stability of version 23H2 compared to version 24H2.