computing Archives

Winsage

March 16, 2025

E-waste or Linux? Charities face tough choices as Windows 10 support ends

Microsoft will end free security updates for Windows 10 in October, affecting charities that refurbish older computers. Approximately 240 million PCs do not meet Windows 11's hardware requirements, which include a CPU of 1GHz or faster with at least two cores, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, Secure Boot capability, and TPM 2.0 compatibility. Many recent computers are ineligible for the upgrade despite having sufficient RAM and storage. Chester Wisniewski from Sophos warns that using Windows 10 poses security risks, as vulnerabilities in both Windows 10 and 11 can be exploited. Charities using Windows 10 may face compliance issues with regulations like GDPR, risking fines and reputational damage. The U.S. recycles only 14 to 40 percent of electronic waste, leading to an estimated 1.06 billion pounds of e-waste, which contaminates soil and water. The UN estimates the annual economic cost of e-waste at billions, projected to rise significantly by 2030. Statcounter reports that Windows 10 still accounts for 58.7 percent of Windows installations. Organizations like PCs for People have shifted to Linux Mint for older systems, ceasing distribution of Windows 10 a year before the cutoff.

Winsage

March 16, 2025

Get a Windows 11 Pro license for only $9.99

A Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license is available at a discounted price of .99, down from its regular price of 9, for a limited time. The offer can be accessed using the coupon code WINDOWS, valid until March 17. This deal allows for the purchase of the license for two devices at .97. Windows 11 Pro includes features such as a new interface, biometric login, DirectX 12 Ultimate for gaming, multitasking capabilities, and enterprise-level features like BitLocker and Remote Desktop access. The deal is available for digital purchase worldwide.

Winsage

March 14, 2025

5 reasons why Linux Mint is the best distro for Windows converts

Transitioning from Windows to Linux can be overwhelming due to concerns about software compatibility, gaming capabilities, and the learning curve. Recent advancements in Linux distributions, particularly Linux Mint, have made this shift more accessible. Linux Mint features a start menu for easy navigation, is built on Ubuntu with Debian foundations, and offers a graphical user interface for installing applications through an integrated software store. It is compatible with a wide range of hardware, requiring only 2 GB of RAM and 20 GB of disk space, making it suitable for older PCs. Gaming on Linux has improved significantly with Valve's Proton, allowing many Windows games to run smoothly on Linux, sometimes even better than on Windows.

Tech Optimizer

March 14, 2025

Best Antivirus for Mac for 2025

Bitdefender Ultimate Security for MacOS achieved a 100% detection rate for threats in AV-Test conducted in December 2024. It operates with minimal resource consumption, with slight slowdowns during software installations similar to other third-party antivirus tools. The software protects against malware, including ransomware and phishing attacks, and includes AI-powered anti-scam features. The Ultimate Security package offers tools beyond MacOS's built-in XProtect, including a VPN, adblocker with anti-tracking, and a password manager. It provides identity protection by monitoring data leaks and alerts users if their information appears on the Dark Web, covering up to five devices across MacOS, iOS, Windows, and Android. Higher-tier packages for US residents offer identity theft and financial fraud protection, with coverage up to million. The pricing starts at .99 for the first year, renewing at .99 annually, with mid-tier and highest-tier plans priced at .99 and .99 for the first year, respectively, offering additional identity theft coverage and credit monitoring services.

Winsage

March 14, 2025

240 million Windows 10 users are vulnerable to six different hacker exploits

Windows 10 users are urged to download the latest update due to critical fixes for six actively exploited vulnerabilities affecting up to 240 million individuals. The U.S. Cyber Defense Agency advises updating systems before April 1st or turning off computers as a precaution. The vulnerabilities include: - CVE-2025-24993: Buffer overflow exploit. - CVE-2025-24991: Access to data from a malicious virtual hard disk. - CVE-2025-24984: Exploit requiring physical access to log sensitive information. - CVE-2025-26633: Bypass flaw in Microsoft Management Console. - CVE-2025-24985: Privilege escalation flaw after mounting a VHD. - CVE-2025-24983: System-level exploit for gaining top privileges on the Windows Kernel Subsystem. Over 600 organizations have been affected by these vulnerabilities. Microsoft will cease security updates for Windows 10 on October 14th, 2025, and users are encouraged to transition to Windows 11. Currently, there is a 60/40 split between Windows 10 and 11 users, with only 2% switching monthly. Approximately 240 million users have PCs incompatible with Windows 11, potentially leading to 1.1 billion pounds of computing equipment being discarded. The slow migration poses risks to user data security.

Tech Optimizer

March 11, 2025

pgEdge Receives Strategic Investments from Akamai and QRT

pgEdge, based in Alexandria, VA, has secured a strategic investment from Akamai Technologies, Qube Research & Technologies, Rally Ventures, and Sands Capital, with the amount undisclosed. The company aims to enhance growth and innovation in distributed PostgreSQL solutions, focusing on high availability and low latency for mission-critical applications. Under CEO Phillip Merrick, pgEdge offers a fully distributed, open-source PostgreSQL database with multi-master replication technology for seamless operation across geographic regions and multi-cloud environments. Its clients include Bertelsmann, Qube RT, Jobot, the European Parliament, and various U.S. government agencies. pgEdge has raised a total of million in seed stage funding.

Tech Optimizer

March 11, 2025

pgEdge, Inc. Secures Strategic Investments from Akamai and QRT, Strengthening the Future of Distributed PostgreSQL for High Availability and Edge Computing

pgEdge, Inc. has secured strategic investments from Akamai Technologies, Inc. and Qube Research & Technologies (QRT), along with participation from existing investors Rally Ventures and Sands Capital, totaling an impressive amount in seed stage funding. This funding aims to enhance pgEdge's innovation and expansion in distributed PostgreSQL solutions, focusing on high availability and low latency for mission-critical applications. pgEdge is recognized as the only fully distributed PostgreSQL database that is open-source and based on standard PostgreSQL. The company offers innovative multi-master replication technology designed for geographic regions and multi-cloud environments. pgEdge is headquartered in Northern Virginia and serves clients including Bertelsmann, Qube RT, Jobot, the European Parliament, and various U.S. government agencies.

Winsage

March 11, 2025

Compare Acer One 14 Laptop Intel Core i5 1135G7/16GB/512GB SSD/Windows 11 vs Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 Laptop 11th gen Intel Core i9-11900H GeForce RTX 3070 48GB 2TB SSD Windows 10 – Acer One 14 Laptop Intel Core i5 1135G7/16GB/512GB SSD/Windows 11 vs Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 Laptop 11th gen Intel Core i9-11900H GeForce RTX 3070 48GB 2TB SSD Windows 10 Comparison by Price, Specifications, Reviews & Features

The Acer One 14 features an Intel Core i5 1135G7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD, running on Windows 11, making it suitable for everyday tasks. The Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 is equipped with an Intel Core i9-11900H processor, 48GB of RAM, a 2TB SSD, and a GeForce RTX 3070 graphics card, operating on Windows 10, designed for gaming and intensive applications. The Acer One 14 is budget-friendly, while the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 is priced higher due to its advanced features and capabilities.

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.

Winsage

March 10, 2025

Microsoft: Don’t fall for unwanted apps on Windows 10, clean install Windows 11 ASAP

Microsoft has revised its support documentation to highlight the importance of recognizing unsafe applications on Windows 10 and encourages users to upgrade to Windows 11. Applications on a PC can be categorized into three groups: Clean apps (from the Microsoft Store or pre-installed), malware apps (from untrusted sources), and potentially unwanted apps (PUAs) which may not be malicious but can clutter user experience. Microsoft warns that after October 2025, Windows 10 will no longer receive updates, increasing vulnerability to cyber threats. Upgrading to Windows 11 enhances security with features like Smart App Control. To clean install Windows 11, users need the Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB drive. The process involves downloading the tool, creating the USB, and then installing Windows 11 on the target PC. Users should ensure their PC meets the hardware requirements for Windows 11. After upgrading to Windows 11, users are advised to configure settings to block potentially unwanted applications by enabling options in the Privacy and Security settings. To minimize risks, it is recommended to download apps from the Microsoft Store, keep Windows 11 updated, and use the Microsoft Edge browser with SmartScreen.