consumer Archives

Winsage

March 2, 2026

Windows 11 tops market share as 10 faces extended farewell

Recent data from Statcounter indicates that Windows 11 has a market share of 72.57 percent, while Windows 10 holds 26.45 percent. Microsoft claims that Windows 11 has surpassed one billion users. Statcounter's data is collected from over 1.5 million websites and may be subject to revision. Microsoft will discontinue support for many versions of Windows 10 in October 2025, leading some organizations to consider Extended Security Updates (ESU), which can incur additional costs. Windows Server 2016 has a 20.3 percent share among monitored servers, and Windows 10 2016 LTSB accounts for 0.5 percent of Windows devices, making up 19.8 percent within the LTSC/LTSB category. The higher usage of LTSC/LTSB is attributed to special-purpose devices in consumer and retail sectors, which face stricter upgrade protocols.

AppWizard

March 2, 2026

Meta makes changes following a Solon man’s $1 million loss in scheme police say started on Facebook Messenger

A 63-year-old resident in Solon, Ohio, lost over a million dollars to a scammer posing as a cryptocurrency investment guru. The scam began with a friendly outreach on Facebook, which transitioned to WhatsApp for private conversations. Over several months, the victim was convinced to invest in what he thought was a legitimate opportunity. This incident reflects a broader trend, as the FBI reported that Ohioans aged 60 and older lost over a million to fraud in 2024. Meta Platforms is enhancing tools to detect and disrupt fraudulent activities on its platforms, including new warnings for screen sharing requests on WhatsApp. In the first half of 2025, Meta removed eight million accounts suspected of scams and shut down 21,000 pages impersonating legitimate businesses. Warning signs in the Solon case included initial contact from a stranger, a quick shift to cryptocurrency discussions, and unusually high promised returns.

Tech Optimizer

March 2, 2026

Is Bitdefender Antivirus Better Than McAfee? What Consumer Reports Data Says

Consumer Reports evaluates antivirus software, assigning ratings out of five across factors such as protection, ease of use, and data privacy, culminating in a score out of 100. Top contenders include Bitdefender, McAfee, Norton, Avira, and Avast. Bitdefender specializes in anti-malware protection and offers a free version, while McAfee is a full security suite with a subscription model. Bitdefender slightly outperforms McAfee in overall ratings, though both scored equally in six categories during lab tests. McAfee includes features like a firewall and password manager, which Bitdefender lacks. Consumer Reports also assessed Bitdefender's paid security suites, which include more features than the free antivirus version and outperform McAfee Total Protection in functionality. Bitdefender's suites include features like spam filters, parental controls, and banking protection, while Consumer Reports rates Bitdefender higher overall.

Winsage

February 24, 2026

Microsoft extends security patching for three Windows products at a price

Support for Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016 and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2016 LTSB will end on October 13, 2026, while Windows Server 2016 will reach its end of support on January 12, 2027. Organizations using these products will receive one final monthly security update on the specified dates, after which they will not receive security patches, updates, or technical support. The Extended Security Updates (ESU) program allows organizations to purchase coverage for up to three years beyond the end of support, with pricing starting at a specified amount per device for the first year and doubling for each subsequent year. Windows Server 2016's ESU pricing has not been announced, and Microsoft recommends upgrading to newer Long-Term Servicing Channel releases. In the European Economic Area, Windows 10 users can access ESU until October 14, 2026, without payment or cloud account requirements due to advocacy from Euroconsumers.

AppWizard

February 24, 2026

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate could add World of Warcraft, Minecraft, and other subscriptions

The podcast episode discussed recent trends and developments in the tech industry, particularly in gaming. Key insights included advancements in gaming technology that enhance player experiences, shifting consumer preferences towards immersive entertainment, and predictions that artificial intelligence and virtual reality will significantly influence the future of gaming.

AppWizard

February 22, 2026

Google Blocked 1.75M Policy-Violating Apps From Google Play in 2025

Google successfully prevented the publication of over 1.75 million policy-violating applications in 2025 and banned more than 80,000 developer accounts identified as harmful. The company blocked over 255,000 apps from accessing sensitive user information and prevented 160 million spam ratings and reviews. Google integrated generative AI systems into its review process to enhance detection of malicious patterns. The European Commission is investigating Google's consumer safety practices in the Play Store, particularly regarding financial scams. Independent researchers found 20 Android apps on the Play Store designed to steal cryptocurrency.

AppWizard

February 21, 2026

Steam Machine delays are getting me down, but Valve could be extremely cool and release its controller right now

The Steam Machine faces disappointment due to RAM shortages and the lack of a definitive price or release date, raising concerns about it becoming vaporware. The original Steam controller did not succeed in saving the 2015 Steam Machine, but the success of the Steam Deck has created optimism for a new gamepad that could enhance couch gaming. Players are increasingly leaning towards hybrid setups, and the introduction of the new controller could encourage upgrades to the Steam Machine. The Steam Controller aims to improve the experience for full PC setups and foster interest in Valve's hardware ecosystem. Releasing the controller now could demonstrate Valve's commitment to quality hardware and potentially attract gamers from competitors like PS5 and Xbox Series X.

Winsage

February 21, 2026

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7872 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7872 (KB5077231) has been released to the Beta Channel, featuring several changes and improvements. The context menu now aligns the “Open” verb with the icon of the file’s default application for .exe, .bat, or .cmd files. The ‘Device info’ Card on the Settings Home page has been refined for better clarity of device specifications, and essential hardware details are now prominently displayed at the top of the Settings > System > About page. Additionally, the animations for mousing over app groups on the taskbar have been enhanced. The updates are gradually rolled out, and users can opt to receive the latest updates via Settings > Windows Update. Features may evolve, be removed, or replaced based on feedback.

Winsage

February 20, 2026

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.7877 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.7877 (KB5077232) has been released to the Dev Channel, introducing various changes and improvements. Key updates include: - The "Open" option in the context menu for .exe, .bat, or .cmd files now aligns with the icon of the default application. - The Device info Card on the Settings Home page has been refined for easier comprehension, displaying key device specifications prominently. - Enhanced animations for hovering over app groups on the taskbar and improved reliability of app icons in the system tray. - An issue with File Explorer where open windows and tabs might jump to Desktop or Home has been resolved. - Reliability improvements for sending larger files using nearby sharing. - The Paint app has been updated to version 11.2601.391.0, introducing a freeform rotate feature that allows users to rotate shapes, text, and selections to any angle. Updates are gradually rolled out to Insiders who opt in via Settings > Windows Update, and feedback is encouraged through the Feedback Hub.

Tech Optimizer

February 19, 2026

How to Install McAfee Antivirus on Windows 11 or 10

Installing third-party antivirus software like McAfee on Windows 11 can be challenging due to the built-in Windows Security, which can complicate the installation process. Users may face issues such as silent failures from conflicting software, permission problems on restricted machines, or restrictions due to S Mode on new laptops. Windows 11 includes Windows Security, which is effective for malware protection, but McAfee may be necessary for compliance, additional features, or centralized protection for multiple devices. McAfee supports Windows 11 Home, Pro, and Education editions but not Enterprise. The minimum hardware requirements include a processor of 1 GHz or faster, at least 2 GB of RAM (4 GB recommended), 1.3 GB of free disk space, an internet connection for download and updates, and a display resolution of at least 1024×768. McAfee requires a persistent internet connection for activation and updates. Before installing McAfee, users should check if their device is in S Mode, as McAfee cannot be installed in this mode. They must remove any existing antivirus software completely, as leftover files can interfere with the installation. Users should also ensure that Windows 11 is up to date and verify that there is enough disk space available. To download McAfee, users should go directly to the McAfee trial page to avoid scams. After downloading, they need to run the installer and restart their computer after installation. Users should then activate McAfee, run a manual update, and conduct a full system scan. Common installation problems include freezes during download, errors due to S Mode, and issues with Windows Security not recognizing McAfee as the active antivirus. Users can verify that McAfee is functioning correctly by checking the system tray icon, Windows Security settings, and the McAfee dashboard. To uninstall McAfee, users should go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps, select McAfee, and follow the prompts to remove it. After uninstallation, Windows Security will reactivate automatically. McAfee offers several plans for Windows users, including Basic, Essential, Premium, and Advanced, each with different features and device limits. The Basic plan is suitable for single-device users without additional needs, while families may benefit from the Essential or Premium plans.