creative tools Archives

Winsage

February 17, 2025

Upgrade Your Windows 11 Experience with These 10 Free Alternatives to thew Standard Apps

- ImageGlass is a fast and versatile replacement for the default Photos app, supporting various image formats and basic editing tools. - Files App is a modern alternative to File Explorer with features like split tabs, compact views, and smooth navigation. - LibreOffice is a free, open-source office suite that provides alternatives to Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. - GIMP is a powerful, open-source image editing tool with advanced features like layer management and color correction. - ShareX, Lightshot, PicPick, and SnipPaste are enhanced screenshot tools offering features like screen recording, annotations, and workflow automation. - ScreenBox is a VLC-based media player with robust format support and a sleek design. - Nora is a modern audio player with dynamic controls, playlist management, and an equalizer. - PDF Gear offers advanced PDF features like annotation, editing, and built-in OCR. - Zen Browser is a privacy-focused web browser built on Firefox, emphasizing security and customization. - Fluid Cast is a dedicated podcast app with offline downloads and progress tracking. - Qalculate! is a versatile calculator supporting basic and complex calculations, while SpeedCrunch is a keyboard-focused calculator for quick calculations.

Winsage

December 20, 2024

Microsoft warns of Windows 10 upgrade ‘malfunction’ – see if you’ll be affected

Microsoft will stop providing security updates for Windows 10 starting in October of next year. Users can either upgrade to Windows 11 or pay an annual fee of £24 for Extended Security Updates (ESUs) to maintain security on their Windows 10 devices. Windows 11 has minimum system requirements of a 1GHz processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB storage. Users with devices that do not meet these requirements are advised to purchase a new PC or opt for ESUs. Installing Windows 11 on unsupported devices is possible but not recommended, as it may lead to compatibility issues and will display a watermark. Users can revert to Windows 10 via Settings > System > Recovery. Windows 11 features AI-powered tools, enhanced security, and improved user experience.

Winsage

November 18, 2024

Windows 11 Pro Is Being Given Away, This Legal Version Is 90% Off Ahead of Black Friday

StackSocial is offering Microsoft Windows 11 Pro at a price of .97, which is a 90% discount from the regular price of 9.00. This flash sale lasts for four days. Windows 11 Pro includes features such as Copilot, advanced security measures like BitLocker, Remote Desktop support, a modern interface with a centered Start menu, Snap Layouts, Windows Hello biometric authentication, and enhanced creative tools. The license allows activation on up to two devices and includes future updates.

Winsage

November 8, 2024

Microsoft rolls out AI-enabled Notepad to Windows Insiders

Microsoft is introducing significant AI upgrades to Notepad and Paint for Windows Insiders. Notepad will feature a new function called "Rewrite," allowing users to rephrase selected text with options for tone, format, and length. This function operates through Microsoft's cloud infrastructure and requires a Microsoft account, utilizing AI credits for usage. Paint will receive enhancements such as the Generative Erase feature for removing elements and Generative Fill for modifying artwork based on text descriptions. Generative Erase will be available on all Windows 11 PCs, while Generative Fill will initially be exclusive to Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ devices. Microsoft claims that Notepad's launch time will improve by over 35%, with some users experiencing up to 55% enhancements. The Rewrite feature will be in preview mode for users in the US, France, the UK, Canada, Italy, and Germany, while users in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand will need a Microsoft 365 Family or Personal account, or a Copilot Pro subscription to access it.

Winsage

October 2, 2024

All the news on Microsoft’s latest Copilot and Windows AI features

Microsoft unveiled a redesign of its Copilot experience in New York City, featuring a card-based interface for mobile, web, and Windows platforms. The update includes personalized features such as Copilot Vision for visual input recognition, a natural voice conversation mode, and a virtual news presenter mode. The Windows 11 update introduces Phone Link status in the Start menu, upgraded creative tools in Paint and Photos with Generative Fill and Erase functionalities, and an AI-powered Windows Search for easier file location. Leadership changes include Pavan Davuluri leading Windows and Surface, and Mustafa Suleyman as CEO of AI, who aims to develop AI models that understand human perception. The improvements are set to roll out in November, indicating Microsoft's commitment to enhancing user experience and shaping the future of AI.

Winsage

September 6, 2024

Do you use Windows Hello?

Microsoft has made OneDrive a default feature in Windows 11 to back up essential folders like Desktop, Pictures, and Documents to the cloud, which has received mixed reactions from users. Many users find the automatic backup feature to create clutter and confusion on their desktops, prompting some to create guides on how to disable it. The author prefers Adobe's Photoshop for photo editing and has found value in its subscription model. They transformed an old PC into a smart home hub using Home Assistant to manage devices like Google speakers and smart TVs. The author currently uses the Ducky Zero 6108 keyboard but is considering switching back to the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL. For capturing screenshots, they have settled on Greenshot after finding the Snipping Tool inconsistent. The author enjoys exploring various Linux distributions, favoring NixOS for coding, Pop_OS! for Nvidia GPUs, and Debian for stability.

Winsage

September 5, 2024

A Longtime Windows User Makes First Impressions of Windows 11 – NEIU Independent

Users have 15 months left to transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11, which was released in late 2021. Less than 30% of current Windows users have switched to Windows 11. The review focuses on initial setup challenges, interface and usability, hybrid device experience, application and file management, and comparisons with other operating systems. The initial setup was complicated by the requirement to create an online account for certain features, leading the reviewer to ultimately create a local account. The interface is similar to Windows 7 and 10, offering reliability and extensive app support. The ASUS Vivobook's hardware, including a responsive touchscreen and 360-degree hinge, enhances the user experience by allowing seamless transitions between tablet and laptop modes. Users can download apps from both developer websites and the Microsoft Store without needing to log into a Microsoft account. Windows 11 improves multitasking with enhanced Windows Snap features, offering five organizational configurations for tiling apps. Apple plans to introduce a similar feature in their upcoming MacOS Sequoia. For those needing a new computer, investing in a device with Windows 11 is recommended, while users with functional machines may consider lightweight Linux distributions for secondary use.

Winsage

August 12, 2024

Microsoft is killing the Windows Paint 3D app after 8 years

Microsoft will remove the Paint 3D graphics application from the Microsoft Store by November 4, 2024. Paint 3D was introduced in November 2016 as a modern alternative to the classic Paint app. Users are encouraged to transition to Paint and Photos for 2D image editing and viewing, while the 3D Viewer will remain available for exploring 3D content. Existing installations of Paint 3D will continue to function, but the app will no longer be available for download after the removal date. Paint 3D was not included as a default application in Windows 11. Microsoft has enhanced the classic Paint application with features like a background removal tool, support for layers, and an AI-powered image generation feature. The company is also phasing out other applications, including WordPad and the Cortana voice assistant.

Winsage

August 10, 2024

Paint 3D App for Windows 10 and 11 Is Being Discontinued

Microsoft is retiring its Paint 3D application, effective November 4th, with no further downloads or updates available after that date. The decision follows a decline in user engagement since its introduction in 2016, and Microsoft had previously removed it from the list of startup applications in Windows 10 in 2021. The company is shifting its focus back to enhancing the original Paint application, which continues to be popular among users.