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Winsage

August 24, 2025

Who should consider Windows PowerToys?

Windows PowerToys is a collection of utilities for the Windows operating system, originally created for power users in the Windows 95 era and revived as an open-source project in 2019 for Windows 10 and 11. It is actively maintained by Microsoft engineers and volunteers. Key features include: - FancyZones: A window manager for creating custom snap layouts. - PowerToys Run: A launcher for quickly opening applications and files. - Keyboard Manager: Allows remapping of keys and creation of new shortcuts. - Text Extractor: Enables copying text from images or on-screen elements. - Mouse Utilities: Includes cursor highlighting and keyboard control of the mouse. PowerToys also offers File Explorer add-ons, a Color Picker, and utilities for batch renaming or resizing files. It is beneficial for users looking to streamline tasks and customize their systems, but may not be necessary for those engaged in basic computer activities. There may be a learning curve and occasional bugs due to its open-source nature.

Winsage

August 23, 2025

Get lifetime access to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows for under $50

Microsoft Office Professional 2021 is available for a one-time payment of .97, reduced from the regular price of 9.99, offering a lifetime license without ongoing subscription fees. The suite includes applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams (free version), OneNote, Publisher, and Access, designed for seamless integration and ease of use. The license is valid for installation on a single Windows PC, with immediate access to all applications upon purchase and support provided for inquiries.

AppWizard

August 23, 2025

Chill Out With $33 Savings on Free PC Games This Week

The Epic Games Store offers free games weekly, with this week's titles being "Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge" and "Strange Horticulture." "Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge" allows players to collect over 500 unique frogs and create a sanctuary for them. "Strange Horticulture" is a plant and herb cultivation game where players interact with witches and cultists, affecting the narrative through their choices. It has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Next week, the free games will include "Machinarium," an adventure game focused on rescuing a kidnapped girlfriend with point-and-click mechanics and acclaimed hand-drawn graphics. Additionally, "Make Way" is a competitive racing game that allows players to build their own tracks and supports multiplatform play, although it is not yet available on the Epic Games Store.

Winsage

August 21, 2025

LibreOffice 25.8 Open-Source Office Suite Officially Released, This Is What’s New

LibreOffice 25.8 has been released by The Document Foundation, supporting GNU/Linux, Android, macOS, and Windows. Key enhancements include up to 30% faster file opening times in Writer and Calc, support for exporting to PDF 2.0, optimized memory management, and improved scrolling for large documents. New features include a Viewer mode for read-only access, background images as bitmap thumbnails, SHA384 with AES_192 encryption, streamlined PDF signature timestamping, enhanced import capabilities for encrypted PDFs, and support for Bitcoin currency. Writer introduces a new Move Line hyphenation rule, improved text selection control, and collaborative features like per-window track changes. Calc adds new functions and customizable conditional formatting, while Impress improves font management for PowerPoint compatibility. The user interface features various enhancements, including a diacritic matching option and hyperlink insertion via the context menu. LibreOffice 25.8 is available for download, with support through seven maintenance updates until June 12, 2026.

AppWizard

August 20, 2025

Android 16 QPR2 Finally Can Lightly Theme All of Your App Icons

Google has introduced "Auto-Themed App Icons" in the Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1, allowing users to customize their home screens with three options: "Default," which keeps original icon colors; "Minimal," which adapts icons to the phone's theme and applies a light color mask to unsupported apps; and a non-functional "Create" button that may lead to additional customization features in future updates.

Winsage

August 20, 2025

4 features in KDE Plasma that Windows 11 users are sorely missing out on

Many users transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11 have expressed dissatisfaction due to the removal of beloved features. Some have turned to alternatives like Linux, specifically Fedora KDE. KDE offers significant customization options, including the ability to place taskbars on any edge of the screen and create multiple taskbars for different purposes. Its file explorer, Dolphin, allows users to split the window into two views for easier file management. The Krunner search bar provides a quick way to launch applications, and KDE's Application Launcher can be resized and customized extensively, unlike Windows 11's Start menu. Overall, KDE is seen as a more flexible and feature-rich alternative to Windows 11.

Winsage

August 19, 2025

10 open-source apps I recommend every Windows user download

Open-source software provides alternatives to proprietary applications for Windows users, enhancing productivity without traditional software licenses. 1. LibreOffice is a free office suite that includes word processing, spreadsheets, and a database component, operates locally, and supports MS Office formats. 2. Flow Launcher is a free file search and application launcher that allows quick access to applications and files through a customizable hotkey. 3. Duplicati is a free backup solution that supports various storage destinations, offers encryption, scheduling, and remote management for data security. 4. Nextcloud is a free, locally hosted file storage and collaboration solution that allows users to control their personal data. 5. Franz is a free application that consolidates multiple messaging platforms into a single interface for easier communication. 6. YAZB (YAZB Reborn) is a free tool that customizes the Windows experience by creating a top bar displaying system information. 7. File Converter is a free application that allows users to convert various file formats through a right-click context menu option. 8. Bitwarden is a free open-source password manager that offers password generation and secure file sharing, with premium features available. 9. AutoHotKey is a free tool for automating tasks through scripting, enabling the creation of hotkeys and macros. 10. Ollama is a free open-source AI application that allows local interaction with AI models, ensuring data privacy.

AppWizard

August 19, 2025

How I Turned My Super Slow Android Phone Into a Speed Machine

Android users can enhance device performance and extend lifespan by making several adjustments: 1. Delete unused apps to free up storage and remove unnecessary permissions. 2. Eliminate old files using the device's file management app to manage storage effectively. 3. Tweak home screen settings for a refreshed appearance without additional downloads. 4. Optimize device settings, such as enabling dark mode and managing app icons on the home screen. 5. Review and customize privacy settings to control app permissions and enhance security.

Winsage

August 18, 2025

This Windows 11 Settings quirk makes me love the Control Panel even more

Microsoft introduced Windows 11, featuring a redesigned Settings app with a nested menu system aimed at providing a cleaner, touch-friendly experience for novice users. The classic Control Panel is still accessible but is less prominent, leading some users to prefer it for its direct access to powerful options. Managing audio devices has become more complicated, requiring multiple steps in the new Settings app compared to the two-click access in the Control Panel. Similarly, managing core Windows components, changing user account types, and fine-tuning power plans have all become more convoluted in Windows 11's Settings app. The Control Panel remains essential for power users who need quick access to these features.

Winsage

August 17, 2025

4 reasons I’m sticking with Windows 10 — even after support ends

Many users are considering staying with Windows 10 as support for it ends on October 14, 2025. Windows 10 is seen as a practical choice for older devices that cannot run Windows 11 due to hardware requirements. It offers extensive customization options for the user interface, including a flexible Start menu and Taskbar, which contrasts with the more restricted customization in Windows 11. Windows 10 has limited AI integration, allowing users to maintain control over their systems, while Windows 11 increasingly incorporates AI features that may require specialized hardware. Windows 10 is viewed as stable and familiar, with users appreciating its reliability compared to Windows 11, which still faces bugs and stability issues. Users can opt for the Extended Security Update (ESU) program for continued security updates until October 2026 for a fee or by redeeming points from Microsoft Rewards. Enrollment in the ESU program requires a Microsoft account and can be done through the Windows Update settings.