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AppWizard

September 4, 2026

Digital Wellbeing could get multi-app timers, a new dashboard, Bedtime mode tweaks, and more

Google is revamping the interface of its Digital Wellbeing app to enhance user experience by focusing on features like app activity, app timers, and Bedtime mode. The current interface is cluttered, and the redesign aims to simplify navigation and improve accessibility. The app timers feature will allow users to set collective daily limits for multiple apps simultaneously, making it more efficient. The Bedtime mode will change to eliminate collapsible sections, displaying all options by default and prioritizing the Bedtime routine at the top of the page. These enhancements are still experimental, and it is uncertain when they will be available to users.

Winsage

September 4, 2026

Microsoft says KB5120998 Windows update resets desktop settings

Microsoft has acknowledged an issue affecting some Windows devices after the installation of the KB5120998 preview update released on August 27, 2026. This issue primarily impacts Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, causing desktop settings, including wallpaper and themes, to reset or be lost, often resulting in a solid black background. Users are unable to manually restore their customized settings due to the issue preventing the correct loading of settings. The KB5120998 update was intended to enhance the Start menu, taskbar, and Windows search but inadvertently introduced complications, including changes to mouse settings that cannot be restored. The update is optional but installs automatically for users with the "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" feature enabled. A similar bug occurred in February 2020 with the KB4539602 update, which disrupted desktop wallpaper functionality.

Winsage

September 4, 2026

Windows 11 will start telling apps your age, but Microsoft says it won’t share your birthday

Microsoft is integrating age verification directly into Windows 11, allowing applications to access users' age ranges (e.g., 13-15 or 18+) without disclosing their actual birthdays. This is facilitated through new system-level APIs, specifically the GetUserAgeRangeAsync function, which returns one of five defined age ranges: Under 10 (0-9), 10-12 (10-12), 13-15 (13-15), 16-17 (16-17), and 18+ (18 and above). Another API, GetAgeVerificationStatusAsync, indicates whether the age was independently verified with statuses like Verified, Unverified, OptedOut, TemporarilyUnavailable, or NotApplicable. Microsoft validates the identity of the calling app to ensure security, limiting access to these age signals. This initiative aligns with regulatory demands for enhanced child safety measures in regions like the UK, EU, and U.S., where states are moving toward operating-system-level mandates for age verification.

Tech Optimizer

September 3, 2026

Bitdefender vs Norton 2026: Which Antivirus Wins?

Norton and Bitdefender both have a malware detection rate of 99.8%. Norton excels in phishing protection, blocking 95% of phishing attempts compared to Bitdefender's 89%. In terms of system impact, Bitdefender uses 11% CPU and 183 MB RAM during scans, while Norton uses 23% CPU and 384 MB RAM. Norton offers features such as cloud backup, parental controls, and unlimited VPN, whereas Bitdefender lacks cloud backup and has a limited VPN. Pricing for both is competitive, but Bitdefender generally has cheaper renewal costs. Norton provides faster customer support response times. In a comparison of nine categories, Norton won five and Bitdefender won three. For users needing backup and parental controls, Norton is preferred; for those with older laptops, Bitdefender is recommended.

Winsage

September 3, 2026

Microsoft OneDrive wants to back up everything. You don’t have to let it

OneDrive offers a minimum of one terabyte of online storage for Microsoft 365 subscribers and provides seamless backup of files and settings, particularly useful when transitioning to a new PC. However, its automatic backups can lead to excessive internet bandwidth usage and clutter with unnecessary files. Recent updates allow users to opt out of OneDrive backup entirely, although the specifics of this feature are unclear. Users can also manage their experience by selectively backing up folders and regularly reviewing stored files.

AppWizard

September 3, 2026

I replaced Samsung Edge Panels with this free app — and I’m not going back

Panels is a free sidebar launcher app for Android that allows users to swipe in from the edge of the screen for quick access to apps, contacts, widgets, and settings. It features three main pages: Favorites, Shortcuts Panel, and Widgets, which can be expanded with additional pages. The app enhances multitasking by allowing apps to launch in windowed mode, creating app pairs for split-screen viewing, and providing website shortcuts. Customization options include adding new panels, repositioning them, adjusting panel width and height, and changing icon styles and colors. Panels reduces the need to visit the home screen and improves one-handed usage by placing shortcuts within easy reach. However, it has some flaws, such as potential conflicts with Android's gesture navigation and the presence of ads, which can be removed with a one-time payment of .50 for the premium version.

Winsage

September 3, 2026

17 Useful WinGet Commands Every Windows 11 User Should Know

WinGet is a package manager included with Windows 11, accessible via a command line interface. It provides a more efficient method for installing applications compared to traditional download methods. Users can verify WinGet installation by running the command winget --version. Key commands include: 1. winget search : Finds packages by name, publisher, or moniker. 2. winget show --id : Displays detailed information about a specific package. 3. winget install -e --id : Installs a package using its exact ID. 4. winget install -e --id --version : Installs a specific version of a package. 5. winget install -e --id --silent --accept-package-agreements --accept-source-agreements: Installs a package silently without user prompts. 6. winget list: Lists all installed applications. 7. winget upgrade: Lists installed packages with available updates. 8. winget upgrade --all --include-unknown --silent --accept-package-agreements --accept-source-agreements: Updates all packages without user input. 9. winget uninstall : Removes a specified package. 10. winget export: Generates a JSON file of installed packages. 11. winget import: Reinstalls applications from an exported file. 12. winget pin : Prevents a package from being updated. 13. winget download : Retrieves an installer without executing it. 14. winget repair : Initiates a repair routine for an application. 15. winget source: Manages package sources. 16. winget settings: Opens the WinGet settings file for customization. 17. winget configure: Applies a configuration file for installations. Three commands are primarily for package publishers and can be ignored by most users: PLACEHOLDER3dfbcb91baab02cd, PLACEHOLDER5b3baaac6e2d9202, and winget dscv3. If WinGet is not recognized, it may be due to a missing App Installer package, a missing PATH entry, or running in an unsupported context. WinGet is safe to use, compatible with Windows 10 version 1809 and later, and does not require administrator rights for all commands.

Winsage

September 3, 2026

Windows 11 update sends some desktops into an unwanted goth phase

Microsoft's latest update for Windows 11 has caused some users to experience a default black background due to issues with personalization settings in the August update preview for versions 24H2 and 25H2. Users are unable to restore their preferred desktop backgrounds, and the update may also affect other desktop settings like slideshow configurations and contrast themes. Microsoft has acknowledged the problem and is working on a fix for a future update.

Winsage

September 3, 2026

Microsoft is auto-enabling Memory Integrity on Windows 11 PCs from October. Why you shouldn’t turn it off

Starting in October 2026, Microsoft will automatically activate memory integrity for eligible Windows 11 devices through the Patch Tuesday update on October 13. Memory integrity, or Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity (HVCI), protects the core of Windows by ensuring that kernel-mode drivers are verified before execution, preventing malware from exploiting vulnerable drivers. Eligible devices must have an Intel 8th-generation processor or newer, AMD Zen 2 or newer, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8180 or newer, at least 8GB of RAM, a 64GB SSD, virtualization enabled in firmware, and compatible drivers. Secured-core PCs already have this feature enabled. Windows will assess device readiness before activation and will respect user settings if memory integrity has been intentionally disabled. Users can check memory integrity status in Windows Security under Device security. Incompatible drivers may cause issues, and conflicts will be logged in the Event Viewer. Microsoft is pushing this update due to increased security threats and aims to protect users who have upgraded their systems without performing clean installs. If issues arise with memory integrity enabled, users can identify problematic drivers in the CodeIntegrity event log.

Winsage

September 3, 2026

Windows 11: Memory Integrity enabled automatically from October

Microsoft plans to automatically activate Memory Integrity on a broader range of eligible systems starting October 2026, rolling it out through standard Windows quality updates. Prior to activation, Windows will assess hardware, drivers, and performance to ensure compatibility. Memory Integrity, part of Virtualization-based Security (VBS), uses the Windows hypervisor to create a secure environment for integrity checks on kernel code. Compatibility with drivers is crucial, as many older applications may not meet the stricter standards required for HVCI. Potential compatibility issues may arise with anti-cheat solutions, third-party input methods, and banking protection programs, which could lead to software malfunctions or boot failures. A readiness check will evaluate hardware compatibility, with eligible systems including Intel processors from the 8th generation, AMD processors from Zen 2, and Qualcomm Snapdragon 8180 or newer, along with specific RAM and storage requirements. The rollout will be gradual, and users who previously disabled HVCI will not face unexpected reactivation. Microsoft recommends updating affected applications or drivers in case of compatibility issues.