desktop Archives

Winsage

June 22, 2025

Give an old PC a total upgrade for just $15

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is currently available for .97, reduced from its regular price of 9, but this offer is valid only until July 20. Windows 11 Pro includes features such as a sleek interface, snap layouts, improved voice typing, advanced security features (biometric logins, encrypted authentication, enhanced antivirus), tools for professionals (Microsoft Teams, Azure AD, Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox), touchscreen capability, an AI-powered assistant (Copilot), and support for DirectX 12 Ultimate for gaming. The minimum system requirements to run Windows 11 Pro are 4GB of RAM and 40GB of hard drive space.

Winsage

June 22, 2025

I used Winaero to customize Windows, and here’s how it went

Winaero Tweaker is a free application that offers a suite of tools for customizing Windows 11, organized into sections for appearance, behavior, and more. It allows users to enable or disable features such as the Copilot and automatic updates, modify Windows Explorer options, and enhance visual settings. Users can enable the classic full context menu, modify the Windows Explorer Window, resize scroll bars, and prevent Windows themes from changing mouse pointers and desktop icons. The Context Menu Tweaker allows customization of right-click options, adding shortcuts for functions like the Control Panel and Snipping Tool. Winaero also provides tools for modifying support and maintenance settings, including automatic registry backups and creating multiple System Restore points. It offers features to restore classic Windows functionalities and install legacy applications. While Winaero presents many options to enhance the user experience, users should be cautious as some features may pose security risks or performance issues. The application includes a Recent Changes feature for reviewing modifications and reverting to default settings if necessary.

Winsage

June 22, 2025

Get all the power of MS Office for life—and for less than $30

Microsoft Office 2019 is available for a one-time payment of .97, representing an 86% discount off the regular price of 9.99. This package includes Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows, which features Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, Access, and OneNote, but does not include Microsoft Teams. The purchase grants lifetime access, future updates, and customer support, and is valid for installation on one Windows PC. Upon purchase, users receive links and software license keys via email for downloading within seven days.

Winsage

June 22, 2025

With 114 days left until Windows 10 support is ditched, Windows 11 enjoys a last-minute surge in upgrades

Microsoft plans to discontinue support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, despite a strong preference for it among users. As of June 2025, Windows 10's market share dropped from 66% to 49%, while Windows 11's share increased from 29% to over 47%. The gap between the two operating systems has narrowed to 1%. Microsoft has implemented full-screen reminders to encourage users to upgrade to Windows 11, branding 2025 as the "year of the Windows 11 PC refresh." Windows 11 adoption has increased, but many PCs are unable to upgrade due to stringent minimum system requirements, which include a 64-bit processor, at least 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot, and TPM version 2.0. Microsoft introduced a new category of Windows 11 PCs called Copilot+ PCs, which feature advanced capabilities and security measures. Starting October 14, 2025, users on Windows 10 will not receive free updates, leaving them vulnerable to security risks. Users whose PCs do not meet the requirements for Windows 11 can either buy new machines or subscribe to the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for continued support. Enterprise users will pay £48 for the first year of ESU, increasing to £192 for the third year, while consumers can access it for £24 for an additional year. Some users are exploring alternatives like Linux or ChromeOS Flex for older hardware.

Winsage

June 22, 2025

Upgrade your operating system to Windows 11 Pro for $15

Microsoft has initiated the countdown for Windows 10, encouraging users to upgrade to Windows 11 Pro, which is currently priced at .97, down from .9. This offer allows upgrades for two compatible PCs and includes features such as Snap layouts, seamless redocking, enhanced voice typing, Smart App Control, TPM 2.0, BitLocker device encryption, and improved gaming performance with DirectX12 Ultimate. Windows 11 Pro also supports remote desktop access and includes professional tools like Azure AD, Hyper-V, and Windows Sandbox.

AppWizard

June 22, 2025

This Android App Boosts Your Phone — And Google Just Made It Official

Google has introduced the Linux Terminal app with the Android 15 update, allowing users to run a Debian virtual machine on their smartphones. This feature utilizes the Android Virtualization Framework (AVF) to execute complex commands, run scripts, and manage storage, enhancing smartphone functionality. Activation is simple through developer options, making it accessible to all users. The Linux Terminal serves as a valuable tool for professionals and developers, enabling them to work efficiently on the go. Casual users can also benefit by running Linux-based applications directly on their devices. The upcoming Android 16 is expected to further enhance this experience with better support for external displays, positioning Android phones as central components of users' tech ecosystems.

AppWizard

June 21, 2025

Stellar Blade is a prime example of how PC ports should be done – ultrawide compatibility and stable performance are a must

The gaming community has expressed frustration over poorly optimized PC ports, with recent titles like Rise of the Ronin, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, and Monster Hunter Wilds suffering from stuttering issues and heavy reliance on upscaling technologies. Many contemporary games lack ultrawide compatibility, which is increasingly expected as ultrawide displays become more popular. Stellar Blade is noted for its exceptional performance and optimization, including support for ultrawide screens up to a 32:9 aspect ratio. It achieves over 60 frames per second (fps) at 1080p on medium settings on an Asus ROG Ally, with frame rates reaching 112fps using AMD Frame Generation. The Steam Deck also performs well, reaching 60fps on lower settings. On desktop systems with high-end hardware like the RTX 4080 Super and AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D, Stellar Blade consistently exceeds 100fps at maximum settings without needing Nvidia's Frame Generation. Despite some titles showing good optimization, many triple-A releases still suffer from poor PC adaptations, disappointing gamers with high-end hardware. Handheld gaming PCs are becoming more popular, and successful ports like Stellar Blade provide hope for future game releases.

Winsage

June 21, 2025

This open-source tool gave me the Windows desktop I’ve always wanted

JaxCore is an open-source suite designed to enhance the Windows 11 experience through customization. It operates as a collection of plugins and tools built on the Rainmeter platform, providing users with various widgets for their desktops. JaxCore simplifies the customization process with pre-made tools and allows for deeper customization for those familiar with coding. The suite includes modules like YourFlyouts, YourMixer, ValliStart, Keylaunch, and IdleStyle, as well as widgets such as ModularVisualizer, ModularClocks, ModularPlayers, and Plainext. Although JaxCore is no longer under active development, users can still utilize it, though they may encounter bugs. The author successfully customized their desktop with a media player, clock, and revamped start menu, enhancing their workflow and aesthetic experience. They express a desire to further explore JaxCore and other customization tools.

AppWizard

June 21, 2025

This free Android app helps me optimize my workflow

Saeed Wazir is a freelancer who uses Clockify, a time-tracking tool, to manage his work and family responsibilities. Clockify allows him to track his working hours, categorize them as billable or non-billable, and streamline his invoicing process. Previously, he used an Excel spreadsheet for logging work, which was time-consuming and error-prone. Clockify's Timesheet feature provides a detailed breakdown of his weekly work, helping him assess productivity and plan future tasks. The Reports feature offers an overview of total hours worked, categorized by project, allowing for better workload management. Clockify syncs between his phone and laptop, providing flexibility to access time-tracking data from anywhere. While he finds the free version sufficient, he notes that the mobile app lacks some features present in the desktop version. Clockify also offers subscription plans for larger teams with advanced features.

Winsage

June 21, 2025

Microsoft’s Family Safety Feature Is Blocking Chrome: Here’s the Workaround

Microsoft's Family Safety feature is inadvertently blocking access to Google's Chrome browser on Windows computers. This issue was reported on June 3, when a user experienced crashes while using Chrome despite attempts to restart and reinstall the browser. The Family Safety feature is designed to help parents manage children's screen time and monitor online activities. Workarounds include unblocking Chrome through the Family Safety app or renaming the Chrome executable file to bypass the block. Microsoft has not yet issued a statement regarding the issue.