desktops Archives

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

‘The last time I liked everything about a game was probably Baldur’s Gate 3’: Raphael Colantonio, co-founder of Arkane Studios, talks us through the games installed on his PC

Raphaël Colantonio, co-founder of Arkane Studios, was inspired to enter the gaming industry after playing Ultima 7, which led him to co-found Arkane in 1999. The studio's first game was Arx Fatalis, and it has since produced titles like Dishonored and Prey, with their latest project being Weird West. Colantonio is currently playing Mewgenics, having previously completed Cyberpunk 2077 and enjoyed Baldur's Gate 3. He has revisited Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth for enjoyment and research. Colantonio has logged 649 hours in Wasteland 2 and expresses nostalgia for Thief, Fallout, and Deus Ex, noting their influence on his work. He uses DaVinci Resolve for video editing and DiskState for managing hard drive space. Colantonio maintains a tidy desktop with minimal icons and folders.

Winsage

July 23, 2026

How to build the ultimate Windows 11 home office setup for freelancers

Freelancers can optimize their Windows 11 home setup by choosing the Pro version for its productivity and security features, including snap layouts, virtual desktops, Focus Sessions, and Microsoft Copilot. Microsoft Office 2024, priced at , offers essential applications like Excel, Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, and OneNote to streamline project management and communication. Investing in a larger monitor enhances productivity and visibility, especially for multitasking, while adjustable tables and blue-light features can improve comfort and reduce eye strain. Quality peripherals, such as ergonomic keyboards and customizable mice, along with a docking station for multiple connections, are crucial for an efficient workspace.

AppWizard

July 22, 2026

Original Xbox Games Are Coming to PC Starting With Four Fan Favorites

Microsoft has launched its Xbox Backward Compatibility preview, enabling four original Xbox games—Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live and Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Fuzion Frenzy—to be played on PC and handheld devices. These games feature enhancements such as 4x resolution upscaling, VSync support, multiple display modes, anisotropic filtering, and improved anti-aliasing. They are available for purchase on the Xbox Store and can be accessed on PC or handhelds through Xbox Play Anywhere or Xbox Cloud Gaming. All four titles are also included in Xbox Game Pass. Minimum system requirements for playing these games include: - GPU: Nvidia GTX 950 or AMD Radeon RX 550 or Intel UHD 770 or Intel Arc A310 - CPU: Minimum 4 Cores Intel Core i3-8100 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 or AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor - RAM: 8GB - OS: Windows 11 - Drivers and Versions: Latest Version as of January 2026 Recommended specifications include: - GPU: Radeon RX 68005 or Nvidia GTX 1070 Ti or Intel Arc A770 - CPU: 6 cores and 12 threads Intel Core i5-10400 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme - DirectX Version: DirectX12 API, Hardware Feature Level 11 - GPU VRAM: 8GB - OS: Windows 11 - Drivers and Versions: Latest Version as of January 2026

Winsage

July 20, 2026

Enable BitLocker on Windows 11: 11 Steps, 45 Min [2026]

A stolen laptop can lead to a significant data breach, particularly when taken from public places. Windows 11 has introduced BitLocker, a full-disk encryption feature that became mandatory for Australian businesses in 2026. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner reported 766 notifiable data breaches in the latter half of 2024, with unauthorized access to devices being a major cause. Full-disk encryption is crucial for compliance with the Essential Eight framework, which mandates data protection on portable devices. BitLocker ensures that data on an encrypted drive becomes unreadable if the drive is removed and connected to another computer. It aligns with the Essential Eight framework, requiring evidence of encryption rather than just claims of protection. There are three types of encryption on Windows 11: Device Encryption, BitLocker Drive Encryption, and File-Level Encryption. BitLocker is available only on Windows 11 Pro and higher editions. To use BitLocker, certain prerequisites must be met, including having Windows 11 Pro or higher, a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot enabled, and local administrator rights. The process to enable BitLocker involves confirming the edition, checking TPM status, enabling BitLocker through Windows Settings or PowerShell, and backing up the recovery key. Organizations can deploy BitLocker fleet-wide using Microsoft Intune, and additional security measures like TPM+PIN can be implemented for pre-boot authentication. Common pitfalls during BitLocker rollout include skipping recovery key backup and assuming that Home edition machines are covered. Troubleshooting common BitLocker issues involves identifying symptoms and applying appropriate fixes. Advanced tips for enhancing security include suspending BitLocker before maintenance and auditing compliance at the fleet level. BitLocker is integral to protecting data on portable devices, and compliance documentation is essential for proving that every device has an active recovery key.

Winsage

July 14, 2026

Run Windows-only apps on your Mac with Windows 11 Pro for $9.97

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is available for .97, reduced from its regular price of 9. This offer allows Mac users to run Windows-only applications through virtualization software or Boot Camp, and it ends on July 16 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Windows 11 Pro includes features like BitLocker drive encryption, Remote Desktop, virtual desktops, and Snap Layouts, and it eliminates recurring subscription fees.

Winsage

July 14, 2026

Windows 11 Pro is under $10 until July 16

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is currently available for .97, reduced from its regular price of 9. This limited-time offer expires on July 16 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Windows 11 Pro includes features such as BitLocker for data encryption, Remote Desktop for accessing work PCs, Hyper-V for creating virtual machines, and Windows Sandbox for safely testing software. The Pro edition has received a 4/5 rating from PC Magazine and TechRadar.

Tech Optimizer

July 10, 2026

Layered Security Essentials: Protect Your Devices from Threats

Safeguarding modern devices requires a multifaceted security strategy that includes antivirus software, VPNs, strong authentication methods, and regular system updates. Layered security combines multiple protective measures such as encryption, malware detection, and authentication controls to address diverse threats. Key elements of solid cyber hygiene include strong passwords, timely software updates, phishing awareness, and multi-factor authentication. Network protection is crucial, especially when using public Wi-Fi; users should verify the presence of encryption indicators like "HTTPS" before sharing personal information. Employing WPA3 encryption on home routers and changing default admin credentials are essential safeguards. Regular updates to operating systems and applications help close known vulnerabilities, while safe browsing habits are necessary to avoid potential threats. Antivirus software and anti-phishing tools offer real-time monitoring, and device encryption protects data in case of loss or theft. Regular backups are vital to prevent data loss from ransomware attacks or hardware failures. Phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication and passkeys provide strong defenses against credential-based attacks.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

Valve’s magical play-Windows-games-on-Linux tech is rebased, updated, and ready to play Resident Evil

Valve has launched Proton 11, which is based on Wine 11 and available to Linux users through Steam settings. This version includes support for several games, such as "Deadly Premonition," "Resident Evil," and "DCS World Steam Edition." Key fixes in Proton 11 include improved KDE window maximization support, video playback fixes, and enhanced controller support. The update also addresses various rendering issues, game crashes, and performance improvements for multiple titles. Proton 11 is rebased on Wine 11.0 and includes updates to several components, enhancing the gaming experience on Linux platforms.

Tech Optimizer

July 7, 2026

Layered Security Essentials: Protect Your Devices from Threats

Safeguarding modern devices requires a multifaceted approach due to evolving cyber threats. A robust security framework should integrate various tools, including antivirus software, VPNs, strong authentication methods, and routine system updates. Layered security combines multiple protective measures like encryption, malware detection, and authentication controls to address diverse threats. Key practices for effective cyber hygiene include using strong passwords, timely software updates, awareness of phishing attempts, and multi-factor authentication. When using public Wi-Fi, it's crucial to verify the presence of encryption (indicated by the padlock symbol and HTTPS) before sharing personal information. Employing WPA3 encryption on home routers and changing default admin credentials are essential safeguards. Regular updates for operating systems and applications help rectify known vulnerabilities, while safe browsing habits prevent exposure to threats. Antivirus software and anti-phishing tools provide real-time monitoring, and device encryption protects stored data in case of loss or theft. Regular backups are vital to prevent data loss from ransomware or hardware issues. Phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication and passkeys offer strong defense against credential-based attacks.

Winsage

July 5, 2026

The Curious Case of Windows 11 Pro for Workstations, Essentially Windows 11 “Pro Max”

Windows 11 Pro for Workstations, available since 2021, is a successor to Windows 10 Pro for Workstations. It focuses on performance and efficiency, lacking consumer bloat such as sponsored shortcuts. Key features include support for the Resilient File System (ReFS), which enhances fault-tolerant storage, and the ability to support up to four CPU sockets and a maximum memory capacity of 6 TB. Networking capabilities include support for SMB Direct client and RDMA, which improve performance for clustered AI inferencing setups. It also supports NVDIMM-N for enhanced workstation applications. Unlike Windows Server, it does not include a native NVMe SSD driver. Windows 11 Pro for Workstations is not available for direct purchase by end-users; it can only be obtained through OEM channels or the Windows for Business channel.