developer community Archives

Winsage

March 26, 2025

Download BleachBit (free) for Windows, macOS and Linux

BleachBit is an open-source system cleaning tool that helps users enhance disk capacity by removing unnecessary files and improving privacy. It permanently deletes files to prevent recovery, making it suitable for users handling sensitive information. The tool offers features such as shredding unused disk space, clearing browser histories, and removing software logs. BleachBit is free to use, lightweight, and compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS (with limited functionality). It supports cleaning for multiple applications and provides command-line functionality for advanced users. Additionally, BleachBit can be run from a USB drive without installation. Alternatives to BleachBit include CCleaner, Advanced SystemCare, and DaisyDisk, each offering different functionalities and features.

Winsage

March 13, 2025

WinRing0: Why Windows is flagging your PC monitoring and fan control apps as a threat

On Tuesday morning, PC gamers received unexpected alerts from Windows Defender regarding a tool called WinRing0, which raised concerns about potential security breaches. This issue affected various hardware monitoring applications, including Razer Synapse, SteelSeries Engine, and MSI Afterburner, leading to erratic computer behavior after the HackTool was quarantined. Developers noted that WinRing0, while useful for accessing hardware data, has been flagged due to security vulnerabilities. Microsoft is under pressure to tighten software access to low-level hardware, prompting scrutiny of WinRing0. Some developers labeled the detection as a "false positive," arguing that their applications are not malicious. Timothy Sun's company developed a proprietary SMBus driver to avoid WinRing0, but this transition required significant resources. WinRing0 has been patched, but challenges remain in getting a new version signed by Microsoft. iBuyPower has expressed interest in pursuing a signed update for WinRing0, while companies like Razer and SteelSeries are working to eliminate reliance on it in their software updates.

Winsage

March 8, 2025

Free Alternatives to Paid Windows Software

Windows operating systems often require third-party software for specialized tasks, with free alternatives available to replace paid options. 1. BleachBit is used for system cleaning as a free substitute for CCleaner Pro, effectively enhancing PC performance by removing unnecessary data without tampering with the Windows Registry. 2. Bulk Crap Uninstaller (BCUninstaller) is a free tool for uninstalling programs and bloatware, scanning for leftover files and simplifying the cleanup process with filtering options and color-coded listings. 3. Google Docs is preferred over Microsoft 365 for its user-friendly nature and free 15 GB storage per Gmail account, while LibreOffice is recommended as an alternative for standalone applications. 4. GIMP serves as a free substitute for Adobe Photoshop, offering essential graphic design tools without being resource-intensive. 5. Kdenlive is a free video editor that meets basic video editing needs and is compatible with lower-end PCs, providing a comprehensive suite of features and regular updates. 6. Audacity is used for audio editing, capable of handling both basic and professional tasks, with tools for noise elimination and vocal enhancement. 7. 7-Zip is a lightweight file compression and archiving tool that offers superior compression capabilities and password protection, operating unobtrusively in the background.

Winsage

March 4, 2025

Available today: DeepSeek R1 7B & 14B distilled models for Copilot+ PCs via Azure AI Foundry – further expanding AI on the edge

Microsoft is launching the DeepSeek R1 7B and 14B distilled models via Azure AI Foundry, following the introduction of NPU-optimized versions of the DeepSeek-R1 1.5B model for Copilot+ PCs. These models will be available on Copilot+ PCs powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X, Intel Core Ultra 200V, and AMD Ryzen processors. The NPUs in these PCs can execute over 40 trillion operations per second and are designed for efficient local AI model execution, minimizing battery and resource consumption. The DeepSeek models utilize 4-bit block-wise quantization and int4 per-channel quantization for enhanced performance. Developers can access all distilled variants of the DeepSeek models through the AI Toolkit VS Code extension, allowing for local deployment and experimentation. Copilot+ PCs combine local computing capabilities with Azure's resources, facilitating a new paradigm of continuous computing for AI applications.

Tech Optimizer

February 4, 2025

Bun update brings Chrome debugging and controversial S3 API, PostgreSQL client coming soon

Bun version 1.1.3 introduces enhancements for JavaScript and TypeScript development, including Chrome debugging capabilities to improve the debugging experience. A new S3 API has been introduced, sparking discussions about its implementation and impact on existing workflows. Additionally, a PostgreSQL client is expected to be added in the future, enhancing database management options for developers.

AppWizard

December 20, 2024

Google quietly made it easier for new developers to release apps on the Play Store

Google has updated its app testing requirements, reducing the minimum number of testers for closed tests from 20 to 12 for developers with personal accounts created after November 13, 2023. The new requirement states that these developers must conduct a closed test with at least 12 opted-in testers for a minimum of 14 consecutive days. Developers with business accounts are not affected by this change. The adjustment comes in response to criticism from indie developers who found the previous requirement challenging.

AppWizard

December 13, 2024

This year The Game Awards finally tackled the plague of game industry layoffs

Geoff Keighley addressed the significant layoffs in the video game industry over the past two years during The Game Awards, noting the unprecedented nature of these job losses. Amir Satvat created the Games Jobs Resources website to support those affected by these layoffs, offering career planning, job listings, and networking opportunities. He highlighted that over 34,000 jobs have been lost in the last three years, emphasizing the importance of talent in game development.

Tech Optimizer

December 9, 2024

Amazon explains absence of familiar features in ‘PostgreSQL compatible’ Aurora DSQL

Amazon unveiled Aurora DSQL, a distributed SQL database manager, at the re:Invent conference in Las Vegas, designed to enhance performance with rapid read capabilities. Key PostgreSQL features are absent from Aurora DSQL as Amazon focuses on optimizing it for cloud-native environments, prioritizing performance and reliability over feature parity. The design aims to simplify operational complexities and cater to the scalability demands of modern applications. Amazon emphasizes performance optimization by focusing on core functionalities and eliminating less critical features, making it suitable for applications requiring high throughput and low latency. The company plans to gather feedback from the developer community to shape future iterations of Aurora DSQL.

Winsage

November 21, 2024

Modernizing Windows desktop development: WPF and Windows Forms will share code in .NET 10, React Native for Windows gets new architecture

Microsoft is introducing a shared code capability in the upcoming .NET 10 release for Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) and Windows Forms, allowing developers to write code once and deploy it across both frameworks. This feature aims to enhance productivity, reduce redundancy, and improve maintainability, aligning with the trend toward cross-platform development. The initiative reflects Microsoft's recognition of the ongoing relevance of WPF and Windows Forms for enterprise applications and aims to modernize these frameworks while engaging with the developer community for feedback.

Winsage

November 1, 2024

Announcing the Microsoft Store Awards 2024 winners

Windows serves as an open platform for a diverse ecosystem of applications, with contributions from solo developers and large enterprises. The Microsoft Store is the primary destination for users to explore these applications. The winners of the 2024 Microsoft Store Awards are as follows: - AI category: djay Pro by Algoriddim - Lifestyle category: Diarium Journal & Diary by T. Parti - Personal Finance category: TradingView by TradingView, Inc. - Business category: Gamma by Gamma - Education category: Typing Land by higopage - Productivity category: Todoist: To-Do List & Planner by Doist Inc. - Music category: Apple Music by Apple Inc. - Health & Fitness category: F.lux by F.lux Software LLC - Medical category: Complete Anatomy 2024 by 3D4Medical - Developer Tools category: oh-my posh by jandedobbeleer - Social category: Pinterest by Pinterest Inc. - Creativity category: Adobe Express by Adobe - Game category: Asphalt Legends Unite by Gameloft - Rising Star category: Endel Music: Focus, Sleep, Relax by Endel Sound Each winner will receive a Store Award Winner badge in the Microsoft Store. The list is subject to final confirmation by the winners.