documents Archives

Tech Optimizer

May 16, 2025

Best antivirus software for Windows 2025, tried and tested

Antivirus software has been a common tool for PC users over the past two decades, with many opting for third-party solutions for enhanced protection despite Windows 11's built-in features. User behavior significantly impacts computer security, emphasizing the importance of avoiding unknown links and not reusing passwords. Antivirus packages are designed to combat threats like ransomware, spyware, and viruses. The evaluation process for antivirus applications involved testing on a Windows 11 PC with simulated virus attacks and scanning the SSD for performance metrics. The top antivirus apps for 2025 include BitDefender Total Security (£49.99), Avira Free (free), Malwarebytes Plus (£49.99), and Sophos Home Premium (£37.46).

AppWizard

May 15, 2025

Chrome’s Android app will now let you zoom in on text without affecting the webpage

Google has introduced updates to enhance user experience on its platforms, focusing on accessibility and usability for Android users. The TalkBack screenreader now allows follow-up questions about images, enabling users to ask specific queries like identifying colors or materials. An update for Chrome on Android improves text zooming, allowing users to enlarge text without affecting the webpage layout, using a slider accessible through the three-dot menu. Google’s Optical Character Recognition (OCR) tool now automatically recognizes scanned PDFs on desktop, enabling text highlighting, copying, and searching. Expressive Captions provide real-time captions for audio content on Android devices, capturing spoken words along with tone and emotion, and are being rolled out in English across the US, UK, Canada, and Australia for devices on Android 15 and later.

Winsage

May 14, 2025

Windows 11’s May update brings a heap of new features

Microsoft's latest update for Windows 11, KB5058411, includes enhancements and security fixes. Key features include AI integration in Windows Search for natural language queries, direct access to Microsoft 365 content in File Explorer (subscription required), improved performance for file opening and ZIP unpacking, and aesthetic updates to the interface. The update also removes the blue background for desktop shortcuts based on user feedback and implements various bug fixes. The update will download and install automatically for Windows 11 24H2 users, with an option for manual installation through Windows Update.

Winsage

May 14, 2025

Microsoft Confirms Windows Upgrade Choice—You Must Now Decide

Microsoft has released a mandatory update for Windows 11, identified as “KB5058411,” which includes essential security fixes and introduces a new feature called Recall. Recall uses artificial intelligence to capture snapshots of the user's screen at regular intervals, creating a photographic memory of digital interactions. Users will be prompted to enable Recall during the installation of the May 2025 Windows 11 24H2 update, and opting in for the first time simplifies future re-enabling. However, enabling Recall raises privacy concerns, as it records activities and communications from secure messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Signal, potentially exposing sensitive information. A user reported that someone was able to access his entire PC history, including deleted messages, highlighting the vulnerabilities associated with the feature. Users are advised to carefully consider the implications of opting into Recall.

Winsage

May 14, 2025

Windows 11’s Patch Tuesday for May finally brings Recall into the mix

Microsoft's Recall feature is set to debut after a delay due to security concerns. The update for Windows 11, released on May 13th, includes AI-driven tools to enhance user interactions and productivity. Key features integrated from the April 25th Preview update include: - Recall (preview): Allows users to retrieve information from various applications, websites, and documents using AI for quick searches based on content descriptions, with options to save snapshots of activities and manage them through Windows Hello. - Click to Do (preview): Enables immediate action on items displayed on the screen using a keyboard shortcut for editing or summarizing content. - Improved Windows Search: Enhanced search capabilities allow natural language queries to locate documents and settings. - Phone Link: Facilitates interaction between Windows PCs and mobile devices for calls, messages, and content sharing. - Widgets: Web developers can create interactive widgets with customization options for lock screen widgets. Additional updates include improvements to File Explorer, accessibility enhancements, and new settings management options for app recommendations. The update for Windows 10 focuses on a fix for Secure Boot Advanced Targeting (SBAT) and Linux Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) to improve detection of Linux systems. Detailed patch notes and download links are available through the Microsoft Update Catalog.

Winsage

May 13, 2025

Microsoft shows off the cool Windows Start concepts we never got

Microsoft's design team explored various concepts for the Windows 11 Start menu that were not included in the final product. These concepts aimed to enhance user experience by integrating notifications and functionalities from different Windows features. Key principles guiding the designs included easy access to the app library, personal customization, maximizing utility, and maintaining familiar iconography. The team engaged with 300 Windows 11 enthusiasts and used eye-tracking heat maps for feedback. One concept featured a slide-out phone dashboard for users of the Phone Link feature, restructuring recommended apps and documents for creativity and productivity. Another concept resembled earlier Windows versions, offering an expandable list of apps and shortcuts. Some designs expanded the Start menu significantly, while one focused on app visibility and timely information like meeting reminders. None of these designs were implemented in the current version of Windows 11, with some considered cluttered or confusing. Third-party developers like Stardock Software are providing customization options through solutions like Start11.

Winsage

May 13, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3964 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3964 (KB5058496) has been released for the Beta Channel, specifically for Windows 11, version 24H2. Users on version 23H2 can choose to upgrade to version 24H2 with this build. The update introduces a new AI-powered agent in Settings for easier navigation and task automation, currently available for Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, with support for AMD and Intel PCs coming soon. Enhanced intelligent text actions have been added to Click to Do for AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs, allowing users to summarize, create bulleted lists, or rewrite text. A dedicated FAQs section has been added to the Settings > System > About page. Several fixes have been implemented, including improvements to the Start menu, File Explorer, and voice access. Known issues include problems with PC reset display and Xbox Controller connectivity. Entra ID support for AI features in Paint and Notepad has been rolled out for IT-managed PCs.

Winsage

May 13, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5600 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5581 (KB5058493) has been released to the Dev Channel. New features include enhanced intelligent text actions in Click to Do for AMD and Intel™-powered Copilot+ PCs, allowing users to Summarize, Create a bulleted list, or Rewrite text. These features are available when the default language is English and at least 10 words are selected. For users with French or Spanish as their primary language, only Summarize, Create a bulleted list, and Refine options are temporarily available. Improvements include the ability to safely remove devices compatible with Dynamic Lighting and the introduction of a FAQs section in Settings to help users find information about their PC. Fixes have been made to the Start menu, File Explorer, Voice Access, Taskbar, Windows Spotlight, and Live captions. Known issues include problems with the PC reset option and Xbox Controller connectivity. Entra ID support for AI features in Paint and Notepad has been rolled out for IT-managed PCs, allowing access to tools like Cocreator and Generative Fill in Paint, and summarization or rewriting in Notepad. Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel receive updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2, and features may evolve or be removed based on feedback.

Tech Optimizer

May 13, 2025

Best antivirus software 2025, tried and tested

Antivirus software has been essential for PC users for two decades, with advertisements emphasizing its importance. Windows 11 includes built-in security features, but many users prefer third-party antivirus solutions for quicker updates and additional benefits. User behavior significantly impacts computer security, and it is recommended to avoid links from unfamiliar email senders and not to reuse passwords. A comprehensive evaluation of antivirus applications involved testing on a Windows 11 PC using simulated virus attacks. The testing included scanning the SSD and consulting independent security testing laboratories. The best antivirus software for 2025 includes BitDefender Total Security as the best overall, Avira Free as the best free option, Malwarebytes Plus for the best VPN bundle, and Sophos Home Premium for protecting multiple devices.

Tech Optimizer

May 12, 2025

Database performance analysis using pg_profile and pgpro_pwr

pgpro_pwr is a database workload monitoring tool for database administrators (DBAs) to identify resource-demanding operations. It was launched in 2017 as pg_profile by Andrey Zubkov, who moved from being a DBA to an engineer at Postgres Professional. pg_profile is compatible with open-source PostgreSQL and has been integrated into PostgreSQL 17 as of 2024, while pgpro_pwr offers advanced statistical insights and is included in Postgres Pro releases. Both tools monitor database workload metrics through continuously incrementing counters, capturing values at intervals and archiving differences. They do not provide alerting capabilities but are useful for assessing system stability, analyzing load testing outcomes, and identifying system-intensive activities. The tools consist of repository tables, data collection functions, reporting functions, and service tables. To use them, one must install the extension, configure roles, and set up parameters. Reports can be generated for workload statistics over time and comparisons between different time intervals. Examples of report types include wait event statistics and advanced vacuum statistics. Future plans include submitting a patch to introduce vacuum statistics to vanilla PostgreSQL.