Drive Archives

Winsage

August 11, 2025

5 free Windows PC apps I always install first (and how they improve your workflow)

Windows 11 includes the Snipping Tool for screen capture, but ShareX is a more advanced alternative. ShareX offers various image capture methods, video recording, and a suite of editing tools that allow users to add shapes, text, emoji stickers, and blur sensitive information. It also enables direct uploads to platforms like Google Drive and Imgur, enhancing workflow for frequent screen capture users.

AppWizard

August 10, 2025

5 file management apps you should use instead of Files by Google

Files by Google is a free and lightweight file management application for Android that helps users manage files, clean up duplicates, and free up storage space. In a recent poll, users reported their preferences for file management apps: Files by Google (15%), Mixplorer (4%), Material Files (12%), Solid Explorer (23%), Cx File Explorer (12%), Fossify File Manager (12%), and another app (8%). Mixplorer is noted for its versatility, integrating various storage solutions and supporting symlinks, with a customizable design and a dropdown breadcrumbs menu. It is available for free via XDA, with a paid version, Mixplorer Silver, on the Play Store. Material Files features an intuitive interface influenced by Material You, adapting to device color themes, but lacks Google Drive browsing capabilities. Solid Explorer offers a polished UI with a two-pane file management system and real-time folder size displays, along with fingerprint security for storage access. Cx File Explorer focuses on managing storage with analysis tools that highlight storage usage and a clean design. Fossify File Manager is a free, open-source option that emphasizes privacy, allowing users to lock files and folders, with a user-friendly interface and customizable themes.

AppWizard

August 9, 2025

Google Maps sucks on unpaved roads, so I use this open source app instead

Google Maps is primarily designed for well-marked, paved roads and does not adequately highlight gravel routes, making it less effective for navigating unpaved paths. In a poll, 55% of users preferred OsmAnd for unpaved road navigation, compared to 20% for Google Maps. OsmAnd offers features like a color-coded system for road types, offline map support for entire regions, and the ability to import KML or GPX files. However, it has challenges such as cumbersome customization options, less detailed information compared to Google Maps, and performance issues on Android Auto.

Winsage

August 8, 2025

Ask Engadget: What are my options when Windows 10 support ends on October 14?

Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Users can continue to operate their Windows 10 PCs after this date, but they will not receive customer support, security updates, or upgrades, making the system vulnerable. Upgrading to Windows 11 is the best option for most users, provided their hardware meets the minimum requirements. Users can check compatibility with Microsoft's PC Health Check app. If a PC cannot support Windows 11, users may consider buying a new PC, with prices typically ranging from 0 to ,200. Alternatively, users can continue using Windows 10, which poses significant security risks without updates. Another option is to pay for the Windows 10 Extended Security Update (ESU) for an additional year of support until October 13, 2026, available for a fee or Microsoft reward points.

BetaBeacon

August 8, 2025

I tried emulating PC games on a Pixel phone, and I have mixed thoughts

- GameHub is an app that allows users to play PC games on their Android phones or tablets via emulation/translation. - GameHub can only be downloaded from GameSir's website and is not available on the Play Store. - The app recently gained Steam integration, allowing users to install titles from their Steam library. - Some PC games, such as Spelunky, Castle Crashers, and Undertale, were tested on a Pixel 7 Pro with varying levels of success in terms of performance. - GameHub offers improvements over rival apps like Winlator, including a more intuitive UI and robust controller support. - While GameHub may be time-consuming and occasionally frustrating to set up and use, it is continuously receiving updates for improvement. - The rival Winlator app is also worth trying on a Pixel, as some games that don't run on GameHub might run fine on Winlator and vice versa.

AppWizard

August 8, 2025

Ranger’s Path: National Park Simulator Announced For PC

Indie game developer To-Go Games, in collaboration with publisher Astragon Entertainment, has announced Ranger’s Path: National Park Simulator, set in Faremont National Park. Players will manage daily tasks such as clearing trails, assisting lost hikers, and responding to wildlife emergencies. They will use tools like an axe, hammer, and litter picker while exploring diverse biomes, including forests, meadows, and rivers. The game features a ranger camera to document wildlife encounters, with over ten animal species and multiple subspecies. Players can drive a ranger pickup, engage with visitors, and experience dynamic day-night cycles and changing weather. Ranger’s Path is set to launch in Early Access on Steam and the Epic Games Store later this year.

Winsage

August 8, 2025

Installing Windows 11 on older hardware

Microsoft will cease free support for Windows 10 in October 2025, ending security updates for users. Windows 11 requires specific hardware, including a 64-bit CPU, TPM 2.0, and Secure Boot, but can be installed on older devices using workarounds. The Rufus tool allows users to create a modified USB stick that bypasses these hardware checks. Users can download the Windows 11 ISO, integrate it into Rufus, and create a customized installation medium. The installation process can retain personal data and installed programs, but annual feature updates may require manual installation. UEFI mode and Secure Boot can be bypassed, but transitioning to UEFI is recommended. Upgrading hardware, such as adding RAM or installing an NVMe SSD, can improve performance on older systems.

Winsage

August 8, 2025

Windows 11’s new Start menu pop-ups are pushing users to pay for Microsoft 365

Microsoft has introduced a new feature in Windows 11 that includes persistent pop-ups in the Start menu, encouraging users to back up their data to the cloud via Microsoft 365. The pop-up contains a message advising users to back up their PC and directs them to Windows Backup, which uses OneDrive for storage. Users have expressed frustration over the inability to disable these pop-ups, as attempts to turn off notifications do not affect what Microsoft classifies as "required notifications."

Winsage

August 7, 2025

Secure Boot is required to play Battlefield 6 on PC — here’s how to enable it on Windows 10 and Windows 11

Secure Boot is a feature in Windows 10 and Windows 11 that prevents unsafe applications from launching during startup, helping maintain a malware-free environment and serving as a prerequisite for anti-cheat systems like EA's Javelin. It is mandatory for upgrading to Windows 11 but not required for Windows 10. To check if Secure Boot is enabled, users can type "msinfo" in the Windows search bar and verify the Secure Boot State and BIOS Mode in the System Summary. If Secure Boot is off or unsupported, users may need to change their BIOS Mode to UEFI and enable Secure Boot. To enable Secure Boot, TPM 2.0 must be enabled, and the Windows boot drive must be GPT. If the drive is MBR, it can be converted to GPT using the command "mbr2gpt /validate /disk:0 /allowFullOS" followed by "mbr2gpt /convert /disk:0 /allowfullOS." After ensuring UEFI mode is set by disabling Compatibility Support Module (CSM) in the BIOS, users can enable Secure Boot by navigating to the Boot or Secure Boot menu in BIOS and setting it to enabled.

AppWizard

August 6, 2025

McDonald’s posts better-that-expected sales as chicken strips, Minecraft meal drive traffic

McDonald’s reported a 5% increase in revenue for the second quarter, reaching .5 billion, surpassing Wall Street's expectations of .3 billion. Same-store sales surged nearly 4%, exceeding predictions of a 1% decline. McDonald’s shares rose 3% in premarket trading. The company faced challenges in the first quarter with declines in same-store sales but saw a turnaround with the launch of a “Minecraft”-themed meal in April, which sold out collectible figures in less than two weeks. The introduction of McCrispy chicken strips in May also drove customer traffic. McDonald’s net income rose by 11% to .25 billion, with adjusted earnings of .14 per share, meeting Wall Street forecasts.