editing Archives

Winsage

July 27, 2025

Upgrading to Windows 11 Pro usually costs $199, but now it’s only $15

Windows 11 Pro is currently on sale for .97, down from the regular price of 9. It offers features like snap layouts, virtual desktops, support for advanced hardware, DirectX 12 Ultimate, BitLocker encryption, TPM 2.0 support, Smart App Control, and integration of Microsoft Copilot for AI assistance.

Winsage

July 27, 2025

I’m not upgrading to Windows 11, but I’m not tolerating Linux either

The author has been using an HP Pavilion laptop for a decade, but its performance on Windows 11 has declined due to modern applications and web standards. The laptop's 4th-gen i5 processor struggles with current operating system demands, leading to slowdowns during simple tasks. Attempts to optimize Windows 11 provided only marginal improvements. The author considered switching to Chrome OS Flex for its lightweight nature but found its reliance on web applications and lack of support for certain software limiting. Linux was also considered but deemed too complicated and incompatible with essential Windows-native applications. Ultimately, the author decided to install Chrome OS using the Brunch Framework, which allowed the aging laptop to run more efficiently and support the Google Play Store, improving overall performance and user experience.

Winsage

July 24, 2025

Top 6 new features and changes coming to Windows 11 in August 2025 — from AI agents to redesigned BSOD screens

Microsoft is rolling out new features for Windows 11, with most users expected to access them by August. Users can enable "Get the latest updates as they become available" in Windows Update for early access. Key features include: - Copilot Vision: An AI assistant that can view the user's desktop in real-time, facilitating discussions about projects and modifying settings through natural language commands. - Relight in Photos: A feature that uses on-device AI to enhance images with virtual lighting sources, allowing manipulation of up to three light sources and offering built-in presets. Currently exclusive to Copilot+ devices powered by Snapdragon, with future support for Intel and AMD systems. - Object Select in Paint: An AI tool that identifies and isolates objects in images for easy cutting, along with a sticker generator for creating custom stickers. This feature is exclusive to Copilot+ but works across Snapdragon, Intel, and AMD platforms. - Perfect Screenshot in Snipping Tool: An AI feature that automatically crops screenshots to eliminate background elements, along with a color picker for identifying hex codes. - Quick Machine Recovery: A redesigned BSOD that appears for about two seconds, improving the recovery process, along with automatic detection and troubleshooting of boot issues to restore the operating system.

AppWizard

July 24, 2025

5 Must-Have Open-Source Android Apps to Simplify Your Life

Five standout open source Android applications highlighted for their utility, user-focused design, and privacy-conscious features are: 1. Tomato: A minimalist Pomodoro timer that helps maintain focus by dividing work into customizable intervals, offering productivity insights through visual graphs. 2. Grit: An all-in-one task and habit tracker that categorizes tasks, provides a visual habit map, supports scheduled reminders, and includes home screen widgets for quick access to daily goals. 3. Momentum: A habit tracker with a straightforward interface, calendar view, streak tracking, and an AI assistant that suggests habits, while prioritizing user privacy with offline functionality and local data storage. 4. Toolbox: A versatile utility app that includes features like a stopwatch, compass, text manipulation utilities, and advanced tools for developers, all while being lightweight and ad-free. 5. Thor App Manager: A tool for precise management of Android applications, offering features like batch installation, app freezing, and APK management, with additional controls for rooted users.

Winsage

July 24, 2025

Microsoft is bringing powerful new AI tools to Windows 11

Microsoft has rolled out new features for Windows 11, transitioning tools from testing to general availability. Key additions include semantic and agentic search functionalities in the Settings menu, allowing users to express queries in natural language and request specific tasks. The Click-to-Do feature now integrates with Copilot and a new Reading Coach application for context-aware actions. Paint has been upgraded to allow AI-generated stickers and includes a new object select tool for easier image editing. The Photos app will introduce a Relight feature for dynamic lighting effects, limited to devices with Snapdragon X processors. The Snipping Tool has a new “perfect screenshot” feature that uses AI for improved selection, and a new Black Screen of Death and rapid recovery option have reduced crashes and restarts by 22%.

Winsage

July 23, 2025

4 reasons I switched from NixOS to Mint Linux as a Windows-to-Linux convert

Transitioning from Windows to Linux can be prompted by the end of support for Windows 10. The author chose Linux Mint after experimenting with various distributions, influenced by experiences with NixOS. Linux Mint features a Cinnamon desktop environment that resembles Windows, offering an intuitive interface with a customizable taskbar and easy navigation. It comes preloaded with essential applications like Firefox, VLC, and LibreOffice, and uses a straightforward APT package manager for software installation. Built on Ubuntu LTS, Mint provides robust driver support and GUI-based troubleshooting tools, making it more approachable than NixOS, which has a steeper learning curve and requires knowledge of the Nix language. The author prefers Mint for its user-friendly design and ease of use as they transition from Windows.

AppWizard

July 23, 2025

Google Photos could soon get a surprising third-party integration (APK teardown)

Google is experimenting with a new feature in its Google Photos app that allows users to edit their Memories using CapCut, a video editing tool owned by ByteDance. An "Edit in CapCut" button has been found in version 7.38 of the Google Photos app, enabling users to edit auto-generated highlight reels of past photos and videos. If CapCut is not installed, tapping the button prompts a download from the Play Store; if it is installed, the memory is sent to the CapCut editor. However, CapCut is not available in certain regions, such as India, where this feature was first discovered. The integration raises questions about Google's promotion of a non-Google app, especially one owned by a company facing scrutiny. The feature has not yet been broadly rolled out or included in the app's beta version.

Winsage

July 23, 2025

3 easy ways to turn Windows Terminal shells from drab to drip — customize both PowerShell and WSL with these same tools

- The Starship prompt enhances the command line experience with a sleek design, customization options, and compatibility across different shells. It requires a NerdFont for effective operation and can be installed via the Windows Package Manager for PowerShell or various package managers for WSL. Configuration involves adding specific commands to shell profiles and creating a configuration file. - Fastfetch is a lightweight system information display tool that serves as a modern alternative to Neofetch, supporting both Windows and Linux. Installation can be done through various package managers, and configuration is achieved by generating a config file. - Windows Terminal on Windows 11 can be customized for a more personalized experience, including theme changes, font adjustments, and transparency. Customizations can be made via the GUI or by editing a JSON configuration file. - To use Starship and Fastfetch upon startup in PowerShell, a PowerShell profile must be created using a specific command, allowing users to add necessary commands for these tools.

Winsage

July 23, 2025

Windows 11’s new update will add a bunch of AI features

Microsoft is introducing the Copilot Vision tool for Windows 11, which scans and analyzes content on users' screens, allowing them to ask questions about what they see and receive immediate assistance. This feature is part of a broader rollout of AI capabilities aimed at improving productivity. For users with Snapdragon-powered Copilot Plus PCs, an AI-driven agent in the Settings app will enable natural language searches for specific settings. The “Click to Do” preview feature will be enhanced for quick actions, and unique features for Copilot Plus PCs will include an AI-powered sticker generator in Paint, an object selection tool for image editing, and an AI lighting option in Photos. The Snipping Tool will also gain a “perfect screenshot” feature. Additionally, all Windows 11 users will benefit from a new color picker in the Snipping Tool and an automatic issue resolution mechanism for unexpected restarts. These features will be rolled out over the next month.

Winsage

July 21, 2025

How to use Windows Update for Business with Group Policy

Windows administrators need to keep their systems updated for security and performance, with control over the timing and type of updates being crucial. There are three primary methods for managing Windows updates: 1. Per-client updates: Default for standalone clients, offering minimal control. 2. Windows Server Update Services (WSUS): Centralized management since 2005, allowing extensive control but requiring more administrative effort. 3. Windows Update for Business (WUfB): A cloud-based model providing greater control through tools like Group Policy and Mobile Device Management (MDM). WUfB offers several advantages, including policy-based management, granular control over deployments, and the elimination of on-premises WSUS servers. To implement WUfB, organizations must meet specific requirements, including using Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, or Team editions, Azure AD joining, and having the necessary licenses such as Microsoft 365 Business Premium. Administrators can defer feature updates for up to 365 days and quality updates for up to 30 days using Group Policy. They can create servicing rings for managing update deployments, such as testing, pilot, and rollout rings. Configuration involves creating Group Policy Objects (GPOs) linked to the appropriate Organizational Units (OUs) and setting relevant policies. WUfB reporting is available through the Azure Portal, allowing administrators to monitor update statuses and troubleshoot devices.