Education Archives

Winsage

March 6, 2026

Windows Server 2025 Native NVMe: Storage Stack Overhaul and Benchmark Results

On December 15, 2025, Microsoft announced native NVMe support in Windows Server 2025, marking a significant evolution in data management and access. The new architecture replaces Disk.sys with NVMeDisk.sys, allowing direct communication from the filesystem to hardware via StorMQ, eliminating latency and enhancing performance. Testing revealed increased read speeds, particularly in random 4K and 64K benchmarks, with significant reductions in average read latency and lower CPU usage during sequential operations. Write operations showed modest improvements. A registry modification is required to enable this feature, and caution is advised due to potential complications with NVMe drives when deduplication is enabled.

BetaBeacon

March 5, 2026

Excerion Sun LLC Launches Hi Stakes Market Game on iOS and Android

- Hi Stakes Market Game operates on a persistent online market with modeled market dynamics. - The platform supports a variety of simulated instruments and order types. - Price movements are driven by stochastic modeling and supply-and-demand mechanics. - AI-driven market events and sentiment shifts influence asset behavior. - Players can complete objectives for reputation and rewards. - In-game credits can be used for giveaways for physical prizes. - Multiplayer interaction allows players to observe, discuss, and contest strategies. - The game is available for free download on mobile platforms and major app stores.

AppWizard

March 2, 2026

Meta makes changes following a Solon man’s $1 million loss in scheme police say started on Facebook Messenger

A 63-year-old resident in Solon, Ohio, lost over a million dollars to a scammer posing as a cryptocurrency investment guru. The scam began with a friendly outreach on Facebook, which transitioned to WhatsApp for private conversations. Over several months, the victim was convinced to invest in what he thought was a legitimate opportunity. This incident reflects a broader trend, as the FBI reported that Ohioans aged 60 and older lost over a million to fraud in 2024. Meta Platforms is enhancing tools to detect and disrupt fraudulent activities on its platforms, including new warnings for screen sharing requests on WhatsApp. In the first half of 2025, Meta removed eight million accounts suspected of scams and shut down 21,000 pages impersonating legitimate businesses. Warning signs in the Solon case included initial contact from a stranger, a quick shift to cryptocurrency discussions, and unusually high promised returns.

Winsage

March 2, 2026

RAT Malware Via Windows Explorer Puts Crypto at Risk

Cofense Intelligence reported that threat actors are exploiting Windows File Explorer and WebDAV servers to deliver Remote Access Trojans (RATs) to corporate systems, bypassing browser security measures. This method allows attackers to infiltrate machines without using web browsers, taking advantage of File Explorer's ability to connect to remote WebDAV servers. Despite WebDAV being deprecated by Microsoft in November 2023, it is still supported in Windows, creating a vulnerability. The campaigns began in February 2024, with a significant increase in September 2024, and 87% of these campaigns deliver multiple RATs, including XWorm, Async RAT, and DcRAT. Victims typically receive phishing emails disguised as invoices, containing URL or LNK shortcut files that initiate a WebDAV connection. The attacks often utilize Cloudflare Tunnel for hosting malicious WebDAV servers, making the traffic appear legitimate. Notably, 50% of affected campaigns are in German, while 30% are in English. The report emphasizes the risks posed to individuals holding digital assets, as RATs can access sensitive information, including crypto wallet files. Organizations are advised to monitor network traffic for Cloudflare Tunnel instances and educate users about the risks associated with File Explorer's capabilities.

AppWizard

February 25, 2026

Proton beam therapy comes to Minecraft to help children prepare for cancer treatment at The Christie

Young cancer patients can now explore a virtual representation of the proton beam therapy centre at The Christie in Manchester through Minecraft, marking the first instance of a working NHS health facility recreated in the game. This initiative, developed by The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and Microsoft with input from clinical specialists, aims to familiarize children with the therapy environment to reduce anxiety before treatment. The virtual centre includes key areas such as reception, waiting areas, imaging rooms, and play preparation rooms, and features interactive elements like functioning MRI machines and hidden rooms. The Minecraft environment is scaled up to five times the actual centre for easier navigation. The project was primarily developed by Microsoft volunteers and has received positive feedback from young patients like 10-year-old Ramatulaye, who found it helpful in understanding the hospital layout.

Winsage

February 24, 2026

How to Disable Copilot in Windows 11 — Uninstall, Hide, and Stop It from Coming Back

Microsoft has integrated its AI assistant, Copilot, into various parts of Windows 11, including the taskbar, Edge, and Notepad. Users have expressed a desire to remove Copilot, leading to the creation of a guide detailing methods to disable it. Copilot can be uninstalled through Settings, but additional steps are required to remove it from Edge, Notepad, and Windows Search. Users can also prevent Copilot from reinstalling after updates by adjusting registry settings. The Copilot app is categorized as a standalone application in Windows 11 24H2, making it easier to uninstall compared to previous versions. Methods to disable Copilot include: 1. Uninstalling the app via Settings. 2. Hiding the icon from the taskbar. 3. Using Group Policy Editor (limited to Pro, Enterprise, Education). 4. Removing Copilot for all users using PowerShell. 5. Adjusting settings in Edge and Notepad to disable Copilot features. 6. Editing the registry to remove Copilot from Windows Search and Paint. 7. Remapping the physical Copilot key on newer laptops. 8. Disabling silent reinstallation of Copilot through registry edits. Disabling Copilot will not affect core Windows functionality but will remove AI-specific features such as the chatbot and writing assistance.

Winsage

February 22, 2026

Windows 12 Forecast Six Expert Predictions

Microsoft is preparing for the release of Windows 12, which is expected to feature an AI-native experience with deep integration of Copilot, showcasing capabilities like on-screen comprehension, voice activation, and task automation. The hardware requirements will be elevated, necessitating 16GB of RAM, rapid NVMe storage, and a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for advanced features. Windows on Arm is gaining momentum, with improvements in app compatibility and battery life, while a modular architecture called CorePC is being developed to facilitate faster updates and enhance security. Licensing for Windows 12 is expected to remain unchanged for consumers, with optional cloud-enhanced services available. The update cadence will increase, allowing for faster feature drops independent of major OS releases, with the Windows Insider Program continuing to test new features. Upon its release, Windows 12 will integrate Copilot, provide a more cohesive OS core, and support both x86 and Arm architectures.

AppWizard

February 21, 2026

Everyone should get into birdwatching, and as a birdwatching devotee, here are the 4 upcoming birding games on Steam I’m keeping tabs on

Birdwatching games are emerging to engage players in birding from home, combining entertainment and education. "Flock Around" is an idle game where players create a birdwatching environment, waiting for various species to visit and collecting treasures. "Look to the Birds" is a first-person photography simulator that allows players to explore diverse biomes, capture images of birds, and document their behaviors, unlocking new areas and encountering rare species. These games aim to provide a unique introduction to birdwatching.

Winsage

February 20, 2026

Copilot Arrives In Windows 11 File Explorer And Taskbar

Microsoft is integrating its AI assistant, Copilot, into the Windows 11 ecosystem, allowing users to access AI capabilities directly through familiar interfaces. Users can invoke Copilot agents by pressing the @ key in the taskbar search, enabling tasks like document summarization and research initiation without switching contexts. A "Researcher" agent can handle inquiries and provide comprehensive reports, enhancing productivity for knowledge workers. In File Explorer, a new Copilot icon allows users to summarize documents and extract insights without opening applications, improving efficiency with common file formats like Word and PDF. These features are available to Windows 11 users with Microsoft 365 Work or School accounts who have been granted access by their organizations. Copilot+ PC owners will benefit from additional functionalities such as voice transcription and contextual screenshotting, enabled by the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) in newer AI PC designs. Microsoft aims to position Copilot where work naturally occurs, but adoption remains low, with only 3.3% of users subscribing to premium tiers. The integration raises governance and privacy considerations for IT leaders, as it must comply with existing frameworks like Microsoft Purview. Best practices suggest piloting Copilot features with select users and implementing data loss prevention rules. Overall, the integration of Copilot into Windows 11 is designed to save users time and enhance productivity while maintaining organizational security.

Tech Optimizer

February 19, 2026

The 5 Biggest Cybersecurity Threats to Watch in 2026: Is Your Business Safe From These Looming Dangers? – Travel And Tour World

In 2026, cybersecurity has evolved significantly, necessitating organizations to prioritize five critical threats identified by expert Danny Mitchell from Heimdal: 1. AI Vulnerabilities: Attackers can manipulate machine learning models by introducing corrupted data, leading to dangerous decisions by AI systems. 2. Cyber-Enabled Fraud and Phishing: Phishing attacks have become more sophisticated with AI, using deepfake technology to impersonate individuals and evade detection. 3. Supply Chain Attacks: Cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in software libraries and vendor relationships, compromising trusted software updates and access credentials. 4. Software Vulnerabilities: The rapid discovery of software vulnerabilities outpaces patching efforts, leaving systems exposed to attacks, especially legacy systems. 5. Ransomware Attacks: Modern ransomware employs double extortion tactics, encrypting and stealing data, pressuring businesses to comply with ransom demands. Mitchell recommends strategies such as auditing AI systems, implementing multi-channel verification, securing supply chains, prioritizing patch management, and developing ransomware response plans to combat these threats.