enhanced features Archives

Tech Optimizer

July 13, 2026

Best antivirus software for 2026, tested and reviewed by an expert

The digital landscape is increasingly threatened by scams and cyberattacks, necessitating robust antivirus solutions for various devices. Modern antivirus software has evolved into comprehensive security suites that include features like VPNs, email protection, and dark web monitoring. Users must balance feature richness with system performance, as costs can vary significantly after initial promotional rates. The best antivirus software includes: - Bitdefender Premium: Rated 4.5/5, priced from £49.99 per year, known for strong performance and a comprehensive feature set but limited to a single device for the free version. - Surfshark One: Rated 4/5, priced from £1.99 per month, recognized for its user-friendly interface but lacking some central features. - Norton 360 Deluxe: Rated 4/5, priced from £29.99 per year, praised for excellent performance and light system impact, though its interface is less polished. - Avira Free Security: Rated 3/5, free option available, offers basic protection but prompts users to upgrade frequently. - Avast One: Rated 4/5, free option available, features a modular design but includes persistent upgrade prompts. Each antivirus package provides solid protection against cyber threats, with many offering free trials for evaluation.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

Google Earth Pro is headed for the graveyard, and fans aren’t happy about it

Google Earth Pro will no longer be available as a desktop application starting June 25, 2027, as Google encourages users to transition to web and mobile versions. Users have expressed dissatisfaction with the web version's limitations compared to the desktop app, particularly regarding data display and vertex restrictions. The desktop app will continue to function for existing users post-deadline, but no updates will be provided. Windows users will retain access, while Mac users may encounter issues due to the discontinuation of support for Rosetta-emulated applications in macOS 28, affecting those with M-series chips.

Winsage

July 8, 2026

Windows 11’s new Cloud Rebuild can fix your PC even when it won’t boot

Microsoft has introduced a new recovery feature for Windows 11 called Cloud Rebuild, aimed at simplifying the restoration of non-booting PCs without the need for physical recovery drives. Announced at the Ignite 2025 conference, it is available in the Windows 11 Insider Experimental Preview Build 26300.8772. Cloud Rebuild allows users to restore their PCs to a clean state by performing a full OS reinstall, downloading the necessary Windows image and drivers directly from Windows Update. This feature is designed for recovery scenarios and can be accessed even when the system is unresponsive. It may first attempt a Quick Machine Recovery, and if that fails, it will transition to a cloud-based reinstallation. To use Cloud Rebuild, users must navigate to Troubleshoot → Recovery and Uninstallation → Cloud Rebuild within the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), and it will erase all existing files on the computer. Currently, it is primarily aimed at system administrators, and users of Windows 11 Home may consider upgrading to Windows 11 Pro to utilize its features.

Winsage

July 6, 2026

A Windows 11 bug can eat 500GB of your storage. Here’s how to check

A hidden bug in Windows 11 can consume up to 500 GB of storage due to the CapabilityAccessManager.db-wal file, which should only occupy a few megabytes but can grow significantly on certain systems. Users can check for this issue using applications like TreeSize or by executing a command in the Windows Command Prompt. Microsoft has acknowledged the problem and provided a fix in the optional June 2026 update, with a broader rollout planned for the July Patch Tuesday update. Users are advised not to modify or delete the file to avoid further complications.

Winsage

July 5, 2026

Get Office 2021 + Windows 11 Pro lifetime access for just $39.19 today only

Consumers can purchase lifetime licenses for Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and Windows 11 Pro for .19, reduced from 9.99, using the promotional code JULY30 until July 5 at 11:59 p.m. PT. The bundle allows installation on a single compatible Windows PC without ongoing subscription fees. Microsoft Office Professional 2021 includes applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Access, Publisher, and Teams. Windows 11 Pro features include BitLocker, Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, Azure AD support, and Copilot.

TrendTechie

July 2, 2026

Релиз BATorrent 3.0 — легковесного BitTorrent-клиента, созданного на C++, Qt 6 и libtorrent-rasterbar

BATorrent 1.0 is a lightweight BitTorrent client released in March 2026, developed using C++, Qt 6, and libtorrent-rasterbar. It is open-source and available on GitHub under the MIT license, with builds for Windows, Linux, and macOS. Key features include support for magnet links and .torrent files, resuming capabilities, sequential downloading, file prioritization, and imports from qBittorrent. It has automatic RSS downloading with regex filtering, duplicate detection, and automatic tracker list generation from Stremio. Streaming is supported with players like VLC and IINA. BATorrent emphasizes user privacy with no telemetry or analytics, and the only outgoing request is a release check on GitHub, which can be disabled. The user interface includes three themes, a real-time speed graph, a detailed tabbed panel, a filter panel, drag-and-drop support, and system tray notifications. It supports multiple languages and prioritizes privacy with features like PT mode for private trackers, one-click Tor proxy setup, and leech blocking. Notifications can be sent via Telegram webhook, and it has enhanced Discord presence status and native OS notifications.

AppWizard

July 1, 2026

PSA: Samsung Messages app on your Galaxy phone will stop working this month

Samsung has announced the discontinuation of its Samsung Messages app for Galaxy phone users, effective July 2026. Users on Android 11 and earlier will still have access to the app until it ceases to function, but they will lose regular messaging capabilities. Emergency services can still be contacted through the app. Samsung is facilitating a transition to Google Messages, which will serve as the official replacement, and has provided resources to help users transfer their message history. Google Messages has evolved significantly and may offer enhanced features to ease the transition.

Winsage

July 1, 2026

🚨 Windows users, don’t let a $9.97 Pro upgrade pass you by

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is available for .97, down from 9, as part of the Extended Deal Days event, valid until 11:59 p.m. PT today. Key features include BitLocker, Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, and Azure AD Support. User experience enhancements include Snap Layouts, Copilot, DirectX 12 Ultimate, and Biometric Sign-In. The purchase is a one-time fee, and users should verify compatibility with Microsoft's PC Health Check app.

AppWizard

June 29, 2026

Today’s best Android app deals and freebies: TLOTS, My Cozy Island, Hitman Sniper, Defenchick, more

A selection of Android game and app deals includes titles such as White Room, TLOTS: Gold Edition, My Cozy Island, Hitman Sniper, Unreal Life, and Defenchick: Tower Defense. Best Buy is holding its annual 4th of July sale with discounts on Android phones, televisions, appliances, and more. Windows Copilot+ PCs have price reductions of up to 0, the Galaxy S26 Ultra has cuts of up to 0, and all Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 models are discounted by 0.

AppWizard

June 24, 2026

I finally found the best personal knowledge management tool on Android after years of switching back and forth

The author explored various personal knowledge management (PKM) tools on Android and initially avoided Obsidian due to dissatisfaction with its earlier mobile app versions, which felt cramped and outdated. However, after revisiting the redesigned Obsidian app, they appreciated its modern user interface and improved usability. Obsidian's use of plain Markdown files allows for better file management and future-proofing of notes. The app supports both quick capture of ideas and deeper exploration through linking notes and creating a cohesive knowledge base. Features like Quick Note, Daily Note widget, and Graph View enhance its functionality. Data syncing requires some setup, with options for Obsidian Sync or third-party solutions. Ultimately, Obsidian stands out as a customizable and long-lasting PKM tool for the author’s workflow.