Ethernet Archives

AppWizard

May 3, 2025

This one app has made my life easier and my wife happier

The author has at least 35 different smart home devices, leading to a fragmented experience with multiple apps and services. They are considering using Home Assistant as a central hub for device control, which supports various protocols like Matter, Thread, Zigbee, HomeKit, and Nest. Home Assistant can be installed easily on devices like Raspberry Pi or Virtual Machines, requiring a constant network connection. Once set up, it consolidates controls into one interface, allowing for custom dashboards and automations. Recent developments, such as Google discontinuing support for older Nest Thermostats, have prompted users to seek alternatives like Home Assistant for a unified control experience. The introduction of customizable lock screen shortcuts in Android 14 allows users to replace the Google Home app with Home Assistant. Users are encouraged to start simple and gradually expand their system.

Winsage

April 21, 2025

I got my hands on the redesigned successor to 2024’s best gaming laptop for most people — I’m confident that I’m going to love it, but there is ONE downside

Lenovo has introduced the Legion Pro 7i (Gen 10), a gaming laptop featuring the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, a 24-core processor, and NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 50-series GPUs, including the RTX 5090 with 24GB of VRAM. It supports upgradeable DDR5 RAM and SSD storage, with plans for PCIe Gen5 options. The laptop has a redesigned CNC-milled aluminum chassis and a QHD+ OLED display with a 240Hz refresh rate and 0.5ms response time. The charging adapter has increased from 330W to 400W to support a peak TDP of 250W. The Legion Pro 7i is slightly larger but about 8% lighter than its predecessor. It features improved thermal management and retains essential connectivity options, including HDMI 2.1, gigabit Ethernet, USB Type-C, and a new Thunderbolt 4 port. Initial gameplay tests show performance improvements, achieving 158 FPS in Forza Horizon 5 and 134 FPS in Gears 5. The starting price is ,599.99.

Winsage

April 7, 2025

Windows 365 Link Cloud PC now available for $349.99

Microsoft has launched the Windows 365 Link, its first cloud PC, available for purchase in the U.S. at a price of .99. The device features an Intel N250 processor, 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and 64GB of UFS storage. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-A 3.2 Gen1, USB-A 3.2 Gen2, USB-C 3.2, Ethernet, HDMI 2.0, and DisplayPort 1.4. It measures 120 x 120 x 30mm. The device requires a stable internet connection for optimal performance, and its hardware specifications may not meet the demands of intensive tasks. In comparison, Apple's Mac Mini, priced at 9, features an M2 chip, 8GB of unified memory, and 256GB of SSD storage. Microsoft claims that Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop can save employees 6 to 12 minutes daily and organizations between .1M and .2M over three years through BYOPC programs. The Windows 365 Link is aimed at businesses integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem, offering a cost-effective solution for cloud-managed workstations.

Winsage

April 4, 2025

Vole punts pricey plastic brick for cloudy PCs

Microsoft has introduced the Windows 365 Link, a compact device priced at £349, designed to connect users to Windows Cloud PCs hosted on Azure. Weighing 418 grams, it features HDMI, USB-C, three USB-A ports, Ethernet, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. The device is only compatible with organizations using Windows 365 (Enterprise, Frontline, or Business), Intune, and Microsoft Entra ID, excluding government users. It promises high-performance video playback and conferencing, particularly with Teams, but functions primarily as a cloud dongle aimed at simplifying IT administration and enhancing security. The Link connects to Windows 365 in seconds and is available through select resellers like Ricoh UK and Insight Enterprises in the U.S.

Winsage

April 4, 2025

Gone all in on Windows 365? Microsoft has a box for you

Microsoft's Windows 365 Link is a compact device priced at £349, designed to connect users to a Windows 365 Cloud PC hosted in the Azure cloud. It measures 120 mm x 120 mm x 30 mm and weighs 418 grams. The device features an HDMI port, a USB-C port, three USB-A ports, an Ethernet socket, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi support, but lacks local storage. It is aimed at organizational use for employees utilizing Windows 365 with Microsoft Intune and Microsoft Entra ID, supporting Windows 365 Enterprise, Frontline, and Business editions, while excluding Windows 365 Government. The device is marketed towards desk-based or frontline workers in shared workspaces and is available through select resellers like Ricoh UK and Insight Enterprises in the US.

Winsage

April 2, 2025

Microsoft reveals new tool to help with Windows 11 boot recovery crashes

Microsoft is piloting a Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) tool for Windows 11, available to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel for version 24H2. QMR aims to reduce downtime from boot crashes by activating when a device encounters startup issues, transitioning to Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) to reconnect to the network for crash data analysis. Microsoft can then deliver solutions via Windows Update. The feature will be enabled by default on Windows 11 Home devices, while Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise administrators can manage its functionality. The initial rollout allows IT administrators to enable/disable the tool, configure scanning intervals, and conduct readiness tests. Feedback from users is encouraged to improve the tool, though a timeline for general availability has not been announced.

Winsage

March 31, 2025

A New Microsoft Tool Automatically Detects, Diagnoses, and Resolves Boot Issues in Windows

Microsoft has introduced a tool called "Quick Machine Recovery" to address boot failures in Windows devices. This feature automatically detects, diagnoses, and resolves critical system issues that prevent devices from starting correctly. It is currently available in the Windows Insider Preview Beta Channel for Windows 11, version 24H2. Quick Machine Recovery aims to reduce downtime by automating the diagnostic and remediation processes, allowing IT administrators to deploy targeted fixes directly to affected devices through the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE). Key capabilities include automated remediation based on real-time crash data, admin customization options, and a test mode for simulating recovery processes. The recovery process begins when a device enters Windows RE due to a boot failure, utilizing a network connection to communicate with Microsoft’s recovery services. Future updates are expected to enhance networking configuration support. The feature is enabled by default for Windows 11 Home users, while IT administrators for Pro and Enterprise devices can customize its deployment.

Winsage

March 30, 2025

Microsoft tests new Windows 11 tool to remotely fix boot crashes

Microsoft is testing a new tool for Windows 11 called Quick Machine Recovery, which aims to address issues related to buggy drivers and configurations that hinder the operating system's startup. This tool is part of the Windows Resiliency Initiative, designed to enhance system stability and minimize downtime by automating the detection, diagnosis, and rectification of critical failures. Quick Machine Recovery will allow Microsoft to deploy targeted remediations remotely during widespread outages affecting device startup, thus automating fixes without complex manual interventions. The tool will automatically initiate when a new driver or configuration change disrupts startup, establishing an internet connection to transmit crash data to Microsoft for analysis and remote fixes. Microsoft plans to enable this feature by default in Windows 11 Home editions, with customization options for enterprise users. A test remediation package will soon be released for Windows Insider Preview Beta Channel users to experience Quick Machine Recovery.

Winsage

March 30, 2025

Windows 11 gets Quick Recovery to fix computers that cannot boot

Microsoft introduced Quick Machine Recovery at the Ignite conference, a feature within its Windows Resiliency Initiative for Windows 11, aimed at improving user experience during system failures. This tool allows users to recover their systems when boot failures occur by transitioning into recovery mode and connecting to the internet to analyze crash data and retrieve fixes via Windows Update. Quick Machine Recovery is currently being tested in the latest Windows 11 Beta build, with plans for a broader rollout across all Windows 11 editions. IT administrators can enable or disable this feature and customize settings such as network credentials and scanning intervals. The feature is designed to help mitigate the impact of widespread outages and assist users with critical bugs and compatibility issues.

Winsage

March 28, 2025

How to easily create an unattended answer file for Windows 11

On Windows 11, an answer file named autounattend.xml can be created to streamline the installation process by bypassing setup steps. To create this file, users need to install the DISMTools application, which provides a wizard for generating the unattended file. The installation of DISMTools involves using Command Prompt to run the command: winget install CodingWondersSoftware.DISMTools.Preview. To create the unattended file, users launch DISMTools, navigate to the "Unattended answer file creator," and follow the wizard to configure settings such as system language, processor architecture, disk settings, product key, account settings, and network settings. The final step is saving the file as autounattend.xml. To integrate the answer file into Windows 11 installation media, users download the Media Creation Tool, select the USB flash drive option, and copy the autounattend.xml file to the USB drive. This prepares the USB for an unattended installation of Windows 11. The XML file may also appear as "unattend.xml" in other contexts.