Excel Archives

Tech Optimizer

May 16, 2025

The $1 Billion database bet: What Databricks’ Neon acquisition means for your AI strategy

Databricks acquired the privately held serverless PostgreSQL startup Neon for approximately billion. Neon, founded in 2022, had previously raised million in a Series B funding round. Over 80% of the databases generated on Neon's platform were initiated by AI agents. PostgreSQL, an established relational database platform, is ranked as the fourth most popular database as of 2025. Serverless PostgreSQL offers operational simplicity, allowing on-demand resource allocation, which is particularly beneficial for AI-centric projects. Major cloud providers, including Google, Microsoft, and AWS, offer serverless PostgreSQL services. Databricks aims to build a developer and AI-agent-friendly database platform with this acquisition. Serverless architectures excel in handling short bursts and smaller workloads, providing rapid scalability, but may present challenges in data management. Neon’s model enhances appeal for developers by distinguishing between storage and compute, facilitating automated scaling. The acquisition indicates a shift in infrastructure requirements for successful AI implementation, highlighting the need for flexible, instantly scalable serverless solutions.

Winsage

May 15, 2025

Windows 10 version of Microsoft 365 apps will be supported until 2028—but this isn’t the Microsoft u-turn you may think it is

Microsoft will continue to provide security updates for Microsoft 365 applications, including PowerPoint, Word, and Excel, on Windows 10 until October 10, 2028, despite the end of official support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. A misleading blog post suggesting that Microsoft 365 Apps would cease support on Windows 10 after the 2025 deadline was clarified by a Microsoft spokesperson as not being an official announcement. Extended Security Updates (ESU) are now available to individual consumers, previously limited to commercial clients and educational institutions. Users can purchase ESU, consider third-party security patches, or transition to Linux if they wish to move away from Microsoft’s ecosystem. Additionally, Microsoft recently announced layoffs of 7,000 employees.

Winsage

May 14, 2025

Microsoft extends Windows 10 support, but only for Microsoft 365 users

Microsoft's support deadline for Windows 10 is set for October 14, 2025. Users of Microsoft 365 Apps (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook) will receive security updates until October 10, 2028, even after Windows 10's expiration. An active Microsoft 365 license is required for this extended support. If users experience issues on Windows 10, Microsoft may not provide resolutions if the problems do not occur on Windows 11, and users cannot log bugs related to Windows 10.

AppWizard

May 13, 2025

Clair Obscur player tanks their way through the entire game without dodging or parrying to prove a point: You can finish it without ‘gamer reflexes’

HunterIV4 completed the game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 without using dodging or parrying, challenging the common belief that mastery of these mechanics is essential for success. They utilized the auto QTE feature and focused on a weapon that absorbed damage while buffing party members, playing on Story mode to simplify boss mechanics. HunterIV4's experience suggests that players who may not excel at traditional action game skills can still beat the game with minimal or no dodging.

Winsage

May 13, 2025

Windows 10 M365 apps to get security fixes into 2028

Microsoft will provide security updates for Windows 10 users until October 10, 2028, despite the end of official support on October 14, 2025. Microsoft 365 subscribers on Windows 10 will continue to receive security patches for applications like Word and Excel, but support will be limited to troubleshooting for those unable to upgrade to Windows 11. If issues arise that are exclusive to Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 and do not occur on Windows 11, users will be encouraged to upgrade. Transitioning to Windows 11 has faced resistance due to hardware requirements, particularly affecting users of older Surface devices. As of now, Windows 10 holds a 53 percent global desktop market share, while Windows 11 has 44 percent.

Winsage

May 12, 2025

Microsoft loosens the noose on Windows 10 users with new end-of-support timeline

The official end of Windows 10 is set for October 14, 2025, after which users will no longer receive technical support, new features, or security patches. Windows 10's global desktop market share has decreased from nearly 70% to approximately 53% over the past year, indicating a shift towards Windows 11. Microsoft 365 apps, including Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, and OneDrive, will continue to receive security updates on Windows 10 until October 2028. The Extended Security Updates (ESU) program offers optional, paid security patches for Windows 10 after its end of support. Users may face significant hardware costs when upgrading to Windows 11, and alternatives like macOS or Linux are also options to consider.

Winsage

May 11, 2025

5 reasons I use File Pilot to manage my files on Windows

Microsoft's File Explorer for Windows 11 is considered adequate but lacks certain features, leading users to seek alternatives like File Pilot, which is currently in beta and expected to have a paid release later this year. File Pilot allows users to adjust file views with a slider for seamless transitions and enhances usability by enabling real-time customization. It offers advanced file preview capabilities, particularly for images and TXT files, and features a command bar for quick navigation and access to various functions. The split view feature allows users to create multiple customizable panels for better organization. File Pilot is lightweight, with a download size of 1.8MB, and provides rapid performance, making it effective for managing large sets of files.

Winsage

May 7, 2025

Software engineer taught Microsoft Copilot to analyze Windows crash dumps

Software engineer Sven Scharmentke, known as Svnscha, has developed an open-source tool called mcp-windbg for crash dump analysis, available on GitHub. This AI-driven tool automates the execution of WinDBG/CDB commands, improving productivity in debugging tasks. Svnscha highlights the challenges faced during development, particularly in creating the interaction layer with Microsoft's Command-Line Console Debugger (CDB). The tool enables natural language crash analysis, contextual debugging, and root cause identification, benefiting software engineers and support teams. However, users are advised that a foundational understanding of debugging principles is necessary to effectively utilize the tool, which serves as a "simple Python wrapper around CDB."

Tech Optimizer

May 7, 2025

Opinion: Do you really need separate antivirus software? Probably not

A friend is considering purchasing antivirus software for a new Windows PC and sought advice on the best options. Major antivirus providers include Norton, McAfee, AVG, and Bitdefender, but many features overlap with Windows Defender. Most home users may not need paid antivirus software, as Microsoft and Apple provide built-in solutions. Web browsers and email providers also offer protection against online threats. Windows 11 users can monitor security through the Windows Security dashboard, while Apple users should keep their systems updated. If encountering issues from suspicious links, downloading Malwarebytes is recommended for scanning and repair. The free version is available for both Mac and Windows, but the paid version is suggested for regular use. Opinions on antivirus necessity vary, and those using computers for business may consider investing in a security suite for added peace of mind.

Winsage

May 7, 2025

Microsoft unveils new AI agents that can modify Windows settings

Microsoft has introduced a suite of Windows experiences for Copilot+ PCs, featuring AI agents that help users adjust settings on their computers by interpreting user intent and automating tasks with consent. Users can communicate in natural language to receive guidance or have changes executed directly. This feature will initially be available to English-speaking Windows Insiders on Snapdragon-powered devices, with plans for broader support. Additionally, Microsoft is enhancing Windows search capabilities and expanding Click to Do actions, allowing users to schedule meetings, send messages, consult M365 Copilot, convert data in Excel, and draft documents in Word. Creative tools like Photos, Paint, and the Snipping Tool are receiving updates, including dynamic lighting controls in Photos, a sticker generator in Paint, and new capture capabilities in the Snipping Tool. Upcoming features for Windows 11 Insiders include a phone companion for the Start menu, AI-driven actions in File Explorer, and a new writing function in Notepad for generating text from prompts. Microsoft is also testing a "Draw & Hold" feature in the Snipping Tool and has introduced a text rewriting tool called "Rewrite."