external drives Archives

Winsage

December 30, 2025

4 Easy Ways to Install Windows 11 on Unsupported CPU

The transition to Windows 11 is significant due to new features, enhanced security, and improved performance. Users with unsupported CPUs may face challenges when upgrading, including installation warnings, potential performance issues, lack of Microsoft support, and possible bugs. Preparations for installation include backing up files, creating a system image, and disconnecting unnecessary devices. Four methods to install Windows 11 on unsupported CPUs are: 1. 4DDiG Partition Manager: This tool bypasses checks for TPM 2.0, CPU, and Secure Boot. 2. Registry Editor: Modify settings to skip hardware checks by creating a DWORD value named “AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU” and setting it to “1”. 3. Rufus: Create a modified Windows 11 USB installer that bypasses checks for TPM, Secure Boot, RAM, and CPU. 4. Replace appraiserres.dll File: Swap the appraiserres.dll file in the installation media with a modified version to bypass hardware checks.

Winsage

December 27, 2025

5 Free Windows Apps You’ve Probably Never Used (But Should)

EarTrumpet is a free and open-source application for Windows that simplifies audio control, allowing users to manage per-app volume settings and switch audio outputs easily. It supports hotkey configurations and has a modern interface with dark mode. Ditto Clipboard enhances the clipboard functionality in Windows 11, allowing users to store hundreds or thousands of clipboard entries, with a search feature and support for various content types. UniGetUI is a universal app manager that simplifies software installation and updates by consolidating access to multiple app repositories and supporting bulk operations. WizTree is a utility that analyzes storage drives to identify large files and folders, presenting data visually through a tree map and scanning terabytes of data quickly. MusicBee is a music manager and player that organizes local music collections, automatically seeds tags and artwork, supports various audio formats, and offers customizable features.

Tech Optimizer

December 7, 2025

How to find and remove viruses on your Windows PC – 12 free methods that I can attest to

Modern antivirus solutions have reduced PC infections, but risks persist as cybercriminals develop stealthy methods to infiltrate systems. Signs of infection include unfamiliar programs, missing files, slow performance, and disabled security settings. If infection is suspected, disconnect from the internet, boot into Safe Mode, and run a full system scan with Windows Security or Microsoft Defender. To enhance cybersecurity post-infection, users should clear temporary files, reset browser settings, uninstall suspicious applications, scan external drives, keep Windows updated, use strong passwords, and verify sources before engaging with links or attachments. Tools like VirusTotal can help scan files from unverified sources. If performance issues continue, a complete reinstallation of Windows 11 may be necessary, ensuring essential files are backed up first.

Tech Optimizer

November 29, 2025

Virus Alert: 4 Warning Signs on Your Laptop You Must Not Ignore

Laptops are at risk of viruses due to internet connectivity and USB drives. Signs of potential virus infection include: 1. Sudden Slowdown: A laptop that slows down unexpectedly may have a virus consuming resources. Action: Conduct a full antivirus scan. 2. Unexplained Pop-Ups: Frequent pop-ups or ads may indicate malware. Action: Install a malware removal tool and enable pop-up blocking. 3. Programs Opening or Closing Automatically: Applications launching or shutting down without command could signal a remote access trojan. Action: Disconnect from the internet and run antivirus scans. 4. Strange Hard Drive or Network Activity: Excessive disk or network activity while idle may suggest hidden malware. Action: Monitor task manager for suspicious processes. Preventive measures include keeping antivirus software updated, avoiding unknown USB drives, regularly updating the operating system, and backing up important files.

Winsage

November 26, 2025

Your Windows 11 upgrade not working? Try my 5 favorite troubleshooting tricks

When upgrading to Windows 11 on older hardware, users may encounter frustrating error codes and messages. To resolve upgrade issues, it is recommended to: 1. Ensure all necessary driver and firmware/BIOS updates are installed, as many users have found success after addressing these updates. 2. Check Microsoft's Windows release information dashboard for known issues related to the upgrade, as there may be temporary compatibility blocks that can be bypassed by updating or uninstalling incompatible software. 3. Restart the upgrade process after checking for pending updates, uninstalling unnecessary software, and disconnecting non-essential peripherals. Selecting "Not right now" for update downloads can help minimize complications. 4. Search for specific error codes and messages online, using reliable sources like Reddit or Microsoft for potential solutions. 5. Utilize the SetupDiag tool to analyze Windows log files for detailed reports on upgrade failures, which can help identify the causes of issues. This involves downloading the tool, creating a specific folder, and running commands in an elevated command prompt to generate a readable report.

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

SMB/Samba Server Pro For Android

SMB/Samba Server Pro is a mobile application that allows users to establish a secure SMBv3 server on their devices. Key features include fully customizable server settings, support for SD cards and attached USB (OTG), multiple user accounts with anonymous access, multiple shares (mount points), read/write share options, the ability to toggle visibility of hidden files, and root support. The app is priced at USD 0.99 and has a content rating suitable for everyone. It is compatible with various Android versions but currently holds a rating of 3.3 stars based on over 1,000 reviews. The application was developed by AL-SULTAN (Mohamed Gamal Al-Quaiti), but does not provide support contact details.

Winsage

November 17, 2025

I tried 3 Windows laptops with Qualcomm chipsets this year – and found 3 glaring issues

Last year, Microsoft introduced Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, prompting the purchase of a Surface Pro 11, which became essential for daily tasks. This led to acquiring additional devices, including a Surface Laptop and a Dell XPS 13, both with Snapdragon X Elite chips. Despite effective marketing, businesses remain cautious about these devices. Windows on Arm has improved for Office applications and web services, with devices maintaining cool temperatures and long battery life. However, there are limitations: backup software may not work effectively on Arm devices, as external drives are inaccessible during recovery, necessitating workarounds like network or cloud storage. Installing Linux on Snapdragon-powered PCs is challenging due to a lack of compatible installation images, making Intel-based PCs more practical for work tasks. Additionally, Arm-based devices have performance constraints for gaming, with Snapdragon processors unable to compete with dedicated GPUs, making high-performance gaming unfeasible.

Tech Optimizer

November 13, 2025

12 ways to find viruses on your PC for free (and how to remove them)

In cybersecurity, modern viruses operate subtly, making them hard to detect while stealing data. Signs of infection include unfamiliar programs, missing files, erratic browser behavior, frequent error messages, and disabled security settings. If infected, disconnect from the internet, boot into Safe Mode, and run a full scan with Windows Security or trusted antivirus software. To protect your PC, delete temporary files, reset browser settings, uninstall suspicious apps, scan external drives, install updates, change passwords, and avoid suspicious links. For suspicious files, use VirusTotal to check for malware. If problems persist, a complete reinstallation of Windows 11 may be necessary after backing up important files.

Winsage

October 18, 2025

Optical drive demand surges amid Windows 10 retirement — Japanese users switching to Windows 11 are buying up Blu-ray drives | Tom’s Hardware

Microsoft has officially concluded support for Windows 10, leading to a surge in demand for Windows 11, particularly in Japan's Akihabara district. This increase in interest in Windows 11 has coincided with a revival in the popularity of optical drives, as consumers seek to retain access to their physical media collections. There is a notable scarcity of internal Blu-ray drives (BD-R) in the market due to this demand. A representative from Dospara Akihabara Main Shop noted that many consumers prefer internal drives for their writing speed, despite modern PC designs often not accommodating them.

Winsage

September 29, 2025

I used DISM to create a Windows installer with all my apps, and here’s how it works

To back up a Windows 11 image, start with a fresh installation and use the Sysprep tool to generalize the system, avoiding Microsoft Store apps to prevent Sysprep failure. Prepare two external drives: one for storing the Windows image (minimum 8GB) and another bootable drive configured with Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE). Download the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) and the Windows PE add-on to create the bootable USB drive. Enter Audit Mode by pressing Ctrl+Shift+F3 at the out-of-box experience screen, disable app updates, and install desired applications for the entire system. Use Sysprep to enter Out of Box Experience (OOBE), check Generalize, and select Shutdown. Boot from the Windows PE drive, use diskpart to identify drive letters, and capture the image with the DISM command. To apply the image on a new PC, create a diskpart script for partitioning and a batch script for applying the image. Boot the new PC from the Windows PE drive, run the diskpart script to create partitions, and execute the batch script to apply the image. This method is efficient for deploying consistent applications across multiple PCs.