feature Archives

Winsage

July 10, 2025

Unofficial Windows reinstaller app locks you out of your Windows 11 PC until you pay

Windows 11 version 25H2 may allow users to uninstall Microsoft apps, addressing concerns about pre-installed software. However, recent tests suggest that the impact of such bloat on performance is minimal, leading some users to reconsider the need for a cleaner system. A concerning trend involves an unofficial app called "Windows Reinstall Master," which charges users 98 RMB for reinstallation services while locking them out of their operating system. This app resembles ransomware and often installs unwanted software, counteracting users' intentions to reset their systems. The situation is exacerbated by Microsoft's upcoming end of support for Windows 10, prompting users to seek help from unreliable sources, increasing the risk of scams.

Winsage

July 10, 2025

Latest Windows 11 Patch Tuesday fixes Firewall issue

Microsoft has implemented its monthly Patch Tuesday updates for Windows 10 and Windows 11. The updates for Windows 10 focus on security enhancements, while Windows 11 includes various fixes, notably resolving an issue with the Windows Firewall linked to the June 2025 non-security preview update (KB5060829). This issue caused the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security to log an error event (Event 2042: Config Read Failed) upon device restarts, but it did not indicate a malfunction. Microsoft advised IT administrators to disregard the error or filter it out from the Event Viewer. The latest update for Windows 11 version 24H2 (KB5062553) has resolved the Windows Firewall issue, and users are encouraged to install the updates to eliminate the erroneous log.

Winsage

July 10, 2025

Windows BitLocker Bypass Vulnerability Let Attackers Bypass Security Feature

A security vulnerability, designated CVE-2025-48818, has been identified in Windows BitLocker encryption, allowing attackers to exploit a time-of-check time-of-use (TOCTOU) race condition to bypass encryption. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 6.8 and affects multiple versions of Windows, specifically targeting BitLocker Device Encryption. It requires physical access to the target system, has low attack complexity, and does not require user interaction. The affected Windows platforms include Windows 10 (versions 1607, 21H2, 22H2), Windows 11 (versions 22H2, 23H2, 24H2), and Windows Server editions (2016, 2022, 2025). Microsoft has released security updates to address this vulnerability, with key patches for specific Windows versions. System administrators are advised to install these updates and enhance physical security measures to prevent unauthorized access.

Winsage

July 9, 2025

5 Windows Registry tweaks I still use, even in 2025

The Windows registry is a crucial part of Microsoft's operating system, recording various system operations. Users can modify the registry through the Registry Editor to enhance performance and user experience, but must do so cautiously to avoid system issues. To take ownership of files, users can add a "Take Ownership" option to the context menu by creating a .reg file. To restore the old Windows 10 context menu in Windows 11, a new key can be added in the Registry Editor. Power throttling can be disabled by creating a new key and DWORD value in the Registry Editor, improving performance for desktop users. Users can disable the Copilot feature by creating a specific key and DWORD value in the Registry Editor. To reduce telemetry data collection, a DWORD value can be set to 0 in the Registry Editor. It is recommended to back up files and create a Restore Point before making any registry changes, and to test risky tweaks on a virtual machine or secondary device.

AppWizard

July 9, 2025

Samsung’s alleged ‘Auto DeX’ leak is an Android Auto variant you might see

Samsung is reportedly developing a new feature called "Auto DeX" as an alternative to Android Auto, designed to work on smartphones in vehicles that may not support traditional automotive software. The user interface, shared by a tipster, includes an off-center box for primary content, a "Brief" tile, a music application, and dual app bars for ease of use while driving. "Auto DeX" may be inspired by Samsung's existing DeX technology and is expected to be compatible with One UI 7 and 8, particularly for the Galaxy S25 series and the latest foldable devices. The feature is still in early development and has not yet entered internal testing. This development recalls Google's discontinued Android Auto for phone screens, which allowed access to features directly from smartphones. Additionally, Samsung is working on its own version of Android's earthquake alerts.

Tech Optimizer

July 9, 2025

Query Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL using Amazon Bedrock Knowledge Bases structured data

Amazon Bedrock Knowledge Bases has introduced a fully managed Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) feature that connects large language models (LLMs) with internal data sources, enhancing the relevance and accuracy of responses by integrating contextual information from private datasets. During AWS re:Invent 2024, it was announced that this feature now supports natural language querying for structured data retrieval from Amazon Redshift and Amazon SageMaker Lakehouse, allowing generative AI applications to access both structured and unstructured data sources. The system converts user queries into SQL queries using natural language processing, enabling data retrieval without requiring users to know SQL syntax. Amazon Bedrock Knowledge Bases currently supports structured data retrieval from Amazon Redshift and SageMaker Lakehouse. Although direct support for Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible is not available, users can utilize zero-ETL integration between Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible and Amazon Redshift to make their data accessible. This integration replicates Aurora PostgreSQL tables to Amazon Redshift in near real-time, simplifying data management. To enable natural language querying of structured application data stored in Aurora, organizations can set up an Aurora PostgreSQL database, create a schema with interconnected tables (products, customers, and orders), and populate these tables with sample data while maintaining referential integrity. Subsequently, they can establish zero-ETL integration with Amazon Redshift, which involves creating a Redshift Serverless workgroup and mapping the database for synchronization. Once the zero-ETL integration is verified, organizations can create an Amazon Bedrock knowledge base for natural language querying. This requires granting appropriate permissions to the Amazon Bedrock Knowledge Bases AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) role and ensuring the knowledge base is synchronized with Amazon Redshift. After setting up the knowledge base, users can execute natural language queries, which are translated into SQL and processed to generate human-readable responses. Examples of queries include counting unique customers and identifying customers who have purchased the most products. Finally, it is recommended to clean up resources after use to avoid ongoing charges.

Winsage

July 9, 2025

New Windows 11 update delivers a host of new features and fixes – here are 4 things I’m looking forward to

Windows 11's July update includes several new features and fixes, particularly benefiting gamers by resolving issues with mouse cursor behavior when Alt-Tabbing and addressing app freezes and display resets during full-screen gameplay. The update automatically resizes taskbar icons to fit more applications, with an option to disable this feature. Accessibility improvements include the ability to add custom words to the Voice Access dictionary and a new privacy feature for the Narrator tool that blackens the display while reading aloud. For European users, the update allows the chosen default browser to be linked to all file types, reducing unexpected launches of Microsoft Edge. Additionally, a new PC-to-PC migration feature is being introduced in the Windows Backup app to facilitate file and installation transfers over a shared network, with a full rollout expected before the end of Windows 10 support in October 2025.

AppWizard

July 9, 2025

9 best apps for the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s large display

Foldable smartphones have evolved into functional devices, with Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 featuring a book-style design and a large display. Notion is a productivity tool that benefits from the Fold 7's screen space for note-taking and managing tasks. The Kindle app enhances the reading experience by utilizing the larger display for e-books. Samsung's Good Lock app allows for device customization, including features tailored for foldable devices. The Dolphin Emulator takes advantage of the Fold 7's Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset for gaming, allowing users to play GameCube and Wii titles. Super Display enables the Fold 7 to function as a portable monitor for Windows PCs. Canva's photo editor benefits from the larger display for designing graphics. Octopi Launcher allows users to customize app layouts for different screen orientations. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the thinnest and lightest of Samsung's book-style foldables, enhancing the mobile app experience.

BetaBeacon

July 9, 2025

Google is turning Circle to Search into the game guru you never knew you needed

Google has introduced a new gaming help feature to Circle to Search, allowing players to access tips and information about the game they are playing to progress and overcome challenges.

Winsage

July 9, 2025

No more blue screens: How Microsoft is making Windows more resilient

The Windows Recovery Environment is undergoing a transformation to improve usability and efficiency. Key changes include a redesign of the black screen of death to provide a more informative experience, the upcoming introduction of a protected print mode to enhance security, and the automatic encryption of storage on new PCs to protect user data from unauthorized access.