File Conversion Archives

Tech Optimizer

March 18, 2025

FBI: Free file converter sites and tools deliver malware

Malware peddlers are targeting users searching for free file converter services, as reported by the FBI’s Denver Field Office. Cyber criminals use deceptive websites that promise file conversion but may deliver malware, allowing unauthorized access to victims' computers and extracting personal identifying information (PII), banking details, and passwords. Users are advised to keep antivirus software updated and scan downloaded files. A list of flagged domains includes: - Imageconvertors[.]com (Phishing) - Convertitoremp3[.]it (Riskware) - Convertisseurs-pdf[.]com (Riskware) - Convertscloud[.]com (Phishing) - Convertix-api[.]xyz (Trojan) - Convertallfiles[.]com (Adware) - Freejpgtopdfconverter[.]com (Riskware) - Primeconvertapp[.]com (Riskware) - 9convert[.]com (Riskware) - Convertpro[.]org (Riskware) Users affected by malware are encouraged to contact their financial institutions and change passwords.

Winsage

March 3, 2025

Microsoft adds JPEG XL support to Windows 11 with a quick download

Windows 11 users can enhance image handling with the JPEG XL image extension, available for download from the Microsoft Store. This feature requires Windows 11 version 24H2 and allows users to view and save images in the .jxl format. The extension also enables conversion of existing JPEG files to the lossless JPEG XL format, reducing file sizes while preserving image quality, and allows reverting JPEG XL files back to the original JPEG format. JPEG XL offers advantages over traditional JPEG, including improved compression efficiency, support for a broad color scale (32 bits), high bit depth, dynamic range, animation, alpha channels, layers, thumbnails, and both lossless and progressive coding. It is designed for optimal display across various devices and is suitable for web content and professional photography. The codec is efficient for computational processing without needing additional hardware acceleration, benefiting mobile devices.

Winsage

February 17, 2025

7 alternatives to built-in Windows tools that will blow you away

- Process Lasso is a powerful alternative to Task Manager, offering features like dynamic CPU adjustments and SmartTrim memory management. - Notepad++ is a text editor that supports multiple programming languages, syntax highlighting, and includes macros and plugins. - 7-Zip is a file compression tool that handles various formats and allows users to split, merge, and encrypt files. - Everything is a search tool that quickly finds files and folders, scanning both names and document contents. - Audacity is a multitrack digital audio workstation for recording audio, supporting various formats and real-time effects. - Flow Launcher allows users to launch files, folders, applications, and websites without using the Start menu. - VLC Media Player plays a wide range of audio and video file formats and offers features like file conversion and live stream recording.

Winsage

December 24, 2024

Free Guide – How to Edit a PDF File on Windows 10

Editing PDF files on Windows 10 is often necessary for correcting errors, filling out forms, adding comments, or updating information. Various free PDF editors are available online, including Tenorshare PDNob, which offers a free month of premium features. To edit a PDF using Microsoft Word, open the program, select the PDF file, and make edits after it converts to an editable format. Adobe Acrobat allows for professional editing but requires a subscription for advanced features. Tenorshare PDNob provides a free solution with features like text editing, file conversion, compression, watermark removal, image extraction, and secure editing. Windows 10 does not include a built-in PDF editor, but it has Microsoft Edge for basic viewing and annotations. Editing a PDF file is possible with tools like Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, or dedicated editors like Tenorshare PDNob.

Winsage

December 19, 2024

I used the command prompt to convert my media files on Windows, here’s how you can too

Windows Command Prompt can be used to convert media files into various formats using FFmpeg, an open-source multimedia framework. To set up FFmpeg on a Windows system, users must download it from the official FFmpeg website, extract the files, and create a folder for FFmpeg. The path to the FFmpeg "bin" folder must then be added to the system's Environment Variables to allow global access from the Command Prompt. To convert files, users can navigate to the folder containing the media files and use specific commands: - For images: ffmpeg -i Image.OriginalFormat Image.NewFormat - For audio: ffmpeg -i Audio.OriginalFormat Audio.NewFormat - For video: ffmpeg -i Video.OriginalFormat Video.NewFormat - To extract audio from a video: ffmpeg -i Video.OriginalFormat Audio.NewFormat FFmpeg supports various formats: - Image Formats: JPG/JPEG, PNG, TIFF, BMP, GIF, WebP, ICO, PPM, PGM, PBM, TGA - Audio Formats: MP3, AAC, WAV, OGG, FLAC, AC3, ALAC, WMA, AMR, AIFF, Opus, MP2, PCM, M4A, DTS - Video Formats: MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, WMV, FLV, WebM, MPEG, OGG, 3GP, RM, TS, M2TS, VOB, DIVX, HEVC If the error "ffmpeg is not recognized as an internal or external command" occurs, it usually indicates a problem with the path configuration in the Environment Variables.

TrendTechie

July 27, 2024

uTorrent Review 2024 [Features, Security, Pricing & More]

uTorrent is a leading BitTorrent client that operates on a freemium ad-supported model. It briefly bundled a bitcoin miner with its desktop client, which caused controversy. The free version is ad-supported and has a cumbersome process to disable ads, while the paid plan offers features like torrent streaming and automatic file conversion, which often underperform. uTorrent is beneficial for Android users who want a unified torrent client across devices. Pros of uTorrent include a user-friendly interface, remote access capabilities, a dedicated Android application, a built-in scheduler, and RSS feed support. Cons include ads in the free version, limited search engine functionality, lack of torrent streaming in the free version, no sequential downloads for free users, underperforming Pro features, separate paid versions for Classic and Web, insufficient security features, and poor customer support. uTorrent Classic is the traditional desktop version, while uTorrent Web is a browser-based alternative with fewer customization options. The official Android app allows remote management of downloads. Security features are limited, and while uTorrent supports proxy servers, it lacks support for the enhanced BitTorrent v2 protocol. The Pro antivirus feature claims to detect malicious content but is not a substitute for dedicated antivirus solutions. uTorrent maintains a lightweight footprint, consuming around 35MB of RAM and 1.5% to 3% CPU usage during operation. Download speeds depend on individual torrent trackers, and while it performs satisfactorily, it can be slower than other clients. The settings panel can be overwhelming, and features include connection limits, bandwidth management, and torrent labeling. Pricing for uTorrent's Pro version is limited, and the process to disable ads can be cumbersome. Free users have no direct support, relying on a sparse knowledge base, while Pro users can submit support tickets with slow response times. The main issues with uTorrent are its ad-supported free version, lack of open-source status, and features behind paywalls. It is considered safe to use with a VPN for added protection when downloading copyrighted materials. Functionally, uTorrent and BitTorrent are identical, with the choice depending on personal interface preference.

Tech Optimizer

April 17, 2024

What Is a TS File? How to Open One

The .TS file extension serves dual functions in video and programming. In video, it is synonymous with Transport Stream files used in DVDs, Blu-ray discs, and digital broadcasting systems. In programming, it signifies scripts written in TypeScript, a language that enhances JavaScript capabilities.