file formats Archives

Winsage

August 21, 2025

LibreOffice 25.8 Strengthens Privacy Focus in Competitive Office Suite Market

LibreOffice 25.8 has been released by The Document Foundation, emphasizing user privacy and data control. The update features significant performance improvements, with Writer and Calc opening files up to thirty percent faster and enhanced memory management for older machines. It improves compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats, reworks word hyphenation and spacing, and adds fifteen new spreadsheet functions. The software now supports exports to the PDF 2.0 standard and introduces new scripting capabilities. However, it no longer supports Windows 7, 8, and 32-bit systems, and macOS 10.15 users will receive their final update. LibreOffice remains free, without subscriptions or advertising, and offers professional support through certified partners.

Winsage

August 21, 2025

LibreOffice 25.8 Released With UI Enhancements, Better Performance

LibreOffice has released version 25.8 of its open-source office suite, featuring user interface refinements for improved navigation and usability. The update includes a performance boost, with up to a 30% increase in speed for opening files in the Writer and Calc applications. It enhances compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats to facilitate collaboration. Additionally, the release contains various minor enhancements for a smoother user experience. Downloads and more information are available on The Document Foundation Blog.

Winsage

August 19, 2025

10 open-source apps I recommend every Windows user download

Open-source software provides alternatives to proprietary applications for Windows users, enhancing productivity without traditional software licenses. 1. LibreOffice is a free office suite that includes word processing, spreadsheets, and a database component, operates locally, and supports MS Office formats. 2. Flow Launcher is a free file search and application launcher that allows quick access to applications and files through a customizable hotkey. 3. Duplicati is a free backup solution that supports various storage destinations, offers encryption, scheduling, and remote management for data security. 4. Nextcloud is a free, locally hosted file storage and collaboration solution that allows users to control their personal data. 5. Franz is a free application that consolidates multiple messaging platforms into a single interface for easier communication. 6. YAZB (YAZB Reborn) is a free tool that customizes the Windows experience by creating a top bar displaying system information. 7. File Converter is a free application that allows users to convert various file formats through a right-click context menu option. 8. Bitwarden is a free open-source password manager that offers password generation and secure file sharing, with premium features available. 9. AutoHotKey is a free tool for automating tasks through scripting, enabling the creation of hotkeys and macros. 10. Ollama is a free open-source AI application that allows local interaction with AI models, ensuring data privacy.

AppWizard

August 4, 2025

These are my 5 favorite e-book reader apps, but one leaps out from the page

Traveling with a single book can be challenging for avid readers, leading many to use e-readers like Android tablets, which support various e-book reader apps. Readera is highlighted as a top choice for Android e-book reading, compatible with older devices and supporting multiple file formats (EPUB, DOC, MOBI, DJVU, CHM, AZW3). It features a nostalgic interface, customizable reading options, and a free version with a premium upgrade for additional features. Moon+ Reader is noted for its visually appealing library interface and excellent file management capabilities, including integration with cloud services and online libraries. It offers various themes and an innovative highlighting system, with ads that can be removed for a fee. Librera has a clean interface with search and sorting options, multiple reading modes, and context menus for web searches and dictionary lookups, though it lacks some advanced features of other apps. FBReader is recognized for its straightforward design and essential features, suitable for users who prefer simplicity. It supports plugins for expanded functionality and has a free version that meets most users' needs. Lithium is a lightweight reader that automatically organizes e-books and offers fast loading speeds, enhancing the reading experience on modern devices.

AppWizard

August 3, 2025

Fix: “Skin Images Must Be 64×64 or 64×32 PNG Files” Error in Minecraft

Uploading a custom skin in Minecraft can result in the error message: “Skin images must be 64×64 or 64×32 pixel PNG files.” This indicates that the skin does not meet Minecraft’s requirements, which specify that skins must be either 64×64 or 64×32 pixels and in PNG format. Factors contributing to upload failures include using unofficial skin sources, incorrect file formats or dimensions, compatibility issues with different skin types, and temporary server problems. To troubleshoot skin upload issues: 1. Convert the image to PNG format using Paint by opening the file and saving it as a PNG picture. 2. Change skin dimensions to 64×64 or 64×32 pixels using a skin editor tool, verifying dimensions through file properties. 3. Disable the “Only Trusted Skins” setting in Minecraft Bedrock Edition to allow custom skins from non-official sources. 4. Convert the skin into a skin pack using the MCBuild Skin Pack Generator, ensuring the file is in PNG format and under 40KB in size. If problems persist, contact Mojang Support or check the official Minecraft bug tracker for ongoing issues.

Winsage

July 30, 2025

Adobe releases Windows on Arm versions of Premiere Pro and After Effects

Adobe has launched public beta versions of Premiere Pro, After Effects, Audition, and Media Encoder optimized for Windows on Arm. The beta versions have limitations, including Premiere Pro's lack of support for third-party extensions and raw video files like ProRes, as well as missing hardware-accelerated playback and export for H.264 and HEVC in MP4 format. After Effects also lacks ProRes support and has restrictions on importing and exporting various file formats, including ARRIRAW and WMV, and does not support MotionJPEG and MKV imports. Audition and Media Encoder share similar limitations. Adobe began its ARM transition with a beta release of Photoshop for Windows in late 2020, and the transition for Premiere Pro and After Effects has taken longer than expected. Users of Qualcomm-powered Copilot Plus PCs have relied on emulated versions of Premiere Pro, which have struggled with performance for intensive video editing tasks.

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.

Tech Optimizer

July 7, 2025

XWorm RAT Deploys New Stagers and Loaders to Bypass Defenses

The XWorm Remote Access Trojan (RAT) has evolved its attack strategies by incorporating advanced stagers and loaders to evade detection. It is known for its capabilities, including keylogging, remote desktop access, data exfiltration, and command execution, and is particularly targeted at the software supply chain and gaming sectors. Recent campaigns have paired XWorm with AsyncRAT for initial access before deploying ransomware using the leaked LockBit Black builder. XWorm utilizes various file formats and scripting languages for payload delivery, often through phishing campaigns with deceptive lures like invoices and shipping notifications. It employs obfuscation techniques, including Base64 encoding and AES encryption, and manipulates Windows security features to avoid detection. Persistence mechanisms such as registry run keys and scheduled tasks ensure sustained access. XWorm conducts system reconnaissance, queries for antivirus software, and attempts to disable Microsoft Defender. It can propagate via removable media and execute commands from command-and-control servers. The Splunk Threat Research Team has developed detections for suspicious activities related to XWorm infections. Indicators of compromise include various file hashes for different scripts and loaders associated with XWorm.

Winsage

July 1, 2025

Fix Error 0xc00d36c4 in Windows 10/11: 5 Working Methods

Error code 0xc00d36c4 is a common media playback issue in Windows 10 and 11, occurring when the operating system cannot open certain video or audio files. This error can appear in applications like Windows Media Player, Groove Music, and the Movies & TV app, and is often associated with file corruption, unsupported formats, external storage issues, DRM restrictions, or outdated software. Five solutions to fix the error include using 4DDiG Video Repair for corrupted files, converting files to supported formats with a converter, trying a different media player like VLC, updating media components, and checking external storage devices. 4DDiG Video Repair supports various formats such as MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, M4V, FLV, 3GP, and MP3 and WAV.

Winsage

May 30, 2025

WordPad is dead in Windows 11, but Notepad is absorbing its skills

Microsoft has announced updates to Notepad, integrating "lightweight formatting" capabilities that include support for markdown input and file formats, bold and italic fonts, and hyperlinks, accessible via a new toolbar. These features are not in testing and will be available on Windows PCs soon. This shift follows the retirement of WordPad in late 2023, leaving a gap for basic text editing. The enhancements position Notepad as a viable replacement for WordPad. Additionally, Microsoft is introducing the Edit app, an open-source command-line interface, to complement Notepad's new features and improve user experience.