files Archives

Winsage

August 18, 2025

Windows 11 Dark Mode Is Getting A Key Upgrade And It’s About Time

Microsoft is testing an enhanced dark mode experience for operating system dialog notifications in Windows 11 build 26100.5061, released on August 14. This feature is currently not universally accessible, as it remains concealed within the operating system's files. Advanced testers have identified and enabled these features using tools like ViVeTool, although caution is advised due to potential risks. Despite the introduction of dark mode in 2016, many areas of Windows still operate in light mode, and certain UI elements may not transition to dark mode. Users have expressed frustration over the timeline for a cohesive dark mode experience, contrasting it with Apple's seamless implementation in macOS.

Winsage

August 18, 2025

Microsoft Windows 11 24H2 Update May Cause SSD Failures

Microsoft released a Defender security update during the August 2025 Patch Tuesday, targeting the Lumma stealer and other malware, which included the Windows 11 24H2 cumulative package (KB5063878). Early installations faced an error code, 0x80240069. Testing revealed that some solid-state drives (SSDs) became inaccessible and displayed unreadable SMART telemetry after sustained sequential writes of about 50 GB. A Japanese tester, NichePCGamer, documented failures in 21 different drives during tests involving large file transfers, particularly when controller utilization exceeded 60%. Failures were noted in several Phison-based NVMe models and other drives, with symptoms often reappearing after a reboot. Users are advised to back up data and avoid lengthy transfers on systems updated to KB5063878 while investigations continue.

Winsage

August 18, 2025

The latest Windows 11 update will fix a 10-year-old interface bug

The Windows 11 update 25H2 will focus on fixing bugs from the previous version 24H2 and will include enhancements, particularly to the dark mode. The dark mode will feature a more uniform appearance across all windows and system buttons, addressing previous inconsistencies where some elements appeared in light mode. Updates include a dark gray file copy interface and darker tones in confirmation windows, although some issues, such as light mode buttons in administrator permission windows, remain. These updates are currently available only through manual activation in Windows Insider builds and have not been officially announced by Microsoft.

AppWizard

August 18, 2025

This could be my new PDF scanner app once Microsoft Lens is taken away

Microsoft Lens is integrating into Copilot, prompting users to seek alternatives like PDFgear Scan, a mobile scanning app that utilizes AI for document processing. Upon launching PDFgear Scan, users access its core functionalities directly, though newcomers may find this disorienting. The app offers various scan modes and organizational tools, but customization options are limited. It successfully scans documents with impressive OCR performance, even in challenging conditions, and allows saving extracted text in formats like DOCX, though it lacks advanced formatting options. PDFgear Scan excels in receipt tracking, efficiently capturing key data and allowing users to verify or modify information. It includes a search function with filters for categorizing purchases. While it offers basic editing tasks and signature creation, edited receipts may lose their original recognition. The app features an AI chatbot for querying scanned documents, but its accuracy can be questionable. PDFgear Scan is a free alternative to Microsoft Lens, providing a user-friendly interface and effective scanning capabilities, particularly for receipt management, but it lacks some specialized features of Microsoft Lens.

AppWizard

August 18, 2025

Confirmed—These 20 popular Android apps are accessing your microphone, location and files without you knowing it… and thus spying on you

A study by Which? and Hexiosec analyzed 20 popular Android apps, revealing that many request excessive permissions beyond their core functionalities. Notably, Xiaomi Home requested 91 permissions, Samsung SmartThings 82, Facebook 69, and WhatsApp 66. TikTok and Temu also raised concerns for their permission requests, while Amazon defended its need for camera access for product scanning. Additionally, 16 of the tested apps attempted to display pop-up windows over other applications, indicating aggressive monitoring tactics. Users are advised to check app permissions, set them manually, deactivate background access, download official apps, and keep their devices updated to protect their privacy.

Winsage

August 18, 2025

Windows 11 24H2 Security Update Causes SSD/HDD Failures and Potential Data Corruption

A significant security update from Microsoft, Windows 11 24H2 (KB5063878), is causing issues for users, making SSDs and HDDs inaccessible and potentially corrupting user data. Users have reported installation failures with error code 0x80240069, and despite a hotfix, the update has led to storage drives disappearing from the Windows environment, particularly during large sequential write operations. Recovery attempts are often unsuccessful, putting user files at risk. Microsoft has not provided an official fix, and users are advised to avoid the update and ensure routine data backups. Unplugging and reconnecting the affected drive may temporarily restore visibility but does not guarantee data safety.

Winsage

August 18, 2025

Microsoft: WUSA may fail to install recent Windows updates

Microsoft is addressing an issue with the Windows Update Standalone Installer (WUSA) that affects the installation of Windows updates from network shares, primarily impacting Windows 11 24H2 and Windows Server 2025 systems in enterprise networks. The problem leads to updates failing with the error ERRORBADPATHNAME when multiple .msu files are present on a network share. This issue does not occur with single .msu files or local installations. A Known Issue Rollback (KIR) is available to mitigate the problem for home and non-managed business devices, while IT administrators can implement a Group Policy fix for affected systems. Users can also avoid the issue by saving .msu files locally for installation.

Winsage

August 18, 2025

Windows 11 could finally get a finished dark mode – but I can’t believe how long it’s taken

Microsoft is working to enhance the dark mode experience in Windows 11, focusing on extending it to critical interface components like dialog boxes for file operations. Observations indicate that a preview build includes changes that promise a dark background for these dialog boxes, although some elements still reflect the traditional light theme. The updates are currently hidden and require specific user configurations to access. Despite the slow evolution of dark mode since its introduction in Windows 10, recent developments suggest that Microsoft is prioritizing its completion in Windows 11.

AppWizard

August 18, 2025

How To Password Protect Your Android Apps (And Why You Might Want To)

Google has introduced security features for Android devices to enhance user privacy, including the "Private Space" feature for password-protecting specific applications. To enable Private Space, users must navigate to Settings, then Security & Privacy, select Privacy, and find Private Space. Users can set a different password from their screen lock for added security and can choose various authentication methods. Apps can be transferred to Private Space by pressing and holding the app icon and selecting the option to install it there. The Private Space feature is available only for devices running Android 15 or newer. Users should check their Android version in Settings under About phone or About tablet. For added privacy, using a separate Google account for protected apps is recommended to reduce risks associated with account compromise.

Winsage

August 18, 2025

Windows 11 Latest Update: More Critical Issues Now Emerging, Report Claims

The Windows 11 update (KB5063878) released on August 12 has caused significant issues, particularly with solid-state drives (SSDs) failing after large data writes. Initially, installation errors were reported mainly among enterprise users, but concerns have since spread to home users as well. An emergency update was issued to address the problems. Users have experienced SSDs becoming non-functional during substantial file transfers, with reports of drives disappearing from the operating system and SMART data becoming unreadable. Experts suggest the failures may be linked to a storage driver or kernel-level regression in the update that mishandles long sequential writes, potentially causing controller lock-ups. Users are advised to avoid long sequential write operations, especially on affected drives.