A paid Xbox emulator called X1 Box is now available on the Google Play Store for Android users, but a free alternative is in the works by the creators of the existing free emulator Xemu.
The Microsoft Store has recently added applications like VLC, Foobar2000, Firefox, and Brave, but several essential applications are still missing, leading users to download installers from developers' websites. Microsoft has discontinued support for Office installations via the store, and the transition to allowing Win32 app formats has introduced more applications, although many developers may find this shift too late, with full support for Win32 apps not expected until 2025. Notable applications currently unavailable on the Microsoft Store include:
- Steam: A critical gaming platform with over 140 million users, absent from the store due to Valve's competition with Microsoft.
- Notepad++: A popular text and code editor known for its simplicity and versatility, requiring direct download from its official website.
- Calibre: An open-source e-book manager that allows users to organize, convert, and enrich e-books, also needing to be downloaded from its official site.
- qBittorrent: A free and open-source torrent client offering a clean interface and extensive features, available only through direct download from its official website.
- Paint.net: While available on the Microsoft Store for a fee, it can be downloaded for free from the developer's website, providing robust image editing features.
MobiFlix is a video-on-demand streaming application available for Fire TV and Android TV/Google TV devices, offering a vast library of movies and TV shows without subscriptions. It features thousands of titles across various genres, working subtitles, full-screen viewing, and streaming quality up to 1080p. Users may experience some buffering and playback issues, and account registration is required for additional features like favorites. MobiFlix must be sideloaded, as it is not available in mainstream app stores. The app's interface allows easy navigation between movies, TV shows, and genres, with organized sections for user convenience. While registration is not mandatory, it can enhance the user experience. The app is free to use, has passed a virus scan with no malicious files detected, but may distribute copyrighted content without proper licensing, raising legal concerns. A VPN is recommended for privacy while using the app.
The Collections tool in Microsoft Edge is being retired, and users will soon be unable to add new items to it. They are advised to export their saved content or transfer pages to Favorites before the feature is removed. Transferring to Favorites will result in the loss of additional content like images and notes, while exporting will preserve content in a CSV file but will not keep it within the browser. Collections has not gained significant traction among users, leading to its phased-out status. Additionally, the Edge Sidebar app list is also being retired, raising concerns about the future of the entire Sidebar feature as Microsoft aims to simplify Edge and promote Copilot.
Recent evaluations of three free alternative file managers—OneCommander, Files, and FileVoyager—show that they outperform Windows File Explorer in efficiency and usability, particularly for tasks like bulk renaming and data transfer. While File Explorer has improved with features like tabs and cloud integration, it still falls short for power tasks, requiring excessive clicks and context switching.
OneCommander offers a familiar interface with dual-pane layouts, tabs, and interactive navigation, excelling in seamless navigation and file operations. It maintained stable connections during large data transfers. Files is a modern, open-source option with strong cloud support and effective media handling, benefiting from community-driven updates. FileVoyager provides extensive control with dual panes and customization options, appealing to power users who prefer keyboard-driven control.
All three alternatives demonstrate improved interaction efficiency and stability during complex tasks compared to File Explorer, making them viable replacements for users managing extensive media libraries or engaging in heavy bulk processes.
Todoist is implementing a price increase, raising the monthly subscription by 40% and the annual plan by 25%. Users on Pro Legacy plans, who signed up before June 2022, will not be affected by the price hike. A poll indicates that 92% of users are considering switching to a competing app. Alternatives to Todoist include:
- TickTick: Priced at .99 annually, offers features like custom lists, filters, tags, a built-in calendar, Pomodoro timer, and habit tracker.
- Notion: Free and serves as an all-in-one workspace, though it requires setup for task management.
- Microsoft To Do: A free app that supports natural language input and offers straightforward task management.
- Tasks.org: An open-source, ad-free app that prioritizes user privacy and allows for task creation, due dates, reminders, and tagging, but does not support natural language input.
Google's November 2025 update to ChromeOS introduces enterprise-grade virtualization, allowing Chromebooks to stream and run legacy Windows applications through Cameyo. This update enables users to access full-featured desktop applications without traditional Windows installations. Enhancements in generative AI, including Gemini and intelligent file suggestions, are also part of this update. ChromeOS now features AI-generated recaps, personalized activity suggestions, and a Focus mode to minimize distractions. The operating system can be installed on older Windows PCs or Macs for free through ChromeOS Flex, offering quick boot times and automatic security patches. While ChromeOS excels in speed and efficiency for general tasks, it does not natively support resource-intensive software, which remains a strength for Windows.
Android's built-in security features are sufficient for most users, making paid antivirus subscriptions often unnecessary.
YouTube Premium costs .99 per month for an ad-free experience, background playback, and offline downloads, but users can use the Brave Browser for ad removal and background playback for free, while NewPipe allows offline downloads.
NordVPN costs .99 per month, but Proton VPN offers a free tier without data caps suitable for casual users.
WPS Office Premium requires payment to remove ads and increase cloud storage from 1GB to 20GB, while Google Docs provides 15GB of free cloud storage and better functionality.
LinkedIn Premium costs .99 per month but does not guarantee better job offers; optimizing a profile and networking are often more effective.
CCleaner and similar apps may slow down devices, while built-in tools like Files by Google can effectively manage cache for free.
Adobe Express Premium offers advanced graphic design features for a fee, but Canva provides a robust free alternative.
CamScanner Premium is only necessary for advanced features; Adobe Scan and Microsoft Lens offer similar functionality for free.
Evernote's free version limits users to 50 notes on one device, while Google Keep allows unlimited note-taking and syncing for free.
Kaspersky and other antivirus apps may be unnecessary as Android's Play Protect feature offers adequate security for most users.
The Windows 11 Start menu has been criticized for its cumbersome layout and limited customization options. Microsoft has made attempts to improve it, including adding folder creation for shortcuts in late 2022 and a redesign in October 2025, but user dissatisfaction remains. Alternatives to the default Start menu include:
- Start11: A paid application by Stardock, available for .99 annually or a permanent license, offering seven layouts, extensive customization options, and the ability to rename, move, and delete folders directly from the menu.
- StartAllBack: A more affordable option at .99 per license, providing a simpler interface with three themes and customization of the taskbar and File Explorer features.
- Open Shell Menu: A free alternative that allows users to choose from various layouts and customize the Start button, offering a traditional experience without cost. Uninstalling any of these alternatives will revert the system back to the standard Windows 11 Start menu.
Microsoft is discontinuing support for Windows 10, raising concerns about increased electronic waste and cybersecurity risks for users unable to upgrade. Approximately 40% of Windows users may lack alternatives, as many devices do not meet the requirements for Windows 11. Research indicates that up to 240 million outdated devices could end up in landfills due to this policy change. Microsoft will provide security updates for Windows 10 for one more year, but users delaying upgrades may face vulnerabilities to cyber threats. Upgrading to new devices can be costly, with prices starting around 0, while Linux Mint is suggested as a free alternative that can extend the life of current devices. Linux Mint requires only 2GB of RAM, 20GB of disk space, and a minimum resolution of 1024×768. Advocates are promoting the right to repair and legislation to combat planned obsolescence to make technology more sustainable.
