Free Software

AppWizard
July 25, 2025
A coalition of five digital rights and privacy organizations has filed a complaint against Google under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), alleging that the company restricts user autonomy on Android devices by making it difficult to remove or disable pre-installed applications like Google Search, Chrome, and Maps. The complaint claims that Google, designated as a ‘gatekeeper’ under the DMA, fails to comply with legal obligations to allow users to uninstall default services easily. Users reportedly face hidden settings, complicated instructions, and misleading warnings when trying to disable Google apps, which the coalition argues are designed to keep users reliant on Google's services. The European Commission has received the complaint and will review it as part of its enforcement process for the DMA, which allows for fines up to 10% of a company's global annual revenue and mandates changes in business practices for compliance.
AppWizard
July 24, 2025
A coalition of six civil society organizations has filed an antitrust complaint against Alphabet in Europe, alleging violations of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The complaint claims that Alphabet has not complied with DMA requirements that mandate tech "gatekeepers" to allow users to easily uninstall pre-installed applications. The organizations involved include ARTICLE 19, European Digital Rights, Free Software Foundation Europe, Gesellschaft für Freiheitsrechte, Homo Digitalis, and Vrijschrift.org. They argue that Google's Android operating system makes it difficult for users to remove pre-installed apps and that Alphabet discourages users from disabling these applications. The complaint requests an investigation by the European Commission into Alphabet's potential breach of the DMA. Alphabet has dismissed the allegations, stating that uninstalling apps on Android is easy and that similar complaints have been rejected by other regulatory bodies. The European Commission is currently assessing the complaint.
Winsage
July 24, 2025
Microsoft announced that users of Windows 10 can enroll in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which extends security updates for an additional year beyond the official end-of-life date of October 14, 2025. The new expiration date for Windows 10 is now set for October 13, 2026. The ESU program is available only to individual consumers, not commercial users, and users must actively sign up to receive the updates. The ESU provides access to critical and important security updates but does not include other types of fixes, feature enhancements, or technical support. After October 13, 2026, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates, security patches, or technical assistance for Windows 10.
Winsage
July 18, 2025
Microsoft will continue to provide security updates for Windows 10, but feature updates will no longer be available. Square Enix has confirmed that Final Fantasy 14 will cease support for Windows 10 starting in October, coinciding with the end of Microsoft's assistance for the OS. Future iterations of the game will not be optimized or tested for Windows 10, although it may still run on the platform. Users are encouraged to upgrade to Windows 11 as support for Windows 10 comes to an end.
Winsage
June 22, 2025
Microsoft plans to discontinue support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, despite a strong preference for it among users. As of June 2025, Windows 10's market share dropped from 66% to 49%, while Windows 11's share increased from 29% to over 47%. The gap between the two operating systems has narrowed to 1%. Microsoft has implemented full-screen reminders to encourage users to upgrade to Windows 11, branding 2025 as the "year of the Windows 11 PC refresh." Windows 11 adoption has increased, but many PCs are unable to upgrade due to stringent minimum system requirements, which include a 64-bit processor, at least 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot, and TPM version 2.0. Microsoft introduced a new category of Windows 11 PCs called Copilot+ PCs, which feature advanced capabilities and security measures. Starting October 14, 2025, users on Windows 10 will not receive free updates, leaving them vulnerable to security risks. Users whose PCs do not meet the requirements for Windows 11 can either buy new machines or subscribe to the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for continued support. Enterprise users will pay £48 for the first year of ESU, increasing to £192 for the third year, while consumers can access it for £24 for an additional year. Some users are exploring alternatives like Linux or ChromeOS Flex for older hardware.
Tech Optimizer
May 6, 2025
A group of YouTubers, led by Tranium, conducted an experiment to download as many computer viruses as possible within an hour to raise cybersecurity awareness. Tranium collected approximately 530 viruses, while Crypto NWO detected 732 across 199,508 files. The experiment highlighted the dangers of downloading free software and the risks associated with 'free' antivirus programs, illustrating the ongoing threats in the digital landscape.
Tech Optimizer
April 30, 2025
A significant vulnerability, designated as CVE-2025-3500, has been identified in Avast Free Antivirus, allowing attackers to gain elevated system privileges and execute malicious code at the kernel level. The vulnerability has a high CVSS score of 8.8 and was publicly disclosed on April 24, 2025, shortly after a patch was implemented. It originates from inadequate validation of user-supplied data in the aswbidsdriver kernel driver, leading to an integer overflow prior to buffer allocation. Attackers must first execute low-privileged code on the target system to exploit this vulnerability. The flaw affects multiple versions of Avast Free Antivirus, specifically versions ranging from 20.1.2397 to 2016.11.1.2262. A fix was released in version 25.3.9983.922, and users are urged to update their software promptly. Security experts recommend enabling automatic updates and using standard user accounts for daily activities to mitigate risks.
Winsage
March 27, 2025
Microsoft will cease support for Windows 10 later this year, ending free software updates and security patches. Users are encouraged to upgrade to Windows 11 Pro, currently available for .97, down from its regular price of 9. Windows 11 Pro includes features such as remote desktop access, BitLocker device encryption, and Hyper-V. This offer is valid until March 30. Windows 11 Home can be installed for free but lacks essential features for professionals. Upgrading to Windows 11 Pro also provides access to Copilot, an AI assistant powered by GPT-4. Upon purchase, users receive a download link and activation code for installation on up to two devices.
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