functionality Archives

Winsage

June 17, 2025

Microsoft Confirms Windows Upgrade Choice—100 Day Deadline Nears

A flaw in Windows 11 related to update KB5063060 is causing installation failures for many users, particularly in the gaming community, with error codes such as 0x800f0922, 0x80070002, 0x80070306, and 0x800f0991. Microsoft has announced an additional upgrade option for at least 240 million users still on Windows 10, as support will be withdrawn in just over 100 days. A new PC-to-PC migration experience is being rolled out to help users transfer files and settings during setup, and a Windows Migration feature integrated within the Windows Backup tool is being tested to assist those unable to upgrade due to hardware limitations. This feature is currently hidden in the latest release preview build but can be activated with a specific feature ID.

Winsage

June 17, 2025

Breath new life into a PC with this bundle—Microsoft Office and Windows 11 Pro under $50

A lifetime license for Microsoft Office Pro 2019 and Windows 11 Pro is available for .97, originally valued at 9. Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 in 2025, making an upgrade to Windows 11 Pro essential for continued security updates and new features. Windows 11 Pro includes an AI assistant called Copilot, and features for gamers such as DirectStorage and AutoHDR. Microsoft Office Pro 2019 provides offline versions of applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint without a subscription.

AppWizard

June 17, 2025

Android 16 glitch is making some Pixel phones a pain to navigate

Android 16 is causing significant issues for Pixel users, particularly with navigation gestures and buttons freezing, lagging, or becoming unresponsive. Pixel 8 Pro owners report delays of up to 30 seconds when swiping or navigating back, while Pixel 9 Pro XL users face similar problems with the swipe-up gesture. Complaints have surged on forums, especially Reddit, where users describe their navigation actions failing altogether. The issues affect models from Pixel 6 to the 9 series. Artem Russakovskii from Android Police shared a screen recording highlighting the severity of the bug. Google has not addressed the problems, and users are advised to use the bug report tool to voice their concerns in hopes of a patch being released.

Winsage

June 17, 2025

Microsoft Quietly Disabled Windows Hello Facial Recognition in the Dark

Microsoft has made an adjustment to Windows Hello Facial Recognition that affects its functionality in dimly lit environments due to a security vulnerability. This change, introduced in the April 2025 Patch Tuesday updates for Windows 11 and Windows 10, requires color cameras to detect a visible face for sign-in. The update addresses a Windows Hello Spoofing vulnerability that was being exploited. Previously, the feature could identify users in low-light conditions using near-infrared imaging technology. Users have reported a workaround by disabling the webcam in Device Manager, allowing IR sensors to authenticate in low light.

Winsage

June 17, 2025

Microsoft’s Urgent New Windows 10 Update Brings Free Feature For All Users

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14. To assist users in transitioning to Windows 11, Microsoft has introduced a free tool that allows data transfer. Users with compatible hardware are encouraged to upgrade, while those without can use either the paid OneDrive service for cloud backup or the new Windows Migration feature for direct PC-to-PC data transfer. The Windows Migration feature will be included in the upcoming Windows 10 update, KB5061087, and allows users to transfer information directly to a new PC over the same network. This feature is currently in testing and aims to facilitate the migration to Windows 11.

Winsage

June 16, 2025

Microsoft has disabled a ‘key feature’ to enhance Windows security – The Times of India

Microsoft updated the Windows Hello face unlock functionality in April, which now fails to operate in low-light environments due to a strategic decision aimed at addressing a spoofing vulnerability. Users of Surface Laptops have reported frustrations as they can no longer access their devices using facial recognition in dark rooms. The update requires color cameras to see a visible face when signing in. Researchers from Nanyang Technological University identified a vulnerability in the system that allowed unauthorized access, although Microsoft categorized it as "important" and stated the likelihood of exploitation remains low. A temporary workaround for users is to disable the webcam through Windows 11's Device Manager, but this renders the camera unusable for other applications.

Tech Optimizer

June 16, 2025

Databricks rolls out Lakebase Postgres and Agent Bricks for AI-era apps

Databricks has introduced the Lakebase Postgres database layer to enhance its lakehouse architecture, facilitating AI applications and analytics on operational data. The company also launched Agent Bricks to simplify the development of automated AI agents. During the Data + AI Summit, CEO Ali Ghodsi emphasized the importance of transitioning from outdated systems to modern solutions for AI. Lakebase, powered by Neon technology, is a fully managed, Postgres-compatible database that supports data loading from over 300 sources. Databricks aims to unify operational and analytical systems for real-time decision-making. The summit outlined a three-chapter framework: establishing the lakehouse, integrating AI, and introducing Lakebase. Agent Bricks enables business users to create AI agents without extensive technical knowledge, while Managed Iceberg Tables support external engines and promise performance optimizations. Databricks announced partnerships with Microsoft and Google Cloud for deeper integration and AI model usage. The company is investing 0 million in AI education and plans to release Lakeflow Designer for no-code ETL capabilities. Databricks anticipates reaching .7 billion in annualized revenue by July, with a growth rate of 50 percent and plans to hire 3,000 employees in 2025. Lakebase is currently in Public Preview.

Winsage

June 16, 2025

Windows 11’s hidden PC migration feature proves Microsoft isn’t messing around when it comes to killing off Windows 10

Microsoft is preparing a new feature for Windows 10 that will facilitate PC-to-PC migration, expected to debut alongside Windows 11. This feature, tentatively named “Transfer information to a new PC,” is integrated into the existing Backup app and has been observed in a preview build, although it is currently hidden and not enabled for testing. Some Windows Insiders have managed to activate the migration feature with limited functionality. To transfer data and settings from a Windows 10 device to a new Windows 11 machine, both computers must be connected to the same network, and a confirmation code will be required to establish the link. The urgency for this feature is heightened by the approaching end of support for Windows 10 in October 2025, as Microsoft aims to streamline the transition for users unable to upgrade their machines.

Winsage

June 16, 2025

Microsoft’s Windows Hello facial recognition no longer works in the dark

Microsoft updated its Windows Hello face unlock feature in April, requiring adequate lighting for functionality to address a security vulnerability. The facial recognition system now relies on color cameras to detect visible faces, making it ineffective in low-light conditions. Users can disable the webcam via Windows 11 Device Manager as a workaround, but this disables the camera for all applications. The security flaw was identified by researchers at Nanyang Technological University and classified by Microsoft as "important," though it has not been publicly disclosed or exploited. Inquiries about reinstating dark-room functionality in future updates are pending.

AppWizard

June 16, 2025

Gemini app switches to always available nav drawer on Android

Google is enhancing its Gemini app on Android by introducing a navigation drawer, similar to its web version. This update includes a hamburger button that reveals the drawer, featuring a "New chat" button, two recent Gems, and a link to "Explore Gems." The "Recent" history list now supports infinite scrolling, and pinned conversations are prioritized at the top. The navigation drawer can be accessed while viewing conversations or browsing other pages, sliding the main screen to the right. On Android tablets, the drawer opens automatically but can be hidden for a fullscreen experience. This feature is part of Google app version 16.23, currently in beta, and users may need to force stop the app to access the new features.