guides Archives

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.

Tech Optimizer

June 16, 2025

Norton Antivirus Review 2025: Solid Value for Fast, Effective Protection

Norton Antivirus has a score of 8.6 out of 10 and was established in 1982. The Norton 360 Deluxe package includes features such as real-time protection, manual and automated scans, the Genie Scam Detector, a password manager, and 2GB of cloud backups. It offers four plans: Norton Antivirus Plus, Norton 360 Standard, Norton 360 Deluxe, and Norton 360 with LifeLock Select Plus, each with varying identity protection features and cloud backup space. The installation process is user-friendly, and the software operates efficiently, using minimal CPU and disk space. Norton has maintained a perfect security ranking from AV-Test for over a decade but has experienced a data breach in the past five years. Customer support includes a knowledge base, community forum, and 24/7 live chat and phone support, with an overall customer support score of 8 out of 10. Norton’s pricing is competitive, particularly for higher-tier plans, resulting in a value ranking of 8 out of 10.

Winsage

June 15, 2025

Microsoft Starts Testing New Settings AI Agent and Recall Export Experience

Microsoft is testing a new AI agent for Windows 11 within the Settings, available for Windows Insiders on Copilot+ PCs with the Dev build 26200.5651. Users in the European Economic Area (EEA) will have access to a revamped Recall export experience in the Beta channel build 26120.4441. The new features include the ability to reset Recall and erase all associated data, new Click to Do actions for Microsoft 365 Copilot and Teams, a larger clock option in the taskbar, improved Windows Share for OneDrive files (not available in the EEA), and enhancements to Voice Access for Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Japanese. Insiders are receiving updates based on Windows 11 version 24H2, with version 25H2 expected later this year.

Winsage

June 14, 2025

6 registry tweaks every tech-savvy user must apply on Windows 11

Windows 11 provides customization tools such as the Settings app, Control Panel, and Group Policy Editor, but advanced users often utilize the Registry Editor for deeper control. Key Registry tweaks include: 1. Disable the Home page in Settings: Modify the Registry to revert the Settings app to open directly to the "System" section instead of the "Home" page by creating a string value named SettingsPageVisibility and setting it to hide:home. 2. Disable automatic Windows Update: Prevent automatic downloads and installations by creating a key named WindowsUpdate under Policies, then a subkey AU, and a DWORD value NoAutoUpdate set to 1. 3. Disable the Lock Screen experience: Expedite the sign-in process by creating a key named Personalization and a DWORD value Nolockscreen set to 1. 4. Enable automatic Registry backup: Restore automatic Registry backups by creating a DWORD value EnablePeriodicBackup set to 1 and scheduling a task to run daily for backup. Editing the Registry carries risks, and it is advised to back up the PC before making changes.

Winsage

June 14, 2025

Windows Central Podcast: Xbox Ally is official, and Aero Glass is back?

This week's episode of the Windows Central Podcast features hosts Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden discussing significant developments in Windows and Xbox, including the newly announced Xbox Ally, which will change gaming on handheld Windows devices. They also talk about Apple's WWDC announcements, particularly Liquid Glass, which they believe may not match the Aero Glass aesthetic from Windows Vista. Additionally, the podcast addresses updates to iPadOS and concerns about how these enhancements could impact the market for low- and mid-range Windows PCs.

AppWizard

June 13, 2025

XYZAPK Free Download: How to Safely Access Premium Android Apps

XYZAPK is an independent repository specializing in APK files for Android applications, offering modded apps, unpublished versions, and region-restricted software. Users can download APKs for free without needing a Google account. The official XYZAPK website provides secure downloads and installation guides, organized into sections for apps and games. The download process involves browsing for an app, tapping "Download APK," and installing it after enabling "Unknown Sources." Popular downloads include modified versions of Spotify Premium, Minecraft Arcade, and PikaShow. Benefits of using XYZAPK include access to premium apps without costs, bypassing region locks, and privacy from Google account requirements. However, risks involve increased malware exposure, lack of official updates, and potential legal issues. To ensure safety, users should verify the official site, check user ratings, use antivirus software, review permissions, and back up their devices. Compared to other platforms like APKPure or Uptodown, XYZAPK is known for its modded versions, while the latter focus on official releases with enhanced safety checks.

BetaBeacon

June 10, 2025

I stumbled upon the perfect reason to use Gemini and NotebookLM on a gaming handheld

The Anbernic RG557 was released with an update introducing "Anbernic AI," a chatbot on gaming handhelds that provides answers and translations. The author attempted to replicate this using AI chatbots Gemini Gems and ChatGPT GPTs, with the help of NotebookLM. NotebookLM was used to create gaming encyclopedias by uploading strategy guides for retro games, converting CBR or CBZ files to PDF for compatibility. The author found this to be a useful resource for gaming information.

AppWizard

June 10, 2025

How To Find And Use Minecraft Mushrooms

Mushrooms in Minecraft can be found in various locations and can be harvested using any tool. Mining a large mushroom block yields up to two mushrooms of the same color, and mushrooms thrive in dimly lit areas with specific spawn rates: a 12.5% chance for red mushrooms and a 25% chance for brown mushrooms. They can grow on nearly any block type and are abundant in swampy regions, mushroom fields, old growth taiga biomes, and the Nether. In a witch's hut, mushrooms can be found in flower pots, and in the Bedrock version, they can appear on fallen trees. Shearing a Mooshroom cow yields five mushrooms, transforming it into a standard cow. Mushrooms can be purchased from the Wandering Trader for one emerald each. Players can plant mushrooms on almost any block except slabs and stairs, and they can grow into large mushrooms with bonemeal under specific conditions. Mushrooms can spread to nearby blocks if there are fewer than five in the area. They are used in various recipes, including Mushroom Stew, Rabbit Stew, Suspicious Stew, and Fermented Spider Eye, which is used for potion brewing.

AppWizard

June 10, 2025

Minecraft Multiplayer – How To Play With Friends

In Minecraft, players can join friends' worlds through Realms or dedicated servers. For Bedrock edition, players can directly join a friend's world by ensuring both are online and connected as friends. The steps to join a friend's Bedrock world include launching the game, navigating to "Friends," and selecting the host's name under "Joinable Friends." To invite friends to your own Bedrock world, you need to enable "Multiplayer" in the world settings and send invites after starting the game. Local multiplayer on Bedrock allows split-screen mode or LAN connections. For split-screen, player one joins a world and adds a second controller. For LAN play, all devices must be on the same internet, and the host must enable "Visible to LAN players." Players can then select the LAN world to join. To join a Minecraft Realm, players must launch the game, navigate to "Realms," and select the desired Realm. A Realm will only appear if the player owns it or has received an invitation. Inviting friends to a Realm differs between editions; in Java, players manage the Realm and add friends using their gamertags, while in Bedrock, invitations can be sent via Minecraft.net. To add friends in Bedrock, players search for their friend's Microsoft gamertag. Java edition does not have a friends list, so players can only join the same server or invite friends to a Realm using their gamertag. To join a server, players need the server address, launch Minecraft, select "Multiplayer," and enter the address. For Bedrock, the server port is typically 19132. Troubleshooting tips include ensuring the Microsoft account is signed in, verifying multiplayer permissions, updating the game, and confirming that both players are on the same version of Minecraft.

Winsage

June 10, 2025

6 essential steps that Windows 11 users often miss after a fresh install

Many users overlook crucial default settings after installing Windows 11, which can lead to performance issues, privacy vulnerabilities, and complications during recovery. Key settings to configure include: 1. System Restore: This feature is disabled by default and allows users to revert system files and settings to a previous state. To enable it, users must access the System Properties page, select the main drive, click Configure, and turn on system protection. 2. BitLocker Recovery Key: Windows 11 automatically activates BitLocker on new installations. Users should back up their recovery key in their Microsoft account to avoid issues during startup. 3. Power Settings: Users should adjust power settings to prevent underperformance. This includes selecting "Best Performance" for both "Plugged in" and "On battery" modes and configuring screen and sleep timeouts. 4. Privacy Settings: Windows 11 collects diagnostic data by default. Users can enhance privacy by turning off features like "Find my device," "Personalized offers," and "Advertising ID," as well as disabling optional diagnostic data transmission. 5. Device Drivers: Users should verify that all device drivers are correctly installed, as the operating system may not install drivers for critical components. This can be checked in Device Manager, and updates can be managed through Windows Update. 6. System Backup: Establishing a backup is essential for data protection. Users can set up regular backups using the "Backup and Restore" feature by connecting an external drive and following the setup process in Control Panel.