installation Archives

Winsage

June 3, 2025

Microsoft will finally stop bugging Windows users about Edge — but only in Europe

Microsoft is enhancing user autonomy for Windows users in the European Economic Area (EEA) by allowing them to uninstall the Microsoft Store and remove prompts to set Microsoft Edge as the default browser. Users can now set alternative browsers like Chrome, Firefox, or Brave as their default, with these choices automatically pinned to the taskbar unless opted out. The updates extend browser functionality to additional formats such as "read," ftp, and .svg. These changes are being rolled out in the beta channel and are expected to be available on Windows 10 and Windows 11 by July. Applications installed through the Microsoft Store will continue to receive updates even if the Store is removed, and users can reinstall it at any time. Third-party apps will be integrated into Windows Search, and users can rearrange their preferred search providers. The Microsoft Bing app, Widgets Board, and Lock Screen will open web content using the user's default browser, with these changes anticipated to roll out in early June.

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

Explore New Worlds and Sounds: How to Safely Download Minecraft APK and Spotify Premium APK

Smartphones are essential for accessing creative and entertainment applications like Minecraft and Spotify. The Minecraft APK allows users to play the game on unsupported devices, access updates without delays, and experiment with mods. The Spotify Premium APK enables ad-free streaming, offline downloads, and superior sound quality. Safe downloading involves choosing trusted sources, enabling "Unknown Sources" in device settings, installing cautiously while monitoring permissions, and keeping the device updated to prevent vulnerabilities.

Tech Optimizer

June 2, 2025

Postgres Pro OpenTelemetry сollector

Alexey has developed the pgpro-otel-collector, an OpenTelemetry collector by PostgresPro, designed to gather metrics and logs from PostgreSQL databases. It collects PostgreSQL metrics using an internal metrics library, OS-level metrics such as CPU and memory usage, and PostgreSQL logs in CSV and JSON formats. The collector includes internal processors for batch processing and supports exporting to OTLP-compatible backends like Elasticsearch and Prometheus. Installation is straightforward, requiring configuration of the Postgres connection and data destination. The collector can gather a range of PostgreSQL statistics and supports advanced features like CFS and pg_wait_sampling. Future enhancements include support for additional system views, integration with Shardman and BiHA, collection of custom query-based metrics, and a Grafana dashboard. Alexey's background includes experience with various monitoring tools and a focus on PostgreSQL, leading to the creation of this collector.

Winsage

June 2, 2025

Microsoft ships emergency patch to fix Windows 11 installation issues

Microsoft has addressed a significant issue affecting certain Windows 11 systems after the installation of the KB5058405 security update from May 2025. Users reported encountering 0xc0000098 recovery errors linked to ACPI.sys, indicating that the operating system could not be loaded. This problem primarily affects Windows 11 versions 22H2 and 23H2 in enterprise settings, particularly among Azure Virtual Machines, Azure Virtual Desktop, and on-premises virtual machines hosted on platforms like Citrix or Hyper-V. Microsoft has released the KB5062170 non-security out-of-band update to resolve the installation and boot problems, which can be manually installed from the Microsoft Update Catalog. For Azure customers facing difficulties after implementing the May 2025 update, Microsoft recommends using Azure Virtual Machine repair commands as a temporary workaround. Users of Windows Home or Pro editions in home environments are unlikely to encounter these issues.

Winsage

June 2, 2025

Microsoft Issues New Emergency Update For Windows Users

Microsoft has released an emergency out-of-band update, KB5062170, to address issues from the May 13, 2025 Windows security update (KB5058405), which failed to install on some Windows 11 devices, showing error code 0xc0000098. The new update fixes an issue with the ACPI.sys driver and is available via the Update Catalog. It primarily impacts enterprise environments, particularly virtual setups like Azure Virtual Machines and Azure Virtual Desktop, while home users are less affected. KB5062170 includes all enhancements from the May 2025 non-security preview update and supersedes prior updates, requiring a device restart after installation.

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

XWVM, the X-Wing mod that lets you play the Star Wars classic remade in Unity, is finally available to download

X-Wing is a classic space combat game that allows players to pilot an X-Wing, appealing to fans of the Star Wars saga. The game faces challenges on modern systems, as the Special Edition requires a joystick, while the Classic and Collector's CD-ROM editions can be played with a mouse and keyboard but suffer from performance issues, including inconsistent framerates and outdated graphics. The X-Wing Virtual Machine (XWVM) is a mod that revitalizes the game by enabling it to run within the Unity engine, providing smooth gameplay at modern resolutions and adjustable settings, and eliminating the need for a joystick. When paired with the HD asset pack, it enhances 3D models for spaceships, cockpits, and planets. Players can acquire X-Wing through platforms like Steam or GOG and install XWVM by downloading the core mod and unpacking the HD assets into the appropriate directory.

Winsage

June 1, 2025

We installed SteamOS on our ROG Ally and Legion Go Windows handhelds and we don’t want to go back

SteamOS has been released for non-Steam Deck gaming handhelds, including the ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go. To install SteamOS, users need a USB-C stick and the SteamOS recovery image, which can be downloaded from Steam's website. The installation process involves creating a bootable USB drive using the Rufus utility, adjusting BIOS settings to disable Secure Boot, and following specific steps to wipe the device and install SteamOS. After installation, users can set up their Steam account and check for updates. The transition to SteamOS enhances performance and visual fidelity for these devices.

Winsage

June 1, 2025

A week of hell with my Windows 11 PC really makes me appreciate the simplicity of Google’s Chromebook laptops

The author's PC experienced significant issues while trying to run DOOM: The Dark Ages, primarily due to problems with NVIDIA RTX graphics drivers on a system equipped with an Intel Core i7-14700K and NVIDIA RTX 5080. The Windows 11 Start Menu became unresponsive, leading to a complete system failure despite attempts to roll back and update drivers. The author used a USB drive with a Linux installer as a temporary solution but continued to face crashes. Attempts to reinstall Windows were complicated by an incorrectly formatted USB stick, which needed to be exFAT. Ultimately, the author resolved the issues by wiping both SSDs and creating fresh partitions. The author also noted the complexity and bloat of Windows 11 compared to the simplicity of ChromeOS, which has become a reliable alternative for tasks and gaming.

Tech Optimizer

May 31, 2025

New WAL Archiving Tool ‘pgrwl’ Delivers Zero Data Loss for PostgreSQL in Containerized Environments

The project is a research platform for streaming Write-Ahead Logging (WAL) archiving, focusing on achieving RPO=0 during recovery scenarios in containerized environments. It replicates features of pg_receivewal, including automatic reconnection, streaming into partial files, and error checking. Installation requires a single binary, and debugging can be done with a preferred editor and a Docker container running PostgreSQL. Key features include streaming WAL archiving with replication slots, secure handling of .partial files, support for S3/SFTP backends with optional compression and encryption, a built-in HTTP server for serving WALs, minimal configuration options, and testability through Docker-based integration tests.

Winsage

May 31, 2025

Windows 11 version 25H2: Everything you need to know about Microsoft’s next OS release

Microsoft is preparing for the release of Windows 11 version 25H2, expected later this year. The update will likely follow a "phased rollout" strategy, meaning it may not be immediately available to all users upon official release. Upgrading to version 25H2 will reset the support clock, providing longer security and bug fix support compared to version 24H2 or earlier. Version 25H2 will build on the same platform as version 24H2, likely delivered as a smaller enablement package or cumulative update, facilitating a quicker installation process. The current platform, known as Germanium, will support both versions 24H2 and 25H2, with ongoing improvements expected through 2025. Anticipated features for version 25H2 include a revamped Start menu with greater customization options and an AI-powered assistant in the Settings app.