installations Archives

Winsage

January 16, 2026

Paint: Your guide to drawing software

Windows 11 includes Microsoft Paint, which is easily accessible and offers a user-friendly environment for creativity. The updated interface features a sleek layout, making tools readily available for experimentation. Paint has refined brushes and inking tools that provide a smooth, responsive drawing experience, especially with stylus use, incorporating pressure sensitivity for more authentic strokes. It also offers advanced color tools, including support for RGB, hex, and HSV color options, allowing users to maintain consistency in their projects. Users can create a mini color palette on the canvas and utilize the eyedropper tool to extract colors from references or generated images.

Winsage

January 16, 2026

Windows Remote Assistance Vulnerability Allow Attacker to Bypass Security Features

Critical security updates have been released to address CVE-2026-20824, a vulnerability in Windows Remote Assistance that allows attackers to bypass the Mark of the Web (MOTW) defense system. This affects various Windows platforms, including Windows 10 and Windows Server 2025, and is rated with an Important severity level. The flaw enables unauthorized local attackers to circumvent MOTW defenses, posing risks to confidentiality. The vulnerability requires local access and user interaction for exploitation, often using social engineering tactics. Microsoft has issued security updates for 29 Windows configurations, including specific KB articles for affected versions of Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server. Users are advised to apply the necessary patches, which are classified as “Required” customer actions. The vulnerability remains unexploited in the wild and was not publicly disclosed before the patches were released. Microsoft’s assessment categorizes it as “Exploitation Less Likely.”

Winsage

January 16, 2026

Microsoft Ends Windows Server 2008 Support on January 13, 2026

Microsoft has officially ceased all support for Windows Server 2008 as of January 13, 2026, including paid extended security updates. This end-of-life scenario poses significant security risks for organizations still using the outdated operating system, making them vulnerable to cyberattacks. The transition away from Windows Server 2008 requires careful planning, as many organizations face challenges in migrating legacy applications to modern systems. The lack of ongoing patches means that any new vulnerabilities will remain unaddressed, potentially leading to data breaches and compliance failures, particularly in regulated sectors like healthcare and finance. Microsoft has encouraged migration to Azure, offering incentives for early adopters, but the transition can be complex and costly. The end of support also affects global supply chains and compatibility with newer software applications. Organizations are advised to conduct audits of their software portfolios and consider hybrid environments to enhance flexibility and security.

Winsage

January 15, 2026

This ideal distro for Linux newbies includes a bonus for Windows users

Q4OS is a Linux distribution built on Debian, designed for users transitioning from Windows. It features the KDE Plasma desktop environment, known for its balance of elegance and user-friendliness, and also supports the Trinity desktop environment. The Welcome app includes a Desktop Profiler tool for switching between different Q4OS versions and installing alternative desktop environments. Q4OS comes preinstalled with applications like LibreOffice, Chromium, Thunderbird, and VLC, and utilizes the Flatpak package manager for additional software. Users can access apps through KDE Discover and the Q4OS Software Center, which includes tools like LookSwitcher for changing KDE Plasma themes. Q4OS prioritizes stability by following the Debian development model, ensuring a reliable operating system. It is available for free download, and the q4os-winsetup tool allows Windows users to set up a dual-boot system.

AppWizard

January 14, 2026

Minecraft 26.1 Snapshot 3 Unveiled: Latest Updates

Minecraft has released the 26.1 Snapshot 3 update, which includes several new features and improvements: - Players can access Game Rules from the in-game pause menu via the new World Options feature. - A search bar has been added to the Game Rules screen for better usability. - The difficulty button has been moved to the World Options screen. - World Clocks have been introduced, allowing players to create an internal time system that progresses with each tick. - Time Markers enable players to set specific points in time linked to World Clocks. - The Data Pack version has been updated to 97, and the Resource Pack version to 78. - Minor adjustments have been made to blocks, items, and entities, including rendering changes for the Tripwire texture. - The commands system has been refined to work with World Clocks, with the time command defaulting to the World Clock for the specific dimension. - Various bugs have been fixed, including issues with Z-fighting on the debug crosshair, crashes related to item enchantment functions, and inconsistencies with villager variants and wandering traders' item offerings. Players can install the update through the Minecraft Launcher by enabling snapshots in the “Installations” tab and are advised to back up their worlds.

Winsage

January 14, 2026

Zorin OS 18 has reached 2 million downloads, with 1M+ Windows defections fueling one of Linux’s biggest growth stories in 2026

Zorin OS, a Linux distribution, has gained significant popularity among Windows users, particularly following the end of support for Windows 10. Zorin OS 18 was released on the same day Microsoft ceased support for Windows 10 and has achieved over 2 million downloads in less than three months, with around 75% of downloads from users transitioning from Windows 10 and 11. The rise in interest in Zorin OS is attributed to dissatisfaction with Microsoft’s bloatware and the need for alternatives for hardware that cannot meet Windows 11's requirements. Linux installations now account for 3.58% of total usage, while Windows holds a 94.23% share.

AppWizard

January 14, 2026

Minecraft 26.1 Snapshot 3

In the latest Snapshot release, players can access game rules directly from the in-game pause screen via a new World Options button. The Data Pack version has been updated to 97, introducing new block and fluid tags, as well as modifications to the time command to integrate with new World Clocks. World Clocks maintain an internal time that progresses with each tick and can be paused or resumed. A new clock field links timelines to specific World Clock IDs, and Time Markers now assign names to designated points in time within a World Clock context. The time command is now based on World Clocks, and a new required field has been added to Game Test Environments for specifying World Clock IDs. New tags for blocks and fluids have been introduced, and the Tripwire texture has been updated for better visual clarity. Several bugs have been fixed in this release.

Tech Optimizer

January 9, 2026

MacPaw Moonlock

Moonlock is a new antivirus solution for Mac developed by MacPaw, utilizing technology from CleanMyMac. It features a basic VPN, security configuration scan, and an elegant user interface, but some functionalities may not perform as expected. The annual subscription for a single Mac is priced higher than competitors like CleanMyMac and G Data Antivirus. Moonlock requires macOS 13 (Ventura) or later for compatibility. Setting up the app involves creating an account and granting permissions, with a full scan recommended post-installation. In independent lab tests, Moonlock scored 5.5 out of 6 in protection and 6 in usability, but its performance rating was 4.5 points, lower than competitors. The Security Advisor feature provides advice on enhancing security, while the System Protection feature identifies areas for improvement. Moonlock includes a basic VPN with 61 server cities in 50 countries. Its Network Inspector focuses on blocking traffic from specified countries, but its effectiveness is questionable. Flexible scan scheduling is available, but it does not guarantee the removal of Windows malware. The app includes informational panels and animated videos, but it currently lacks effective phishing protection, failing to block known fraudulent websites.

AppWizard

January 9, 2026

Minecraft Next Game Update Includes Adorable Baby Animal Updates

The Minecraft team has announced updates for baby farm animals, giving them distinct looks and personalities instead of being scaled-down versions of adults. Notable enhancements include new models and unique sounds for baby mobs such as wolf pups, kittens, baby chickens, rabbits, piglets, lambs, calves, and baby ocelots. The baby mobs will feature one-pixel eyes, creating a more adorable appearance. Players can craft name tags for these mobs using paper and metal nuggets, enhancing personalization. Additionally, players can use spawn eggs on adult mobs to create baby versions in the Bedrock Edition. Early access to these features is available through snapshots for Java Edition and previews/beta for Bedrock Edition. The official release date is not confirmed, but it is anticipated to follow a similar timeline to last year's major update in March.

Winsage

January 9, 2026

Is turning off Windows Security a bad idea in 2026? A PC expert’s bottom line

Windows Security is a comprehensive security suite for Windows users that monitors downloads, blocks threats, and quarantines malware. Users may need to disable it temporarily to install third-party software or games that are mistakenly flagged as threats. Permanent deactivation is typically for advanced users who may replace it with another security suite, but it increases vulnerability to online threats. To temporarily disable Windows Security, users can toggle off Real-time protection in the Windows Security app. For permanent deactivation, Windows 11 Pro users can use the Local Group Policy Editor, while Home users must edit the Registry. Creating a restore point before making changes is recommended for safety. Disabling Windows Security, even temporarily, should be done with caution to avoid increased risk of infections.