installations Archives

Winsage

July 30, 2026

Microsoft Quietly Adds New Windows App That Wants to Scan Your Face

Microsoft has started rolling out a new application called OneDrive Photos to select Windows 11 PCs, which automatically indexes local photo libraries and enhances user experience with AI-driven search capabilities and optional facial grouping features. The app can identify and showcase images stored locally, even without a Microsoft account, and provides AI-powered search functionality for locating photos through natural-language queries and optical character recognition. It includes a People feature that groups similar faces while ensuring privacy, with the option to disable it. OneDrive Photos is integrated with the existing OneDrive client and cannot be uninstalled independently; users must uninstall OneDrive entirely to remove the app. Microsoft has not commented on the rollout.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

Best in Class: Stream PC Games and Study on the Same Laptop With GeForce NOW

GeForce NOW allows students to balance study and gaming by transforming everyday laptops into powerful gaming machines through cloud gaming. Members can access a library of thousands of supported PC games, including the newly added Halo: Campaign Evolved, which features high-definition visuals and enhanced gameplay. The service enables users to stream games they own from platforms like Steam and Xbox Game Pass without lengthy downloads or installations. The Ultimate membership offers advanced gaming performance with NVIDIA technologies. New titles available this week include Halo: Campaign Evolved, Mistfall Hunter, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Sudden Attack Zero Point, The Ranchers, Corsair Cove, Funnel Runners, and Pathogenic.

TrendTechie

July 29, 2026

WinBitTorrent: обернул qBittorrent в WinUI 3, красивый интерфейс и новые фишки

WinBitTorrent is a new torrent client developed using the qbittorrent-nox engine (version 5.2.3 with libtorrent 2.0.13) but features a native application interface built on WinUI 3 and the Windows App SDK 2.2, using .NET 8 and the MVVM pattern. It communicates with the engine through its Web API and can operate in both local and remote modes. Unique features include in-app torrent search with providers like RuTracker and The Pirate Bay, a movie catalog via TMDB, and a customizable context menu. WinBitTorrent is free and open-source, with an auto-update system in place.

Winsage

July 29, 2026

I’ve used these 7 shortcuts in Windows 11 more than anything else — stop using Ctrl+Alt+Del and learn something better

- To create a local account in Windows 11, press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt and enter the command: start ms-cxh:localonly. User creation is possible, and passwords are optional. - To check battery health, open the Start menu, run Command Prompt as administrator, and enter the command: powercfg /batteryreport /output "C:battery_report.html" to generate a report on the C: drive. - To access Task Manager quickly, right-click the Taskbar and select Task Manager or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc. - To enable Clipboard history, press Windows + V. - To access the desktop, press Windows + D or click the blank Taskbar space to the right of the clock. Pressing Windows + , briefly reveals the desktop. - To move off-screen apps on multiple monitors, press Windows + an arrow key, ensuring the desired app is in focus by pressing Alt + Tab if needed.

Winsage

July 29, 2026

Missed Windows 11 Secure Boot? Don’t panic, Microsoft is still pushing it in the coming months

Microsoft reassured Windows 11 and Windows 10 users that their PCs will continue to boot normally and receive updates even if they have not yet received the new Secure Boot 2023 certificates. The rollout of these certificates is expected to continue over the upcoming months. The initial Secure Boot certificate expired on June 24, 2026, and Microsoft has been replacing older 2011 certificates since 2024. The latest update, KB5101650, transitioned Windows 11 to OS builds 26200.8875 and 26100.8875 for versions 25H2 and 24H2, respectively. The 2023 certificates replace older certificates with modern cryptographic standards, allowing Microsoft to deliver DBX revocation updates without interruption. Devices using the 2011 KEK can only receive DBX updates signed with that key, which is no longer valid after June 24. Microsoft has been rolling out the 2023 certificates for the past two years, and many devices remained in a yellow or red status by the June deadline. To check Secure Boot status, users can navigate to Windows Security > Device Security. A green checkmark indicates successful application of the certificates, while yellow and red alerts indicate compatibility issues or firmware incompatibility. PCs that are older or operating in Legacy BIOS mode will not receive the updates. Windows 10 also receives Secure Boot updates, but enrollment in Extended Security Updates (ESU) is required.

Winsage

July 29, 2026

A Microsoft outage blocked Windows updates. Now a fix is being tested

On July 23rd, Microsoft experienced widespread outages affecting services such as Azure, Windows Update, and Microsoft 365 applications, which impeded users from installing important Windows 11 updates. In response, Microsoft is enhancing the Windows Update system, focusing on the Windows Update Orchestrator and Arbiter components. These changes are being tested in Windows Insider preview builds 26100.8968 and 26200.8968, which aim to improve update progress calculation and update clean-up logic for better system performance post-update.

Winsage

July 29, 2026

Windows 11’s August Patch Tuesday update brings several important changes, and I break down the biggest ones

Microsoft will release the Windows 11 August 2026 Security Update on August 11, 2026, featuring new functionalities and enhancements. Key additions include Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security, the ability to uninstall AI models from Copilot+ PCs, new touchpad gestures, voice isolation for Voice Access, Fluid Dictation for Voice Typing, and a redesigned Start menu with parental controls notice. File Explorer improvements include displaying file sizes in appropriate units, middle-clicking to open folders in new tabs, and fixes for bugs. Users can manage AI models through Settings, and the Lock screen will default to the Weather widget. Touchpad settings will allow customization of scroll and zoom speeds. Fluid Dictation will be deactivated by default, with tooltips for guidance, while Voice Access will feature enhanced speech recognition settings. The Account Control interface will be redesigned for clarity, and power settings will apply across all plans. Windows Update will provide better progress estimates and improved post-update cleanup. Enhancements to system sounds in dark mode will also be included.

AppWizard

July 28, 2026

That GOG gloss-up of Thief is an excellent way to play the game until we get the Nightdive remaster

GOG is preparing a pseudo-remaster of the game Thief: The Dark Project and its enhanced version, Thief Gold, ahead of an official remaster by Nightdive. The pseudo-remaster includes Peter Wright's Gamepad Mod for Xbox One controller support, intuitive radial menus, and the integration of NewDark, a fan patch that allows the game to run at modern widescreen resolutions. This approach simplifies the player experience by incorporating essential fan patches into the default installation, making the game more accessible to new players.

Winsage

July 28, 2026

CachyOS Outperforming Windows 11, Ubuntu & Fedora On AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470

The BOSGAME VTA-439 mini PC features an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 Gorgon Point SoC with a 12-core and 24-thread architecture, Radeon 890M integrated RDNA 3.5 graphics, 32GB of dual 16GB DDR5-5600 memory, and a 1TB NVMe SSD. It ships with Microsoft Windows 11 Pro and has been benchmarked against Windows 11, Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, Fedora Workstation 44, and CachyOS to evaluate performance.

AppWizard

July 27, 2026

The best PS2 emulator on Android just gained LAN play support

ARMSX2 v2.6.5.1, the premier PS2 emulator for Android, has introduced multiplayer functionality through system link gameplay, allowing players to connect multiple consoles on the same internet network or via a mobile hotspot. This version also supports playing system link games over the internet with a VPN. Notable PS2 titles that support this feature include Gran Turismo 4, SOCOM series, Call of Duty 2: Big Red One, Star Wars: Battlefront games, and Tony Hawk titles. Additionally, ARMSX2 v2.6.5.3 includes a backup and restore option, enabling users to create a zip file of their app data, which is useful for fresh installations or custom folder management.