internet connection Archives

Winsage

August 21, 2025

LibreOffice 25.8 Strengthens Privacy Focus in Competitive Office Suite Market

LibreOffice 25.8 has been released by The Document Foundation, emphasizing user privacy and data control. The update features significant performance improvements, with Writer and Calc opening files up to thirty percent faster and enhanced memory management for older machines. It improves compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats, reworks word hyphenation and spacing, and adds fifteen new spreadsheet functions. The software now supports exports to the PDF 2.0 standard and introduces new scripting capabilities. However, it no longer supports Windows 7, 8, and 32-bit systems, and macOS 10.15 users will receive their final update. LibreOffice remains free, without subscriptions or advertising, and offers professional support through certified partners.

Winsage

August 8, 2025

Windows 11 Start menu’s OneDrive backup nagging won’t stop, as it pushes Microsoft 365

Windows 11 users are experiencing a recurring alert in the Start menu that encourages them to back up their data to OneDrive, particularly highlighting a subscription fee for those without Microsoft 365. The alert states, “Action advised – back up your PC,” and prompts users to use OneDrive for backup, which some view as a marketing tactic. Users cannot permanently dismiss these alerts, as they tend to appear intermittently, and attempts to disable them through Settings have been largely ineffective. In regions like the EU, users do not encounter these persistent alerts, suggesting a difference in user experience based on location. Additionally, these notifications may contribute to performance issues reported by some users.

Tech Optimizer

August 7, 2025

The best VPNs with antivirus of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

A virtual private network (VPN) combined with antivirus software provides enhanced security for online and offline activities by creating encrypted tunnels that protect privacy and mask online behavior. In the UK, users increasingly adopt VPNs to bypass strict age verification checks. Key benefits of using a VPN include IP address disguise, data encryption, and access to geo-restricted content. The best VPN with antivirus currently recommended is the Surfshark One security suite, which offers a robust VPN experience and effective antivirus capabilities. Other notable VPNs with antivirus features include NordVPN, Private Internet Access (PIA), and CyberGhost, each with unique strengths and pricing structures. Surfshark allows unlimited device connections, offers a seven-day free trial, and has a 30-day money-back guarantee. It features IP masking, automated antivirus protection, and a user-friendly app. NordVPN is known for high-speed performance and robust antimalware features, allowing up to 10 simultaneous connections. PIA offers customizable settings and unlimited connections, while CyberGhost is optimized for streaming and allows connections on up to seven devices. Each service has specific pricing, trial periods, and user ratings across various platforms.

Winsage

August 6, 2025

How to set up Windows 11 with a local account

Redmond prefers users to log into Windows 11 using a Microsoft account, particularly during installation. This can be problematic for those valuing privacy. A local account, which is stored solely on the device, offers benefits such as keeping preferences off the cloud and avoiding OneDrive. There are methods to set up Windows 11 with a local account: 1. Method 1: During installation, boot from a USB drive with the Windows 11 installer. After reaching the country selection screen, press Shift + F10 to open a command prompt and type PLACEHOLDER5199f62cf80342e3. After rebooting, disconnect from the internet using PLACEHOLDERf8cfa33cc93b6e53 in the command prompt. You can then create a local username and password. 2. Method 2: Use Rufus to prepare a USB installation drive. Select the option to "Remove requirement for an online Microsoft account" during setup. After booting from the USB, repeat the process of disconnecting from the internet and creating a local account. To add a local account to an existing Windows 11 setup, go to Settings > Accounts > Other Users, then select "Add account" and choose "Add a user without a Microsoft account." Enter the required information to create the local account.

AppWizard

August 1, 2025

Battlefield 6: All the key details on EA’s ‘most ambitious’ Battlefield yet

Battlefield 6 is set to launch on October 10, 2025. The first open beta begins on August 7, with three testing periods: August 7-8 (Battlefield Labs members only), August 9-10 (open to everyone), and August 14-17 (open to everyone). Key features of Battlefield 6 include nine maps at launch, standard 64-player lobbies, a reintroduced single-player campaign, removal of Specialists in favor of traditional classes, a new playlist with class restrictions, the return of Battlefield Portal's custom game modes, and hints at a battle royale mode. The minimum system requirements are a 64-bit processor and operating system, Windows 10, Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600, 16 GB RAM, Nvidia RTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT 6GB, DirectX Version 12, broadband internet connection, and 55 GB available storage. The recommended specifications include Windows 11, Intel Core i7-10700 or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X, 16 GB RAM, Nvidia RTX 3060Ti or AMD Radeon RX 6700-XT, DirectX Version 12, broadband internet connection, and 80 GB available storage.

AppWizard

August 1, 2025

Battlefield 6 system requirements are in, and you probably won’t need to upgrade your PC to run it

The minimum system requirements for Battlefield 6 are as follows: - Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system - OS: Windows 10 - Processor: Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600 - Memory: 16 GB RAM - Graphics: Nvidia RTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT 6GB - DirectX: Version 12 - Network: Broadband Internet connection - Storage: 55 GB available space - Sound Card: No Recommendation - VR Support: Not Supported The recommended system requirements are: - Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system - OS: Windows 11 - Processor: Intel Core i7-10700 or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X - Memory: 16 GB RAM - Graphics: Nvidia RTX 3060Ti or AMD Radeon RX 6700-XT - DirectX: Version 12 - Network: Broadband Internet connection - Storage: 80 GB available space - Sound Card: No Recommendation - VR Support: Not Supported

AppWizard

July 31, 2025

This emulator lets you run PC games on your Android phone — and it works

Brunodev85’s open-source toolkit, Winlator, allows users to play Windows games on Android smartphones by using a compatibility layer called Wine, which translates Windows system calls for Android. It incorporates Box86 and Box64 to convert x86 instructions to ARM commands and uses DXVK and D9VK for graphical acceleration. Winlator supports classic titles like The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Mass Effect 2, Gothic, and Fallout 3, running smoothly on mid-range devices. The toolkit features customizable on-screen buttons for touch controls and enables offline gaming without the need for a constant internet connection or subscription fees. Users must sideload the APK and install necessary components, but the setup offers substantial rewards for those willing to tinker.

Winsage

July 29, 2025

Windows 10 turns ten years old today

Microsoft released Windows 10 on July 29, 2015, as a response to dissatisfaction with Windows 8. The operating system replaced the touch-centric design of Windows 8 with a more traditional desktop experience and began to surpass Windows 7 in popularity between spring 2017 and early 2018. By the end of 2021, over 80 percent of Windows computers were running Windows 10, aided by free upgrade offers. Jerry Nixon, a senior developer at Microsoft, referred to Windows 10 as the "last Windows," a sentiment echoed in the Windows Internals manual. However, Windows 11 was announced on June 24, 2021, and officially released on October 5, 2021. Despite free upgrades from Windows 10, Windows 11 has struggled to gain popularity due to its lack of groundbreaking features and stringent system requirements. As of now, Windows 10 remains installed on over half of all Windows PCs and laptops. General support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025, after which users will no longer receive security updates.

Winsage

July 29, 2025

7 features Windows 12 needs to borrow from its competitors

Microsoft has confirmed that the 2024 update will be Windows 11 version 24H2, not Windows 12. Nvidia may wait for Windows 12 to launch its N1X processor for laptops. Potential features for Windows 12 include a streamlined menu bar inspired by macOS, the ability to pin files to the dock from ChromeOS, a native preview feature similar to macOS's Preview, a Quick Insert menu like that on Chromebooks, offline setup options as seen in Linux, enhanced customization options akin to Linux Mint, and a more efficient search function similar to macOS's Spotlight.

AppWizard

July 27, 2025

GeForce NOW on Samsung TV: The Easiest Way to Play PC Games Without a Console or PC

Cloud gaming allows users to play games on various devices without the need for expensive gaming PCs or graphics cards. It streams high-quality video from powerful data center computers, providing smooth gameplay as long as the internet connection is stable. The Samsung Gaming Hub, exclusive to Samsung TVs, features a user-friendly interface and includes the GeForce Now app, which utilizes Nvidia GPUs for enhanced graphics and performance. Users can access the GeForce Now app without downloading or installing anything, and they can create or log into an Nvidia account directly on their TV. GeForce Now offers free and paid membership options, with the free tier allowing access to free-to-play titles, while paid memberships provide additional features like 4K resolution and extended session times. Users can link their game libraries from platforms like Steam, Epic, and Origin securely through QR codes. The app is compatible with most game controllers, and performance may vary based on the TV’s resolution and internet speed. Players can start new save files or continue existing ones with synced statistics across platforms.