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Can you really get Windows and Office for free? These hackers say yes
Winsage
February 21, 2025

Can you really get Windows and Office for free? These hackers say yes

A group of developers called Massgrave has hacked Microsoft's activation tools for Windows and Office, uploading PowerShell scripts to GitHub that allow users to activate Windows and perpetual-license Office versions without paying licensing fees. Their tool, TSforge, supports activation for Windows versions 7, 8.x, 10, and 11, as well as Office versions from 2010 onward, excluding Microsoft 365 subscriptions. The scripts require minimal technical expertise and have been tested successfully on fresh installations of Windows 11 and updated Windows 10 machines. Massgrave acknowledges their actions as piracy and does not accept donations, emphasizing the ethical implications. The safety of the scripts is questioned, as there is a risk of malicious actors cloning their work. Microsoft is aware of the situation and plans to take action against unauthorized use of their software.
This open-source tool can activate practically every Windows and Office release
Winsage
February 19, 2025

This open-source tool can activate practically every Windows and Office release

The Massgrave team has released version 3.0 of their Microsoft Activation Scripts (MAS), introducing TSforge, which allows activation of all Windows editions from version 7 onward and all Office versions since Office 2013. MAS can activate commercial Windows licenses, including the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for certain Windows 7 to 10 editions. The tool is open-source and targets the Software Protection Platform (SPP) directly. MAS is hosted on GitHub, and despite its association with software piracy, Microsoft has not intervened in its availability. The Massgrave team has documented their processes for educational purposes and acknowledges the SPP as an advanced DRM system compared to earlier versions.
The lifetime version of Microsoft Office saves you $100+ every year
Winsage
February 15, 2025

The lifetime version of Microsoft Office saves you $100+ every year

A lifetime license for Microsoft Office for Windows is available for .97, reduced from 9.99, with the offer expiring on February 23 at 11:59 p.m. PT. The lifetime download includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access. Upon purchase, customers receive an email with a download link and software license key for immediate installation.
Power Automate vs RoboTask: Here's what you should use to automate your PC
Winsage
February 13, 2025

Power Automate vs RoboTask: Here’s what you should use to automate your PC

Power Automate and RoboTask are automation tools for Windows 11 users that aim to simplify repetitive tasks with minimal coding. Power Automate is developed by Microsoft and is pre-installed with Windows 11, offering many features at no additional charge, while RoboTask is a third-party application that requires a paid license after a 30-day trial. Power Automate has a modern interface that integrates well with Windows 11, making it easier to record workflows, whereas RoboTask has over 300 actions, including advanced capabilities like registry key manipulation. RoboTask can run automations based on various triggers, while Power Automate requires an internet connection to function and excels in integrating with Microsoft Office and cloud services.
Looks like Neverwinter Nights 2 has been freed from rights hell and is due an imminent enhanced edition release, bringing the 2006 RPG from 5GB to 36GB
AppWizard
February 12, 2025

Looks like Neverwinter Nights 2 has been freed from rights hell and is due an imminent enhanced edition release, bringing the 2006 RPG from 5GB to 36GB

Beamdog has redefined classic RPGs like Baldur's Gate 1 and 2, Planescape: Torment, Icewind Dale, and Neverwinter Nights 1 as definitive editions for modern gamers. Icewind Dale 2 and Neverwinter Nights 2 remain absent from this collection. The prospects for a remaster of Icewind Dale 2 are bleak due to issues with its source code. However, there is optimism for a re-release of Neverwinter Nights 2, as recent updates on SteamDB indicate that significant upscaling work on the game's textures has been completed, and it will include all expansions: Storm of Zehir, Mask of the Betrayer, and Mysteries of Westgate. The EULA references Aspyr, but it is speculated that they may have entrusted the remastering to Beamdog, which they acquired in 2022.
Microsoft bolsters PostgreSQL with NoSQL-like extensions
Tech Optimizer
February 11, 2025

Microsoft bolsters PostgreSQL with NoSQL-like extensions

Microsoft introduced two new open-source extensions for PostgreSQL: pg_documentdb_core, which supports BSON, and pg_documentdb_api, which allows MongoDB-compatible commands for CRUD operations. These extensions will operate on the Azure Cosmos DB PostgreSQL database service and can also be used with FerretDB, an open-source alternative to MongoDB. FerretDB's latest version features performance enhancements of up to 20 times for specific workloads. Andrew Pavlo from Carnegie Mellon University noted that the distinction between document databases and relational systems is diminishing. MongoDB expressed skepticism about Microsoft's offerings, stating that adding an API to a relational database is not true innovation. FerretDB aims to provide a solid foundation for users seeking alternatives to MongoDB. Analysts suggest that while Microsoft's extensions may enhance PostgreSQL's market position, they are unlikely to significantly undermine MongoDB's established presence.
Thinking about a new PC? This upgrade might change your mind
Winsage
February 10, 2025

Thinking about a new PC? This upgrade might change your mind

A bundle featuring Microsoft Office and Windows 11 Pro is available for .97, significantly reduced from its regular price of 9.99. The upgrade to Windows 11 Pro provides a modern interface, productivity tools, and enhanced security features, including BitLocker device encryption. The bundle includes a lifetime license for eight Microsoft Office applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access. This offer is available for a limited time and does not require a coupon.
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