Android apps and games that are free for a short time include Evertale, Defense Zone 3 Ultra HD, Sphaze, Last Plant on Earth, Rooftop Snipers, Dino Rush, and Out There Chronicles - Ep. 2.
If your Windows system is waking up at night due to an ACPI Wake Alarm, you can try several solutions to resolve the issue:
1. Adjust Hibernate Settings: Change the Hibernate after Sleep feature in Power Options to a higher value or disable it by setting it to 0 (Never).
2. BIOS/UEFI Configuration: Access the BIOS/UEFI setup and disable the Wake on RTC Alarm if enabled.
3. PowerShell and Command Line for Wake Timers: Use commands like PLACEHOLDERd65d9fd27963b5bd to review power settings and PLACEHOLDER0384fd2e90496902 to disable specific devices from waking the computer.
4. Disable Wake Timers: In Power Settings, set Allow wake timers to disable for both On Battery and Plugged In states.
5. Check Security and Maintenance Settings: Uncheck the option for Allow scheduled maintenance to wake up my computer in the Security and Maintenance settings.
6. Task Scheduler Settings: Review scheduled tasks and uncheck the “Wake the computer to run this task” option in the Conditions tab.
7. Event Viewer Analysis: Check the Event Viewer under Windows Logs > System to identify the Wake Source, which may indicate the ACPI Wake Alarm.
The issue often arises from ACPI wake alarms that can override wake timer settings, necessitating a thorough examination of all related configurations to fully disable them.
TotalAV Antivirus Pro is designed to examine computers for malware and protect against future threats, offering additional features like backup, system tune-up, and ad-blocking. It is priced at .00 per year for protection across five PCs, which is higher than competitors like Norton (.99), Malwarebytes Premium Security (.99), and ESET (.99). TotalAV does not offer various pricing tiers; additional licenses require purchasing a more advanced application. The TotalAV Internet Security package costs .00 per year for six licenses with VPN protection, while the Total Security version costs .00 per year for eight licenses with a password manager.
Installation can begin with a free trial or by registering online, and the process is lengthy. The interface features a dark mode option and a streamlined menu. TotalAV scored 17.5 points in independent lab testing by AV-Test Institute, earning it the Top Product designation, and received Advanced certification from AV-Comparatives. In practical tests, it neutralized 72% of malware samples immediately and achieved an overall detection rate of 88%. TotalAV's WebShield detected 96% of phishing sites, outperforming built-in browser protections.
Users can choose from quick, full, or custom scans, with the initial full scan taking 53 minutes. Scheduled scans occur weekly, but quick or custom scans cannot be scheduled. Most privacy features require an upgrade, while the free edition includes Total Adblock. TotalAV features a Clean-up Scan for junk files and an Application Uninstaller for removing multiple applications simultaneously. The Total Security page offers features and add-ons, including a basic online backup solution with 2GB of storage.
Maintaining a tidy digital environment is essential for optimizing the performance of a Windows PC. Regular decluttering frees up storage space and enhances overall efficiency.
1. Check Memory Utilization: Access Settings (Win+I) > System > Memory to view memory usage, including temporary files and installed applications. The "Other" category shows large folders for potential deletion, and you can uninstall unnecessary programs under Apps > Installed apps. Temporary files can be removed under System > Storage > Temporary files.
2. Windows 11 Cleanup Functions: Go to System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations to find storage space occupied by downloads, the recycle bin, and Previous Windows installations. Select areas to clean and click the cleanup button.
3. Free Up Storage Space: Enable Storage Sense in Settings > System > Storage to automate cleanup processes, customizing frequency and recycle bin retention.
4. Relocate Standard Storage Locations: In System > Storage > Advanced storage settings, designate alternative drives for new content to keep the primary drive uncluttered.
5. Change Storage Location for Apps: Specify a different drive when installing new applications. For Microsoft Store apps, go to Apps > Installed apps and select Move.
6. Clean Up Discs: Use the Disk Cleanup tool (cleanmgr) to delete unnecessary files. The Clean up system files option reveals additional files for removal.
7. Delete Browser Data: Clear browser cache as needed to improve performance, managing data through browser settings.
8. Optimize Autostart: Use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to disable unnecessary startup programs. Tools like Autoruns can help manage autostart entries for efficient booting.
Additional software options like Bleachbit and Ccleaner can provide deeper insights for system maintenance.
Hong Kong is increasingly integrating digital learning and gaming-based education, prompting parents and educators to seek effective educational games and hardware. Key factors that distinguish educational games include active learning engagement, scaffolded knowledge building, cognitive development support, and motivational elements. Research indicates that quality educational games can lead to a 23% improvement in test scores, 31% better retention rates, 27% increased engagement, 19% faster learning speed, and 35% higher completion rates. Recommended educational games include Minecraft: Education Edition for programming and STEM, Kerbal Space Program for physics and engineering, and DragonBox Algebra for mathematics. For optimal performance, systems should have a modern processor, dedicated graphics card, at least 16GB RAM, SSD storage, and reliable internet. Home setup should optimize space, ensure ventilation, and create dedicated learning areas, while best practices involve scheduled gaming sessions and parental involvement. Regular system maintenance is also necessary for optimal performance.
Microsoft will cease support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Windows 10 was launched in July 2015 and replaced Windows 8. Users can upgrade to Windows 11 if their hardware meets the minimum specifications, which include a 1 GHz CPU, 4 GB of RAM, and 64 GB of storage, along with a second-generation Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and UEFI BIOS capable of secure boot. Many older PCs may not qualify for the upgrade, requiring at least an 8th Gen Intel processor or a Zen+ AMD processor. Users can also consider installing Linux distributions like Ubuntu or ChromeOS on older PCs. Remaining on Windows 10 after support ends poses security risks and limits access to updates.
Users are exploring alternatives to the default File Explorer on Windows 11, with OneCommander being a popular choice. Other options include Total Commander and Directory Opus. The recent release of Windows 11 version 24H2 includes new features like sudo support. Microsoft’s OneDrive integration has received mixed reactions, particularly regarding automatic backups. Many users are upgrading their gaming PCs to at least 16GB of RAM, with 32GB being preferred for modern gaming. Consumer-grade CPUs now commonly feature 16 cores and 32 threads. The Google Pixel Watch 2 has gained attention for its design and fitness tracking. Firefox is often the first app installed on new systems, followed by gaming platforms like Steam. Users are encouraged to maintain regular hardware updates, including BIOS settings. Drive partitioning preferences vary, with some users favoring multiple partitions for data safety. Greenshot is a favored tool for capturing screenshots among content creators. Intel has announced the Core Ultra Series 2 platform, codenamed Lunar Lake, which aims to enhance performance and battery life.
Date of the online workshop: December 20, 2024
Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Format: Online Webinar
Key topics covered in the webinar:
- Assessing technical devices for Windows 11 Pro deployment
- Increasing competitive edge with performance and AI-enhanced features in Windows 11 Pro
- Simplifying deployment for a smooth transition to Windows 11 Pro
Reported benefits of Windows 11 Pro:
- 58% drop in security incidents with new devices
- 42% faster completion of demanding workloads on average
- 62% drop in security incidents due to hardware-backed protection
- 25% faster deployment of modern Windows 11 Pro PCs
- All-day battery life and accelerated performance options available
Speaker: Rajesh Sharma, Commercial Master Trainer at Microsoft
Quote from Yusuf Mehdi, Executive Vice President, Consumer, CMO, Microsoft: “With the Windows 10 End of Support moment, now is the time to move to Windows 11 with confidence.”
Testimonial from Thomas Kaiser, Technical Lead, IT at Klöckner Pentaplast: Migration to Windows 11 has significantly reduced the time required for PC upgrades.
Firmex is a provider of Virtual Data Rooms, opening over 20,000 new rooms annually and focusing on security and availability for clients during due diligence processes. The company previously managed around 65,000 databases across four Microsoft SQL Servers but faced challenges related to database limits, backups, and licensing terms. In 2020, engineers recognized they were nearing the maximum database limit and shifted from a database-based isolation model to a schema-based isolation approach using PostgreSQL. This transition involved collaboration with AWS to utilize Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition, which offered better performance and cost-effectiveness. The migration process required extensive work, including converting stored procedures and addressing data migration challenges such as endpoint and task limits with AWS DMS. Firmex's engineers developed custom tooling to manage the migration effectively, ensuring minimal downtime for customers. Post-migration, they have seen improved performance and reduced operating costs, with ongoing efforts to optimize their PostgreSQL utilization further.
On December 6, the following games will be released:
1. Granny Escape Together - A 2.5D platformer developed by CreepyToad, featuring nostalgic characters and a soundtrack by David Wise, with couch co-op gameplay.
2. Rings of Zilfin - A re-release of a 1986 RPG from Strategic Simulations for the Commodore 64, offering a classic experience with pixel art and cryptic challenges.
3. The Hole - A horror game developed by Bober Bros, where players experience a suspenseful narrative involving drilling noises and mysterious holes in walls.
On December 7, Esca will be released, developed by LuN. It is a survival RPG set in a dilapidated underwater research facility, focusing on horror elements and branching narratives.
