managing Archives

Winsage

June 9, 2026

Microsoft is Finally Letting You Move the Windows 11 Taskbar

Windows 11 introduces taskbar customization features that allow users to reposition the taskbar to any edge of the screen (top, bottom, left, or right) and resize it for improved workflow and adaptability. These features are currently available in Windows 11 Insider experimental builds. The Start menu and pinned icons automatically adjust to align with the new taskbar position. Users can enable smaller taskbar buttons to maximize screen space, which is particularly useful for compact devices. The taskbar can also be set to minimize at all times, only when full, or never. These updates aim to optimize screen space and enhance accessibility and personalization for diverse workflows and screen configurations.

Winsage

June 8, 2026

Microsoft answers what you must do as Windows 11 Secure Boot deadline hits in days

The expiration date of the original Microsoft Secure Boot KEK certificate is June 24, 2026. Microsoft held a live "Ask Microsoft Anything" session on June 4 to address concerns regarding this deadline. The expiration affects the KEK key, while the DB key remains valid until October. After June 24, Microsoft will not be able to sign new DBX payloads, which are necessary for revoking compromised bootloaders. Devices without the new KEK may miss future revocations, leading to decreased security but will not stop booting immediately. The June Patch Tuesday update is expected to classify most systems as high confidence. IT administrators are advised to use the Intune monitoring report for device status and updates. Devices in a "temporarily paused" status require OEM firmware updates. Administrators should not delay manual rollouts for devices outside the high confidence classification. Secure Boot must be enabled to update certificates, and re-enabling it later can pose risks. Older models may receive high confidence classification faster than newer ones due to statistical requirements. In PXE boot environments, caution is needed when updating bootloaders. The Secure Boot update mechanism is consistent across Windows 10 and 11, and event logs are important diagnostic tools. Key event log entries include 1801, 1802, and 1803, which indicate various device statuses and issues. Microsoft provides resources at aka.ms/GetSecureBoot for further guidance.

AppWizard

June 8, 2026

Android Sideloading in 2026: Which Apps Are Worth Installing Outside the Play Store

VidMate apk is a widely used application that operates outside the Play Store and continues to do so into 2026. Sideloading is the process of installing an Android app from a source other than the Google Play Store, using the APK file format. Android supports sideloading, allowing users to enable installations from unknown sources in their device settings. As of 2026, Google requires developers distributing apps outside the Play Store to register, verify their identity with a government-issued ID, and pay a one-time fee. This policy aims to enhance security without eliminating sideloading. Enforcement began in select countries in September 2026 and will continue globally through 2027. Concerns have been raised about the potential barriers this creates for independent developers. In 2026, apps from developers with official websites and established histories are considered safer, while those from anonymous sources carry increased risks. Notable categories of sideloaded apps include video downloaders like VidMate, open-source YouTube clients like NewPipe, ad-blocking browsers, and privacy-focused tools. To install sideloaded apps safely, users should enable the option to install from unknown sources in their device settings and download from official developer websites or trusted repositories like APKMirror, F-Droid, or GitHub. Users should avoid sites that do not identify the app's creator or host unverified uploads.

AppWizard

June 8, 2026

5 apps you should use instead of NotebookLM

NotebookLM is a leading AI research assistant and note-taking application, but there are several alternatives available. In a recent poll, user preferences for alternatives were as follows: OpenNotebook (31%), Obsidian (19%), Recall AI (6%), Notion (0%), Atlas (0%), and 44% preferred NotebookLM. Notion allows users to create a knowledge database and excels in managing interconnected databases, while NotebookLM focuses on analyzing research and generating audio summaries. Obsidian offers a customizable knowledge management system with a knowledge graph for organizing ideas. Recall AI serves as a self-organizing knowledge database that summarizes information into searchable cards and includes a quiz-making feature. Atlas is tailored for academic research, emphasizing accurate source citations and creating visual data representations. OpenNotebook mirrors NotebookLM's functionalities, allowing users to upload sources for AI-generated responses and offers audio summaries, but requires local or online hosting and technical proficiency.

AppWizard

June 8, 2026

Average pocket money received by children revealed by money app

Children aged seven to 18 received an average of £9.90 per week in pocket money from January to April 2026, reflecting a 1.2% increase from £9.78 in 2025. Girls earned an average of £9.89, while boys received £9.91. The consumer prices index (CPI) inflation rate was 2.8% in April 2026. Children in the South East of England had the highest average weekly pocket money at £12.88, while those in the East of England had the lowest at £8.57. The most common task for earning pocket money was tidying bedrooms, averaging £1.14, with music practice being the highest-paying chore at £1.84. The most popular savings goals among children were holidays, birthdays, and electronics. Grocery stores and supermarkets were the primary spending venues, followed by restaurants, clothing shops, transport, and health and beauty outlets. Children saved an average of £3.93 per week. The average weekly pocket money payments by age for 2026 were as follows: - Seven: £4.30 - Eight: £4.44 - Nine: £4.78 - Ten: £5.38 - Eleven: £6.46 - Twelve: £8.12 - Thirteen: £10.68 - Fourteen: £12.86 - Fifteen: £14.54 - Sixteen: £16.66 - Seventeen: £18.61 - Eighteen: £16.57 Average weekly pocket money payments by region from January to April 2026 were: - East Midlands: £9.47 - East of England: £8.57 - London: £10.02 - North East: £8.75 - North West: £9.74 - Scotland: £10.67 - South East: £12.88 - South West: £8.69 - Wales: £8.89 - West Midlands: £9.90 - Yorkshire and the Humber: £8.93 Popular tasks for pocket money payments in 2026 included: - Tidying bedroom: £1.14 - Helping around the house: £1.21 - Brushing teeth: £1.31 - Doing homework: £1.39 - Looking after pets: £1.42

AppWizard

June 7, 2026

I thought text-only Grand Theft Auto roleplay sounded too intimidating—but GTA World is showing me why players are slowing things down

A man in Los Santos announces that someone has overdosed, leading to a scene in an infirmary where a family is present. The interaction highlights the importance of privacy in distressing situations. The text contrasts different roleplay experiences, noting that voice-driven servers like FiveM allow for spontaneous and varied interactions, while text-only servers offer a more serious and narrative-rich environment. The author reflects on their preference for the quieter, more grounded experiences of text-based roleplay compared to the chaotic nature of GTA Online. In FiveM, players can take on various roles, while text-based roleplay emphasizes character development and storytelling.

AppWizard

June 7, 2026

I’m a sucker for clean UI — these are the 9 best-looking Android apps I’m using in 2026

Hacki for Hacker News is an open-source app with a sleek design, enhancing user experience for accessing Hacker News. Gradient Weather features stunning visuals with bold typography and animated headers for weather updates. PeakFinder uses augmented reality to identify mountain peaks with a minimalist aesthetic. Mako is a minimalist launcher with pastel themes and extensive customization options. Buzzkill offers vibrant notification management with a visually appealing interface. Zest is a to-do list app with an attractive design and organizational tools. Fotmob provides in-depth soccer statistics and real-time updates with customizable widgets. The Wikipedia app features an attractive interface for easy navigation of information. Txori is a time-management app with a retro-minimalist aesthetic and effective scheduling capabilities.

AppWizard

June 7, 2026

Solarpunk management game BioEden announced for PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, and PC

Publisher Focus Entertainment and developer Broken Arms Games are releasing the solarpunk management game BioEden on PC via Steam on September 3, with future releases planned for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and Switch 2. A demo is currently available for PC users. In BioEden, players act as a Keeper, tasked with revitalizing a world by crafting biomes for various animal species and restoring ecosystems. Players will discover debris sites to recycle materials, build structures, and establish solar energy and water systems while managing resources and pollution. The game features a Cosmic Collective of five Guilds, each with unique identities and philosophies that influence gameplay. BioEden emphasizes exploration and transformation without fail states or time constraints.

AppWizard

June 7, 2026

Focus Entertainment Reveals ‘BioEden’ Coming to PC this September, Console Release to Follow Later

Focus Entertainment and Broken Arms Games announced the release of BioEden, a solarpunk management game, set to launch on September 3, 2026, on Steam, with later releases planned for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. Players will take on the role of a Keeper, tasked with revitalizing a distressed planet by building a self-sustaining network and resurrecting extinct animal species. A demo of BioEden is currently available on Steam, featuring a tutorial that introduces players to the game's mechanics.

Winsage

June 7, 2026

Windows 11’s June 2026 Update Lands June 9 With Shared Audio And NPU Monitoring: The 6 Features Worth Knowing

Microsoft will begin rolling out the June 2026 update for Windows 11 on June 9, 2026. Key features include Shared Audio, which allows two users to listen to the same audio output from one device using a new Low Latency audio profile, and NPU monitoring in Task Manager, enabling users to track AI processing handled by the neural processing unit. The update also introduces multi-app camera streaming, custom account folder naming during setup, and various enhancements to Settings, Windows Hello, USB functionality, battery management, and personalization options.