methods Archives

Winsage

June 18, 2025

What version of Windows is on your PC? Here’s how to find out

To check your Windows version and build number, you can use the following methods: 1. Winver Tool: Type “winver” in the taskbar search bar and select the command to display your version and build number in a pop-up window. 2. Windows Settings: Go to the start menu, select “Settings,” then navigate to “System” and click on “About” to find your version and build number under “Windows specifications.” 3. Registry Database: Type “regedit” in the taskbar search field, open the Registry Editor, and navigate to HKEYLOCALMACHINE->SOFTWARE->Microsoft->Windows NT->CurrentVersion to find the version number under “ReleaseId” and “DisplayVersion.”

Winsage

June 17, 2025

Microsoft releases patch after Surface Hubs v1 bricked

Microsoft has released an out-of-band update to fix an issue with Surface Hub v1 devices that arose from the June Patch Tuesday updates, specifically related to KB5060533 for Windows 10 versions 21H2 and 22H2. This issue caused some Surface Hub v1 units to become inoperable, displaying a "Secure Boot Violation: Invalid signature detected" error message. Microsoft paused the update on June 11 and issued a patch a week later. The problem does not affect Surface Hub 2S and 3 models. Users have reported inconsistent success using a disk re-imaging tool, and the Surface team is investigating potential recovery methods. Microsoft is working on a solution for the affected devices and will provide updates as they become available.

Winsage

June 17, 2025

Microsoft has broken Windows Hello facial recognition — it no longer works in the dark

Windows Hello now requires a color camera in addition to infrared sensors for user sign-ins, which reduces its effectiveness in low-light conditions. This change was made to address a spoofing vulnerability and was implemented after an initial announcement in April. The updated system struggles in dark environments, raising concerns for users with darker skin tones, as low-light conditions can hinder facial recognition. Users can disable the color webcam to revert to using only IR sensors, but this disables video capabilities. Alternatives for sign-in include PIN, password, or fingerprint authentication.

BetaBeacon

June 17, 2025

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: PARANORMASIGHT, Sun Origin, Methods, more

- Exciting Android game and app deals are available now - Samsung's 180MB/s 1TB PRO Plus microSD card, Ring Battery Doorbell, Nothing's CMF Buds Pro 2, Motorola Razr Ultra 2025, and unlocked Galaxy S25 Ultra are all on sale - Free SEGA classics are also available today

Winsage

June 17, 2025

These 5 missing Windows 11 features are the most wanted among users

Microsoft's Feedback Hub was created to collect user suggestions for improving Windows 11. Five highly requested features identified by users include: 1. The ability to move the taskbar to the top or side of the screen, which has received 24,046 votes. 2. The option to completely disable recommendations in the Start menu, as users want to hide them permanently. 3. The ability to change the default search engine in Windows 11, which currently defaults to Bing and Microsoft Edge, with no plans for broader availability beyond the European Economic Area. 4. A reduction in Windows 11’s system requirements to allow it to run on older hardware, as many users cannot upgrade from Windows 10 due to current requirements like TPM 2.0. 5. More options for taskbar icons to optimize space, as the existing "never combine" mode has inconsistent behavior that frustrates users.

AppWizard

June 17, 2025

How to destroy sticky notes in FBC: Firebreak

FBC: Firebreak features a challenge where players must eliminate 15,000 sticky notes. Effective strategies for destroying sticky notes include: - Utilizing water to make them vulnerable and prevent regeneration. - Employing the Splash Kit to soak the notes and the Jump Kit for the final blow. - Engaging with environmental elements, such as ceiling sprinklers, to drench nearby notes. - Coordinating with teammates using the Crisis Kit to enhance capabilities. In the second level, players face sticky note monsters, applying the same wetting strategy. In the third level, players confront the boss Sticky Ricky by: 1. Repairing devices at the arena icons. 2. Wetting Sticky Ricky by pulling the right lever. 3. Shocking him with the left lever. 4. Attacking while he is stunned, repeating the sequence to reduce his health.

Winsage

June 17, 2025

How Microsoft’s Windows 95 test nearly crashed an entire software store

Microsoft's transition from Windows 3.x to Windows 95 involved a unique compatibility testing strategy where the development manager purchased one copy of every available software program from a local store. The software was then tested by the Windows 95 development team in a makeshift marketplace set up in the cafeteria. Each team member had to install and run two programs, reporting any issues encountered. The cash register at the store struggled with the large total of the order, crashing when it exceeded ,000, leading the store owner to split the transaction into smaller amounts. One developer, Raymond Chen, tested a German-English automatic translator, which performed poorly in translation.

AppWizard

June 16, 2025

Stutters and hitches in Unreal Engine 5 games should become rarer over time due to Epic’s continuous updates, but we’ll still see them for a while because of the way games are made

At Unreal Fest in Orlando, Epic Games showcased new features for Unreal Engine 5 through a tech demo of CD Projekt Red's Witcher 4 and hosted training sessions for developers. Key topics included shader compilation stutters and performance issues in Unreal Engine games, with a focus on optimization methodologies rather than the engine itself. Insights revealed persistent performance optimization challenges, particularly with shader compilation and traversal stutters. Developers were encouraged to implement PSO precaching in Unreal Engine 5.2 or newer, although neither solution is perfect. Obsidian's game Avowed began development in Unreal Engine 4 before transitioning to version 5.3.2, while aiming for specific frame rates on Xbox Series S and X. The team size for Avowed was 140, with only 15 in technical roles, which may have limited their ability to fully utilize new features. Unreal Engine 5.6 offers performance enhancements that require strategic implementation by developers. Attendance at Epic's sessions was high, indicating a growing awareness of performance issues among developers. The hope is that future titles will leverage the latest engine version to address these challenges effectively.

Winsage

June 16, 2025

Microsoft: June Windows Server security updates cause DHCP issues

Microsoft has identified an issue with the June 2025 security updates that causes the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) service to freeze on certain Windows Server systems. This affects the service's ability to apply renewals of unicast IP addresses, impacting network operations. Microsoft has acknowledged that the DHCP Server service may intermittently stop responding after the update and is working on a resolution. Additionally, other issues affecting Windows Server systems have been addressed, including application failures and authentication problems on domain controllers. Out-of-band updates were previously issued to fix bugs causing Hyper-V virtual machines to restart or freeze, and emergency updates were released for issues with Windows containers on certain Windows Server versions.

Winsage

June 15, 2025

Windows 95 testing almost stalled from cash reg overflow

Microsoft employed unconventional testing methods for Windows 95, emphasizing compatibility by acquiring a wide range of applications for testing. A manager purchased one copy of every PC program available at a local store, resulting in a large stack of software for the team to test. Engineers were tasked with testing selected programs, logging issues, and could keep the software after the official release. This approach contrasted with modern testing practices. An unforeseen issue arose when the store's cash register crashed due to the total exceeding ,000, highlighting a limitation in the retail system rather than the operating system. The solution involved breaking the total into smaller transactions to proceed with testing.