notification settings Archives

AppWizard

January 10, 2026

Slack Messenger Review: Why This Workplace Chat App Still Owns the Modern Office

Slack Messenger is a cloud-based collaboration and messaging platform owned by Salesforce Inc. It is designed to organize workplace communication through channel-based messaging, allowing separate discussions for projects, teams, or topics. Key features include powerful search capabilities, integrations with over 2,000 apps like Google Drive and Zoom, audio/video huddles, workflow automation, enterprise-grade security, and cross-organization collaboration via Slack Connect. Users generally appreciate its organization, user experience, and integration capabilities, although some express concerns about notification overload, cost at scale, and a learning curve for new users. Compared to alternatives like Microsoft Teams, Google Chat, and Discord, Slack is seen as more responsive and suitable for structured environments. It is particularly beneficial for organizations already using Salesforce due to enhanced integration with Salesforce workflows.

Tech Optimizer

January 7, 2026

Norton in 2026: Is the Old-School Antivirus Brand Still Worth Your Trust?

Norton has evolved into a comprehensive cybersecurity suite by 2026, transitioning from traditional antivirus software to a holistic solution under Gen Digital Inc. Its offerings include Norton 360, which provides real-time malware and ransomware protection, a built-in unlimited data VPN, password management, dark web monitoring, and identity protection on higher tiers. The Norton 360 Deluxe plan is popular for households, offering high protection scores, a usable VPN, dark web monitoring, cross-platform support, and identity protection features. Users appreciate its ease of use, strong protection record, and the value of the VPN, while some express frustration with upselling, auto-renew pricing, and performance on older machines. Norton competes with brands like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, and McAfee, with its all-in-one convenience being a key advantage. It is suitable for families and less tech-savvy users but may not be ideal for those preferring minimalist setups or who have older hardware.

AppWizard

November 9, 2025

Samsung’s latest Good Lock update fixes Back Tap unreliability

Samsung is deploying an update for its Good Lock module, RegiStar, with version 1.0.67 available on the Galaxy Store. This update includes bug fixes that improve the reliability of the Back Tap feature and resolves a glitch affecting the Gemini app on the Galaxy Z Flip series. Good Lock allows users to customize their Galaxy phone with 20 specialized modules, including RegiStar, which enables users to reconfigure the Settings menu, manage display preferences, and activate features through various gestures. Users can download Good Lock and RegiStar from the Galaxy Store and find the latest update by navigating to the Updates section in the app.

Tech Optimizer

October 29, 2025

Windows Defender Settings Explained for Windows 11 Users

Windows Defender, now known as Microsoft Defender Antivirus, is a security tool for PCs that protects against viruses and malware. To access its settings, press Windows + I, select Privacy & Security, then Windows Security, and click Open Windows Security. Key settings to review include: 1. Virus & Threat Protection: Enable real-time protection, cloud-delivered protection, and automatic sample submission. Run a Quick Scan for threats. 2. Firewall & Network Protection: Ensure the firewall is enabled for Domain, Private, and Public networks. 3. App & Browser Control: Activate SmartScreen features for apps and downloads. 4. Device Security: Check if Core Isolation is enabled for memory integrity protection. Users can customize notification settings to reduce pop-ups. Windows Defender can be temporarily disabled by toggling off Real-time protection. It can work alongside other antivirus programs but will disable its real-time protection if another antivirus is detected. For most users, Windows Defender provides sufficient protection. Automatic scans can be scheduled through Task Scheduler.

AppWizard

September 22, 2025

How to Stop Android Battery Optimization from Killing Apps

Users and developers managing Android devices must navigate the balance between battery life and app functionality. Android's aggressive power-saving features can mute notifications or suspend background processes, leading to a state known as “sleeping.” To maintain app functionality, users can exempt specific applications from battery optimization through the Settings app under “Battery” or “Apps & notifications.” This feature, introduced in Android 6.0 Marshmallow, allows apps to operate seamlessly in the background. For example, disabling sleep mode for essential apps like WhatsApp can prevent missed notifications. Samsung's Adaptive Battery is particularly aggressive, often pushing unused apps into a “deep sleep” state after a few days, which can disrupt vital functions. Users may need to manually exempt applications in Samsung’s “Device care” settings. Other manufacturers like Huawei and Xiaomi impose similar restrictions, while Google’s stock Android offers more straightforward adjustments. Developers can incorporate foreground services or request permissions like “android.permission.WAKE_LOCK” to keep apps awake, balancing user privacy and battery health. Android’s Doze mode activates during inactivity and organizes background tasks into maintenance windows, but apps can request exemptions. Monitoring battery usage statistics can help identify problematic apps. In enterprise environments, tools like Ivanti’s mobile device management can automate these settings. Combining exemptions with notification settings ensures that apps remain active, although blanket exemptions may lead to faster battery depletion. The dynamic between operating system efficiency and app demands continues to evolve, particularly with Android 14’s enhanced foreground service requirements.

Tech Optimizer

September 18, 2025

3 simple Windows Group Policies I always set on a new install

Windows 11 is popular but can be cumbersome due to features that may overwhelm users. Common issues include difficulties in permanently disabling Microsoft Defender antivirus, frequent toast notifications, and OneDrive's backup policies. Users can enhance their experience by making adjustments through the Windows Group Policy editor. 1. Microsoft Defender can be permanently disabled using Group Policy settings, as it may not perform as well as third-party antivirus solutions. 2. Notifications can be turned off entirely through Group Policy settings, allowing users to eliminate unwanted pop-ups while keeping essential alerts. 3. OneDrive's automatic backup feature can be disabled via Group Policy settings to prevent issues when managing multiple devices. Additional customizations through Group Policy can optimize performance by blocking software installations, disabling USB drives, and reducing background programs.

AppWizard

September 1, 2025

GB WhatsApp Download: Unlock Free Feature-Packed Messaging

GB WhatsApp is an unofficial, modified version of the popular WhatsApp app created by third-party developers. It offers additional features such as hiding last seen status, customizing themes, sending larger files, and managing multiple accounts on a single device. The GBWhatsApp Apk is the installation file for this modified app, which is not available on official app stores. Safety concerns exist when downloading GB WhatsApp, and it is crucial to source it from reputable websites. GB WhatsApp Pro is a premium version that provides enhanced privacy controls and customization options. Users can also customize themes, font styles, and notification settings. GB WhatsApp allows users to send larger files than the official app and offers robust privacy features, including hiding online status and blue ticks. While using GB WhatsApp is not illegal, it may lead to temporary or permanent bans by WhatsApp.

Winsage

August 14, 2025

6 settings I turn off on every new Windows computer for a smoother, more efficient experience

Microsoft's Windows 11 often does not meet the diverse needs of its users due to its one-size-fits-all default settings. Here are six adjustments that can improve the user experience: 1. The Recall feature, available only on Copilot+ PCs, allows for system snapshots but poses security risks; opting out during setup is advisable. 2. The default display timeout is set to 3–5 minutes; adjusting it to 15 minutes for display and 20–30 minutes for sleep can enhance productivity. 3. Many applications launch automatically at startup, which can slow down boot times; disabling unnecessary start-up programs can improve performance. 4. Modifying or disabling search indexing can enhance system responsiveness for users who do not frequently use the search function. 5. Curating notification settings can reduce distractions from the numerous system notifications in Windows 11. 6. Uninstalling OneDrive can simplify file management by avoiding complications from syncing desktop shortcuts across devices.

Winsage

July 21, 2025

Microsoft Enhances Windows 11 with Real-Time Performance Logging

Microsoft Corporation has introduced a new feature in Windows 11 that allows users to automatically submit real-time performance logs through the Feedback Hub to report slow or unresponsive behavior. This feature, released in a recent Insider test build, aims to streamline problem reporting for users in the Windows Insider Programme and enhance the collection of diagnostic information. Microsoft has faced criticism regarding inconsistent performance in Windows 11 since its launch in October 2021 and has implemented various updates to improve system performance. Additionally, the upcoming 25H2 update will require developers to conduct static analyses on their drivers before certification to enhance system stability and performance.

AppWizard

June 9, 2025

How to Turn Off Meta AI Features on Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp

Meta AI, integrated across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp, does not provide a straightforward way to disable it entirely. Users can minimize its influence by following specific steps: - On Facebook, users can disable AI-generated comment summaries in the “audience and visibility” section of the “settings” tab. - In Messenger, users can mute Meta AI through the “information” tab by clicking the “i” button and selecting the mute option. - On Instagram, users can mute Meta AI by clicking the Meta AI logo, accessing its information page, and toggling the mute option. - In WhatsApp, users can mute notifications from Meta AI by selecting the AI icon and adjusting notification settings. European users have a form available on Facebook’s help page to object to their data being used for training purposes. In 2024, the European privacy group NOYB filed complaints against Meta AI in 11 countries regarding data usage. Although Meta paused its training plans for nearly a year, it resumed in April 2025, notifying EU users and providing an opt-out form. Meta AI utilizes user-generated content from its platforms for training, raising privacy concerns, especially for users outside the EU who cannot opt out of data collection.