nudge Archives

Winsage

March 22, 2025

Amazon flags Surface Laptop 7 as a frequently returned item — warns buyers to check reviews first

The Surface Laptop 7 has been labeled as a frequently returned item on Amazon, indicated by a yellow warning beneath the product description. This designation suggests a higher-than-average return rate, although the reasons for these returns are not specified. The warning applies to specific hardware configurations of the device, potentially impacting Microsoft's reputation. The laptop has an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 based on 360 reviews, with 71% being five stars and 12% one star, indicating mixed user satisfaction. In contrast, no configurations of the Surface Pro 11 have been marked as frequently returned. The label is assigned to items with the highest return rates in their category, reflecting current market challenges for the Surface Laptop 7. The recent introduction of an Intel-powered version may be affecting interest in the Snapdragon X models.

Winsage

March 21, 2025

How to Restart Windows Explorer in Windows 11

To restart Windows Explorer in Windows 11, open Task Manager by right-clicking the taskbar, locate Windows Explorer in the processes list, right-click it, and select Restart. If Windows Explorer has crashed and the taskbar is missing, press CTRL + ALT + Delete, select Task Manager, click on Run new task, enter explorer.exe in the Open field, and click Ok to restore the taskbar and desktop functionality.

Winsage

February 28, 2025

Microsoft’s latest bit of nagging in Windows 11 might come from a good place, but it’s seriously annoying some people

Windows 11 users are receiving persistent reminders in the Settings app to back up their PCs, promoting Microsoft’s Backup app and OneDrive for cloud storage. This notification is particularly directed at users who have opted out of cloud syncing and backup settings, leading to frustration among those who manage their backups independently. Users have expressed a desire for a way to dismiss these reminders, as many already use third-party backup solutions. Discussions on platforms like Reddit indicate that some users are looking for workarounds to disable the notifications.

AppWizard

February 17, 2025

The new game from The Witcher 3’s director revives the best tradition of Morrowind by letting you kill off ‘really important NPCs’

The Blood of Dawnwalker allows players to kill important NPCs, significantly diverging from the narrative restrictions of The Witcher 3. The game emphasizes player choice and a sandbox nature, aiming to create options while maintaining good storytelling and lore. The ability to eliminate characters can lead to alternate outcomes and cut-off questlines, introducing consequences that players must navigate. The protagonist's blood hunger at night can result in unintended fatalities, enhancing the game's exploration of darker decision-making.

AppWizard

February 17, 2025

Best Ways to Transport Villagers in Minecraft – The Times of India

Villagers in Minecraft do not follow players, making their relocation challenging. For short distances, job blocks can be used to attract unemployed villagers within a 48-block radius by placing and replacing the job block. For medium distances, boats can transport villagers across water and land by placing a boat in front of them. For long distances, rails and minecarts are the fastest method, requiring the setup of tracks and resources like gold and iron. For extreme long distances, Nether portals allow for quick transportation, pushing villagers into the portal and using the Nether to cover large distances. Lastly, when natural rivers are absent, players can create a water canal to guide villagers, although this method is time-consuming and results in slow movement.

AppWizard

February 15, 2025

Ten PC games I could have played, in full, during the time I spent failing to connect to Elden Ring: Nightreign on PS5

On Valentine’s Day, an attempt to engage with the network test for Elden Ring: Nightreign resulted in a three-hour experience with server issues on PS5. The test may have provided data for FromSoftware ahead of the game's May release. Alternative games suggested for exploration during the wait include: - Jazzpunk: A comedic game resembling a 60s spy thriller. - Mouthwashing: A compact horror game set in a stranded spaceship. - Thirty Flights of Loving: A brief narrative about a heist gone wrong. - Bernband: A low-resolution walking simulator in an alien city. - The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe: A follow-up mini-adventure with witty commentary. - Exo One: A visually stunning game focused on momentum-based traversal. - Stray: A feline-themed game with fluid platforming and intricate design. - Scanner Sombre: A techno-horror experience using a LiDAR scanner in darkness. - Minit: An adventure game where players solve puzzles within a minute-long lifespan. - Portal: An iconic puzzle-platformer known for its innovative mechanics.

Winsage

February 5, 2025

Windows 11’s Start menu search gets new, clearer labels, as Microsoft tries to avoid EU regulation trouble

Microsoft is changing the search functionality in Windows 11 for users in the European Economic Area (EEA) to comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA). The update will separate local search results from web-based results, which were previously combined in the Start menu search using Bing. The new Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27764 features two sections in the search window: “Windows” for local results and “Web search from Bing” for online queries. This change is particularly noticeable for users with their Windows 11 language set to German. The update is selectively rolled out in the EEA, indicating Microsoft may not implement similar changes globally. The aim is to improve user experience by reducing clutter and distractions from irrelevant web suggestions when searching for files or applications on the device.

Winsage

February 5, 2025

Microsoft is cracking down on unsupported Windows 11 installs

A support document on installing Windows 11 on unsupported PCs has been removed from Microsoft's website. This document previously provided a method for users to bypass the mandatory TPM 2.0 requirement by modifying registry key values, but its removal indicates a shift in Microsoft's stance against this workaround. The end of support for Windows 10 is approaching, leaving many users on older PCs vulnerable to security risks. The original support article can still be accessed via the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine.

Winsage

December 23, 2024

Windows 10’s updated Settings sneak in a Windows 11 reminder, add colours

Microsoft is redesigning the "About" page within the Windows 10 Settings app to align with its strategy to encourage users to upgrade to Windows 11. The new design features a visually appealing layout that includes bubble-like boxes displaying key system specifications such as installed RAM, processor details, graphics card specifications, and storage breakdown. A "Frequently Asked Questions" section has been added, addressing basic queries and subtly promoting the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11. Additionally, the Settings homepage will feature colorful icons that reflect the user's accent color, although there are inconsistencies in the application of these colors across different icons.

AppWizard

December 13, 2024

My favourite Hitman game, which has over 10,000 ‘Very Positive’ reviews on Steam, is now less than a buck

Hitman: Blood Money is highly regarded in the video game community, with praise from critics like Jim Rossignol and Tom Francis for its inventiveness and satisfying gameplay. The game features a unique blend of dark humor, absurdity, and intricate puzzle-solving. Players are encouraged to use stealth rather than firearms, with the goal of achieving a 'Silent Assassin' rating for a rewarding experience. Current pricing makes it an opportune time to add Hitman: Blood Money to a Steam library.