OEM Archives

Winsage

October 14, 2026

Windows 11 promises to clean up bloat, but disabling its own features is the only thing that works

Upon installing Windows 11, users encounter numerous pre-installed applications, promotional tiles, and cloud-connected features. These apps are organized in two phases: system-level staging and user-specific activation. The AppX Deployment Service registers these apps for users, creating app data folders. Microsoft also embeds custom app shortcuts and trial software into the Start menu using LayoutModification.json. During setup, Microsoft's Consumer Experience feature connects to cloud servers, downloading app placeholders that are pinned to the Start menu. Local search is integrated with Bing by default, sending requests for suggestions and promoted content. To clean up Windows 11, users can uninstall non-essential applications through Settings, but this only removes them from the user profile. To permanently eliminate app templates, PowerShell commands can be used. Users can disable promotional content in Settings under Personalization and Privacy & Security. To sever Bing integration from search, modifications in the registry editor are required. The Task Manager can help manage startup applications, allowing users to disable non-essential third-party apps. While removing unnecessary components can improve performance, essential packages like Edge WebView2 runtime, Microsoft Defender, and the Microsoft Store should be retained to avoid system errors. Regular maintenance is necessary, as Windows updates may reinstall previously removed apps.

Winsage

October 12, 2026

ASUS Googlebook 14 hands-on: How does Google’s desktop OS feel to a lifelong Windows user? Microsoft should pay attention, but it doesn’t need to worry.

In September, Google introduced the 'Googlebook,' a premium laptop alternative to its Chromebooks, developed in collaboration with OEMs like Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo. The ASUS Googlebook 14, priced at ,299, features a lightweight design, weighing approximately 0.97 kg (2.13 lbs), and a 14-inch OLED display with a 16:10 aspect ratio and brightness of up to 450 nits. It includes a comfortable keyboard with 1.5mm key travel and a 6-inch haptic touchpad. However, usability challenges exist, such as the Caps Lock key activating a context menu and the lack of a dedicated delete key. App compatibility issues have also been noted, with some applications performing poorly compared to their desktop versions. Despite these challenges, the Googlebook shows potential for improvement with future updates.

AppWizard

October 11, 2026

3 Budget Android Phones That Work Without A Google Account

Google is working on a new Android Developer Verification system to enable users to sideload third-party app stores like F-Droid and Aurora. Budget-friendly Android phones that operate without a Google account include the TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper 5G, Motorola Moto G Play 5G (2026), and Samsung Galaxy A17 5G, all priced under 0. The TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper 5G, launched in 2025 for 0, features 8 GB of RAM, 128 GB of storage, a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor, and a 5,010 mAh battery. It offers one major Android OS upgrade and two years of security patches. The Motorola Moto G Play 5G (2026) was initially priced at 0 in November 2025 but has increased to 0. It includes 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, and a 5,200 mAh battery, with two years of major Android OS upgrades and three years of security patches. The Samsung Galaxy A17 5G debuted in January 2026 at 0, featuring an Exynos 1330 processor, 4 GB of RAM, 128 GB of storage, and a 5,000 mAh battery, with six major Android OS upgrades and six years of security patches. All devices allow users to avoid Google account sign-in and related background processes for improved performance.

Winsage

October 8, 2026

NVIDIA DGX Station for Windows: 748GB, 20 PFLOPs

NVIDIA announced the DGX Station for Windows on October 7, 2026, transitioning from a Linux-only approach to a Windows-based workstation. It features the GB300 Grace Blackwell Ultra Desktop Superchip, which includes a 72-core Grace CPU and a Blackwell Ultra GPU, providing up to 748GB of coherent memory and 20 petaFLOPs of FP4 AI compute. The system is designed for enterprise developers, allowing them to use familiar tools like CUDA and TensorRT within a Windows environment. The DGX Station for Windows will be available through OEM partners in Q4 2026, with an estimated price range of ,000 to ,000. NVIDIA will continue to offer the Linux version of the DGX Station alongside the new Windows edition.

AppWizard

October 6, 2026

Google Play Services v26.39 Brings Android Automotive Changes, More

Google has rolled out Google Play Services v26.39, targeting developers and enhancing user experience on Android devices. Key features include: - OEM Design Tokens for car manufacturers to customize Google app color themes on Android Automotive. - New functionalities for developers to improve Maps-related features in apps. - Users can view terms and attribution by tapping the info icon next to the Google Maps logo. - Bug fixes for Developer Services to enhance stability. - NFC support for quick access to Find Hub tag details and settings. - A new registration flow for categorizing and renaming tags in the Find Hub network. - Support for card art and payment network logos in card tokenization notifications. - AI-generated images in India will carry an AI label for user awareness. - Users can track their global influence on reviews, including views and helpfulness votes. - Various bug fixes and maintenance changes for overall system performance improvements.

AppWizard

October 5, 2026

What’s new in Android’s October 2026 Google System Updates

The monthly "Google System Release Notes" provide updates on Google platforms, including Play services, Play Store, and the Play system, benefiting both end users and developers on various devices. The "Google System" includes first-party applications for improved user interaction. Users can access updates through device settings, but feature availability may vary. Key updates include: - Google Play services v26.39 introduces OEM Design Tokens for Android Automotive customization, new developer features for Maps, and bug fixes. - Security updates allow NFC support for Find Hub tag details and a new registration flow for setting up tags. - Wallet updates include support for card art and payment network logos in notifications. - Google Play Store v53.5 adds AI labels for images in India and enables users to track their review influence. - Android System Intelligence B.29 / C.7 includes bug fixes and maintenance changes.

AppWizard

October 5, 2026

Google’s Android Security State Libraries Enable Component-Level Security Verification

Google has launched AndroidX Security State libraries, enabling applications to verify security patch status at a granular level for individual components. This allows developers to conduct precise security verifications tailored to their applications' needs. The libraries categorize security patch levels into Device SPL, Published SPL, and Available SPL, providing enhanced visibility into device security. Functions such as queryAllAvailableUpdates() and areCvesPatched() help identify pending updates and check CVE status. The Security State Provider library standardizes communication for update notifications among OEMs.

Winsage

October 4, 2026

Modder brings Nvidia Pascal GPU support to Windows XP 32-bit — modded drivers unlock better DisplayPort and HDMI support for modern monitors

Winsage

October 4, 2026

Modder brings Nvidia Pascal GPU support to Windows XP 32-bit

Tech enthusiast SupraGSX has introduced support for Nvidia's Pascal-era graphics cards (10-series and Quadro P2000-P6000) on the Windows XP 32-bit platform through a custom driver called ForceWare 382.69. This driver combines legacy and modern technology, integrating firmware from Quadro 376.84 and supporting features from GeForce 378.78 designed for Windows 7. Supported graphics cards include GeForce GTX 970, 980, 980 Ti, GTX TITAN X, GTX 1060, 1070, 1070 Ti, 1080, 1080 Ti, GTX 1050 Ti (experimental), Quadro M4000, M5000, M6000, P2000, P2200, P4000, P5000, P6000, and additional OEM variants of GTX 950 and GTX 960. The driver also supports DisplayPort HBR2 and HBR3, ensuring HDMI 2.0 identification and improved HDMI/DVI handling. User feedback has been positive, particularly for ultrawide screens at high refresh rates. The project offers an installer package for download, and modders can access build instructions for modifications. There are inquiries about Windows XP 64-bit support, but a previous fork has been removed, with binaries still available on Mega. Users are advised to proceed with caution due to the unofficial nature of the drivers.

Winsage

September 19, 2026

We finally know how Windows XP’s infamous FCKGW product key ended up everywhere

Windows XP was released in two versions: Retail for individual consumers and Volume for Microsoft's partners and OEMs. The product key FCKGW-RHQQ2-YXRKT-8TG6W-2B7Q8 became widely recognized due to a potential leak by an insider at a major OEM, which was then spread by the pirate group Devils0wn. The Volume version's activation system required a unique key, but the FCKGW key was incompatible with the standard installation CD. To verify the legitimacy of Volume discs, the activation system searched for a secret 10MB binary blob exclusive to the Volume media. Microsoft blacklisted the FCKGW key with Service Pack 1 and implemented further security measures with Service Pack 2, restricting access to certain updates. Contrary to prior beliefs, the key's functionality was not due to a simple key generation algorithm but was designed by skilled engineers.