OEM

BetaBeacon
August 2, 2025
Google has been ordered to make major changes to the Play Store and Android as a whole following a lawsuit with Epic Games. The changes include not sharing revenue with partners, allowing third-party payment methods, and resolving disputes with Epic Games. The changes must be implemented by August 8, 2025.
Winsage
July 31, 2025
Using an unlicensed version of Windows can lead to limitations such as restricted features, lack of personalization options, and withheld critical updates. A legitimate Windows 11 license can be purchased from platforms like WDKeys, with prices for Windows 11 Home starting under eight dollars. This license provides access to the full Windows experience, including features like dark mode, customizable wallpapers, and consistent updates. Support for Windows 10 will end in October 2025, and purchasing a Windows key now allows for a free upgrade to Windows 11 if hardware requirements are met. WDKeys offers both Windows 11 Home and Pro at lower prices than Microsoft, and their OEM keys are linked to a single machine for reinstallation. Support is available through email or live chat.
AppWizard
July 18, 2025
Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 7 is the first non-Pixel smartphone to support Google's Linux Terminal app, which allows users to run Linux programs within a virtual machine. This feature is not available on the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The Terminal app operates on a modified version of Debian within the Android Virtualization Framework (AVF), introduced with Android 13 and categorized as an Android 16 feature for Samsung devices. The app's availability is dependent on specific technical requirements related to the chipset; the Galaxy Z Flip 7 uses the Exynos 2500, which supports the necessary non-protected virtual machine, while the Galaxy S25 and Z Fold 7 use the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which is limited to secure virtual machines. Future updates from Qualcomm may address this limitation. The Terminal app currently does not support graphical applications, but there are indications that such features may be developed in the future.
Winsage
July 17, 2025
Microsoft has apologized for confusion regarding a Windows update that was supposed to resolve a critical issue but instead has exacerbated it. A bug in the Windows 11 24H2 update caused a significant Firewall error, referred to as a “false, harmless error.” The subsequent Windows 11 KB5062553 update did not fix the issue, and many users continue to see the error message. This error, identified as “Windows Firewall With Advanced Security 2042 None,” is a reporting bug and does not threaten users' PCs. Microsoft has acknowledged that the warning is due to a coding error from the recent updates, affecting only the event log entry, not the firewall's functionality.
Winsage
July 10, 2025
In recent months, users have explored unconventional methods to manipulate AI chatbots like Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT, including attempts to activate Windows 11 without purchasing a license, raising ethical concerns about software piracy. Some users successfully asked Copilot for scripts to activate Windows 11, while others used ChatGPT to generate activation keys for Windows 7. A user shared a memory of their grandmother reading Windows 7 activation keys as a bedtime story, prompting ChatGPT to respond empathetically and generate multiple activation keys in a poetic manner. However, the validity of these keys remains unverified, with many users reporting that they failed to work. OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, has warned users about the chatbot's tendency to "hallucinate." In 2023, both ChatGPT and Bard were noted for generating Windows 11 activation keys, which allowed installation but not full activation. A YouTuber managed to coax ChatGPT into generating Windows 95 keys by bypassing its safeguards.
Winsage
June 22, 2025
Microsoft is implementing a policy change in Windows Update that will no longer display older legacy drivers when a newer version is available. This update is being rolled out but does not affect the replacement of newer drivers manually installed from Intel, AMD, or Nvidia. The initiative is described as a “periodic cleanup of drivers from Windows Update,” primarily targeting OEMs. When a driver expires and a newer version exists, the older driver will be removed from Windows Update listings. This cleanup focuses on legacy drivers, and while users may not notice significant changes, it aims to streamline the update process. Future expansions may include expired drivers without replacements, but currently, the focus is on legacy drivers with available updates. OEMs can republish expired drivers with justification. The policy will not resolve issues where manually installed drivers are replaced by older versions via Windows Update, as Windows Update drivers may have higher version numbers despite being older. The policy does not affect users on unsupported hardware, as a driver is only marked as “expired” when a new replacement is available.
Winsage
June 15, 2025
Windows 10 Home and Pro will stop receiving free security updates in October 2025. Users should consider their reliance on Windows-dependent software when deciding on their next steps. 1. Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, has banned all Microsoft products and services in government offices due to privacy concerns. Users can transition to a Linux distribution and use LibreOffice instead of Microsoft 365. 2. Users can upgrade to Windows 10 IoT for continued security updates until January 2032, which requires a clean install but can be facilitated without wiping the drive. 3. Windows 11 IoT is available for those interested in upgrading, offering less bloat than Windows 11 Home or Pro, but it will only receive free security updates until October 2029. Transitioning to Windows 11 IoT also requires a clean install.
Winsage
May 31, 2025
Microsoft will retire Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, after which it will no longer receive technical support, feature updates, or security patches. Users can upgrade to Windows 11, but not all devices meet its requirements. Microsoft offers an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for an additional year of security support for a fee. Another option is the Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC edition, which provides a streamlined experience but is not intended for general consumer use and comes with complex licensing requirements. Windows 10 LTSC will receive official support for several years, but as mainstream Windows 10 approaches its end-of-support date, software and driver support may decline. Users with older hardware may consider acquiring a Windows 10 LTSC key to extend device functionality, but should weigh the associated challenges.
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