OneDrive Archives

Winsage

August 6, 2025

How to set up Windows 11 with a local account

Redmond prefers users to log into Windows 11 using a Microsoft account, particularly during installation. This can be problematic for those valuing privacy. A local account, which is stored solely on the device, offers benefits such as keeping preferences off the cloud and avoiding OneDrive. There are methods to set up Windows 11 with a local account: 1. Method 1: During installation, boot from a USB drive with the Windows 11 installer. After reaching the country selection screen, press Shift + F10 to open a command prompt and type PLACEHOLDER5199f62cf80342e3. After rebooting, disconnect from the internet using PLACEHOLDERf8cfa33cc93b6e53 in the command prompt. You can then create a local username and password. 2. Method 2: Use Rufus to prepare a USB installation drive. Select the option to "Remove requirement for an online Microsoft account" during setup. After booting from the USB, repeat the process of disconnecting from the internet and creating a local account. To add a local account to an existing Windows 11 setup, go to Settings > Accounts > Other Users, then select "Add account" and choose "Add a user without a Microsoft account." Enter the required information to create the local account.

Winsage

August 2, 2025

Nvidia extends Game Ready driver support for Windows 10 users through 2026

Nvidia will continue to provide Game Ready drivers for Windows 10 users for one year after its end-of-life date of October 14, 2025. Users with Maxwell, Volta, and Pascal graphics cards will receive security updates for three years, with the final drivers for these GPUs being released in October 2025 and quarterly security updates continuing until October 2028. Gamers with RTX cards will receive day-one optimizations for games launching in 2026, even if they remain on Windows 10. Nvidia's recent 580.88 driver includes Game Ready optimizations for the upcoming game Mafia: The Old Country and features DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Winsage

August 2, 2025

Boost Team Productivity and Security With Windows 11 Pro, Now $15 for Life

The author upgraded to Microsoft Windows 11 Pro, currently priced at .97 (regularly 9) for a lifetime license. Windows 11 Pro offers significant performance improvements, refined multitasking capabilities, and robust security features, including faster boot times, seamless app transitions, and improved cloud service integration. It includes productivity tools like Snap Layouts and virtual desktops, built-in BitLocker encryption, and remote desktop access. The Pro version provides essential features such as Group Policy, Hyper-V virtualization, and enterprise-grade identity management, making it suitable for small business owners and freelancers. The upgrade includes the AI assistant, Copilot, powered by ChatGPT-4o. The one-time purchase eliminates subscription fees, offering predictable costs and reduced licensing complexities.

Winsage

August 2, 2025

This Windows 11 Pro at 92% Off Feels Like a Donation From Microsoft Ahead of Back-to-School

Windows 11 Pro offers innovative user interface features that enhance multitasking and security. StackSocial is currently selling a license for Windows 11 Pro at a 92% discount, reducing the price to just . Key features include a Universal Search tool on the taskbar, the ability to create multiple desktop environments, and seamless integration with OneDrive for syncing files across devices.

AppWizard

August 2, 2025

These are 5 of my favorite gallery apps, but one stands out from the rest

Focus Go is a lightweight gallery app that emphasizes simplicity and elegance, allowing users to organize photos by folder and offering features like fingerprint security and brightness adjustment. Aves Gallery provides tools for managing photos and videos, including metadata editing and user habit statistics, along with swift search capabilities. Piktures integrates with cloud services and USB drives, features a Secret Space for secure image storage, and has a visually appealing interface. Google Gallery is a simple app compatible with older Android versions, designed for easy navigation of photo collections. Fossify Gallery is an open-source app with customizable settings, suitable for users with large photo libraries, allowing for adjustments in display preferences.

Winsage

August 2, 2025

Microsoft is killing a special Windows 11 edition for low-cost PCs

Microsoft has announced the discontinuation of Windows 11 SE, its operating system for low-end computers, which will cease support, including software updates and technical assistance, by October 2026. Windows 11 SE will not receive the upcoming version 25H2 and will not have any feature updates after version 24H2. Users will no longer receive new features, fixes, or security patches, leaving their devices vulnerable. Windows 11 SE was designed for educational institutions and budget-conscious consumers, but it has not gained significant traction. The Surface Laptop SE, which primarily ran Windows 11 SE, has a support lifecycle ending in January 2028.

Winsage

August 1, 2025

Microsoft is killing its ChromeOS competitor

Microsoft has decided to discontinue Windows 11 SE, a lightweight operating system introduced in 2021, aimed at low-cost laptops for educational environments. The company will cease all software updates for Windows 11 SE, with support officially ending in October 2026. The final update, version 24H2, will be the last released for this platform. Microsoft stated that it will not release a feature update after version 24H2 and recommends transitioning to a device that supports another edition of Windows 11 for continued support and security.

Winsage

July 31, 2025

Microsoft’s trying to force OneDrive on us yet again – this time for moving from a Windows 10 PC to a Windows 11 one

Microsoft has released a promotional video demonstrating the transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11 using its Backup app, which simplifies data and settings transfer from an existing PC to a new one. The video emphasizes the need for OneDrive subscriptions, as the free account offers only 5GB of storage, which may not be sufficient for many users. Users can avoid subscription fees by selectively transferring larger files, such as photos and videos, to an external drive. A future feature in the Windows Backup app will allow direct PC-to-PC migration via a local network, but it is not yet operational and requires a Microsoft account. The promotional video does not mention this feature.

Winsage

July 31, 2025

Microsoft’s new “move to Windows 11” campaign implies buying OneDrive paid plan

Microsoft has released a video reminding Windows 10 users about the upcoming end-of-life date and the ease of migrating to Windows 11 without losing personal data. The animation highlights the system backup feature, which allows users to preserve and migrate their system settings, applications, preferences, and personal files to a new PC by enrolling their device in the backup. A Microsoft account is necessary for storing these settings and preferences, while OneDrive is emphasized for safeguarding personal files. The free OneDrive plan offers only 5 GB of storage, which may not be sufficient for users with large data needs. Microsoft suggests upgrading to a OneDrive plan, but some users are hesitant to rely on it due to the additional cost. An alternative method for backing up personal data involves using an external disk. Microsoft also notes the limitations of the free OneDrive plan in the video. Additionally, there is a suggestion to reintroduce the Nearby sharing feature for easier file transfers between Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems in the upcoming 24H2 update.

Winsage

July 28, 2025

Microsoft Is Giving Windows 10 Users Free Security Updates for a Year, but There’s a Catch

Microsoft will conclude security support for Windows 10 in October 2025. Users can opt for a one-year extended security update for a fee or utilize a free cloud backup solution linked to their OneDrive accounts. Windows 10 remains the most widely adopted Windows operating system, with over 53% of installations as of May 2025. Microsoft will roll out the Extended Security Updates (ESU) wizard in July 2025, allowing users to enroll and receive updates until October 13, 2026. Businesses can purchase up to three additional years of updates. Users are entitled to 5GB of complimentary OneDrive storage, but backups may exceed this limit, necessitating a paid plan for additional space.