partition Archives

Winsage

April 10, 2025

Don’t pay more for Windows Pro’s advanced features. Use these free tools instead

The Windows Home and Pro editions differ primarily in several key features relevant to personal users: - Bitlocker Encryption: Exclusive to the Pro edition, it secures drives, but Windows 11 Home includes device encryption requiring a Microsoft account. - Hyper-V: Available only in Pro, but alternatives like VirtualBox can be used in Home. - Remote Desktop: Pro allows full remote access, while Home offers limited support; third-party tools can provide alternatives. - Group Policies: Primarily for corporate use in Pro, but local group policies can be activated in Home with alternative tools available. Windows 11 24H2 Home includes a new device encryption feature requiring a Microsoft account. Veracrypt is a free alternative for encryption, allowing for encrypted containers and compatibility across multiple operating systems. Upgrading from Windows 11 Home to Pro requires a new product key. VirtualBox offers a free option for creating virtual machines. For remote access, tools like Rustdesk can be used without needing the Pro edition's capabilities.

Winsage

April 9, 2025

4 reasons I use virtual hard disks in Windows, and you should too

Creating virtual hard disks (VHD or VHDX) in Windows 11 23H2 and later is straightforward through the Settings app. Users can create a VHD by navigating to Settings -> System -> Storage -> Advanced storage settings -> Disks and volumes, where they can choose to create a VHD or Dev Drive. The VHD format supports up to 2040GB, while VHDX supports up to 64TB and offers resilience during power failures. VHDX can be encrypted with BitLocker for password protection. Virtual disks can be shared over a network, enhancing efficiency by eliminating the need for physical media. They are cost-effective compared to physical drives, reducing hardware costs and potential points of failure. The Hyper-V hypervisor provides a versatile platform for these virtual drives, which offer portability, flexibility, ease of sharing, efficient backups, and robust security, though they may have slower performance than SSDs and limited native boot support for Windows.

Winsage

April 2, 2025

5 reasons I stopped dual-booting Windows and Linux on my PC

The author currently uses Windows 11 on most devices due to the lack of Linux alternatives for certain creative applications. They previously engaged in dual-booting Linux and Windows but have shifted away from this practice due to time and data management concerns. Storage issues were a significant challenge, particularly with drive partitioning on laptops. The author finds virtual machines (VMs) and Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) to be more accessible and practical solutions for their needs. They also mention that Windows 11's Secure Boot complicates dual-boot setups and that Windows updates often overwrite the GRUB bootloader, risking data integrity. Additionally, using BitLocker with GRUB can lead to complications. Ultimately, the author prefers a single operating system per device for a simpler and more efficient experience.

Winsage

April 1, 2025

Windows 11 PC won’t boot? Microsoft’s new tool tries to fix it before you even panic

Microsoft is introducing a new tool called Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) to address boot-up issues in Windows PCs, currently available for testing in the latest Windows 11 Insider build. QMR, designed for both IT administrators and home users, automates the recovery process by entering the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) when a critical boot-up error occurs. The PC will connect to the internet, send diagnostic data to Microsoft, and receive a tailored fix via Windows Update, allowing it to boot normally without further user intervention. QMR is part of Microsoft's Windows Resiliency Initiative and aims to simplify the recovery process for users.

Winsage

April 1, 2025

Windows 11 is getting a secret weapon for boot failures

Microsoft has introduced a new tool called Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) to address boot-up issues in Windows PCs, currently available for testing in the latest Windows 11 Insider build. QMR automates the recovery process by utilizing the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), allowing PCs to automatically enter recovery mode, connect to the internet, and send diagnostic data to Microsoft. Based on this data, a tailored fix is sent to the device through Windows Update. QMR is designed for both IT administrators and home users, with the latter having it enabled by default. It is part of Microsoft's Windows Resiliency Initiative, and the company is encouraging feedback from testers.

Winsage

March 28, 2025

How to easily create an unattended answer file for Windows 11

On Windows 11, an answer file named autounattend.xml can be created to streamline the installation process by bypassing setup steps. To create this file, users need to install the DISMTools application, which provides a wizard for generating the unattended file. The installation of DISMTools involves using Command Prompt to run the command: winget install CodingWondersSoftware.DISMTools.Preview. To create the unattended file, users launch DISMTools, navigate to the "Unattended answer file creator," and follow the wizard to configure settings such as system language, processor architecture, disk settings, product key, account settings, and network settings. The final step is saving the file as autounattend.xml. To integrate the answer file into Windows 11 installation media, users download the Media Creation Tool, select the USB flash drive option, and copy the autounattend.xml file to the USB drive. This prepares the USB for an unattended installation of Windows 11. The XML file may also appear as "unattend.xml" in other contexts.

Winsage

March 24, 2025

5 reasons why GParted is better than any Windows alternative for partition management

GParted is a free and open-source partition management tool available on Linux, allowing users to boot directly from a flash drive without installation. It supports over a dozen file systems, including HFS, HFS+, BTRFS, and F2FS, providing versatility beyond Windows' Disk Management, which is limited to NTFS, exFAT, and FAT32. GParted enables users to manage partition flags easily, a feature not available in Windows. While it does not offer direct partition recovery options, users can use the Terminal in GParted Live to execute disk tests for locating lost partitions. GParted can run from a live USB across multiple operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS, making it a flexible choice for partition management. It allows users to shrink partitions, create new ones, and recover lost partitions and files, although it is recommended for users comfortable with partition management.

Winsage

March 24, 2025

4 reasons to use multiple partitions on a Windows PC

Windows users can enhance their PCs by partitioning their drives, which allows for multiple operating systems and improves data management and security. Creating a dedicated data partition protects personal files during Windows reinstallation, while a smaller Windows partition simplifies recovery after crashes. Partitioning enables users to run different versions of Windows or Linux in a dual-boot setup. For sensitive information, creating an encrypted partition with tools like BitLocker ensures data security. The practice of partitioning remains relevant, offering benefits such as better organization and security, though it may also present challenges like vulnerability to malware and inefficient space use.

AppWizard

March 20, 2025

Linux on Android: Google clarifies the new Terminal app’s purpose

Google's new Linux Terminal app for Android, launched with the March 2025 Pixel Drop, allows users to create and manage a Debian virtual machine on their Pixel devices through a command-line interface. The app is designed to enhance the Android app ecosystem by enabling the use of Linux apps, tools, and games, rather than creating a new desktop environment. Users can control their Linux environment, including storage allocation and port forwarding. While users can install Linux desktop management systems like XFCE or GNOME, these will not be the default experience. Google is also preparing GPU acceleration for future releases. The development indicates a convergence between Android and ChromeOS, but both systems will retain their distinct functionalities, with Android focused on mobile use and ChromeOS optimized for desktop productivity.

Winsage

March 19, 2025

How to transfer your Windows 11 setup to a new hard drive — no extra app required

Users of Windows 11 may need to upgrade their hard drive due to space constraints or the drive nearing the end of its lifespan, typically within three to five years. They can create a system image backup using the Backup and Restore feature in Windows 11. To create a system image, users must access the Control Panel, navigate to System and Security, and select "Create a system image." The backup can be saved on a hard disk, and users can choose to include additional drives. To create a USB bootable media for recovery, users should visit the Windows 11 download page, download the Media Creation Tool, and follow the prompts to create a USB flash drive. Replacing the hard drive involves powering down the computer, removing the cover, disconnecting cables, and installing the new drive. After installation, users can restore the previous Windows 11 installation from the system image backup by booting from the USB drive and selecting "System Image Recovery." If the new drive has unallocated space, users can create a new partition or expand the existing setup partition. To create a data partition, users can access Settings, navigate to Storage, and create a new volume from unallocated space. To expand the setup partition, users must delete the recovery partition, extend the installation drive, and recreate the recovery partition using Command Prompt and Disk Management. Finally, users should re-enable BitLocker after completing these processes.