performance enhancement Archives

Tech Optimizer

April 4, 2025

My takeaway when it comes to antivirus software and gaming

Antivirus software can slow down a PC during gaming, with performance dips ranging from negligible to about 20 percent during routine monitoring, and up to 57 percent during full or partial scans. Despite the potential for improved performance by disabling antivirus software, security experts advise against it due to ongoing threats like viruses and malware. Instances of malware in downloadable game files and phishing scams targeting gaming communities highlight the importance of maintaining antivirus protection. Gamers can consider antivirus solutions designed for gaming that minimize system impact, schedule scans for non-gaming times, and create exclusion lists for game files to enhance performance while ensuring security.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

Download BleachBit (free) for Windows, macOS and Linux

BleachBit is an open-source system cleaning tool that helps users enhance disk capacity by removing unnecessary files and improving privacy. It permanently deletes files to prevent recovery, making it suitable for users handling sensitive information. The tool offers features such as shredding unused disk space, clearing browser histories, and removing software logs. BleachBit is free to use, lightweight, and compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS (with limited functionality). It supports cleaning for multiple applications and provides command-line functionality for advanced users. Additionally, BleachBit can be run from a USB drive without installation. Alternatives to BleachBit include CCleaner, Advanced SystemCare, and DaisyDisk, each offering different functionalities and features.

Tech Optimizer

February 27, 2025

Upgrade strategies for Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL and Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL 12

Standard support for Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition and Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL version 12 will end on February 28, 2025. The final update for PostgreSQL 12, version 12.22, was released on November 21, 2024. PostgreSQL follows an annual major version release cycle, supporting each version for five years post-release. Upgrading to newer major versions requires careful planning and testing to ensure application compatibility. New features in higher PostgreSQL versions include performance improvements, enhanced security, and new functionalities. Aurora PostgreSQL now supports AWS Graviton4 instances, which provide up to 40% performance improvement over Graviton3 instances. Recommended upgrades include moving to PostgreSQL 16 or newer, with options for in-place upgrades, blue/green deployments, and out-of-place upgrades. Amazon RDS Extended Support allows continued operation on a major version beyond the standard support end date, available at an additional cost. Extended Support for Aurora PostgreSQL 12.x and Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL 12.x will incur charges starting March 1, 2025, and will cease upon upgrading.

Winsage

February 20, 2025

Many of Microsoft Edge’s most important features are now faster than ever

Microsoft Edge version 132 has introduced significant performance enhancements, resulting in an average speed increase of approximately 40% across various features. Key areas affected include the Downloads folder, Drop, History, and the inPrivate new tab experience. The transition to WebUI 2.0 has optimized webpage rendering and improved speed, particularly benefiting lower-end devices using HDDs. For example, the time to open the Downloads folder has decreased from 0.927 seconds to 0.428 seconds. At least 14 areas of the browser's user interface have experienced these speed improvements, contributing to a more responsive and efficient browsing experience.

Winsage

December 28, 2024

Windows 11’s Camera Just Got Smarter: Check Out the Latest Additions

Microsoft has introduced new camera features for Windows 11 that enhance video quality and user experience. Users can now adjust camera brightness, contrast, resolution, and frame rate, allowing for better visibility in various lighting conditions and catering to different bandwidth needs. Additionally, users can utilize their camera in multiple applications simultaneously, enabling multitasking during video calls. However, these features may not be available on all devices immediately, as some older camera models may not support them, and the rollout will occur gradually. Users interested in trying these features early can join the Windows Insider Program and download version 26120.2702.

AppWizard

November 1, 2024

The future of PC gaming will be AI-driven – AMD confirms machine learning FSR 4 for 2025, launching in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

AMD has confirmed that the FSR 4 upscaling tool will be integrated into Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, set to launch in 2025. This announcement was made by Jack Huynh, Vice President of AMD, during a presentation for the Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor. AMD is also committed to optimizing FSR 3.1 for Black Ops 6 and is collaborating with Activision on machine learning-based FSR technology. Improvements in Fluid Motion Frames (FMF) have been noted, with expectations for enhanced performance in both FMF and the upscaling tool. The integration of FSR 4 is seen as a potential competitive advantage for AMD in the GPU market, particularly against Nvidia's DLSS technology.

AppWizard

October 23, 2024

Huawei’s HarmonyOS NEXT launch marks a divorce from Android

Huawei unveiled HarmonyOS NEXT, marking a shift away from the Android ecosystem. Public beta testing has started for select smartphones and tablets using Kirin and Kunpeng chips. This version does not support Android applications, emphasizing Huawei's goal of creating a self-sufficient platform. Notable native apps for HarmonyOS NEXT include Meituan, Douyin, Taobao, Xiaohongshu, Alipay, and JD.com, with over 15,000 native applications and meta-services launched. HarmonyOS NEXT features 110 million lines of code, a 30% performance enhancement, and extends battery life by an average of 56 minutes while freeing up about 1.5GB of memory. Currently, Huawei has no plans to introduce HarmonyOS NEXT outside of China. The launch signifies a step towards technological independence, as previous versions relied on the Android Open Source Project due to US sanctions. Huawei aims to extend HarmonyOS to personal computers, planning to phase out Windows, though timelines and adoption by other PC manufacturers are uncertain.

Tech Optimizer

October 22, 2024

Avira Free Security

Antivirus protection for personal computers is crucial, and free tools like Avira Free Security offer antivirus capabilities along with features such as a VPN, password management, and ad blocking. However, it lacks a typical security suite experience, missing components like firewall protection, backup, and spam filtering, with many features reserved for paying customers. Alternatives include Avast One Essential for a more streamlined free suite and AVG AntiVirus Free for basic protection, both recognized as Editors' Choice winners. Avira operates under Gen Digital, which includes brands like Avast, AVG, LifeLock, and Norton. The company has undergone several acquisitions since 2016, culminating in Norton acquiring Avast/AVG in 2021. These brands utilize four distinct antivirus engines, with efforts underway to develop a unified engine. Avira's installation process is user-friendly, prompting users to run a Smart Scan after installation. The Smart Scan checks for malware, evaluates privacy settings, identifies performance enhancements, flags apps needing updates, and scans for network threats. In independent lab tests, Avira received perfect or near-perfect scores from three labs, achieving a perfect score of 18 points from AV-Test Institute. It secured Advanced+ ratings from AV-Comparatives and passed tests for banking Trojans and general malware defense from MRG-Effitas. In personal testing, Avira quarantined 73% of curated malware samples, detecting 97% overall, earning a score of 9.3 out of 10. It successfully eradicated all ransomware samples but fell short compared to competitors in overall malware detection. Avira achieved a perfect score of 100% in phishing URL detection, ranking it among the top contenders in phishing protection. Its security features include virus scans, quarantine management, and software updates, though some features require an upgrade to Avira Prime. The privacy suite includes a browser safety extension, VPN with limited functionality, password manager, and file shredder. The performance features aim to optimize system efficiency but are often tied to the separate Avira System Speedup application, which promotes premium features.

Winsage

October 13, 2024

Microsoft teases a new OneDrive UX for Windows 11 and macOS

Microsoft's recent OneDrive event introduced updates aimed at enhancing user experience on Windows 11 and Mac devices. Key features include a revamped user interface, Natural Language Search for file location, and the integration of OneDrive Copilot into Windows File Explorer and macOS Finder. Users will be able to generate document summaries, create presentations, and compare multiple files. A customizable Copilot agent for specific projects was also announced, promoting collaboration across platforms. Additionally, users can assign custom colors to OneDrive folders, set expiration dates for shared files, and expect improved performance in file access and management. The OneDrive mobile app will allow users to find photos using text commands, but the new features are currently limited to Enterprise and Education customers.

Winsage

October 3, 2024

Windows 11 2024 update boosts file copying by up to 94% — ReFS and Block Cloning transition from Windows Server to mainstream Windows | Tom’s Hardware

ReFS Block Cloning is a feature introduced in the Windows 11 2024 Update, initially exclusive to Windows Server operating systems. ReFS, or "Resilient File System," debuted in Windows 11 in July within Build 25276 of the Windows Insider Program Dev Channel. Launched in 2012, ReFS is designed as a modern alternative to NTFS, focusing on stability and scalability for developers and server operators managing multiple drives. The Block Cloning feature improves file copy speeds by a minimum of 18% for 1MB files, 94% for 1GB files, and 92% for 10GB files. ReFS also includes automatic backups, integrity checks, and the ability to isolate and remove corrupted data while preserving the integrity of remaining files. It enhances performance in multi-drive environments by organizing storage into "Performance" and "Capacity" tiers. Transitioning from NTFS to ReFS requires thorough reformatting of drives intended for ReFS use.