personal computers Archives

Winsage

June 14, 2025

LibreOffice backs campaign to help users move from Windows 10 to Linux – and ditch Office, too

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, prompting users to consider upgrading to Windows 11 or exploring alternatives like Linux. The End of 10 initiative aims to guide users toward affordable options, particularly Linux and LibreOffice, as many existing Windows 10 devices may not meet Windows 11's hardware requirements. The transition to Windows 11 may also lead to increased costs and reduced user autonomy due to its cloud-centric design. LibreOffice, an open-source productivity suite, offers essential tools without licensing fees and promotes open standards, though compatibility with Microsoft Office documents may vary. The Document Foundation suggests three steps for transitioning to Linux and LibreOffice: testing the new platform, assessing software compatibility, and providing training for users.

Tech Optimizer

June 13, 2025

‘BrowserVenom’ Windows Malware Preys on Users Looking to Run DeepSeek AI

A new strain of Windows malware called "BrowserVenom" is exploiting interest in DeepSeek's AI models by targeting users through deceptive Google ads. These ads lead to a counterfeit website, "https[:]//deepseek-platform[.]com," where users are tricked into downloading a harmful file named “AILauncher1.21.exe.” This malware monitors and manipulates internet traffic, allowing attackers to intercept sensitive data. The operation is believed to involve Russian-speaking threat actors, and the malware has infected users in several countries, including Brazil, Cuba, Mexico, India, Nepal, South Africa, and Egypt. The fraudulent domain has been suspended, but the malware can evade many antivirus solutions. Users are advised to verify official domains when downloading software.

Winsage

June 11, 2025

A worrying Windows SecureBoot issue could let hackers install malware – here’s what we know, and whether you need to update

Researchers at Binarly have identified a critical vulnerability in a widely trusted BIOS update utility that operates on most modern systems using UEFI firmware. This utility, signed with Microsoft’s UEFI CA 2011 certificate, contains a flaw that could be exploited by malicious actors to disable essential security measures and install bootkit malware on personal computers. Microsoft addressed the issue by including a fix in its June 2025 Patch Tuesday cumulative update. The UEFI Secure Boot process is crucial for maintaining system integrity by verifying the authenticity of bootloaders and operating systems.

AppWizard

June 9, 2025

Don’t have any AI apps? These are the 5 you need to install right now

AI is increasingly integrated into daily life, with many people preferring chatbot interactions over traditional Google searches due to the nuanced responses provided by AI. ChatGPT from OpenAI has evolved significantly, with a recent Android app update that includes image generation and an interactive audio mode, making interactions feel more conversational. Gemini from Google processes information across various Google applications, offering users control over memory retention from previous interactions, although it may have privacy concerns. Claude from Anthropic has introduced the Claude 4 models in its mobile app, enhancing its coding capabilities and including voice features for all users. DeepSeek, a Chinese AI, offers free access and low-cost options, excelling in web search and deep reasoning, with an open-source version available for private use. PocketPal is a downloadable Android app that operates independently of the cloud, allowing users to access open-source AI models, with smaller models like Qwen3 designed for older devices. The landscape of smartphone AI chatbots is evolving, with major Android manufacturers investing in enhancing device capabilities.

Winsage

June 2, 2025

Which USB Port Is This? Microsoft Vows To End The Lottery

The USB-C connector has become complex, with varying standards causing confusion among users. Microsoft found that over 25% of users encounter errors when connecting USB-C devices due to unsupported functionalities. To address this, Microsoft plans to establish a minimum standard for USB-C port capabilities on personal computers, which will be part of the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program. Future USB-C ports will support device charging, DisplayPort Alt-mode, and compatibility with USB 40Gbps, USB4, and Thunderbolt 3 peripherals. However, not all USB-C ports will operate at the same speeds, and existing devices will not receive these enhancements, meaning it may take years for users to benefit from the new standards.

Winsage

May 30, 2025

Windows 11’s new update system is a brutal reminder of where the Microsoft Store falls short

Microsoft has introduced a "unified future for app updates" through a new Windows Update orchestration platform, aiming to streamline the update process for applications, drivers, and components on personal computers. This initiative addresses the fragmented nature of traditional app and driver updates, which often burden IT administrators. In late 2024, Microsoft began testing a feature allowing the Microsoft Store to update applications not hosted on its servers, transforming it into a "one-stop shop for all app updates." The new orchestration platform supports apps and components not listed in the Microsoft Store, enhancing the update experience alongside improvements to the Microsoft Store and the Windows Package Manager.

Winsage

May 29, 2025

Forced E-Waste PCs And The Case Of Windows 11’s Trusted Platform

The process of upgrading Windows operating systems was straightforward until Windows 11, which introduced a new requirement for a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), potentially rendering many capable PCs obsolete. The TPM is used for boot validation and storing biometric data, but it complicates data recovery and may lock out legitimate users. Users have found ways to bypass Windows 11's TPM and CPU restrictions, allowing installation on unsupported hardware. Microsoft’s enforcement of these requirements remains uncertain, raising concerns about system reliability and user access to updates. Many users are opting to stay on Windows 10 while advocating for continued support from developers.

Winsage

May 29, 2025

Microsoft Confirms New Update Failure For Windows Users

Microsoft is investigating issues with Windows 11 versions 22H2 and 23H2 related to the May 13, 2025 security update (KB5058405), which has caused installation failures. Users are encountering a recovery error stating, “Your PC/Device needs to be repaired,” linked to the ACPI.sys driver, with the error code 0xc0000098. This issue affects not only personal computers but also virtual environments, including Azure Virtual Machines and Citrix or Hyper-V hosted machines. Earlier, Microsoft addressed similar problems for Windows 10 users experiencing BitLocker Recovery screens during the installation of the same security update. Microsoft has released the KB5061977 out-of-band update for Windows 11 in response to these ongoing challenges.

Winsage

May 28, 2025

Windows Update will soon add app updates to its functionality

Windows Update is evolving to support individual application updates, moving beyond its traditional focus on system-wide updates. Microsoft plans to introduce a new orchestration platform that allows developers to implement software updates directly through Windows Update, streamlining the process and enhancing user experience. This integration aims to improve the efficiency and timeliness of updates for end-users.

Tech Optimizer

May 26, 2025

Discover Smart App Control

Smart App Control in Windows 11 is a security feature that evaluates applications before they are executed, using artificial intelligence to predict their safety and prevent potentially harmful apps from running. Traditional antivirus software scans active files and programs to detect and remove known threats, operating in a reactive manner. The key difference between the two is that Smart App Control takes a proactive approach by blocking suspicious applications before they can cause harm, while traditional antivirus software responds to threats after they have been detected.