renaming Archives

Winsage

August 7, 2025

These 9 File Explorer alternatives make your Windows PC so much better

Windows Explorer has a basic interface that can hinder file management, prompting the development of alternative "commander" tools. These alternatives include single-window and dual-window applications designed to improve file management on Windows PCs. Free Commander XE features a dual-window layout with tabs for quick access and modern icons, allowing users to manage ZIP files and synchronize folders. Multi Commander also uses a dual-window approach, supports bulk file renaming, and offers a portable version. Double Commander is an open-source option with a familiar interface, capable of creating symbolic links and synchronizing folders. One Commander allows toggling between single and dual-window views and includes customizable features. Paid file managers like Total Commander, SpeedCommander, and XYplorer offer advanced functionalities, including FTP capabilities and scripting options. Q-Dir can open four windows simultaneously and provides extensive customization. File Voyager features a two-window view but may have stability issues. For Android devices, Google Files, Total Commander, and X-plore are notable file management apps, each offering various features for organizing and accessing files.

AppWizard

August 7, 2025

Activity? Journeys? Library? Google just can’t stop renaming this history view (APK teardown)

The Google Android app has rebranded its "Saved" feature to "Activity" and is currently testing new labels such as "Journeys" and "Library" for the historical view of user search history and saved items. Users on the beta version 16.30.59.ve.arm64 have reported these changes, and an APK teardown has revealed potential alternative names including Activity, Hub, Journeys, Library, Recents, You, and Your Space. This experimentation has resulted in different labels appearing for the same Google account across devices. Additionally, there are indications that Google may introduce new functionalities, such as a section for "Recent Song Searches," integrating song search history with web history.

Winsage

July 30, 2025

Secure Windows with Microsoft’s Security Compliance Toolkit

The Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit is a suite of tools for administrators to assess Group Policy Objects (GPOs) against Microsoft's security baselines, helping to identify discrepancies and implement secure settings. It includes tools such as the Policy Analyzer, Local Group Policy Object (LGPO) utility, and Set Object Security application. Administrators can download the toolkit from Microsoft's website, which contains zip files for various security baseline packages. The Policy Analyzer compares GPOs with local security policies to identify inconsistencies, while the LGPO tool manages local security policies and allows for policy backup and verification. The Set Object Security tool applies security descriptors to objects like files and folders. For Windows Server, administrators should test security baselines in non-production environments before deployment. With Windows Server 2025, the OSConfig platform allows for direct application of security baselines through PowerShell, simplifying the update process and maintaining compliance.

AppWizard

July 27, 2025

WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers Is One of the Best-Looking PC Games, but Patch 1.4 Breaks Resolution Scaling

The gaming community has had mixed reactions to the release of Fallen Feathers, with some players criticizing the game's performance and graphics, while others praise its visual quality. WUCHANG is noted for its impressive graphics, achieving stunning visuals at 4K/Extreme settings on high-end PCs, particularly with DLSS 4 Balanced Mode. The NVIDIA RTX 4090 yields a minimum of 36 FPS and an average of 41 FPS when running WUCHANG, similar to its performance with Black Myth: Wukong. A recent Patch 1.4 aimed to improve performance but introduced issues, such as low resolution defaults and problems with the Frame Generation feature. Suggestions for improvement include refining graphics settings and potentially transitioning to Unreal Engine 5.6.

Winsage

July 20, 2025

10 useful Windows built-in tools you’ve never used

- Windows Memory Diagnostic tests RAM for errors that may cause system crashes or freezes. It can be launched by typing "Windows Memory Diagnostic" in the Start Menu or using the Run Command with mdsched.exe. - Resource Monitor provides detailed insights into CPU, RAM, disk activity, and network bandwidth, helping identify resource-consuming applications. It can be accessed through Task Manager or the Windows search box. - Reliability Monitor displays a timeline of system stability, including software installations, updates, crashes, and hardware errors, aiding in troubleshooting. It can be found by searching in the Start bar or through Control Panel > Security and Maintenance. - DirectX Diagnostic Tool offers information about GPU, audio drivers, and DirectX version, useful for diagnosing gaming-related issues. It can be launched by pressing Win + R and typing dxdiag. - Credential Manager securely manages Windows login credentials and network login information. It can be accessed by searching for "Credential Manager" in the Start bar or through Control Panel. - God Mode consolidates over 200 system settings into a single folder, accessible by creating a new folder and renaming it to GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}. - Local Group Policy Editor allows advanced customization of Windows settings for Pro or Enterprise users. It can be launched by pressing Win + R and typing gpedit.msc. - Computer Management Console provides access to various system tools like Device Manager and Disk Management. It can be opened by right-clicking the Start button or using Win + R with compmgmt.msc. - Powercfg Tool diagnoses battery issues and provides reports on battery usage and health. It can generate a report by running powercfg /batteryreport in Command Prompt. - System Configuration (msconfig) allows users to control Windows boot options and troubleshoot startup issues. It can be launched by pressing Win + R and typing msconfig.

Winsage

July 2, 2025

One of the best PowerToys features just got even better — and it puts Windows Search to shame

PowerToys has released version 0.92, introducing several enhancements: - Command Palette: Improved performance with Ahead-of-Time (AOT) compatibility for first-party extensions and core UX fixes. - Color Picker: Users can customize mouse button actions for a personalized workflow. - Bug Report Tool: Streamlined reporting process with progress indicators, improved compression, and automatic cleanup of old trace logs. - File Explorer Add-ons: Enhanced rendering stability, fixing issues with PDF previews, blank thumbnails, and text file crashes. Additional highlights include: - Crop & Lock: Updated window styling to match the current Windows theme. - Command Palette Extensions: New commands like "Copy Path" and improved input handling in the Calculator extension. - FancyZones: Resolved DPI-scaling issues for high-resolution displays. - PowerRename: Now supports date-based renaming with flexible formatting options. The development team has also made updates to enhance performance and security, including updates to .NET libraries and the WinAppSDK. PowerToys is available for free download through the Microsoft Store or GitHub.

AppWizard

June 30, 2025

Great moments in PC gaming: When the party in a tactics RPG start to really feel like your guys

Turn-based combat in RPGs is characterized by strategic depth, particularly in managing character positioning on the battlefield. This gameplay element allows for tactical maneuvers such as flanking bonuses and area-of-effect attacks, enhancing the experience beyond mere actions. Real-time-with-pause mechanics do not replicate the satisfaction of physically moving pieces, reminiscent of tabletop games. A strong sense of ownership over characters is also crucial, with customization options fostering a deeper connection. Games like Divinity: Original Sin 2 allow for character respec and renaming, further personalizing the player's experience. The relationship between the player and their party is complex, combining affection with a sense of control.

Winsage

June 27, 2025

A second Windows 11 bug takes suspicious aim at Google Chrome — and the same Microsoft app is to blame

Windows 11 users experienced issues launching Google Chrome due to Microsoft's Family Safety feature, prompting a response from Chrome’s support manager, Ellen T. A workaround was suggested: disabling the “Filter inappropriate websites” option or renaming the Chrome.exe file. Additionally, Microsoft acknowledged another issue affecting Chrome users, where the content filtering feature was ineffective because the latest version of Chrome was not included on the block list used by Family Safety. Microsoft is working to update this block list. Another bug causes Chrome to close unexpectedly when Parental Controls are enabled, but only if the Activity reporting feature is disabled. Users are advised to enable Activity reporting to restore normal functionality. These issues affect Windows 10 version 22H2 and Windows 11 versions 22H2, 23H2, and 24H2. Microsoft is committed to resolving these problems and will update its support documentation accordingly.

Winsage

June 21, 2025

This Windows safety feature is crashing Google Chrome

Microsoft's Family Safety feature has caused issues for users of Google's Chrome browser, leading to crashes or failures to launch on Windows systems since June 3. Chrome support manager Ellen T confirmed that the problem is linked to Microsoft Family Safety, stating that Chrome cannot run when this feature is enabled. Other browsers, like Firefox and Opera, are unaffected. Users have found a temporary workaround by renaming the Chrome executable file or disabling the "filter inappropriate websites" setting in Family Safety, though this compromises parental controls. There has been no official communication from Microsoft regarding a fix, and a Chromium engineer noted on June 10 that no updates have been received from Microsoft about resolving the issue.

Winsage

June 21, 2025

Microsoft’s Family Safety Feature Is Blocking Chrome: Here’s the Workaround

Microsoft's Family Safety feature is inadvertently blocking access to Google's Chrome browser on Windows computers. This issue was reported on June 3, when a user experienced crashes while using Chrome despite attempts to restart and reinstall the browser. The Family Safety feature is designed to help parents manage children's screen time and monitor online activities. Workarounds include unblocking Chrome through the Family Safety app or renaming the Chrome executable file to bypass the block. Microsoft has not yet issued a statement regarding the issue.