running Archives

Winsage

July 1, 2026

Bottles is how you should actually run Windows apps on Linux

Wine enables users to run Windows applications on Linux by translating Windows calls into POSIX calls. It has evolved significantly, especially with contributions from Valve's Proton project, but can be complex and unpredictable, leading to potential glitches with updates. Bottles enhances this experience by creating isolated containers for each application, allowing users to run specific versions of Wine tailored to individual applications. This approach improves compatibility and organization, as users can group applications with similar settings. Bottles also features Eagle, a tool that recommends optimal Wine setups, and allows easy backup and restoration of configurations, ensuring a clean system.

AppWizard

July 1, 2026

Google rolling out new ‘Signatures’ app to Pixel and other Android phones [Gallery]

Google is introducing a new utility app named “Signatures” for Android users, starting to appear on Pixel devices and select Android smartphones with the June 2026 Play system update. The app is operational on devices like the Google Pixel 10 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, but not on the Oppo Find X9 Ultra, despite the same update. The app serves as a repository for users' digital signatures, which can be drawn, typed, or scanned. Its integration with other applications remains uncertain, and it can only be accessed by manually launching its components. The app is designated as (com.google.android.signature), version “17,” and is compatible with Android 12 and newer versions. It is not available through the Play Store and is distributed exclusively via Play System Updates.

Winsage

July 1, 2026

🚨 Windows users, don’t let a $9.97 Pro upgrade pass you by

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is available for .97, down from 9, as part of the Extended Deal Days event, valid until 11:59 p.m. PT today. Key features include BitLocker, Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, and Azure AD Support. User experience enhancements include Snap Layouts, Copilot, DirectX 12 Ultimate, and Biometric Sign-In. The purchase is a one-time fee, and users should verify compatibility with Microsoft's PC Health Check app.

AppWizard

July 1, 2026

Android finally lets you choose which apps are backed up, one by one

Google is rolling out an update that allows users to manage Android backups on a per-app basis, moving away from the previous all-or-nothing approach. Users can access this feature through Settings > Accounts & backup > Google backup, where they can see the three apps using the most storage and toggle backups for each app. Disabling the toggle stops future backups and deletes existing data for that app. The Device data section, including SMS messages and call history, remains unaffected. This feature is currently available on Pixel smartphones running Android versions 16 and 17 with version 26.24 of Google Play Services.

Winsage

July 1, 2026

I love the PC, but I’m no longer a fan of Windows

Installing Windows 11 involves a complex setup process that emphasizes Microsoft accounts, OneDrive, and personalized advertising, making it feel more like an advertising campaign than a straightforward installation. Users are encouraged to create Microsoft accounts, with local accounts being less accessible. The installation prompts users to enable various services, which can be frustrating and intrusive. The Start menu has transformed to include recommendations and promotional content, cluttering its functionality. Microsoft makes it challenging to switch default applications, reinforcing reliance on its ecosystem. Windows 11 collects significant diagnostic data, raising privacy concerns, and users must actively seek to disable data collection features. Public institutions in Europe are considering alternatives to Microsoft due to these concerns. The trend towards subscription models, such as Microsoft 365, can feel burdensome for home users. Hardware requirements for Windows 11, including TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, have rendered many older PCs obsolete. Despite criticisms, Windows remains a powerful operating system essential for many workflows. Linux is gaining popularity, especially among gamers, as a viable alternative. Users desire a less intrusive and more user-friendly version of Windows that restores their control over devices without constant interruptions.

Winsage

July 1, 2026

An enthusiast ran Windows 11 on a PC from 2003 with DDR1 and AGP, and played Half-Life 2

A modder demonstrated Windows 11 running on a vintage system with a Core 2 Quad Q6600 processor, DDR1 RAM, and an ATI Radeon HD 4650 AGP graphics card, achieving stable performance with games like Half-Life 2 and Crysis. The setup utilized an ASRock ConRoe865PE motherboard with an Intel i865PE chipset and required some "hacking interventions" for hardware compatibility, including launching the AGP 8X interface and activating H.264 video decoding. The Radeon HD 4650 AGP used Windows 7 64-bit drivers from 2012. The modder noted that Windows 11 officially supports BIOS systems via Windows 11 IoT, contributing to its stability on older hardware. The system's performance was enhanced by a Toshiba THNSNJ512GCSU solid-state drive (SSD). Additionally, another modder doubled the performance of a GeForce GTX 1650 by increasing its VRAM to 8 GB, and a different modder compressed GTA V to 2.5 GB.

Winsage

July 1, 2026

Steve Ballmer once trashed Linux as “a cancer” — now it’s saving Windows 10 holdouts

In 2001, Steve Ballmer, then CEO of Microsoft, referred to Linux as a "cancer" threatening Microsoft's intellectual property and likened its users to "communist thieves." By 2016, after Microsoft ported SQL Server to Linux, Ballmer expressed enthusiasm for the change and acknowledged that the conflict with open-source had benefited Microsoft's financial success. In 2020, Microsoft President Brad Smith admitted the company had been on the wrong side of history regarding open source and noted the need for change. Microsoft has since embraced open-source technologies, introducing products like Azure Linux 4.0, built on Fedora. As Windows 11's transition becomes difficult for users, advocacy groups have criticized Microsoft for ending support for Windows 10, which could lead to millions of discarded computers. Microsoft extended Windows 10's life through an Extended Security Updates program until October 14, 2026, with a recent announcement pushing it to 2027. Rising hardware costs and design flaws in Windows 11 have led some users to consider alternatives like Linux. A survey revealed that 30% of PCs are still running Windows 10, and a poll showed that 68% of respondents plan to stick with Windows 10 through 2027.

AppWizard

June 30, 2026

Minecraft Marketplace Summer Sale cuts prices on 300 in-game items

The Minecraft Marketplace Summer Sale offers discounts of up to 33% on over 300 select items, including add-ons, skins, texture packs, and adventures for Minecraft Bedrock Edition. The sale features items like the Biomes O’ Plenty add-on, which adds over 50 unique biomes, and the RealismCraft add-on, which enhances visuals with new mobs and weather effects. The Naturalist 26.1 add-on introduces realistic animals, while the Eternal End add-on reimagines the End Dimension with new biomes and items. The sale is live in the UK from June 30, 2023, at 6 PM BST until July 28, 2026, at 6 PM BST.

Winsage

June 30, 2026

Microsoft is finally fixing the Windows 11 taskbar

Windows 11 is introducing a feature that allows users to resize the taskbar, available in the latest builds for Windows Insiders. The new Taskbar Size setting enables customization, allowing toggling between a standard and smaller taskbar, which can also utilize smaller icons. Enhancements have been made to thumbnail previews for cloud files in File Explorer, a OneDrive shortcut issue has been resolved, and system sounds have been improved for dark mode users. Additionally, the Xbox mode has been rebranded to XBOX mode as part of the Windows K2 initiative, which aims to improve performance, design, and reliability in Windows 11.

AppWizard

June 30, 2026

All Android Phones Get Sweet New Signatures App

The June Google Play system update introduces a native Signatures app for Android users, which activates automatically when a document requiring a signature is detected. The app allows users to store and manage their signatures, initials, and handwritten signature photos. Users can upload new signature versions, delete outdated ones, and organize multiple variations for different contexts. This feature is available as long as the device is running the June update, providing a consistent experience across devices.