script Archives

AppWizard

July 23, 2026

Building a True Per-App Android Device Spoofer

Device spoofing in Android applications allows developers to manipulate device information, primarily through altering android.os.Build attributes. Existing spoofer applications often fail to modify native system API calls that retrieve genuine device information. Tweaks is a per-app spoofer integrated into AOSP and LineageOS, which changes device properties by modifying memory-mapped files under /dev/properties. It uses a private mount namespace to bind-mount modified property-context files, ensuring only the targeted application receives spoofed values while the rest of the system remains unaffected. The Tweaks app, which is platform-signed, communicates with the TweaksManagerService to write configurations and manage property overrides. The core functionality is handled by propgen, which generates property context files with spoofed values by identifying and patching properties in place. The TweaksManagerService ensures secure interactions and content-addresses generated property areas to allow sharing among apps with identical overrides. The spawn path in ProcessList.startProcess determines whether to apply spoofing based on conditions evaluated by the TweaksLocalService. Security is maintained through SELinux policies, which restrict access to spoofable properties. However, certain elements, such as /proc/self/mountinfo and /system/build.prop, still reveal authentic device information despite the spoofing capabilities of Tweaks. The source code for Tweaks and related patches is available for public access.

Tech Optimizer

July 21, 2026

I Built My Second ETL Pipeline. This Time, I Started Thinking Like a Data Engineer

The author transitioned from a data analyst role to a data engineer, creating a 12-month self-study roadmap focused on learning by building projects. The first project was a GitHub ETL pipeline, which evolved from a simple Python script to a more complex system using SQLite and GitHub Actions for automation. The author realized that the challenges of data engineering lay in system design and orchestration rather than just writing ETL logic. For the second project, the author built an automated RSS ingestion pipeline to explore engineering decisions in creating a reliable data pipeline. The project emphasized the importance of separating application responsibilities from orchestration tasks, leading to the use of Docker for consistent execution environments and Kestra for orchestration. The author validated each component of the project incrementally: first the Python ETL, then PostgreSQL, followed by Docker, and finally Kestra. This approach ensured that each layer functioned correctly before adding complexity. The final architecture included distinct responsibilities for each component: Python for data processing, PostgreSQL for data storage, Docker for execution, and Kestra for orchestration. The author learned that effective engineering involves considering system reliability, error handling, and observability, shifting the focus from merely writing code to designing entire systems. The experience transformed the author's mindset, emphasizing the importance of incremental building and the separation of execution and orchestration responsibilities.

Winsage

July 20, 2026

Enable BitLocker on Windows 11: 11 Steps, 45 Min [2026]

A stolen laptop can lead to a significant data breach, particularly when taken from public places. Windows 11 has introduced BitLocker, a full-disk encryption feature that became mandatory for Australian businesses in 2026. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner reported 766 notifiable data breaches in the latter half of 2024, with unauthorized access to devices being a major cause. Full-disk encryption is crucial for compliance with the Essential Eight framework, which mandates data protection on portable devices. BitLocker ensures that data on an encrypted drive becomes unreadable if the drive is removed and connected to another computer. It aligns with the Essential Eight framework, requiring evidence of encryption rather than just claims of protection. There are three types of encryption on Windows 11: Device Encryption, BitLocker Drive Encryption, and File-Level Encryption. BitLocker is available only on Windows 11 Pro and higher editions. To use BitLocker, certain prerequisites must be met, including having Windows 11 Pro or higher, a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot enabled, and local administrator rights. The process to enable BitLocker involves confirming the edition, checking TPM status, enabling BitLocker through Windows Settings or PowerShell, and backing up the recovery key. Organizations can deploy BitLocker fleet-wide using Microsoft Intune, and additional security measures like TPM+PIN can be implemented for pre-boot authentication. Common pitfalls during BitLocker rollout include skipping recovery key backup and assuming that Home edition machines are covered. Troubleshooting common BitLocker issues involves identifying symptoms and applying appropriate fixes. Advanced tips for enhancing security include suspending BitLocker before maintenance and auditing compliance at the fleet level. BitLocker is integral to protecting data on portable devices, and compliance documentation is essential for proving that every device has an active recovery key.

Winsage

July 19, 2026

Windows 11 Secure Boot is a messy ride on older PCs, and even Microsoft can’t fix it

Microsoft held an OEM Secure Boot Office Hours event with manufacturers like Acer, Asus, Dell, and HP to discuss issues related to the Windows 11 Secure Boot 2023 certificate rollout. Many IT administrators left with unresolved concerns, particularly regarding Secure Boot certificate errors. Participants reported persistent problems, including failures of suggested solutions from official documentation to apply to their hardware configurations. Ed Tittel shared his experience with compliance issues related to CA-2023 certificates, noting that ASUS motherboards sometimes required Secure Boot to be disabled temporarily, while MSI models exhibited erratic behavior. ASRock systems needed manual key resets, and documentation was lacking. Devices from Dell, HP, and Lenovo performed better but still faced staggered rollouts and required multiple reboots for BIOS updates. Specific issues raised included HP's BitLocker recovery loop persisting even with the latest BIOS, challenges with legacy device support from HP, devices showing Secure Boot Status as Unknown, and failures in updating the KEK on HP EliteBooks. Some questions from IT administrators regarding Dell and HP went unanswered during the session. The experiences highlighted a trend of Secure Boot issues across multiple OEMs, not limited to a single vendor. IT administrators are advised to pilot updates on representative hardware, back up BitLocker recovery keys, and consult OEM-specific advisories. The unresolved issues reflect common challenges faced by users, indicating that problems with Secure Boot certificate deployments are widespread across various manufacturers.

Winsage

July 18, 2026

Windows 11 Secure Boot certificates have expired, and Microsoft says what to do next

Microsoft held its OEM Secure Boot Office Hours event on July 15, where engineers collaborated with OEM representatives from companies like Acer, Asus, Cisco, Dell, and HP. IT administrators were able to ask live questions about the Secure Boot 2023 rollout. The discussion thread became a detailed technical record, especially following the expiration of the first certificates three weeks prior. Concerns raised by IT admins included BitLocker recovery loops, stuck confidence ratings, and unhelpful Intune error codes. Key facts include: - Devices offline for long periods will still receive the 2023 certificates upon reconnecting to Windows Update. - Devices with existing 2023 certificates in firmware will switch to the new boot manager after the latest Windows patches are installed. - A new script, Detect-SecureBootCertUpdateStatus.ps1, is available in Windows for checking certificate status. - BIOS updates may reset a device’s confidence rating to unrated, which is normal and does not indicate certificate failure. - Admins should edit the AvailableUpdates registry key, not the AvailableUpdatesPolicy, which is managed by Intune and Group Policy. - A licensing bug affecting AvailableUpdatesPolicy on devices upgraded from Pro to Enterprise was resolved by Microsoft in 2026. - BitLocker recovery is not typically linked to the certificate update process but may relate to firmware or PCR issues. - Dell and HP provided guidance on which BIOS versions include the 2023 certificates for their newer models. - Older HP EliteBook 840 G5 units require a manual update package for the new certificates. - Eligible devices can still receive the 2023 certificates in the future, and Surface devices released from 2024 onward come pre-equipped with them. - Microsoft confirmed that devices running 2011 certificates will not lose the ability to receive the 2023 chain. - The Microsoft Corporation KEK CA 2011 and Microsoft UEFI CA 2011 certificates have expired, with the Microsoft Windows Production PCA 2011 set to expire on October 19, 2026.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

PC Gamer Repurposes Old SSDs to Create a Steam Game Cartridge System

Jibril-sama, a Redditor, has transformed old 2.5" SSDs into a new gaming cartridge system, combining nostalgia with modern technology. The SSDs, acquired for approximately each, serve as the basis for this project, which involves minor software tweaks and custom printed labels. The setup allows games stored on the SSDs to auto-navigate to their Steam pages and can auto-start games. This approach offers a practical solution for PC gamers facing rising storage costs, utilizing spare drives while maintaining SATA III speeds. The configuration requires a systemd template and a udev rule to launch scripts from the SSDs.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

As PlayStation prepares to go all-digital, one PC gamer is turning Steam physical with SSD cartridges

PlayStation plans to phase out physical discs for new releases by 2028. A Reddit user, Jibril-sama, has created a Game Cartridge system using affordable 2.5" SSDs that contain games and a script to navigate to the game's page on Steam. The system operates on Linux and requires a systemd template to function. Jibril-sama acquired 128GB SSDs for €7 each. While gamers can use an external USB drive for their Steam library, this method lacks the charm of individual cartridges. Jibril-sama notes that players do not truly "own" their games on Steam due to reliance on Valve's online authentication.

AppWizard

July 16, 2026

This PC gamer turned old SSDs into gorgeous physical cartridges for Steam games

Sony has shifted away from disc-based gaming, sparking discussions about the future of physical game releases. A PC gamer, Jibril-sama, has created a cartridge-based gaming experience using repurposed 2.5-inch SSDs for storage, which connect to a PC via a SATA dock. He developed a script that allows users to access and launch games on Steam automatically when the SSD is connected. This setup has been demonstrated on Linux but is likely adaptable for Windows. The Reddit community has reacted positively, sharing ideas for creating tangible Steam game libraries. However, concerns exist about the reliability of second-hand SSDs for long-term storage due to potential data loss.

AppWizard

July 16, 2026

Redditor fashions a ‘game cartridge’ system for their Steam library out of cheap SATA SSDs

A Reddit user named Jibril-sama is repurposing second-hand 2.5-inch SSDs into game cartridges for their Steam library, creatively combining physical media with digital gaming. Each SSD is encased in colorful housing featuring the game's cover art and can launch the game directly from a specially designed drive dock. Jibril-sama acquired several 128 GB SSDs for €7 each, highlighting the challenges of fluctuating prices in the memory market. The project reflects a trend among gamers who appreciate the tactile experience of physical media despite the dominance of digital downloads. Additionally, Sony plans to stop producing physical game discs after 2028, raising concerns about the future of the second-hand market and consumer choice. Many games on Steam still require proprietary software, prompting questions about ownership rights in the digital age.

AppWizard

July 16, 2026

PC gamer finds a creative way to convert their Steam games into physical cartridges

Sony announced it will cease production of physical PlayStation game discs by 2028. A PC gamer has created a system using individual SSDs as "game cartridges," each containing a dedicated game. These SSDs are housed in custom cases with game cover art and connect to a PC via a SATA dock. When an SSD is inserted, a script automatically directs Steam to the corresponding game page and launches it. The SSDs used are 128GB drives purchased for approximately €7 each, though costs may vary now. The setup requires games to be launched through Steam, and updates must be managed via the platform.