scripts Archives

AppWizard

August 29, 2026

6 awesome things you can do with a terminal emulator on Android

Terminal emulators allow users to interact with operating systems through text commands. Termux is an open-source terminal emulator for Android available on the F-Droid store. Users can test internet speed directly from Termux by installing Python and using the speedtest command. Weather information can be accessed using the curl command for a three-day forecast, and users can create shortcuts for convenience. Termux can display system information using colorful ASCII art with tools like fastfetch or macchina. It allows remote access to the phone via SSH after installing openssh. Users can run AI chatbots locally using the command-line tool Ollama. Termux can also facilitate the installation of Linux-based operating systems on Android devices using the proot-distro tool.

Tech Optimizer

August 26, 2026

AVG Antivirus Review 2026: Is the Free Version Enough?

AVG AntiVirus Free has an overall rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars, with specific scores of 4.7 for protection, 4.3 for performance and features, and 3.5 for customer support. The software is available for free or can be purchased starting at .88 for the first year, with pricing verified in August 2026. It achieved a 99.77% malware detection rate with only four false alarms and offers features such as real-time protection and Ransomware Protection. However, customer support is rated lower, and there are upselling prompts after scans. AVG is owned by Gen Digital and has been in operation for over 35 years, originally founded as Grisoft in the Czech Republic. The free version includes essential features like File Shield, Behavior Shield, Web Shield, Email Shield, and Ransomware Protection, while some features like Enhanced Firewall and Fake Website Shield are exclusive to paid versions. AVG's performance on Windows 11 has been validated by independent tests, scoring 6/6/6 in AV-TEST and achieving a 96.3% offline detection rate in AV-Comparatives. The software is available across multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. AVG's customer support includes email and phone options, with a reasonable response time. The software is safe to install when downloaded from official sources, and it has been recognized for its effectiveness in malware detection.

Tech Optimizer

August 26, 2026

How to Protect Against Ransomware: 13 Steps [2026]

Global ransomware attacks increased by 0.8% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2026. The group Qilin has 279 confirmed victims, maintaining its position as the leading threat actor for four consecutive quarters. The rival group The Gentlemen saw a 62% increase in victims, reaching 269. Checkpoint Research's report indicates a shift in the ransomware landscape, challenging the narrative of declining attacks. IBM's analysis shows breaches within supply chains and third-party vendors have quadrupled over the past five years. Effective ransomware protection requires administrative access to endpoints, firewalls, and backup systems, along with specific software versions and tools. The 3-2-1-1-0 backup strategy is recommended, emphasizing offline, immutable backups. Organizations should implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all access points and actively patch known vulnerabilities. Network segmentation is crucial to limit ransomware spread, and canary files can provide early warnings of attacks. Regular phishing simulations and a well-documented incident response plan are essential for preparedness.

Winsage

August 24, 2026

Windows 11’s File Explorer is restoring a feature it disabled for security, with a new “Preview anyway” button

Windows 11 will reintroduce the “Preview anyway” button for downloaded files in File Explorer, enhancing functionality and convenience. This update is expected to roll out in the coming weeks. The Preview pane in File Explorer stopped displaying previews for downloaded files on October 14, 2025, due to a security measure implemented by Microsoft to protect users from potential threats associated with previewing unsafe files. Users received warnings when attempting to preview downloaded files, advising them to trust the source. The restriction affects files marked with the Mark of the Web, including various downloads from browsers and email attachments. Previously, users could unblock files manually or through PowerShell scripts. The new “Preview anyway” button will allow users to override the warning for trusted files while still receiving a cautionary message.

Winsage

August 22, 2026

Tested: Windows 11 has fully removed the legacy tool abused by cybercriminals for malware and ransomware, called WMIC

Windows 11 will remove the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) tool in the upcoming September 2026 Update, marking its complete elimination after being deprecated in earlier versions. Testing of early builds shows that WMIC is no longer accessible, with attempts to use it resulting in a "command not recognized" error. Previously, WMIC was available as an optional feature, but it will no longer be included or reactivatable in the new update. Microsoft stated that this removal aims to improve the security and reliability of Windows, as WMIC has been exploited by cybercriminals for attacks. The September 2026 Update will also introduce other enhancements, including the ability to disable Bing in Windows Search and improvements in app speed.

Winsage

August 21, 2026

Microsoft releases PowerShell scripts for IT admins to manage Windows settings backup data

Microsoft has released new PowerShell scripts to assist IT administrators in managing users' Windows settings backup data through the Microsoft Graph windowsSetting APIs. The scripts include: - View-WindowsBackup.ps1: Allows viewing and exporting backup data. - Delete-WindowsBackup.ps1: Enables irreversible deletion of backup data with confirmation prompts. Commands to utilize these scripts are: - Get-WindowsBackup - Get-WindowsBackup -UserId [email protected] - Remove-WindowsBackup -UserId [email protected] Viewing and exporting data does not require special permissions, but deleting data requires the Microsoft 365 Backup Administrator role. Prerequisites for running the scripts include Windows PowerShell 5.1 or PowerShell 7, the Microsoft.Graph.Authentication module, and internet access to specific Microsoft domains. Users can install the scripts from the PowerShell Gallery using the command Install-Module WindowsBackupAdmin -Scope CurrentUser. The scripts are built on Microsoft Graph beta APIs, which may change and affect functionality.

Winsage

August 18, 2026

Microsoft is killing this 25-year-old Windows tool. Your scripts might break

Microsoft is phasing out the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) tool, which will be entirely absent from existing Windows PCs following the latest preview update. WMIC, a command-line utility for extracting system information and performing administrative tasks, is being removed, although the underlying Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) framework will remain supported. Users relying on older management and automation scripts that utilize WMIC may face challenges, as commands associated with WMIC will no longer function after the update.

Winsage

August 16, 2026

Microsoft is removing a legacy Windows feature that has been around for 25 years

WMIC, a utility for IT administrators introduced in Windows XP in 2001, will be removed from Windows 11 after August 2026. It has been deprecated since 2016 and was previously removed from Windows 10 in 2021. Although it remained available as a Feature on Demand, it was disabled by default in new installations. Recent Preview builds for Windows 11 confirmed that WMIC will not be included in version 26H2. PowerShell is suggested as a prominent replacement for WMIC tasks.

AppWizard

August 15, 2026

The bigwigs who want AI-generated NPCs and writing think you’re too dumb to appreciate a good story—don’t prove them right

Saber Interactive's CEO discusses the potential of generative AI dialogue in video games, while skepticism remains due to past failures with AI-driven characters. Companies like Convai and Ubisoft aim to create more immersive experiences with AI NPCs, but the assumption that background character dialogue is unimportant undermines storytelling in games. The richness of game worlds comes from carefully crafted scripts, and AI-generated content may not achieve the same quality. Industry veterans emphasize that good storytelling relies on human experience, and there is concern that companies may prioritize profit over artistic integrity, leading to inferior products. This reflects a broader trend of viewing video games as commodities rather than art forms, highlighting a disconnect between corporate strategies and creative processes.

Tech Optimizer

August 13, 2026

PSA: Don’t trust that Chrome update popup

Users of Chromium-based browsers, including Google Chrome, Brave, and Opera, are experiencing deceptive pop-ups that falsely claim a "Critical Update Required" or "Update available." These notifications are part of a scam designed to trick users into downloading malware disguised as software updates. Clicking on these prompts can lead to the download of harmful scripts, such as .vbs or .exe files, which traditional antivirus software often fails to detect. The issue is linked to compromised browser extensions that fetch malicious scripts from external servers. A specific extension, QuickLens – Search Screen with Google Lens, has been identified as a source of these pop-ups and has been removed from the Web Store. Other extensions, like “Enable Right Click & Copy Smart Unlock + OCR,” have also been implicated despite their popularity. Users are advised not to click on any links or run downloaded files and to check their browser settings for legitimate updates, as well as to audit and disable suspicious extensions.