set up Archives

AppWizard

September 18, 2026

Android users are getting important Google system updates

Google has released system updates designated as Google System Updates 26.36 for September 2026, applicable to various devices including smartphones, tablets, Android TV, Google TV, Android Auto-compatible vehicles, and Wear OS gadgets. - Bug fixes have improved stability in account management services for smartphones. - Location sharing capabilities have been enhanced in account management for smartphones and Wear devices. - New features for developers have been introduced to facilitate better integration with Google Maps on smartphones. - Devices can now be set up regardless of their operating system for a streamlined onboarding process. - Developers have new features to enhance device connection processes within their applications for smartphones and Wear devices. - New functionalities for location- and context-based processes have been added for developers on smartphones. - Bug fixes related to system management and diagnostic services have been addressed across cars, PCs, smartphones, TVs, and Wear devices. - Updates to system management services have improved device updateability for cars, smartphones, TVs, and Wear devices. - The update allows real-time price adjustments in the shopping basket for PC and smartphone users during checkout. - Smartphone users switching to a new device will receive a notification to re-add their Google Wallet cards for mobile payments. These updates are distributed through the Play Store and are set to automatically install on Android devices. Users can manually initiate the download through Settings > System > Software Updates > Google Play system update.

AppWizard

September 18, 2026

The good news is that Samsung Gallery is now getting Google Photos integration

Samsung has integrated Google Photos into the Samsung Gallery app, ending its collaboration with Microsoft for OneDrive backups. The latest version of Samsung Gallery (v15.9.01.7) includes a "Sync photos and videos" option, accessible through Menu > Settings. The rollout is gradual, so not all users may see the option immediately. Users can set up automatic backups via the Google Photos app, but they cannot browse their entire Google Photos library within Samsung Gallery. This transition from OneDrive is expected to enhance user experience as more users adopt the new integration.

Winsage

September 17, 2026

Microsoft Azure CTO used AI to port 20-year-old Windows tool to macOS in two days: “I was flabbergasted”

Mark Russinovich, the Chief Technology Officer of Microsoft Azure, transitioned ZoomIt, a Windows tool for screen zooming, recording, and annotation, to macOS using artificial intelligence. Originally developed to aid in teaching Windows Internals, ZoomIt has been enhanced over the years with features like screen recording and webcam overlays. Despite initial reluctance due to time constraints, Russinovich utilized AI to create a functional macOS version in just two days, significantly faster than anticipated. The AI model leveraged the original Windows code, allowing for a high-fidelity clone of ZoomIt that includes essential features. ZoomIt for macOS is now available as a free and open-source tool, requiring macOS 14 Sonoma or newer, and can be installed via Homebrew or from Microsoft’s GitHub repository. Users can access its functionalities through keyboard shortcuts and a menu bar icon.

Winsage

September 16, 2026

Microsoft built a local PC-to-PC transfer tool for Windows 11, now it’s killing it to push OneDrive-based solution

Microsoft has discontinued its PC-to-PC transfer tool for Windows 11, which allowed file transfers over Wi-Fi or LAN without using OneDrive. The company has shifted its focus to the Windows Backup solution that relies on OneDrive for file storage. Users must now restore backups linked to their Microsoft accounts and retrieve synced files via OneDrive, which has a 5GB storage limit for free accounts. The PC-to-PC transfer tool, tested in July 2025, enabled users to transfer documents, photos, videos, and user settings locally, but did not support the transfer of saved passwords, credentials, or installed applications.

Tech Optimizer

September 15, 2026

Best Free Antivirus: 11 Steps, 18/18 Score [2026]

Microsoft Defender scored 17.5 out of 18 in the June 2026 evaluations by AV-Test, while Avast Free Antivirus and AVG AntiVirus Free both achieved a perfect score of 18 out of 18. Avira Internet Security scored 16.5. The evaluations assessed 16 consumer antivirus products based on protection, performance, and usability. Microsoft Defender is built into Windows 11 and is free, while Avast and AVG are true free offerings. AV-Test uses a scoring system where each category is scored out of 6.0, leading to a maximum total of 18.0. Users should ensure they have the latest versions of antivirus products and only run one real-time antivirus engine at a time. Common pitfalls include running two real-time engines and downloading from unofficial sources. For low-risk users, Microsoft Defender is sufficient, while those seeking higher protection may consider Avast or AVG.

Winsage

September 13, 2026

Microsoft blocked every Windows 11 account bypass except the most boring link on its own page

Microsoft has streamlined the Windows 11 setup process by encouraging the creation of a Microsoft account (MSA) during installation. A new workaround allows users to create a local account without needing complex tools or disconnecting from the internet. To use this method, users should start a fresh installation of Windows 11 Home, connect to the internet, and look for the small “Learn more” link under “Sign-in options” when prompted for MSA details. If successful, users can enter a local username and continue the setup process, including creating a password and answering security questions. This method is not officially sanctioned by Microsoft and may be an unintended bug. Microsoft has previously eliminated other methods for bypassing the MSA requirement, citing the need for fully configured devices. Internally, opinions at Microsoft about the MSA requirement vary, with some executives expressing frustration. The overall Out-Of-Box Experience (OOBE) still requires improvement, with reports indicating lengthy setup times due to advertisements and web-based components.

Winsage

September 11, 2026

Microsoft fixes Teams, Outlook launch failures on ARM Windows PCs

Microsoft addressed a significant bug that affected the launch of Teams and Outlook on ARM-based Windows devices after updates from the August 2026 Patch Tuesday. The issue primarily impacted users of devices like the Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 running Windows 11 24H2 or later, who had not installed necessary updates from the Microsoft Store. The bug caused Teams and Outlook to fail to launch or close unexpectedly following the installation of security updates released on or after August 11, 2026 (KB5121003). Classic versions of Outlook and other applications were not affected. A temporary workaround was suggested, involving updating the Auto Super Resolution Package. The bug was resolved through cumulative updates released on September 8, 2026 (KB5124012), and users were urged to install the latest updates for improvements and issue resolutions. Additionally, Microsoft acknowledged other issues related to updates from August, including disruptions in printing and PDF exporting due to .NET Framework updates, gaming problems from peripherals with RGB lighting, and alerts regarding Microsoft Defender Antivirus being disabled. They also fixed issues related to the loss of custom mouse settings and desktop configurations following the installation of the KB5120998 August 2026 preview update.

AppWizard

September 10, 2026

Gigabud Creates Android Work Profiles to Hide From Banking App Malware Checks

The Gigabud banking trojan installs a secondary Android application called Vwork, which creates a work profile on compromised devices to evade detection from banking app security measures. This work profile separates its contents from the personal space of the device, allowing fraudulent transactions without triggering alerts. Group-IB confirmed this operational chain in Indonesia, where Gigabud has been active since 2022 and is linked to the GoldFactory group, which uses deceptive tactics to distribute the trojan. Vwork simplifies the creation of a work profile and communicates with an external server for authorization before cloning apps. The report indicates that Vwork has been detected in various countries, while approximately 1,469 devices and 1,281 logins were compromised in Indonesia, leading to estimated losses of around ,000,000. Users can check for a work profile in their phone's settings and are advised to download apps only from official stores and to deny unnecessary Accessibility access.

AppWizard

September 8, 2026

Sick of Sony killing physical games? Relive the glory days with a PlayStation 3 emulator that can play discs through your PC

The RPCS3 team has expanded their PlayStation 3 emulator to allow users to play PS3 discs on macOS, Linux, and FreeBSD, in addition to Windows. This update enables users to enjoy titles dating back to 2006 on modern hardware. Minimum specifications for a suitable PC include an Nvidia GTX 400 series or newer GPU. To set up the emulator, users need to install the RPCS3 software, download the PS3 system software, and acquire a decryption key from a community-maintained database. A Quickstart guide is available for installation, and additional resources can be found in forums and Reddit threads for troubleshooting.

BetaBeacon

September 8, 2026

Gemini just got a ‘floating bubble’ multitasking upgrade that’s a game changer on Android phones — here’s how to use it

- Gemini is an AI assistant that has evolved into a multitasking tool. - Users can now complete more complex tasks through text prompts on Google Gemini. - The Gemini app now functions as a dynamic background module for multitasking. - The feature began rolling out on September 4 for Android devices. - The Gemini multitasking shortcut was previously available for specific Android devices. - The feature allows users to multitask while working in other apps. - The author hopes to see similar features for other AI tools on Apple and Android devices.