shutting down Archives

Winsage

September 18, 2026

Microsoft explains why restarting Windows can shut it down more completely than actually shutting it down

The Fast Startup feature in Windows, enabled by default, allows the kernel session to remain hibernated during shutdown, which results in quicker boot times by restoring a saved state. In contrast, selecting Restart clears the kernel session entirely, performing a complete boot of Windows. The process of shutting down with Fast Startup involves closing applications, logging off, keeping the kernel loaded in memory, saving the kernel and drivers to hiberfil.sys, and powering off, while Restart closes applications, logs off, ends the kernel session, and reboots immediately without saving a kernel snapshot. Fast Startup can lead to persistent issues from previous sessions, making Restart a better option for troubleshooting. To perform a full shutdown bypassing Fast Startup, users can execute the command "shutdown /s /t 0." Microsoft advises against permanently disabling Fast Startup, as it enhances shutdown-to-boot transitions.

AppWizard

September 10, 2026

How to Delete Your Digital Footprint From the Internet: A Complete Guide

Android privacy tools allow users to control camera access, microphone use, location permissions, and app activity, but they only protect information managed on the device or connected services. A digital footprint extends beyond the device, with personal information remaining accessible through search results, social media profiles, and data broker listings even after permissions are changed. To manage this footprint, users should identify publicly visible information, review old accounts, and delete unnecessary records. Simply deleting an Android app does not erase the associated account, which may retain personal data. Users should actively close unused online accounts to maintain digital hygiene. Data brokers publish personal information that cannot be removed through Android privacy settings, requiring users to follow an opt-out process to remove their data. While Android privacy settings are important, they do not eliminate external records. Data breaches require vigilance, including changing compromised credentials and monitoring for suspicious activity. Removing the source of information is more effective than just eliminating search results, and legal rights may exist in some regions for personal data removal. Completely erasing a digital footprint is rarely feasible due to public records and the persistence of past posts. The goal should be to minimize irrelevant content while retaining useful accounts. Users should begin by deleting information they control, then address data brokers and public profiles.

AppWizard

September 7, 2026

Samsung is shutting down a couple of apps; vows to return new and improved

Samsung is phasing out its Quick Measure and AR Doodle applications, with a shutdown date set for December 31, 2026. After this date, Quick Measure will not be available for new downloads or updates, although existing users can still use it, albeit with potential feature limitations. The AR Doodle app will also cease operations on the same date. Samsung previously discontinued its Messages app in July, replacing it with Google Messages. Notifications about the app closures were highlighted by social media user Tarun Vats. Samsung has indicated a commitment to enhancing user experience and may reintroduce these applications with improved services in the future. Quick Measure was designed to monitor heart rates without navigating the full Samsung Health app and was first introduced in 2021. The future of these applications remains uncertain, with potential for reinvention or integration into existing platforms.

AppWizard

September 7, 2026

Samsung is shutting down two apps it used to brag about

Samsung will discontinue its augmented reality applications, AR Doodle and Quick Measure, on December 31, 2026. After this date, users will no longer be able to download these apps, which are already unsupported on certain devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 8. The applications will not be supported in future versions of Samsung's One UI, starting with the anticipated stable release of One UI 9. Users can still download and use the apps until the end of the year, but their functionality may be limited due to the lack of future support.

Winsage

September 5, 2026

Windows 11 blocked you from shutting down PCs quickly, but now you can skip forced updates

Microsoft has updated the Power menu in Windows 11, separating the Shut down and Restart buttons from the update process. Users can now shut down their PCs without interruptions from pending updates. The update introduces four options: Shut down, Restart, Update and shut down, and Update and restart. This change aims to provide a more user-friendly experience by allowing direct shutdown or restart actions without automatic update installations. Additionally, Microsoft has minimized forced restarts due to updates, requiring users to restart their PCs only once a month, and introduced an option to pause updates for an extended period. The August 27 optional update also improved sleep behavior during updates, ensuring that manually put-to-sleep PCs return to sleep after completing an update.

Winsage

September 4, 2026

Enjoy the Windows 10 Update Experience at London’s O2

Windows 10 currently holds approximately 30 percent of the market share, while Windows 11 has captured just under 70 percent. Despite reaching the end of its support lifecycle last year, Windows 10 continues to receive security updates through Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which is available for consumers until 2027 and offers commercial users up to three additional years for a fee.

AppWizard

August 26, 2026

Windows 11 Will Now Let Android Smartphone Users Shutdown Or Restart Their Systems Remotely Using The Native Phone Link App

Microsoft's Phone Link app for Windows 11 is set to introduce a feature allowing Android users to remotely shut down or restart their Windows 11 machines. Code findings indicate the presence of a "RemoteControlManager" component, along with labels confirming functionalities for initiating a "Restart" or "Shut down" from smartphones. Additional features may include the ability to perform updates remotely. A sleep feature is also in development, but it will prevent users from restarting or shutting down their devices until they unlock their computers. There is currently no official timeline for the rollout of these updates.

AppWizard

August 5, 2026

Google Assistant shutting down on Android and Wear OS in September

Google will discontinue Google Assistant on Android devices effective September 4, 2026, replacing it with Gemini, a new AI-powered assistant. The phased removal of Google Assistant will take several weeks to implement across all devices, including mobile phones, tablets, Wear OS watches, headphones, and vehicles using Android Auto. However, Google Assistant will continue to function in vehicles equipped with Google built-in beyond the September 2026 deadline. Gemini will also be available on Google TV devices, Google Home speakers, and smart displays, though the rollout timeline for the Pixel Tablet is uncertain. The decision to phase out Google Assistant was initially planned for the end of 2025 but has been extended to 2026. Users currently have the option to switch to Google Assistant within the Gemini app, but this will soon become obsolete.

AppWizard

July 31, 2026

Ubisoft’s NFT tactics game, a thing that still exists, is shutting down in October

Ubisoft has announced the shutdown of its NFT tactics game, Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles, set for October. The game was launched in 2024 as one of two NFT games by Ubisoft, despite previous criticisms of "pay-to-earn" features. Champions Tactics faced challenges such as a significant drop in player engagement and trust, generating over 0,000 shortly after launch but quickly losing excitement. The game's Discord community is mixed, with players questioning its legitimacy.

TrendTechie

July 24, 2026

BitTorrent исполнилось 25 лет. Как программа одного человека изменила интернет и поставила Голливуд в тупик

On July 2, 2001, Bram Cohen announced the operational status of his program, BitTorrent, on a mailing list for peer-to-peer network developers. BitTorrent revolutionized file sharing by segmenting files into smaller pieces, allowing users to download from multiple sources simultaneously and share already downloaded data, which improved download speeds as file popularity increased. Unlike earlier peer-to-peer networks, BitTorrent did not have a built-in catalog, relying on external websites for users to locate torrents. The first major torrent catalog, Suprnova, emerged in 2002, followed by The Pirate Bay in 2003, making the protocol widely accessible. By 2004, BitTorrent accounted for nearly a third of all internet traffic. In 2004, Cohen founded BitTorrent Inc., which acquired the client µTorrent in 2006. The company launched the BitTorrent Entertainment Network in 2007, but it closed in 2008 due to competition from free pirated content. BitTorrent Inc. later explored various technologies but struggled to establish a sustainable business model. The protocol evolved with decentralization features like the distributed hash table (DHT) and magnet links. In 2018, BitTorrent was acquired by the blockchain project TRON for an estimated 0 million. BitTorrent Inc. claims around 54 million active users per month, with additional users on independent clients. Despite a decline in torrent traffic from its peak, the network has been experiencing growth, attributed to rising streaming costs and fragmented content availability.