speed test Archives

Winsage

September 15, 2026

This open-source Windows launcher does what Microsoft’s new Start menu should have done

Microsoft is set to introduce a significant overhaul of the Windows Start menu in its upcoming 26H2 update, responding to user feedback about limited customization options. Flow Launcher is a keyboard-centric app launcher that offers superior functionality compared to the traditional Start menu. The installation of Flow Launcher is straightforward, with options for portable versions and package managers. It features a sleek search bar and allows users to quickly search for apps and files, enhancing productivity. Flow Launcher is highly customizable, with settings for behavior and appearance, including nearly 20 themes and various visual options. Its plugin ecosystem expands its capabilities, allowing users to install and manage plugins for added functionality. Notable plugins include Speed Test and Google Translate. Flow Launcher provides a more customizable and efficient experience compared to Microsoft’s current offerings.

AppWizard

September 8, 2026

Are Free VPNs for Android Actually Worth Using

A free VPN for Android can improve internet privacy, especially on untrusted networks, but it has limitations, such as not guaranteeing complete anonymity or security. The VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between the device and the server, protecting traffic from local monitoring but not ensuring overall security if poorly implemented. Changing your IP address does not guarantee anonymity, as account logins and tracking technologies can still identify users. Free VPNs may be suitable for low-risk tasks, like occasional browsing on public Wi-Fi, but they do not protect against malware or phishing. Providers often rely on alternative revenue sources, such as advertising or data sharing, which necessitates careful examination of their privacy policies. Free VPNs may have limitations like data caps, slower speeds, and fewer server options compared to paid services. Users should evaluate the provider’s background, privacy policy, permissions, and performance before installation. A paid VPN generally offers better reliability, support, and transparency, making it a safer choice for sensitive activities.

Winsage

September 5, 2026

Valve’s Steam Machine Proves a Capable Windows PC, But 128GB RAM Upgrade Offers Little Value

Valve's Steam Machine has been tested for its versatility beyond gaming, with two notable upgrades: installing 128GB of RAM and converting it to run Windows 11. The 128GB RAM upgrade involved installing a 2x64GB SO-DIMM kit, which required extensive BIOS adjustments and presented challenges such as system instability and difficult access to RAM slots. Despite the technical success, performance improvements in gaming were minimal, as most applications do not utilize that much memory, making the upgrade cost-prohibitive. In contrast, converting the Steam Machine to Windows 11 was more straightforward. The process involved creating bootable USB drives and navigating BIOS settings. Once installed, the Steam Machine performed well as a Windows PC, with productivity tasks showing better efficiency than other portable devices. Benchmark tests indicated slight performance drops compared to SteamOS, but real-world usage, such as video editing, proved effective. Overall, the Steam Machine is capable of functioning beyond its intended purpose, but users should consider practical memory configurations and the limitations of dual-boot support when choosing how to optimize the device.

Winsage

August 29, 2026

Why does Windows constantly need to update?

Windows updates are released frequently to enhance performance, improve compatibility, fix bugs, and distribute critical security patches. Microsoft issues security updates every second Tuesday of the month, known as Patch Tuesday, which are cumulative, meaning the latest updates include all previous fixes. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issues warnings about vulnerabilities, and Microsoft maintains a security portal for documentation of these issues. Users on unsupported versions, like Windows 10 without Extended Security Updates (ESU), are at increased risk. In addition to security updates, Windows receives an annual feature update and occasional optional non-security updates that introduce new features and enhancements. An example is the Windows 11 February 2026 preview update, which added new features and improvements.

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.

Winsage

August 28, 2026

Why Does Windows Constantly Need To Update?

Windows updates are issued regularly, primarily for performance enhancement and security reinforcement. They address bugs, improve compatibility, and distribute security patches to mitigate vulnerabilities. Security vulnerabilities are frequently discovered, with alerts issued by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and documented in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) program. Microsoft releases security fixes on Patch Tuesday, the second Tuesday of each month, and all updates are cumulative. Users of unsupported software versions, such as Windows 10, face increased security risks. Major feature updates occur annually, with optional non-security updates released periodically. For example, the Windows 11 February 2026 preview update introduced new features, although these are not part of the stable channel.

TrendTechie

July 18, 2026

Что такое троттлинг и как понять, что провайдер намеренно замедляет ваш трафик

Throttling is the intentional limitation of speed for specific types of traffic, services, protocols, devices, or users. It can occur due to various reasons, such as exceeding data caps, prioritization of certain services, load management during peak hours, or technical policies in networks. Users may experience speed drops that are selective to specific traffic types, indicating potential throttling, while universal slowdowns suggest network overload or outages. Speed tests measure connectivity to specific servers and may not reflect actual download speeds across different paths. Signs of potential throttling include isolated speed drops, consistent slowdowns at specific times, and discrepancies between speed tests and real-world performance. Initial checks should rule out home network issues, and practical diagnostics can help identify throttling by comparing speeds across different servers, types of downloads, and times of day. If throttling is confirmed and support does not resolve the issue, exploring alternative ISPs may be necessary.

Winsage

May 1, 2026

Microsoft CEO wants to win back lost Windows fans

Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, announced the company's renewed focus on improving user engagement with Windows and its consumer offerings during the third quarter of fiscal year 2026. Microsoft is addressing issues in Windows 11 by enhancing speed and reducing bugs, with key objectives including improving performance on devices with lower RAM, simplifying the update interface, and focusing on core features. Notable updates include options to postpone or skip system updates, the removal of unnecessary applications like Copilot, and enhancements such as displaying NPU activity in Task Manager and a built-in Internet speed test. Microsoft is also transitioning to native frameworks like WinUI 3, redesigning the Start menu to function directly at the system level, which is expected to reduce RAM consumption and improve performance stability on lower-resource devices.

Winsage

April 22, 2026

Ookla’s Windows 11 Speedtest mockup looks suspiciously like macOS

Ookla and Microsoft announced a partnership to integrate Speedtest as the network performance testing platform across Bing and Windows, allowing Windows 11 users to check their internet speed from the taskbar. This feature was initially available to Windows Insiders in February 2023. A humorous remark by Rafael Rivera, a Windows Dev MVP, suggested that Ookla leaked a glimpse of the Windows vNext UI, which appeared to include elements from macOS. The incident has sparked discussions about design trends and user interfaces in the tech community.

Winsage

March 29, 2026

Microsoft quietly shipped 9 meaningful Windows 11 improvements this year, and they actually make the OS feel more polished

Microsoft has released a series of quality updates for Windows 11 in the first quarter of 2026, introducing several new features: - Cross-device resume allows users to resume Android apps directly on Windows 11 via the Taskbar. - Windows MIDI Services now support MIDI 0 and 2.0, including WinMM and WinRT MIDI 1.0 support. - Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security now supports external fingerprint readers. - A new "Device info" card in the Settings app displays key hardware specifications. - Quick Machine Recovery is now enabled by default for Windows 11 Pro. - A new network speed test feature can be accessed via the Taskbar. - Camera settings enhancements allow management of pan and tilt controls. - Sysmon is now a native feature in Windows 11, providing advanced monitoring capabilities. - Windows 11 supports WebP images as wallpapers.