stability Archives

Winsage

May 5, 2025

Been hiding from Windows 11 24H2 due to the fuss about all the bugs? There’s nowhere to run now as Microsoft’s made the update compulsory

Windows 11's 24H2 update has entered the final phase of its rollout and is now broadly available to all users. Microsoft has stated that the update will be pushed via Windows Update, but some users may experience delays due to compatibility holds for devices with known issues. Devices running Windows 11 Home and Pro editions will receive the update automatically unless managed by IT departments. Users can check for updates in Windows Update, and while some may receive the update automatically, not all will experience immediate installation. Microsoft emphasizes the importance of updates for device security and states that they cannot be completely stopped. Users on Windows 11 Home have limited options for delaying updates but can temporarily pause them when available.

Winsage

May 3, 2025

Windows 11 24H2 is finally available for all, but here’s why your PC may still not get it

Microsoft has made Windows 11 version 24H2, also known as the 2024 Update, available to a wider audience. This update includes enhancements such as a revamped File Explorer, an updated Start menu with Phone Link, improved Power Settings, video call enhancements, and AI-related features. The update is accessible via Windows Update for eligible PCs not managed by IT departments, and users can check for updates in Settings. However, some users may face a compatibility hold, particularly those using the sprotect.sys driver, which prevents the update from appearing. Manual updates can be performed using the Windows Installation Assistant or Media Creation Tool, but caution is advised due to potential stability issues. Windows 11 23H2 support will continue until November, and delaying the upgrade beyond this date could expose systems to security risks.

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

Android 16’s UI redesign reportedly shows its face in massive leak

A recent leak reveals potential redesign features for Android 16, including a blurred and transparent notification panel, a revamped lock screen with a new font and repositioned date/temperature, and geometric app icon options in the Pixel Launcher. The volume sliders will change from a pill shape to a rectangular design, and there will be updates to the Settings menu with colored icons and a new horizontal battery icon format. Android 16 is expected to debut in Q2 2025, with more details likely to be revealed at Google's I/O 2025 event. The Android 16 Beta 4 update has reached "Platform Stability," indicating that final adjustments are being made before the official rollout.

Winsage

May 1, 2025

4 Windows versions Windows 12 should shamelessly imitate

Windows 12 is speculated to potentially launch in two to three years, following the end of support for Windows 10. It may draw inspiration from previous successful versions like Windows XP, Windows 7, and Windows 10, focusing on user customization, performance, and reducing bloatware. Windows 11, launched six years after Windows 10, introduced a new visual style and features but faced criticism over hardware requirements. Windows 12 is expected to build on Windows 11's foundation with incremental improvements and enhanced support for ARM processors.

Winsage

April 30, 2025

Windows Insider Program: What is it and why you should consider joining it (and few reasons you shouldn’t)

The Windows Insider Program allows users to explore unreleased features of Microsoft's Windows operating system by enrolling in various channels. To join, Windows 11 users can go to Settings >> Windows Update and select Windows Insider Program, enabling optional diagnostic data sharing with Microsoft. There are four channels to choose from: 1. Canary Channel: For technical users wanting to preview early-stage features, often unstable. 2. Dev Channel: More stable than Canary, includes features under consideration for future releases. 3. Beta Channel: Recommended for most users, offers a balance of stability and innovation with features likely to be rolled out to all users. 4. Release Preview Channel: The most stable option, providing a preview of the next major release with tested functionalities. Reasons to join include early access to new features, the ability to provide feedback to Microsoft, professional advantages for IT administrators, community engagement, and skill improvement. However, drawbacks include potential system instability and bugs, as well as privacy concerns related to sharing diagnostic data.

Winsage

April 26, 2025

3 reasons you shouldn’t use Btrfs, ReFS, or ZFS on Windows

Windows has relied on the NTFS file system for many years, while alternatives like Microsoft's ReFS, ZFS, and Btrfs have emerged. ZFS and Btrfs are not officially supported on Windows, leading users to depend on community-developed drivers that can cause stability issues, including crashes and blue screens of death. Performance tests show that ReFS underperforms compared to NTFS, with significant declines in disk performance across various metrics. Similar performance issues have been reported for Btrfs. Additionally, ReFS lacks certain features available in NTFS, such as support for portable media, specific encryption options, extended file attributes, and disk quotas. Currently, Windows is not fully equipped to support these newer file systems, and while ReFS is under development, the future of ZFS and Btrfs on Windows remains uncertain.

Winsage

April 25, 2025

Windows 11 25H2 shows signs of life: what can we expect?

The upcoming Windows 11 25H2 update is expected to be a modest enhancement rather than a major overhaul, continuing to use the Germanium codebase established with 24H2. A preview build, specifically build 27842 from the Canary Channel, has been identified, and references to GE25H2 were found in the AppraiserRes.dll file, which assesses PC compatibility for the new version. The update is anticipated to arrive in the latter half of the year, similar to previous incremental updates. Concerns exist regarding the stability of 25H2 compared to 24H2, which faced installation issues and compatibility problems. Windows 10 will reach the end of regular support on October 14, 2025, prompting users to transition to Windows 11. Smaller updates like enablement packages tend to present fewer stability risks, and Microsoft has not officially confirmed any details about 25H2 or its update process for versions 23H2 and 24H2. Speculation about Windows 12 continues, but its timeline remains uncertain.

AppWizard

April 25, 2025

Peter Bart: Big B.O. Bets Wagered On Video Games And Vampires As Hollywood Tries To Banish Bitter Woes

Two films, A Minecraft Movie and Sinners, are currently successful at the box office, appealing to Gen Z audiences and nearing 0 million in global earnings. A Minecraft Movie had a production cost of 0 million, while Sinners had a budget of million, with stars Michael B. Jordan and director Ryan Coogler negotiating a deal for a share of the gross receipts and ownership rights after 25 years. Hollywood has faced challenges in recent years, including postponed releases and a shift towards streaming. The dual release of Oppenheimer and Barbie, endorsed by industry figures, gained significant attention, overshadowing other films like Coyote vs Acme. Tech companies like Apple and Amazon are investing in original storytelling, with Apple’s F1 project featuring Brad Pitt. Warner Bros. is also set to release a film by Paul Thomas Anderson, known for original content. Historically, studios have invested in original works, with notable examples like The Best Years of Our Lives and It’s a Wonderful Life.

Winsage

April 25, 2025

Microsoft set to make huge Windows change — and it’s hoping you won’t notice

The Windows 11 Insider Preview Build (27842) will replace the Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) with a new error screen featuring a Medium Forest Green backdrop. This change is part of an effort to create a more streamlined user interface for unexpected restarts, although it may provide less context for troubleshooting. The new design is currently being tested in Microsoft's Canary Channel and is expected to become standard with the Windows 11 25H2 update later this year.

Tech Optimizer

April 24, 2025

TecentDB PostgreSQL will provide full support for PG 17

TencentDB for PostgreSQL has introduced robust security measures including data encryption, Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) isolation, and process monitoring for compliance with international standards. PostgreSQL 17.0 features enhanced logical replication with slot failover, performance optimizations such as batch I/O page read/write and improved Write-Ahead Logging, and operational enhancements like incremental backups and a transaction timeout parameter. Tencent has developed features for resource management, including fine-grained multi-tenant resource management with CPU resource isolation and process-level monitoring, as well as SQL throttling. Cold/hot data separation solutions include the 'cos_fdw' plugin for accessing cold data and the 'starocks_fdw' plugin for integrating with the StarRocks analytics engine. Security auditing has been improved with an Express Edition for basic needs and an Advanced Edition for broader audit coverage. These enhancements aim to balance performance and cost, maximize resource efficiency, and strengthen compliance.