stability issues Archives

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.

Tech Optimizer

April 12, 2025

I abandoned third-party antivirus tools, and here’s what I do instead

The author has transitioned from using third-party antivirus solutions to relying on Windows Security, which is built into Windows 10 and 11, due to its effectiveness and lack of cost. They emphasize the importance of keeping Windows Security updated and performing regular virus scans for added peace of mind. Ransomware protection features, such as Controlled Folder Access, are highlighted as essential. The Microsoft PC Manager app is recommended for optimizing system performance and security. The author advocates for good security hygiene, including avoiding suspicious emails and enabling two-factor authentication, as effective practices to maintain security without third-party antivirus software.

AppWizard

April 7, 2025

Radeon RX 9070 wird per BIOS zur Radeon RX 9070 XT

The Asus Prime Radeon RX 9070 can now emulate the performance characteristics of the Asus Prime Radeon RX 9070 XT after a BIOS flash. This upgrade allows the RX 9070 to achieve clock speeds of up to 3.1 GHz, an increase from the original 2.6 GHz, and raises the Total Graphics Power (TGP) from 220 watts to 317 watts. The modification was successfully executed by a community member named Gurdi, who used a vBIOS from TechPowerUp. Despite the inability to reactivate eight disabled compute units and 512 streaming processors, the upgrade has led to performance metrics that can surpass stock RX 9070 XTs under certain conditions. Initial benchmarks indicate promising results, and Gurdi has shared stable gaming settings that are effective against reference RX 9070 XT models. Minor stability issues remain, particularly during idle states, likely due to the increased core clock speeds.

Winsage

April 3, 2025

Is Windows 11 Finally Better Than Windows 10 For Gaming?

Windows 11 has introduced several gaming-focused enhancements that are not present in Windows 10, including: - DirectStorage: Optimized for Windows 11, this technology allows games to load data directly from an NVMe SSD to the GPU, reducing load times. - Auto HDR: Enhances older games by automatically applying high dynamic range lighting effects for users with HDR-capable monitors. - Improved Scheduling for Hybrid CPUs: Offers better task scheduling for Intel's 12th or 13th generation CPUs, resulting in smoother frame rates during CPU-intensive gaming sessions. Benchmark tests show minimal performance differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11, with slight FPS improvements in some titles on Windows 11, especially when using advanced hardware and DirectStorage. As of March 2025, over 55% of Windows users on Steam have transitioned to Windows 11, indicating growing confidence in the operating system among gamers. Windows 11 has addressed many early bugs and driver issues, providing robust stability on compatible systems. Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements than Windows 10, including the need for TPM 2.0 and UEFI secure boot. Windows 10 remains supported until October 2025, making it a viable option for users with older hardware. Windows 11 features a redesigned interface with a centered Start Menu and Taskbar, rounded corners, and expanded personalization options. It also simplifies the update process with annual feature updates and smaller, faster security updates. Windows 11 enhances integration with Microsoft services, supports Android apps through the Amazon Appstore, and introduces productivity tools like Snap Layouts and improved Task View. Security improvements include mandatory TPM 2.0, enhanced Windows Defender, and a redesigned privacy dashboard for better user control over app permissions. Despite its advancements, Windows 11 has limitations such as ongoing stability issues, driver compatibility concerns, and a simplified taskbar that lacks certain functionalities from Windows 10. Windows 11 is available as a free upgrade for eligible Windows 10 devices through Windows Update.

Winsage

March 19, 2025

6 essential skills every Windows 11 user needs to master

- Windows 11 users can enhance their experience and security by mastering essential skills such as managing updates, securing online presence, and utilizing system settings. - To protect accounts and sensitive information online, users should consider using a password manager, passkeys, and enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) on accounts. - A VPN with end-to-end encryption can enhance online security, and users should familiarize themselves with their web browser's security settings. - Windows 11 updates are released on the first Tuesday of each month, with a major feature update annually; users can prevent auto-restarts and pause updates for up to five weeks. - The Settings app in Windows 11 has replaced much of the Control Panel for managing system settings, and users should explore it thoroughly. - OneDrive is integrated into Windows 11 for backing up, restoring, and sharing files, and users can create encrypted folders and use Files-on-Demand. - Regularly reviewing and uninstalling unnecessary applications can help maintain PC performance, and users can manage default applications and disable startup apps via Task Manager. - Accessing the BIOS/UEFI allows for updates, security adjustments, and hardware configuration changes, typically done by pressing keys like Esc, F2, or F8 during boot.

Winsage

February 28, 2025

Windows 12 won’t be the savior Windows 10 users are hoping for

Windows 10 will be retired on October 12, 2025, and will no longer receive security updates, fixes, or technical support. Users are encouraged to upgrade to Windows 11, which currently holds a 36.6% share of the Windows desktop market, while Windows 10 has a 60.3% share. Microsoft has invested nearly a billion dollars into OpenAI since 2019, integrating AI features into the Windows ecosystem. Windows 11 has stringent hardware requirements, including the need for Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 chips, leading to concerns about obsolescence and potential future requirements for Windows 12 that may demand AI-capable PCs. Despite its flaws, Windows 11 may be seen as a more manageable option compared to the anticipated challenges of Windows 12.

Winsage

February 23, 2025

Microsoft Weekly: super-fast file managers for Windows 11, faster Edge, new builds, and more

Microsoft Edge has received performance improvements, particularly for lower-end devices, with the latest version 132 enhancing the user interface. Alternatives to File Explorer for Windows 10 and 11, such as File Pilot, are emerging. Support for Windows 95 has ended in a widely-used application, and Microsoft has released several updates for the Windows Insider Program, including new builds for Windows 11 and 10. The Snipping Tool app has been updated to include a cropping tool for easier editing of screen recordings. Microsoft clarified that a feature to keep Microsoft Accounts always signed in will not be implemented at this time. Additionally, a significant update patched high-severity vulnerabilities in Edge, and the Edge Add-ons website has been revamped. Finalwire's AIDA64 has dropped support for Windows 95, 98, and Me. Battery Flyout has been updated to generate detailed battery reports. Xbox and PC Game Pass subscribers can expect new game releases in February 2025, including titles like Avowed and EA Sports F1 24. Sea of Thieves has introduced new content in Season 15, and GTA V on PC will receive an upgrade on March 4. Xbox consoles can now support external hard drives larger than 16TB. The GeForce NOW streaming service has added new titles to its library.

AppWizard

December 23, 2024

STALKER 2 Update 1.1.3 Released, Is 7.4GB, Full Patch Notes

GSC GameWorld has released Patch 1.1.3 for the PC version of STALKER 2, approximately 7.4GB in size, primarily serving as a hotfix. The patch introduces a temporary workaround to prevent crashes during shader compilation by allowing players to skip the shaders warm-up phase. It also resolves several ACCESS VIOLATION ERROR crashes and fixes an issue where controls could be lost after shooting, reloading, and examining artifacts. Additionally, it addresses the inability to save invert axis options after restarting the game. User save files can now be backed up at “C:Users%username%AppDataLocalStalker2SavedBackup.” The update is compatible with various mods that enhance gameplay mechanics. Steam will automatically download this update when users launch the client.

AppWizard

December 6, 2024

Mandatory ray tracing makes Indiana Jones and the Great Circle pretty yet brutal, like Indy himself

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is the first game to require hardware-based ray tracing, necessitating GeForce RTX or newer AMD graphics cards for optimal performance. The game has high system requirements, including substantial SSD storage and elevated RAM needs. Testing revealed that older GPUs like the GTX 1070 and GTX 1080 Ti cannot run the game due to a lack of ray tracing hardware. The Intel Arc A750 achieved an average of 67fps at 1080p on Low settings, while the RTX 4060 averaged 63fps at Ultra settings but dropped to 39fps on Very Ultra. The RTX 3070 managed 40fps at 1440p with DLSS enabled but struggled with higher settings. Upgrading to an RTX 4070 Ti improved performance to 70fps at 1440p in Supreme mode. The game features rich lighting effects and intricate environmental details, but the necessity for hardware-based ray tracing raises questions about accessibility. DLSS provides some performance relief but is exclusive to Nvidia GPUs, leaving Intel and AMD users with limited options. An update on December 9th is expected to introduce full ray tracing and Ray Reconstruction. Players with mid-range or lower-end systems are advised to adjust settings for better performance, with specific recommendations provided. Non-RTX graphics card users face challenges due to the lack of major upscalers.

Winsage

November 27, 2024

How to Join the Windows Insider Program: Beta, Dev, Canary and Release Preview

Microsoft's Windows Insider Program allows users to test new features of Windows 11 before their official release. Recently, Recall AI was introduced to the Dev channel. To join the program, users must register with a Microsoft account, sign in on their PC, and navigate through Windows Settings to select an Insider channel. The channels include Release Preview, Beta, Dev, and Canary, with varying levels of stability. Users can check for updates to download the latest Insider build. To leave the program, users on Release Preview or Beta channels can revert to a stable build without a clean installation, while those on Dev and Canary channels must perform a clean installation. Users can unenroll from preview builds by adjusting settings in Windows Update.