startup process Archives

Winsage

April 20, 2025

Microsoft’s Free Upgrade Offer—Bad News For 240 Million Windows Users

Microsoft is encouraging approximately 240 million PC owners to recycle outdated devices, as they will not qualify for a free upgrade to Windows 11 without new hardware. The company emphasizes the importance of the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, a security chip that determines eligibility for the upgrade and protects sensitive data. TPM 2.0 offers several security benefits, including data encryption, verification of trusted software, detection of physical tampering, and support for advanced security features in Windows 11. Currently, around 240 million PCs are estimated to be ineligible for the upgrade, which may hinder the adoption of Windows 11 and leave many devices vulnerable to cyber threats.

AppWizard

March 4, 2025

Google’s ‘consent-less’ Android tracking probed by academics

Research by Doug Leith, a professor at Trinity College Dublin, shows that Android users are subjected to advertising cookies and tracking mechanisms that start collecting data before any app is launched, without user consent or the option to opt out. The study identifies systems within Android that send user data to Google via pre-installed apps like Google Play Services and the Google Play Store. One such mechanism is the "DSID" cookie, which is created shortly after logging into a Google account and is used for personalized advertising, lasting two weeks. Another tracker, the Google Android ID, is generated upon first interaction with Google Play Services and continues to transmit data even after the user logs out, with removal only possible through a factory reset. Leith's findings raise concerns about potential violations of data protection laws, particularly regarding the classification of the Android ID as personally identifiable information under GDPR. Google responded to the findings, emphasizing user privacy and compliance with privacy laws, while also stating disagreement with Leith's legal analysis. Additionally, the introduction of the Android System SafetyCore feature, which scans photo libraries for explicit content without user consent, has sparked user discontent, with many reviews criticizing the lack of consent during its installation.

Winsage

February 5, 2025

0-Day Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Sysinternals Tools Allow Attackers To Launch DLL Injection Attacks on Windows

A critical 0-Day vulnerability has been identified in Microsoft Sysinternals tools, allowing attackers to exploit DLL injection techniques to execute harmful code. This vulnerability has been verified and remains unresolved despite being disclosed to Microsoft over 90 days ago. The Sysinternals tools, including Process Explorer, Autoruns, and Bginfo, are widely used for system analysis and troubleshooting but lack integration with the Windows Update system, requiring manual management of security patches. The vulnerability stems from how Sysinternals tools load DLL files, prioritizing untrusted paths over secure system directories. Attackers can place a malicious DLL in the same directory as a legitimate Sysinternals executable, leading to the execution of arbitrary code under the user's privileges. A real-world example demonstrated that an attacker could deploy a Trojan via the Bginfo tool by loading a malicious DLL from a network directory. The vulnerability affects multiple Sysinternals applications, and a comprehensive list is available from the researcher. Microsoft has classified the issue as a "defense-in-depth" enhancement rather than a critical vulnerability, focusing on local execution rather than risks associated with network paths. As of December 2024, the vulnerability remains unpatched, prompting users to take precautionary steps such as avoiding running tools from network locations and verifying DLL integrity.

Winsage

December 25, 2024

5 ways to make Windows 11 boot faster without new hardware

Windows can exhibit sluggishness during boot times, which can be improved without hardware upgrades or reinstallation. 1. Disable unnecessary startup programs using Task Manager to enhance boot times. 2. Adjust the Fast Startup feature in Control Panel, as it can sometimes hinder performance. 3. Reduce the operating system selection timeout in System Properties to streamline booting for users with multiple operating systems. 4. Uninstall unneeded applications to free up resources. 5. Ensure sufficient free space on your SSD, as full SSDs can degrade performance.

Winsage

December 20, 2024

Clean up your PC: Deep cleaning with professional tricks

Maintaining a tidy digital environment is essential for optimizing the performance of a Windows PC. Regular decluttering frees up storage space and enhances overall efficiency. 1. Check Memory Utilization: Access Settings (Win+I) > System > Memory to view memory usage, including temporary files and installed applications. The "Other" category shows large folders for potential deletion, and you can uninstall unnecessary programs under Apps > Installed apps. Temporary files can be removed under System > Storage > Temporary files. 2. Windows 11 Cleanup Functions: Go to System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations to find storage space occupied by downloads, the recycle bin, and Previous Windows installations. Select areas to clean and click the cleanup button. 3. Free Up Storage Space: Enable Storage Sense in Settings > System > Storage to automate cleanup processes, customizing frequency and recycle bin retention. 4. Relocate Standard Storage Locations: In System > Storage > Advanced storage settings, designate alternative drives for new content to keep the primary drive uncluttered. 5. Change Storage Location for Apps: Specify a different drive when installing new applications. For Microsoft Store apps, go to Apps > Installed apps and select Move. 6. Clean Up Discs: Use the Disk Cleanup tool (cleanmgr) to delete unnecessary files. The Clean up system files option reveals additional files for removal. 7. Delete Browser Data: Clear browser cache as needed to improve performance, managing data through browser settings. 8. Optimize Autostart: Use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to disable unnecessary startup programs. Tools like Autoruns can help manage autostart entries for efficient booting. Additional software options like Bleachbit and Ccleaner can provide deeper insights for system maintenance.

Winsage

October 16, 2024

8 ways to fine-tune Windows 11 for optimal performance without the bloat

- Change the power mode settings to High performance for a speed boost, especially in resource-intensive tasks. - Run antivirus scans to eliminate viruses and malware that may slow down the computer. - Disable search indexing to free up system resources if the search function is rarely used. - Increase the page file size to provide a virtual memory boost for systems with limited RAM. - Limit bandwidth for Windows updates to ensure responsive internet speeds. - Disable unnecessary startup tasks to streamline the boot process and improve overall performance. - Use Efficiency mode in Task Manager to reduce CPU allocation for background apps, but consider disabling it for important applications. - Utilize Win11Debloat to remove unnecessary pre-installed applications and features, enhancing system performance.

Winsage

September 2, 2024

Microsoft explains in detail how to fix slow Windows 11/10 startup performance

Microsoft has released a support article to help Windows device owners optimize startup times by managing applications that launch automatically. The article outlines three methods for managing startup applications: 1. Settings App: Users can navigate to Apps > Startup in the Settings app to enable or disable automatic startup for listed applications. 2. Task Manager: Users can use Task Manager to disable startup applications and view a "Startup impact" meter that categorizes apps based on their effect on startup speed (None, Not Measured, Low Impact, Medium Impact, High Impact). 3. File Explorer: For applications not registered with a startup task, users can create shortcuts in specific folders (shell:startup for the current user and shell:common startup for all users) to manage their startup behavior. The article also addresses a potential error message users may encounter regarding missing apps in the Settings toggle for Startup apps.