step-by-step guide Archives

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

Griffith Observatory recreated in Minecraft. How you can play the map

The Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles has launched a free downloadable Minecraft map that allows users to explore its architecture virtually. The map is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux systems and offers a first-person perspective, featuring art, architecture, and educational exhibits. A scavenger hunt side-quest is included for interactive engagement. The observatory, dedicated in May 1935, underwent renovations and reopened in November 2006. It has been featured in various films and television shows, including "Rebel Without a Cause" and "La La Land."

Winsage

April 3, 2025

Windows 11 finally gets a proper Start menu with this Quantum upgrade — install it now

Microsoft's Windows 11 features a centered Start menu and taskbar aimed at modernizing its aesthetic, but many users find it uninspiring. The Quantum Start Menu is a Windhawk theme designed to enhance the Windows 11 interface, providing a cleaner and more intuitive Start menu and taskbar. YouTuber Link Vegas has created a video guide for installing the Quantum Start Menu, which requires a theme package, Windhawk application, and configuration files.

Winsage

April 2, 2025

Your ‘unsupported’ Windows 10 PC can still run Windows 11 in 2025

Microsoft will cease support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Users considering upgrading to Windows 11 may face obstacles due to hardware requirements, including TPM 2.0 and specific CPU models. Workarounds exist for upgrading incompatible PCs. To check compatibility: - Determine if the PC uses UEFI or Legacy BIOS via System Information (msinfo32.exe). - Ensure BIOS Mode is UEFI. - Check TPM status using the TPM Management tool (tpm.msc). - Verify CPU compatibility; most Intel CPUs from 2009 or later and AMD CPUs from 2013 or later should meet the standards. Option 1: Registry Edit Method (for PCs with TPM 1.2+ and UEFI) 1. Open Registry Editor (regedit.exe) as an administrator. 2. Navigate to HKEYLOCALMACHINESYSTEMSetup; create MoSetup key if absent. 3. Create DWORD (32-bit) Value named AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU, set value to 1, and restart. 4. Download Windows 11 ISO from aka.ms/DownloadWindows11. 5. Mount the ISO file and run Setup.exe. Option 2: Using Rufus (for PCs without TPM or UEFI) 1. Download Rufus version 4.6 or later and Windows 11 ISO. 2. Prepare a USB flash drive (16GB or larger). 3. Launch Rufus, select the USB drive, choose the Windows 11 ISO, and check the box to remove requirements for 4GB+ RAM, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0. 4. Create the bootable drive and run Setup.exe from the USB drive. These methods are unofficial workarounds. Users may encounter compatibility warnings, and the registry method is preferred for its simplicity. Some very old systems, especially those with AMD processors lacking SSE4.2 support, may still be incompatible.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

Chrome failed to install on Windows PCs, but Google has issued a fix

Several Reddit users have reported difficulties installing Google Chrome on Windows PCs, a problem also experienced by the Laptop Mag team on multiple Windows 11 laptops. Users noted that the direct download from Google was problematic, while a workaround using the installer from ninite.com was successful. Issues were reported on both Windows 10 and 11, with speculation about a glitch in the latest installer release. Google acknowledged the issue and confirmed a fix had been implemented, allowing successful installations afterward. A step-by-step guide for resolving the installation hurdle was provided, recommending the use of an offline installer named “ChromeStandAloneSetup64.”

Winsage

March 22, 2025

Windows 25 solves Windows 11’s biggest problem — download it now

Windows 25 has been released, bringing back the traditional left-aligned taskbar and Start menu for users who prefer this layout over the centered design of Windows 11. The Windows 25 theme, created by AR 4789, can be applied to Windows 11 to enhance the user experience and can be uninstalled if desired. A video by Link Vegas provides a detailed guide on how to implement the theme, which involves a lengthy installation process requiring file renaming and copying. To apply the theme, users need three specific files.

Winsage

March 17, 2025

How to Change Taskbar Size in Windows 11

The taskbar in Windows 11 can be resized using the Registry Editor, as there is no direct option in the Settings menu. To resize the taskbar, users should follow these steps: 1. Open the Start Menu and search for "Registry Editor." 2. Navigate to ComputerHKEYCURRENTUSERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerAdvanced. 3. Right-click the Advanced folder, select "New," and then "DWORD (32-bit) Value." 4. Rename the new value to "TaskbarSi." 5. Double-click the value and change the value data to: - 0 for a small taskbar - 1 for the default taskbar - 2 for a big taskbar 6. Restart the PC to apply the changes.

AppWizard

March 9, 2025

I use Apollo and Artemis to stream PC games to my phone

Apollo and Artemis are server and client applications designed for streaming visuals from a gaming PC to a smartphone while allowing input from the smartphone. Apollo is installed on the gaming PC and includes a virtual display feature, while Artemis is installed on the smartphone. Both applications are forks of Sunshine and Moonlight, with Apollo offering automatic adjustments for resolution, refresh rate, and aspect ratio. To set up Apollo, users must download and install the Apollo.exe file on a Windows machine, create a password, and access the web UI. For Artemis, users download the APK file, connect to the same WLAN as the Apollo server, and enter a pin displayed on the smartphone into the Apollo web UI. The setup is currently limited to Windows PCs and Android smartphones, and while it can work with Moonlight, the developer plans to move away from Sunshine and Moonlight in the future.

Winsage

March 6, 2025

Microsoft finally shares guide to fix a pre-Windows 11 “0x80131500” Store error

Microsoft has updated its support page to address the "0x80131500" error affecting users of its Store application. This error has been a known issue since 2019. The support article provides four solutions: resetting the Microsoft Store app, checking for updates, running the Store troubleshooter (Windows 10 only), and updating internet TLS settings. Specifically, users are advised to ensure that TLS 1.2 and 1.3 are enabled while TLS 1.0 and 1.1 are unchecked. The "0x80131500" error has also been associated with the Windows 10 20H2 update error. Additionally, TLS 1.0 and 1.1 were deprecated in 2023, leading to their disablement in Microsoft 365 products and related APIs.

AppWizard

March 3, 2025

How to Make Night Vision Potion in Minecraft? | Esports News – The Times of India

Minecraft features a Night Vision Potion that enhances visibility in dark areas, making it easier to explore caves and oceans. To brew this potion, players need the following essential materials: a Crafting Table, a Brewing Stand (made from 1 Blaze Rod and 3 Cobblestones), Blaze Powder (from 1 Blaze Rod), Water Bottles (crafted from 3 Glass), Nether Wart (found in Nether Fortresses), and a Golden Carrot (crafted from 1 Carrot and 8 Gold Nuggets). Optional materials include Redstone (to extend duration), Gunpowder (to create a Splash Potion), and Dragon’s Breath (for a Lingering Potion). The brewing process involves crafting a Brewing Stand, fueling it with Blaze Powder, preparing Water Bottles, brewing Awkward Potions with Nether Wart, and adding a Golden Carrot to create the Night Vision Potion, which lasts for 3 minutes. Redstone can be added to extend the duration up to 8 minutes. Advanced variations include the Splash Potion of Night Vision (using Gunpowder) and the Lingering Potion of Night Vision (using Dragon’s Breath). The Night Vision Potion increases brightness levels to 15, significantly improving visibility underwater and in low-light conditions, making it useful for mining, building, and adventuring. Tips for successful brewing include growing Nether Wart for a consistent supply, stocking up on gold for Golden Carrots, and using Redstone wisely for extended effects.

AppWizard

March 2, 2025

How to make an XP Farm for beginners in Minecraft – The Times of India

Experience points (XP) in Minecraft are used for enchanting tools, repairing gear, and utilizing anvils. XP can be obtained through mining, battling mobs, or by creating an XP farm, which allows for efficient experience accumulation. To create an XP farm, the following materials are needed: 4-6 stacks of building blocks, 2 water buckets, 4 hoppers, 4 chests, 1 hopper minecart (optional), slabs or trapdoors, torches, signs, and either a spawner or a dark room for natural spawning. The location for the farm should be a dungeon with a mob spawner or a high vantage point for a dark room. If using a spawner, clear a 9x9 area around it; for a dark room, build a spacious, enclosed platform in the sky. A collection system involves excavating a hole beneath the spawner or dark room, positioning water to guide mobs into a kill zone, integrating hoppers for loot collection, and installing a slab or trapdoor to prevent mob escape. Light control is important for spawning; keep torches in the spawner room until the farm is operational and ensure no light penetrates dark rooms. To farm XP, position yourself near the kill zone, allow mobs to accumulate, defeat them, and collect XP. If using a spawner, wait for mobs to spawn consistently and retrieve loot from the chests as needed.