storage drive Archives

Winsage

March 30, 2025

Here’s why you should reinstall Windows 11 every two months – no, I’m not kidding

Windows has evolved through various versions, creating a strong connection among users. Bugs can arise from updates, driver issues, or upgrades, and it is often advised to avoid upgrades in favor of fresh installations. Corrupted registry files and mislabelled directories can lead to resource consumption by background programs. A dual-storage drive system is recommended, designating a fast drive for the OS and a slower drive for media and backups, facilitating easier reinstallation. This setup encourages robust backup practices and helps maintain system integrity. Windows Defender is highlighted as an effective antivirus solution, and preparation for installation, including having necessary drivers on a USB stick, is crucial. A proactive approach to system maintenance can enhance the Windows experience.

Winsage

December 26, 2024

Windows Recall support for Intel & AMD PCs: Eligible PC List

Microsoft has introduced an AI feature called Recall for Windows PCs, enabling users to retrieve actions or searches by capturing and storing screenshots in an encrypted format. Users can search for specific content using keywords, but Recall will only be available to select Windows 11 PCs. Initially exclusive to Snapdragon X SoCs, Recall now supports newer Intel and AMD CPUs with a 40 teraflops Neural Processing Unit (NPU). To use Recall, the system requirements include: - Windows 11 PC enrolled in the Insider Program (Canary or Dev channel) - 16 GB RAM - 256 GB SSD - CPU with 8 logical processors - NPU with 40 teraflops - Windows Hello for sign-in security and device encryption activated. Compatible devices include: - Acer Swift 14 AI - ASUS Vivobook S 15 and ProArt PZ13 - Dell Latitude 7455, XPS 13, and Inspiron 14 - HP OmniBook X 14 - Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x and ThinkPad T14s - Microsoft Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC - Microsoft Surface Pro Copilot+ PC - Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge Supported CPUs are: - AMD Ryzen AI 300 series - Intel Core Ultra 200V series - Snapdragon X Elite - Snapdragon X Plus More compatible systems and CPUs are expected by 2025.

Winsage

December 26, 2024

How I virtualized my Windows 11 PC using Disk2vhd and VirtualBox

Virtualization technology allows users to create a virtualized instance of their primary operating system using tools like Disk2vhd and VirtualBox. Disk2vhd is a free utility that converts storage drives into .vhd files for Physical to Virtual migration of Windows 11. The process involves downloading Disk2vhd, running it with administrator privileges, selecting drives, and creating the .vhd file while disabling the Use vhdx and Prepare for use in virtual PC options, but enabling Use Volume Shadow Copy for external drives. To deploy a virtual machine in VirtualBox, users must ensure CPU virtualization is enabled in the BIOS, install VirtualBox, and create a new VM by specifying its name, storage folder, type as Microsoft Windows, and version as Windows 11 (64-bit). Users then allocate memory and processors, select the option to use an existing virtual hard disk, browse for the .vhd file, and finish the setup. Once the VM is deployed, it should boot into the Windows 11 environment. If it loads the recovery environment, users can follow prompts to repair the system. However, running Windows 11 in a VM may lead to performance issues unless the host system has a high-end processor and sufficient RAM and CPU cores allocated. This project allows experimentation with the daily driver without risking its integrity.

Winsage

November 9, 2024

Telegram is the latest of my daily Windows apps to enjoy native ARM support on Snapdragon X and even my ancient Surface

Telegram is a leading messaging application available on Windows, Android, and Apple devices. The latest version 5.7.2 includes integrated native ARM64 support. Users can download Telegram for Windows on ARM from GitHub, where it is offered as a full installation or a portable application. Previously, Telegram operated under Microsoft's Prism emulation layer on ARM devices, but now it runs natively on ARM64, providing a faster and more efficient experience. Users can download the app via an executable installer or as a portable option from the 'telegramdesktop' GitHub page.

Winsage

November 1, 2024

9 ways to decrease power consumption on your Windows server

Excessive power consumption in Windows Server management can result from misconfigurations and inefficient component management. Strategies to enhance energy efficiency include: 1. Adjusting power settings through the Power Options menu, which offers Balanced, High Performance, and Power Saver plans, and fine-tuning Processor Power Management settings. 2. Disabling unnecessary services and roles via Server Manager to lower CPU load. 3. Investing in energy-efficient hardware, such as processors with low thermal design points, energy-efficient RAM, and solid-state drives instead of hard disk drives. 4. Scheduling resource-intensive tasks during off-peak hours to balance power load. 5. Utilizing virtualization with Hyper-V to consolidate workloads and reduce the number of active devices. 6. Optimizing the cooling system with variable-speed fans and maintaining proper airflow. 7. Using remote management tools like Windows Admin Center and PowerShell to manage servers without physical access, reducing the need for peripherals. 8. Regularly updating firmware and drivers to ensure hardware operates efficiently. 9. Reducing display power consumption by turning off inactive monitors and setting them to sleep mode after inactivity.

Winsage

September 27, 2024

Step-by-Step Solutions to Fix the IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL Error on Your Windows PC – PUNE.NEWS

The “IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL” error in Windows 10 and 11 indicates potential issues with system file integrity, often due to corrupted data on storage drives, damaged Windows OS files, or faulty RAM. To address this error, several methods can be employed: 1. Repair corrupted system files using DISM and SFC commands. 2. Perform a System Restore to revert to a previous state. 3. Update Windows and device drivers. 4. Run a memory test to check for faulty RAM. 5. Check the health of the storage drive and consider replacing it if failing. 6. Clean install graphics drivers. 7. Disable third-party services that may cause conflicts. It is advised to back up data before making significant system changes and to seek professional help if issues persist.

Winsage

September 21, 2024

6 diagnostic tools you need on your Windows 11 PC

The text discusses the importance of having diagnostic tools for maintaining a PC's health and identifies various tools for diagnosing specific issues. - Network Issues: Wi-Fi Analyzer optimizes network settings by scanning for interference, while SoftPerfect Network Scanner detects devices on the network to identify unauthorized access. - Screen Issues: Built-in calibration tools can address display flickering or tearing, and PixelHealer can help revive stuck or dead pixels. - Storage Drive Issues: CrystalDiskInfo performs SMART scans to assess HDD or SSD health, and manufacturer-specific tools like Seagate's SeaTools and Samsung's Magician provide detailed diagnostics. - RAM Issues: HCI MemTest runs comprehensive memory tests, while MemTest86 can diagnose RAM issues from a USB drive if the system fails to boot. - System Issues: HWiNFO offers detailed hardware specifications and real-time monitoring, and Process Hacker provides advanced resource utilization reports. - CPU and GPU Issues: CPU-Z and GPU-Z deliver detailed specifications and performance metrics for CPU and GPU, respectively.

Winsage

August 4, 2024

How to use the CHKDSK command in Windows

The CHKDSK command, short for "Check Disk," is a tool in Windows that examines disks for errors and repairs bad sectors. It identifies and marks damaged areas to prevent data loss and has been available in Windows since version 2000. The command syntax includes parameters such as /F (repairs errors), /R (locates bad sectors and recovers readable data), /X (forces dismount before repairs), /V (displays file paths in bad sectors), /I (quick scan), /C (faster scan by skipping certain folders), and /B (re-evaluates bad clusters). To use CHKDSK, open Command Prompt as an administrator, type "chkdsk C: /F," and restart the computer if prompted.