storage drive Archives

Winsage

November 30, 2025

How much RAM does your PC actually need in 2025? A Windows and Mac expert weighs in

Shopping for a new computer involves focusing on three key components: the processor, storage drive, and RAM. For Windows machines in 2025, 16GB of RAM is the operational minimum for new consumer laptops, while 8GB is sufficient for regular use on MacBooks, although the new MacBook Air M4 starts at 16GB. Chromebooks can operate effectively with 8GB or less. DDR5 is the latest standard for RAM, enhancing data transfer speeds, while DDR6 has been announced but is not yet widely implemented. Most users need 16GB of RAM, but gamers and creative professionals may require 32GB or more for demanding applications. For resource-intensive tasks, 48GB or 64GB may be necessary.

Winsage

September 29, 2025

I used DISM to create a Windows installer with all my apps, and here’s how it works

To back up a Windows 11 image, start with a fresh installation and use the Sysprep tool to generalize the system, avoiding Microsoft Store apps to prevent Sysprep failure. Prepare two external drives: one for storing the Windows image (minimum 8GB) and another bootable drive configured with Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE). Download the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) and the Windows PE add-on to create the bootable USB drive. Enter Audit Mode by pressing Ctrl+Shift+F3 at the out-of-box experience screen, disable app updates, and install desired applications for the entire system. Use Sysprep to enter Out of Box Experience (OOBE), check Generalize, and select Shutdown. Boot from the Windows PE drive, use diskpart to identify drive letters, and capture the image with the DISM command. To apply the image on a new PC, create a diskpart script for partitioning and a batch script for applying the image. Boot the new PC from the Windows PE drive, run the diskpart script to create partitions, and execute the batch script to apply the image. This method is efficient for deploying consistent applications across multiple PCs.

Winsage

August 18, 2025

Latest Windows update is borking storage drives for some users

Recent updates for Windows 11 and Windows 10 have caused significant stability issues linked to a bug in the Microsoft Defender update, making some solid-state drives (SSDs) and hard drives (HDDs) unreadable. The issue was first reported by a user on Twitter and affects drives that contain the Windows operating system, leading to potential system failures. The problem is particularly prevalent in the latest 24H2 versions of Windows 11 and several updates for Windows 10. It appears to be associated with certain drives using a specific NAND controller from Phison. The bug is triggered during heavy write sessions to NVMe SSDs and HDDs, especially when writing or backing up data exceeding 50 gigabytes. The range of affected drive models is unclear, and users are uncertain about potential solutions, including firmware updates.

Winsage

August 18, 2025

Windows 11 24H2 Security Update Causes SSD/HDD Failures and Potential Data Corruption

A significant security update from Microsoft, Windows 11 24H2 (KB5063878), is causing issues for users, making SSDs and HDDs inaccessible and potentially corrupting user data. Users have reported installation failures with error code 0x80240069, and despite a hotfix, the update has led to storage drives disappearing from the Windows environment, particularly during large sequential write operations. Recovery attempts are often unsuccessful, putting user files at risk. Microsoft has not provided an official fix, and users are advised to avoid the update and ensure routine data backups. Unplugging and reconnecting the affected drive may temporarily restore visibility but does not guarantee data safety.

Winsage

August 1, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5733 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5733 (KB5062673) has been released to the Dev Channel, introducing new features, improvements, and fixes. Changes and Improvements: - File Explorer now shows people icons for work or school accounts under the “Activity” column and in the “Recommended” section, revealing Live Persona Cards from Microsoft 365 when hovered over or clicked. - The option to manage or clear Bing search history has been removed from Settings and can now be accessed directly through the Privacy dashboard. Fixes: - The Start menu crash issue has been resolved. - A fix has been implemented for taskbar preview thumbnail unresponsiveness. - The lock screen widget crash has been addressed, allowing users to add new widgets. - Multi-finger touchpad gestures have been fixed. Known Issues: - Some users may experience a rollback with a 0x80070005 error during installation. - An issue with dao360.dll causing application crashes is being addressed. - Blank icons may appear in the Start menu's “All” section after updating. - Reports of all apps being unpinned from the taskbar are under investigation. - In dark mode, low storage drive indicators may appear inaccurately. - Delays in intelligent text actions on Copilot+ PCs are noted. - Live captions may crash during live translation on Copilot+ PCs. - Connecting Xbox Controllers via Bluetooth may cause a bugcheck; users can resolve this by uninstalling a specific driver. Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel receive updates based on Windows 11, version 25H2, and features are gradually rolled out. Users should ensure that the toggle for the latest updates is turned ON to receive new features promptly. Some features may not be released beyond Windows Insiders and may change over time.

AppWizard

June 22, 2025

This Week in Crypto Games: B3’s Self-Destruct PC, Avalanche Battle Pass

B3, a layer-3 gaming protocol founded by former Coinbase employees, acquired Andromeda Insights, a gaming PC manufacturer, to control the entire gaming ecosystem. Their first product, the B3PC, features a self-destruct storage drive, hardware wallet, encryption, on-chain game support, and offline transaction capabilities. It is available for preorder with a 0 deposit and expected delivery in Q1 2026. B3's protocol supports over 80 games and launched its native token in February 2023. Avalanche introduced a free-to-mint NFT called the Avalanche Battle Pass to incentivize cross-game participation. Developed by Ava Labs and Playfull, the pass allows players to earn rewards by engaging with partnered games and supports over a dozen titles. Off the Grid has over 300,000 daily players, while MapleStory N has reached 770,000 users since its May launch. Pudgy Penguins game Pengu Clash launched on Telegram, and Avalanche's Forgotten Playland implemented in-game NFT support as part of its major update.

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.