system capabilities Archives

Winsage

October 14, 2025

10 open-source Windows apps I can’t live without – and they’re all free

Open-source software offers robust alternatives for Windows users, with notable applications including: 1. LibreOffice: A comprehensive office suite that supports MS Office formats and is free to download. 2. Flow Launcher: A customizable file search and application launcher that is free to use. 3. Duplicati: A zero-trust backup solution that allows data backup to various destinations, available for free for personal use. 4. Nextcloud: An open-source platform for file storage and collaboration that can be hosted locally and is free to install. 5. Franz: An application that consolidates multiple messaging platforms into a single interface, free to use. 6. YAZB: A tool that creates custom top bars for Windows, providing system information and quick access controls, available for free. 7. File Converter: A tool for converting and compressing files through a right-click context menu, free to install. 8. Bitwarden: An open-source password manager with a web browser extension, free to use with optional paid features. 9. AutoHotKey: An automation scripting language for defining hotkeys and streamlining tasks, available for free. 10. Ollama: An open-source AI application that allows interaction with various models, free to install and use.

Winsage

September 9, 2025

5 apps that are way better on Linux than they are on Windows

GIMP and Krita perform better on Linux due to their native integration with system libraries (GTK for GIMP and Qt for Krita), resulting in a more responsive user experience compared to Windows. Kdenlive, a video editing software, is more stable on Linux, with fewer crashes and better performance due to its native MLT framework, while the Windows version often experiences issues. OBS Studio benefits from direct access to hardware resources on Linux, leading to lower latency and reduced CPU/GPU load, while capturing per-application audio is easier on Linux. VLC Media Player on Linux comes with full codec support out of the box, unlike the Windows version, which requires additional downloads. Linux's package management system allows for centralized software distribution and efficient dependency tracking, making it more secure and streamlined than Windows' fragmented approach to software management.

Winsage

March 24, 2025

Unlock turbo performance on your PC with this secret Windows tweak

Windows has a hidden power mode called Ultimate Performance that can enhance PC performance without hardware upgrades. This mode is typically concealed on consumer PCs and is primarily intended for high-end workstations running Windows Pro, but it can also be accessed on Windows Home. To activate it, users need to open PowerShell and enter a specific command, then select Ultimate Performance from the power plan options. While this mode maximizes speed and responsiveness, it consumes more power, which can decrease battery life on laptops and generate additional heat and noise from the cooling system. It is recommended to use this mode during intensive tasks and not in quiet or public environments.

Winsage

March 21, 2025

New Windows 11 feature aims to help more users understand their PC’s performance

Microsoft has introduced a new feature in Windows 11 that provides users with insights into how their hardware affects overall performance. This feature, found in the 'About' section of the 'System' settings, includes a series of frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to a user's PC specifications, such as the impact of GPU and RAM on system capabilities. While the FAQs offer basic information, they lack depth and could benefit from additional resources about hardware upgrades. The feature is currently part of an Insider Build and may evolve before its official release. Despite these efforts, many users still prefer Windows 10, as indicated by recent statistics from the Steam Hardware Survey.

Winsage

March 2, 2025

How to Manually Disable Windows Update Service on Your PC

Windows automatic updates can sometimes cause system crashes or performance issues, particularly if the computer's RAM or capabilities are insufficient. To prevent updates from occurring at inconvenient times, users can disable the Windows Update Service by following these steps: 1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run box. 2. Type services.msc and press Enter or OK to access the Services window. 3. Find Windows Update in the list and double-click to open its properties. 4. In the Startup type dropdown menu, select Disabled, then click Apply and OK. Disabling updates means users will not receive automatic security patches, so it is advisable to check for updates manually. To re-enable updates, follow the same steps and select Manual or Automatic under the Startup type.

AppWizard

February 22, 2025

10 Of The Most GPU-Intensive Games On The Market Today

Nvidia's RTX 50 series graphics cards, including the RTX 5090 and 5080, provide significant performance enhancements, capable of handling nearly all current PC games at exceptional frame rates, even at 4K resolution. However, many game developers have not optimized their titles to match this surge in power, leading to performance issues for some gamers. A notable number of gamers still use older GPUs, making it difficult to enjoy GPU-intensive titles. "Alan Wake 2" has demanding hardware requirements, with a minimum recommended graphics card of GTX 1070 or RX 5600 XT, which may struggle on lower-end setups like the GTX 1650. Even high-end cards like the RTX 5090 can struggle to maintain frame rates at maximum settings without DLSS. "Black Myth: Wukong" features a free benchmarking tool on Steam, allowing players to test their system's compatibility. While its requirements are less stringent than "Alan Wake 2," it still poses challenges, as even high-end GPUs like the RTX 5090 may struggle to achieve smooth gameplay at 4K resolution.

AppWizard

February 5, 2025

Monster Hunter Wilds looks slightly less terrifying for PC gamers: Capcom has reduced system requirements and released a 26GB benchmark tool ahead of the second beta

Capcom has updated the system requirements for Monster Hunter Wilds, lowering the recommended specifications to an RTX 2060 or RX 6600 from the previous RTX 2070 Super/RTX 4060 or RX 6700XT. This change aims to provide optimal performance at 60 frames per second at 1080p medium settings with frame generation enabled. Additionally, a new benchmarking tool has been introduced for players to assess their system capabilities before the second beta, starting on February 6. Improvements based on feedback from the first beta include enhanced hitstop mechanics and reworked weapons to evoke nostalgia for fans. The final release is scheduled for February.

Winsage

December 23, 2024

Microsoft Windows IoT for Client Systems: A Historical Journey and Today’s Latest Innovations

Microsoft's Windows Embedded and Windows IoT products began in 1999 with Windows NT Embedded, codenamed Impala. Windows XP Embedded, known as Mantis, expanded toolkit capabilities with tools like Target Designer and Component Designer. Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 catered to the point-of-sale sector, maintaining a consistent kernel across consumer and embedded versions. Windows CE supported mobile devices with various architectures and reached its end of support in 2023. Windows Embedded 7 Standard and Windows 7 for Embedded Systems required special licensing agreements. Windows Embedded Standard 8 did not succeed in the industrial market, while Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, launched in 2015, introduced LTSB/LTSC options with a decade of security updates. A tiered licensing structure was introduced for Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, accommodating different CPU performances. The Base license allowed Windows 10 IoT Enterprise on industrial Arm devices, specifically the NXP i.MX8 family. Windows 11 21H2 established the General Availability Channel for IoT, with Windows 11 IoT Enterprise 2024 LTSC set to debut in May 2024. Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC supports Arm Qualcomm CPUs and introduces features like USB 4.0 and Wi-Fi 6/7 support, along with a commitment to 10 years of security updates. Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 LTSC will remain supported until 2031.

AppWizard

August 31, 2024

How to allocate more RAM in Minecraft

Minecraft Java Edition allocates only 2GB of RAM by default, which can be adjusted to improve performance. To allocate more RAM, players should open the Minecraft Java Edition launcher, go to the Installations tab, select their game version, click the three dots for Edit, then More Options, and modify the JVM Arguments field from -Xmx2G to their desired amount. A minimum of 3GB is recommended, with 8GB as the upper limit for most scenarios. Players can check their system's RAM by right-clicking the Start Menu, selecting Task Manager, and viewing the Memory section under the Performance tab. In-game, pressing F3 opens the debug menu to check the Memory Allocated statistic. Unlike Java Edition, Minecraft Bedrock Edition does not allow manual RAM allocation; it automatically assigns memory based on system specifications.

Winsage

August 5, 2024

Lenovo Fuses Intel Meteor Lake & Qualcomm Snapdragon Arm CPUs Together In Its Hybrid ThinkBook Laptop/Tablet

Lenovo's ThinkBook Plus Hybrid integrates Intel's Meteor Lake and Qualcomm's Snapdragon CPUs, allowing users to switch between Windows and Android modes. The device features a dual design where the screen acts as an Android tablet and the keyboard serves as a Windows interface. It includes an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU in the keyboard and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the tablet, with memory options of 32 GB LPDDR5X and 1 TB SSD for the keyboard, and 12 GB LPDDR5X and 256 GB UFS 3.1 storage for the tablet. The display is a 14-inch 2.8K OLED panel with 100% DCI-P3 color gamut. The total battery capacity is 113 Whr, combining a 38 Whr battery in the tablet and a 75 Whr battery in the keyboard. Connectivity includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a 3.5mm audio jack. The device has shared storage of 10 GB and is priced at 15,999 yuan (approximately ,240), currently available only in China with plans for a global rollout after CES 2024.