system changes Archives

AppWizard

June 6, 2025

NatWest mobile app down with customers locked out of accounts

NatWest is experiencing issues with its mobile banking app, leading to over 3,000 outages reported around 10 am on a Friday. Customers have expressed frustration on social media due to their inability to send or receive money, pay bills, or transfer funds. The bank has stated that the problem is related to an update made to the app. Recent scrutiny has arisen for high street banks due to a series of outages, particularly at the end of the month when many receive paychecks. Data from the Treasury Committee revealed that nine of the UK’s largest banks and building societies faced over 33 days of unplanned outages in the past two years. NatWest reported 13 "material" incidents between 2023 and 2025, resulting in nearly £350,000 in compensation paid to affected customers. Barclays also indicated it could allocate up to £12.5 million in compensation for affected customers during the same period. Common reasons for these outages include issues with third-party suppliers, system changes, and internal software malfunctions.

Winsage

May 30, 2025

This new Microsoft tool could be the final nail in Windows 10’s coffin

Microsoft has launched Windows Backup for Organizations, a tool designed to assist businesses in securely backing up and restoring Windows settings during the transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11. This tool is particularly useful for organizations upgrading multiple laptops, as it helps minimize manual adjustments. As of April 2025, 52.9% of Windows users are still on Windows 10, while Windows 11 has a market share of 43.7%. Users are encouraged to back up data before upgrading, and alternatives like Linux are suggested for those hesitant to switch to Windows 11, especially for older hardware.

Winsage

April 30, 2025

5 alternatives to the Windows Task Manager that you should be using

Windows Task Manager has been enhanced in Windows 11, featuring a streamlined interface and improved functionality. Alternatives to Task Manager include: - System Informer: A free, open-source tool that monitors system resources with real-time performance graphs and detailed process information. It displays CPU, memory, and disk usage, tracks file access, and offers advanced features like call stack traces. - System Explorer: Integrates system monitoring with security features, providing a clean interface for exploring processes, modules, and network connections. It includes a built-in file database and VirusTotal integration for security assessments. - Process Lasso: Extends Task Manager capabilities by allowing users to adjust CPU priority and core affinities. Features include ProBalance for automatic CPU adjustments, performance mode for optimizing CPU usage, IdleSaver for power management, and SmartTrim for memory optimization. - Process Explorer: A Sysinternals tool that offers a detailed view of running processes in a hierarchical tree format, showing user, PID, and resource usage. It includes a search capability for identifying resource usage and integrates with VirusTotal for security checks. - Task Manager DeLuxe (TMX): A portable task management tool that consolidates system stats across multiple tabs, providing quick access to CPU and memory usage, along with graphical representations of network and disk activity. It allows filtering and searching for processes and can be run from a USB drive.

Winsage

April 9, 2025

What The Tech: Windows 10 support ending in October

Microsoft will cease support for Windows 10 after October 14, leaving users without updates, technical assistance, or security fixes. An estimated 240 million older computers cannot run Windows 11, prompting Microsoft to encourage recycling those machines. Users can check compatibility using the “PC Health Check” utility. If a PC is incompatible, recycling is advised, with many centers available in the U.S. Some retailers offer trade-in programs for older computers. Continuing to use Windows 10 after the deadline poses security risks, and Microsoft recommends disconnecting from the internet if users keep their older PCs. Buyers of used PCs should verify compatibility with Windows 11 before purchase.

Winsage

April 8, 2025

What the Tech: Microsoft warning

Microsoft has announced that support for Windows 10 will end on October 14th, meaning users will no longer receive updates, technical assistance, or security fixes. Continuing to use Windows 10 after this date could expose computers to vulnerabilities. Users should check their system's compatibility with Windows 11 using the "PC Health Check" utility, consider recycling incompatible computers, explore trade-in options at retailers, and be aware of security risks associated with using Windows 10 post-deadline. If retaining an older PC, it is advisable to disconnect it from the internet. Buyers of used PCs should verify compatibility with Windows 11. Windows 11 has been the standard operating system for new devices since its release in 2021.

Winsage

April 1, 2025

Wintoys new update lets you set classic File Explorer, uninstall Edge and more in Windows 11

Wintoys has released a significant 2.0 update for Windows 11 users after nearly a year without updates. Key features include a new logo supporting light and dark modes, a settings restore button, the option to revert to the classic File Explorer, compliance with the Digital Markets Act allowing uninstallation of Microsoft Edge in unsupported regions, an enhanced Super-user Tweaks menu, and updated system properties cards. The update also addresses bugs and improves performance, although there is a known issue with the Alt + Tab function freezing the app. Wintoys 2.0 is available for free download from the Microsoft Store for Windows 10 and 11 users.

AppWizard

March 28, 2025

Download MSI App Player (free) for Windows

MSI App Player is a versatile tool for users seeking gaming and productivity enhancements on a larger screen. It features a user-friendly interface for setting up a virtual Android environment on Windows without requiring advanced technical skills. The app allows keyboard and mouse mapping to emulate touchscreen controls and supports console pad connectivity in Console Mode. Users can open multiple windows for different applications and launch the same game with different accounts. It is integrated with the Windows operating system for mobile software testing and can handle high-end graphics and fast-paced mobile games. MSI App Player optimizes CPU, GPU, and memory usage, ensuring smooth performance even on less advanced hardware. It includes an error-checking mechanism and a built-in recovery system to prevent gameplay disruptions, with regular updates for compatibility with the latest Android games and applications.

Winsage

March 4, 2025

I couldn’t take my eyes off this laptop’s premium 4K, 120Hz OLED display for the entire review period

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 (Gen 10) is priced at ,899.99 and features a 14-inch PureSight Pro OLED display with a 4K resolution (3,840 x 2,400), 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, and VESA DisplayHDR True Black 600 support. It is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V CPU (8 cores, 8 threads, up to 3.7GHz) and an Intel Arc Graphics 140V GPU with 16GB of memory. The laptop includes 32GB LPDDR5X RAM, a 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen 4.0 SSD, and a 75Whr battery with a 65W USB Type-C charger. It weighs 1.25kg (2.76lbs) and has a unique glass lid design, though it offers limited port options with only two USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports. The display is noted for its exceptional color accuracy and vibrancy, with a peak brightness of 750 nits. The laptop runs on Windows 11 and has a battery life averaging around six hours. The keyboard is redesigned for comfort, but the touchpad is small. It features quad speakers, a microphone array, and an under-display webcam that lacks quality. The base model starts at ,759.99 with an Intel Core Ultra 256V, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, with upgrade options available.

AppWizard

November 21, 2024

Google releases Android 16 Developer Preview 1

Google has launched the first Developer Preview of Android 16 for developers to begin early-stage development and testing. This release may have performance issues and applications may not function flawlessly. Android 16 includes system changes that could lead to minor glitches or significant limitations until applications are updated for compatibility. Google plans to implement more frequent API releases, with a major launch expected in Q2 2025, and a minor update projected for Q4 2025. Developers will need to conduct annual compatibility testing earlier due to this new timeline. The SDKINTFULL constant has been introduced for version checks, and developers are encouraged to provide feedback on the APIs. Notable features in the preview include an embedded photo picker and Health Connect APIs for managing medical records. The Developer Preview can be installed on various Google Pixel devices, but stability and performance issues may arise, making it unsuitable for daily use. Known issues include app launch failures and camera problems during video recording. The preview lacks Compatibility Test Suite (CTS) approval, which may affect the performance of some applications, including Google’s native apps.