temporary solution Archives

AppWizard

August 16, 2025

This excellent Samsung Good Lock feature should come to all Android phones

Samsung's One UI features the Display Assistant, which allows users to set individual screen timeout periods for specific apps, addressing issues like unwanted timeouts during ebook reading or downloads. It also includes a Quick Settings toggle to keep the screen on for 30 minutes and enables specific refresh rate adjustments for selected applications. Additionally, Display Assistant enhances adaptive brightness controls by allowing users to modify the speed of brightness adjustments and reset adaptive brightness patterns easily.

Winsage

August 15, 2025

Windows 11’s August update fails to install on some PCs. Here’s what you can do

Microsoft released the mandatory Windows 11 update KB5063878 for August, which includes the Quick Machine Recovery feature for remote troubleshooting of PCs. Users have reported installation issues, encountering error codes such as 0x80240069, 0x80240031, and 0x800f0922. Microsoft has acknowledged these as known errors, particularly affecting those using Windows Server Update Services (WSUS). The installation problems occur regardless of whether the system is newly installed or has been updated multiple times. Microsoft offers a temporary solution called "Known Issue Rollback" to revert the problematic update and suggests modifying the Windows registry or using a PowerShell script as a workaround. Users can also manually download the update from Microsoft's Update Catalog for immediate installation.

Winsage

August 8, 2025

Microsoft no longer permits local Windows 10 accounts if you want Consumer Extended Security Updates — support beyond EOL requires a Microsoft Account link-up even if you pay $30

Windows 10 will reach its end-of-life on October 14, 2025, after which users will not receive new features, security updates, bug fixes, or technical support. The Extended Security Updates (ESU) program offers a temporary solution, extending security updates until October 13, 2026, but does not include technical support. Enrollment requires devices to run Windows 10 version 22H2 with the latest updates and a Microsoft account. Users can enroll in the ESU program for a fee, redeem 1,000 Microsoft Reward points, or access it for free by backing up their PC settings. Transitioning to Windows 11 requires a Microsoft account and hardware that meets specific requirements, such as TPM 2.0.

Winsage

August 4, 2025

Millions still cling to Windows 10 as end of support looms

Windows 11 has a market share of 53.51 percent, while Windows 10's share is 42.88 percent, according to Statcounter data. Microsoft will cease support for Windows 10 in less than three months, yet many PCs remain on this older version. Organizations face challenges in transitioning to Windows 11 due to legacy applications and hardware incompatibilities. The Extended Security Update (ESU) program is seen as a temporary solution, and while consumers can secure a complimentary year of ESU, corporate customers using Microsoft 365 do not have this option. There are no plans from Microsoft to offer free ESUs for Windows 10. Despite the impending end of support, Windows 10 is expected to remain significant in enterprise planning for months or years to come.

Winsage

July 29, 2025

With Windows 10’s fast-approaching demise, this Linux migration tool could let you ditch Microsoft’s ecosystem with your data and apps intact — but it’s limited to one distro

Microsoft's end-of-life date for Windows 10 is October 14, 2025. Users can enroll in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for an additional year of support or sync their PC settings with a Microsoft Account for free security updates for another year. Many users are considering switching to Linux due to Windows 10's impending end of support. A new tool called Operese aims to facilitate the transition from Windows to Linux, currently in demo version and compatible only with Kubuntu. The Restart Project's "End of 10" toolkit helps users unable to upgrade to Windows 11 by promoting the installation of free and open-source operating systems on older devices. This initiative also addresses electronic waste and highlights the benefits of using Linux, such as the lack of ads and telemetry tracking.

Winsage

July 17, 2025

Windows 10’s end of life looms. A security pro dissects your only options

Windows 10 will reach its end of life in October, leading to concerns about security vulnerabilities for users who continue using the platform without support. Users can purchase a year of additional security updates as a temporary solution. Security expert Mike advises against forcing Windows 11 on incompatible hardware and relying on third-party patches for Windows 10. He recommends considering alternative operating systems, such as Linux or ChromeOS Flex for compatible devices. Mike shares insights on online security in a video discussion, and users are encouraged to subscribe to PCWorld’s YouTube channel for updates and tips.

Winsage

July 4, 2025

Microsoft Warns 400 Million Windows Users—Upgrade Your PC Now

Windows 11 has matched the market share of Windows 10, with less than a percentage point separating them as of the end of June, according to Statcounter. Microsoft has decided to allow Windows 10 users to continue using the older operating system for an additional year, despite urging eligible users to upgrade due to security risks. The company reports a 62% decrease in security incidents and a threefold reduction in firmware attacks for new Windows 11 PCs. Of the 700 million Windows 10 users, over 400 million are eligible for an upgrade, with around 240 million PCs lacking the necessary security hardware. Microsoft clarified that it has 1.4 billion monthly active devices, correcting earlier reports of a loss of 400 million users. The upgrade program timeline extends to either October 2025 or October 2026.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

Microsoft announces Windows 365 Reserve: Backup cloud PCs for the enterprise

The service allows administrators to pre-stage a cloud PC with company policies, applications, and security controls for quick delivery to users experiencing device failures. It enables users to access a familiar desktop rapidly, even in challenging situations like a malfunctioning laptop at a client site. Intune manages these virtual devices, simplifying the process for IT teams. The Reserve service offers organizations a low-risk way to explore virtual desktops, aiming to provide faster recovery options for lost, stolen, or damaged devices. However, practical implementation concerns remain, including user support access, the decision between physical replacements or temporary solutions, and the selection of applications and policies for the Reserve image. IT departments need a comprehensive operational playbook to effectively utilize this service.

Winsage

June 13, 2025

Data Doctors: How to work safely in a Windows 10 environment when security updates stop

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, ceasing all security updates, bug fixes, and technical support. Users have several options for transitioning to Windows 11: 1. Upgrade to Windows 11 if the PC meets compatibility criteria (TPM 2.0 chip and newer processor). 2. Replace the computer with a new one that comes pre-installed with Windows 11. 3. Use an unofficial workaround to install Windows 11 on noncompliant systems, which carries risks such as lack of future updates and system instability. 4. Pay for Extended Security Updates (ESUs) after the deadline, primarily for business customers but potentially available for individuals. Running an unsupported operating system after 2025 is not advisable.

Winsage

June 1, 2025

A week of hell with my Windows 11 PC really makes me appreciate the simplicity of Google’s Chromebook laptops

The author's PC experienced significant issues while trying to run DOOM: The Dark Ages, primarily due to problems with NVIDIA RTX graphics drivers on a system equipped with an Intel Core i7-14700K and NVIDIA RTX 5080. The Windows 11 Start Menu became unresponsive, leading to a complete system failure despite attempts to roll back and update drivers. The author used a USB drive with a Linux installer as a temporary solution but continued to face crashes. Attempts to reinstall Windows were complicated by an incorrectly formatted USB stick, which needed to be exFAT. Ultimately, the author resolved the issues by wiping both SSDs and creating fresh partitions. The author also noted the complexity and bloat of Windows 11 compared to the simplicity of ChromeOS, which has become a reliable alternative for tasks and gaming.