tool Archives

Winsage

October 15, 2026

Tiny11 puts Windows 11 on a diet without the PowerShell workout

Tiny11 Builder has released a new desktop application preview for creating lightweight Windows 11 installation images, minimizing the need for PowerShell knowledge. The tool generates an ISO image by removing bundled applications and selected system components, supporting Windows 11 installation media from version 22H2 onward, including 26H2. It features a WinUI 3 desktop application with a new C# image builder, offering three build modes: Tiny11, Tiny11 Core, and Custom. The ISOs produced are not supported by Microsoft, and users are cautioned that Tiny11 Core should be used only in test virtual machines. There is no guarantee that the tool will bypass Windows 11's hardware and account requirements. A license is still required for the modified installation, as it remains Microsoft Windows 11.

AppWizard

October 15, 2026

Google Play now lets anyone build and run private AI-generated apps on Android

Google has introduced a feature that allows Android users in the United States to create AI-generated applications through Google AI Studio. Users can run these custom apps privately on their devices via Google Play without public distribution. The feature enables the creation of tailored applications for personal needs, such as habit trackers or finance management tools, and ensures that these apps remain hidden from Play Store search results. Google plans to allow users to share their apps with friends and potentially publish them publicly after safety reviews. Additionally, Google is launching new tools in the Play Store, including a personalized game recommendation tool, Community Posts, and updates to the Ask Play AI assistant.

Winsage

October 15, 2026

NVIDIA Freezes Windows 10 GeForce Drivers in October: RTX 40-Series Misses DLSS 5 Support

On October 14, 2026, NVIDIA will release the final GeForce Game Ready Driver for Windows 10, coinciding with the operating system's mainstream end of support. Starting in November 2026, all new Game Ready and Studio Driver releases will only support Windows 11. Approximately 23.56% of Steam gamers were still using Windows 10 as of June 2026. The last Game Ready driver for Windows 10 is version 617.42, released on October 6, 2026. NVIDIA will provide quarterly security updates for Windows 10 GeForce drivers until October 2029, but no new game support or enhancements will be available. Users with RTX 20, 30, 40, and 50 series cards will be affected by this transition, while older models like the GTX 900 and GTX 10 series have already reached their support limits. Windows 10 users will miss out on DLSS 5, which is exclusive to RTX 50-series hardware. Microsoft has extended the free consumer Extended Security Update (ESU) program for Windows 10 to October 12, 2027.

AppWizard

October 15, 2026

Google Play now lets users run private, vibe-coded Android apps

Google has introduced a feature that allows users to run privately created, AI-built Android applications on their smartphones via Google Play without public publication. This enables users to launch their apps using standard Google accounts while keeping them private, as these apps will not appear in Google Play search results or listings. The feature is available to users aged 18 and older in the United States, provided the apps comply with Google Play policies. Users can create apps using Google AI Studio through a process called “vibe coding.” Google plans to allow users to share their AI-built applications with trusted friends in the future and offers the possibility of transitioning popular personal apps into publicly published ones after passing trust and safety reviews. Additionally, Google is developing AI-driven tools to enhance the Google Play experience, including a personalized game recommendation engine called Game Finder, which will be available in English in the U.S. Users can curate game lists, engage in community discussions, and participate in gaming challenges. The Play Store's AI assistant, Ask Play, will receive updates for better app comparisons, and a new age-range feature will help developers create age-appropriate experiences for children.

AppWizard

October 15, 2026

How Android Auto Users Can Get Google Maps’ Speedometer Feature Back After It Disappeared

Users have reported that the speedometer feature in Google Maps on Android Auto has been disappearing unexpectedly, but this is believed to be a temporary bug. To restore the speedometer, users should set a destination in Google Maps and tap 'Start.' If the speedometer does not reappear, users should check if the feature is enabled in the Settings menu under 'Navigation' and the Speedometer toggle. The feature may not be available in all regions, and if it fails to display consistently, a complete reset of the Android Auto setup may be necessary. Google has acknowledged the issue and is investigating it, while also rolling out features like current speed and speed limits, which may lead to inconsistent availability.

AppWizard

October 15, 2026

Experts warn cheap Android phones are shipping with malware

Cybersecurity experts from Bitdefender have found that budget Android smartphones, such as the Doogee S200 X, Doogee Fire 3 Max, and Cubot KINGKONG X, may come pre-loaded with malware embedded in their firmware, posing significant security risks. This malware is introduced during the manufacturing process, particularly affecting devices with MediaTek chipsets. Thousands of users in around 150 countries, including Mexico, France, Italy, the United States, Germany, Brazil, and Spain, have been impacted. Bitdefender identified a network of 32 malicious applications disguised as legitimate utilities that generate fraudulent ad impressions. Some infected phones can function as residential proxies for criminal activities, including spam campaigns and DDoS attacks. Uninstalling the malicious app may not eliminate the infection if it is integrated into the system software, potentially requiring firmware-level remediation. Buyers of budget phones should research manufacturers' supply chain control and commitment to security updates.

Winsage

October 14, 2026

GLM’s 23 Windows Bug Finds Are Z.ai Building a Security Research Resume

Z.ai's GLM model identified 23 vulnerabilities in the Windows operating system, confirmed by Microsoft's Security Response Center (MSRC). This marks a significant advancement in commercial software security, demonstrating the model's autonomous capability in independent vulnerability discovery. Since the release of GLM-5.2, Z.ai has uncovered over 4,200 vulnerabilities across about 390 open-source projects, with over a thousand categorized as critical to high severity. Z.ai has established a public Security Disclosure Ledger to track its findings through a coordinated disclosure process. The confirmation of vulnerabilities by MSRC is notable due to the rigorous nature of their vulnerability triage operations. Z.ai's GLM-5.3 achieved a score of 84.5% on CyberGym, outperforming competitors like Anthropic's Mythos 5 and OpenAI's GPT-5.6 Sol. Reports indicate that NIST's AI safety division has flagged GLM-5.3 due to concerns about its cyber capabilities, particularly regarding the potential for modified versions to reduce safety features. Z.ai plans to continue targeting commercial software in its efforts.

Winsage

October 14, 2026

Microsoft: Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro reached end of support

Devices operating on the Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro editions have reached their end of support as of October 13, 2026, meaning they will no longer receive monthly security updates or non-security preview updates. In contrast, the Windows 11 24H2 Enterprise and Education editions will continue to receive mainstream support until October 12, 2027. Microsoft encourages users to transition to Windows 11 26H2, which will be supported until October 2029. The rollout of Windows 11 26H2 is phased and will expand over the next few months. Additionally, systems running Windows 11 23H2 Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise editions will cease to receive security updates in 30 days after the end of support for Windows 11 23H2 Home and Pro editions in November 2025. Windows Server 2022 has also reached the end of its mainstream support but will remain under extended support until October 2031. Users are advised to upgrade unsupported versions of Windows to continue receiving security updates.

Winsage

October 14, 2026

Windows 11 promises to clean up bloat, but disabling its own features is the only thing that works

Upon installing Windows 11, users encounter numerous pre-installed applications, promotional tiles, and cloud-connected features. These apps are organized in two phases: system-level staging and user-specific activation. The AppX Deployment Service registers these apps for users, creating app data folders. Microsoft also embeds custom app shortcuts and trial software into the Start menu using LayoutModification.json. During setup, Microsoft's Consumer Experience feature connects to cloud servers, downloading app placeholders that are pinned to the Start menu. Local search is integrated with Bing by default, sending requests for suggestions and promoted content. To clean up Windows 11, users can uninstall non-essential applications through Settings, but this only removes them from the user profile. To permanently eliminate app templates, PowerShell commands can be used. Users can disable promotional content in Settings under Personalization and Privacy & Security. To sever Bing integration from search, modifications in the registry editor are required. The Task Manager can help manage startup applications, allowing users to disable non-essential third-party apps. While removing unnecessary components can improve performance, essential packages like Edge WebView2 runtime, Microsoft Defender, and the Microsoft Store should be retained to avoid system errors. Regular maintenance is necessary, as Windows updates may reinstall previously removed apps.

AppWizard

October 14, 2026

Google AI Studio Makes It Easier to Install Vibe-Coded Apps on Android

Users can now create apps directly in Google AI Studio by providing a written prompt to Gemini, which generates the app. Once completed, the app can be sent directly to Google Play for installation on devices using a standard Google account, without needing a paid developer account. These personal apps are stored in a "personal library" section within the Play Store, remain hidden from search results, and are accessible only to the creator. This feature is currently available in the United States for users aged 18 and older, with plans to expand to other markets. Apps must adhere to Google Play’s policies, and a review will occur only if the app is made public. Future enhancements will allow sharing of personal apps with a small group and an onboarding process for creating a professional developer profile. Google Play is also introducing an AI assistant for app recommendations, a Game Finder tool, and additional gaming features, while optimizing the Play Store layout for vehicles and Android XR. An age-range feature will allow parents to share their child's age range with developers for tailored app experiences.