troubleshooting Archives

Winsage

June 16, 2025

With Windows 10 EOL On the Horizon, It’s Time to Replace Rather Than Upgrade

The end of support for Windows 10 is set for October 14, 2025, after which users will not receive security updates, bug fixes, or technical support, exposing them to cyber threats. Many legacy PCs do not meet the system requirements for Windows 11, leading to potential compatibility issues and performance problems if upgraded. Investing in a new Windows 11-compatible PC ensures better performance, energy efficiency, and long-term support, with built-in security features like TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. Transitioning to Windows 11 offers advantages such as an improved user interface, integrated AI tools, enhanced default apps, personalizable workspaces, and better visuals. Continuing to use an unsupported Windows platform after 2025 can result in compliance issues, data loss, and increased maintenance costs. Replacing hardware rather than upgrading can mitigate these risks and ensure access to ongoing security features.

Winsage

June 14, 2025

6 registry tweaks every tech-savvy user must apply on Windows 11

Windows 11 provides customization tools such as the Settings app, Control Panel, and Group Policy Editor, but advanced users often utilize the Registry Editor for deeper control. Key Registry tweaks include: 1. Disable the Home page in Settings: Modify the Registry to revert the Settings app to open directly to the "System" section instead of the "Home" page by creating a string value named SettingsPageVisibility and setting it to hide:home. 2. Disable automatic Windows Update: Prevent automatic downloads and installations by creating a key named WindowsUpdate under Policies, then a subkey AU, and a DWORD value NoAutoUpdate set to 1. 3. Disable the Lock Screen experience: Expedite the sign-in process by creating a key named Personalization and a DWORD value Nolockscreen set to 1. 4. Enable automatic Registry backup: Restore automatic Registry backups by creating a DWORD value EnablePeriodicBackup set to 1 and scheduling a task to run daily for backup. Editing the Registry carries risks, and it is advised to back up the PC before making changes.

Winsage

June 13, 2025

Microsoft has started testing its AI agent in the Windows 11 Settings app.

Microsoft has integrated its AI agent into the Windows 11 Settings app, allowing users to express their needs conversationally. The AI can suggest solutions and implement fixes with user permission, aiming to enhance the user experience by making troubleshooting more intuitive and accessible.

AppWizard

June 12, 2025

Google Contacts could soon let you control clutter from third-party apps (APK teardown)

The latest version of Google Contacts, v4.57.27, introduces a feature that allows users to manage read-only contacts synced from connected applications, enabling them to display or hide these entries. This feature aims to improve user experience by helping troubleshoot issues like duplicated contacts. It was revealed through an APK teardown and includes a pop-up dialog in the settings indicating that view-only contacts from other apps can be shown to assist in resolving discrepancies. Visual representations of the option have been shared, and while most users may prefer to keep these entries hidden for organization, the toggle could be beneficial for those facing specific contact-related issues.

Tech Optimizer

June 12, 2025

How to Uninstall Avast Free Antivirus

To uninstall Avast Free Antivirus from a Windows computer, first disable the Self-Defense mode by opening Avast, clicking on Menu, selecting Settings, choosing General, then Troubleshooting, and unchecking the box next to Enable Self-Defense. Confirm the change by clicking OK. Next, open the Control Panel, select Programs and Features, find Avast Free Antivirus, click Uninstall, confirm by selecting Uninstall again, and then click Yes in the confirmation window. The uninstallation process will begin and may take some time. After completion, restart the computer to finalize the uninstallation.

AppWizard

June 10, 2025

Minecraft Multiplayer – How To Play With Friends

In Minecraft, players can join friends' worlds through Realms or dedicated servers. For Bedrock edition, players can directly join a friend's world by ensuring both are online and connected as friends. The steps to join a friend's Bedrock world include launching the game, navigating to "Friends," and selecting the host's name under "Joinable Friends." To invite friends to your own Bedrock world, you need to enable "Multiplayer" in the world settings and send invites after starting the game. Local multiplayer on Bedrock allows split-screen mode or LAN connections. For split-screen, player one joins a world and adds a second controller. For LAN play, all devices must be on the same internet, and the host must enable "Visible to LAN players." Players can then select the LAN world to join. To join a Minecraft Realm, players must launch the game, navigate to "Realms," and select the desired Realm. A Realm will only appear if the player owns it or has received an invitation. Inviting friends to a Realm differs between editions; in Java, players manage the Realm and add friends using their gamertags, while in Bedrock, invitations can be sent via Minecraft.net. To add friends in Bedrock, players search for their friend's Microsoft gamertag. Java edition does not have a friends list, so players can only join the same server or invite friends to a Realm using their gamertag. To join a server, players need the server address, launch Minecraft, select "Multiplayer," and enter the address. For Bedrock, the server port is typically 19132. Troubleshooting tips include ensuring the Microsoft account is signed in, verifying multiplayer permissions, updating the game, and confirming that both players are on the same version of Minecraft.

Winsage

June 10, 2025

6 essential steps that Windows 11 users often miss after a fresh install

Many users overlook crucial default settings after installing Windows 11, which can lead to performance issues, privacy vulnerabilities, and complications during recovery. Key settings to configure include: 1. System Restore: This feature is disabled by default and allows users to revert system files and settings to a previous state. To enable it, users must access the System Properties page, select the main drive, click Configure, and turn on system protection. 2. BitLocker Recovery Key: Windows 11 automatically activates BitLocker on new installations. Users should back up their recovery key in their Microsoft account to avoid issues during startup. 3. Power Settings: Users should adjust power settings to prevent underperformance. This includes selecting "Best Performance" for both "Plugged in" and "On battery" modes and configuring screen and sleep timeouts. 4. Privacy Settings: Windows 11 collects diagnostic data by default. Users can enhance privacy by turning off features like "Find my device," "Personalized offers," and "Advertising ID," as well as disabling optional diagnostic data transmission. 5. Device Drivers: Users should verify that all device drivers are correctly installed, as the operating system may not install drivers for critical components. This can be checked in Device Manager, and updates can be managed through Windows Update. 6. System Backup: Establishing a backup is essential for data protection. Users can set up regular backups using the "Backup and Restore" feature by connecting an external drive and following the setup process in Control Panel.

Tech Optimizer

June 9, 2025

Streamline Amazon Aurora database operations at scale: Introducing the AWS Database Acceleration Toolkit

The AWS Database Acceleration Toolkit (DAT) is an open-source solution that enhances database performance, particularly for Amazon Aurora, by utilizing Terraform for setup, provisioning, and maintenance. DAT helps organizations reduce time to market, improve customer satisfaction, and optimize costs. It is beneficial for DevOps teams, SaaS providers, and enterprises transitioning from commercial databases to Aurora. One example of its effectiveness includes a customer reducing database migration time from 12 months to 4 weeks for over 100 databases, achieving zero outages over six months, increasing database team productivity by 60-70%, and lowering infrastructure costs by 42%. DAT's architecture includes automated resource provisioning and security through Terraform, with source code available in a Git repository. It offers multiple provisioning options for Aurora clusters, including the Terraform CLI and Jenkins pipelines. Key modules include: - Aurora cluster module for creating new clusters with customization options. - Amazon RDS Proxy for enhancing application performance and security. - Aurora GlobalDB for creating clusters across AWS Regions for disaster recovery. - Aurora Monitoring for configuring CloudWatch dashboards to monitor database performance. Use case examples are provided in the Git repository for both Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible and Aurora MySQL-Compatible engines. Deployment options include using Terraform directly, setting up a new Jenkins instance, or integrating with an existing Jenkins setup. To provision an Aurora PostgreSQL cluster, users must clone the DAT repository, navigate to the appropriate folder, configure the Terraform variable definition file, initialize the working directory, execute a plan, and apply the changes. Security features include customer-managed keys, integration with AWS Secrets Manager for password management, and enhanced monitoring through CloudWatch. To clean up, users can destroy the Aurora cluster with a Terraform command.

Winsage

June 9, 2025

I tested Xbox’s powerful — and heavy

The ROG Xbox Ally X is a handheld console with a 7-inch display, set to launch during the holiday season. It weighs 715 g (1.58 lbs), making it the heaviest handheld on the market. The console operates on Windows and comes pre-loaded with Steam, Battle.net, and Discord. Despite its impressive features and graphics, concerns about its ergonomics and comfort during prolonged use were raised after a short gameplay session. Feedback from other attendees indicated that some found the device comfortable, likening it to an Xbox controller.

AppWizard

June 8, 2025

5 Android apps I run on my Raspberry Pi to improve my home

Running Android on a Raspberry Pi allows users to enhance their smart home experience by utilizing Waydroid to execute Android applications. The Shelly Smart Control app provides a user-friendly interface for managing Shelly devices, offering local control and cloud syncing. The Home Connect app enables control of smart appliances from brands like Bosch and Siemens, allowing centralized monitoring and automation. Fully Kiosk Browser turns the Raspberry Pi into a wall-mounted dashboard for displaying smart home information. The Aqara Home app facilitates local control of Aqara sensors and hubs, integrating with Home Assistant for device management. The Home Assistant Companion app provides seamless access to Home Assistant functionalities, including notifications and custom dashboards.