trust Archives

Winsage

June 16, 2026

Microsoft’s new Outlook takes 10 seconds to do what Outlook Classic does instantly on Windows

Microsoft's Outlook for Windows is facing criticism for its notification handling, particularly in the new Outlook version built on the WebView2 framework. Users experience a delay of approximately 10 seconds when clicking on email notifications, compared to the near-instantaneous access provided by Outlook Classic, which allows users to open new emails in about five seconds. The new Outlook consumes significantly more memory and CPU resources, using between 490 MB and 636 MB of RAM, while Outlook Classic operates within 117 MB to 148 MB. Despite updates aimed at improving the new Outlook, the core issue of notification handling remains unresolved. Microsoft is working on enhancements, but the performance limitations of the WebView2 architecture continue to affect user experience. Outlook Classic will continue to be supported until April 2029.

Winsage

June 15, 2026

Windows 11 users say Microsoft account requirements are creeping into everything and they are tired of it

Microsoft's Windows K2 initiative aims to improve the Windows 11 experience by enhancing customization, refining the interface, and addressing bugs based on user feedback. A significant issue remains the requirement for a Microsoft account during the initial setup, which has frustrated users who want the option to create a local account. Discussions on Reddit have highlighted this concern, with users expressing a desire for more control and transparency regarding account choices and features like encryption. Some Microsoft employees, including Vice President Scott Hanselman, have shown support for reconsidering the mandatory account requirement, but no commitment has been made to reinstate the local account option. Users are seeking clarity and genuine choice in their computing experience.

Winsage

June 15, 2026

Microsoft released the Windows 11 Secure Boot update for all PCs, how to verify yours

Microsoft has expanded the rollout of the Secure Boot 2023 certificate update to more Windows 11 and Windows 10 devices with the June 2026 Patch Tuesday update (KB5094126). This update aims to ensure that most supported consumer PCs are classified as high confidence, meaning necessary certificates are either installed or will be applied automatically. Secure Boot is a firmware security feature that verifies the software attempting to load during the startup process, blocking unauthorized software. The certificates supporting Secure Boot, issued in 2011, are expiring in stages starting June 24, 2026, prompting Microsoft to deploy replacement certificates. Most home users do not need to take manual action as the updates will occur automatically via Windows Update. Users can check their Secure Boot certificate status in the Windows Security app. A yellow warning indicates pending compatibility data, while a red alert suggests a firmware incompatibility requiring a BIOS update. Multiple reboots during the update process are normal, and a new SecureBoot folder in Windows is for staging cryptographic files. Older PCs may experience longer update times, and some may not receive updates due to firmware issues. HP users should check for BIOS updates if encountering BitLocker recovery loops. IT administrators should monitor device classifications and manually initiate updates for devices not in the high confidence category. Devices with Secure Boot disabled cannot receive updates, leaving them vulnerable. The expiration of the Microsoft Corporation KEK CA 2011 certificate on June 24 does not immediately affect device functionality, but it limits Microsoft's ability to sign new bootkit blacklist updates.

Tech Optimizer

June 14, 2026

Automate Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL major or minor version upgrade using AWS Systems Manager and Amazon EC2

Managing upgrades for the Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition can be labor-intensive and error-prone when done manually. Automating Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL upgrades can reduce manual effort by up to 80% and minimize downtime risks through consistent procedures. The automation solution uses AWS Systems Manager, Amazon EC2, and AWS Secrets Manager, structured around two modules: PREUPGRADE for readiness checks and UPGRADE for the actual upgrade process. The solution identifies upgrade candidates using database tags, creates safety backups with Copy-on-Write clones, manages the upgrade process with minimal human intervention, and offers real-time monitoring and email notifications. The workflow includes logging into the Systems Manager console, downloading the upgrade script, identifying Aurora PostgreSQL clusters based on tags, retrieving credentials from AWS Secrets Manager, executing pre-upgrade checks or upgrades, uploading log files to Amazon S3, and sending email notifications via Amazon SNS. Prerequisites include familiarity with the Aurora upgrade process, appropriate IAM permissions, creating a maintenance user, setting up AWS Secrets Manager, tagging Aurora clusters, creating an S3 bucket, and configuring an SNS topic for notifications. Implementation steps involve reviewing setup instructions, uploading the upgrade script to S3, creating an AWS Systems Manager automation document, executing the automation document, and monitoring the upgrade process through logs generated during pre-upgrade and upgrade phases. The logs provide detailed information on tasks performed, including replication slot status and configuration backups. After testing, it is recommended to clean up resources to avoid future charges.

AppWizard

June 13, 2026

How PlayStation And PC Games Shape Reward Systems

PlayStation and PC gaming ecosystems both aim to make progress feel worthwhile through various rewards, including trophies, cosmetics, and seasonal items. PlayStation rewards are typically clear and straightforward, linking effort to outcomes, while PC rewards offer more choice and personalization, often involving community-created content. Cosmetics play a significant role on both platforms, allowing for personal expression without affecting gameplay balance. The trophy system on PlayStation fosters social interaction and is integral to the console experience, while PC rewards can create a vibrant market culture based on item rarity and demand. Battle passes are bridging the gap between the two systems by introducing seasonal content and objectives. Random rewards, which rely on chance, require careful navigation to ensure players maintain control over their spending. Effective reward systems are characterized by generosity, clarity, and fairness, guiding players toward goals without creating a sense of entrapment. The divide between PlayStation and PC rewards is narrowing, with both platforms increasingly adopting elements from each other to enhance the gaming experience.

Winsage

June 13, 2026

Windows Server is getting new network safety capabilities with DNS over HTTPS

Microsoft has introduced DNS over HTTPS (DoH) on Windows Server 2025, enhancing network security by encrypting DNS traffic for client-to-server communications. This feature, previously available only in Windows client editions, is now part of Microsoft's Zero Trust architecture. DoH routes DNS traffic through HTTPS secured with TLS certificates, preventing eavesdropping and safeguarding DNS data from tampering. It adheres to the IETF DNS over HTTPS standard (RFC 8484) and can integrate with existing infrastructure, allowing organizations to maintain unencrypted DNS traffic if needed. DoH is available for Windows Server 2025 systems updated to the latest Patch Tuesday release, and Microsoft has provided guidance on enabling this feature. However, DNS traffic exchanged between two DNS servers will not be encrypted by DoH.

Winsage

June 13, 2026

WhatsApp is eating 1.2GB RAM on Windows 11, even as Microsoft kills web app slop

WhatsApp for Windows, despite having a large user base of 3 billion globally and 1.6 billion on Windows, suffers from significant performance issues, including high RAM usage (400 MB before logging in and up to 1.2 GB while idling), slow message delivery, and a choppy scrolling experience. The app operates as a web wrapper using the WebView2 framework, which leads to inefficient resource consumption compared to native applications. Users across various hardware configurations report freezing, delayed messages, and instability. Microsoft’s Teams app also faces similar performance challenges due to its reliance on the same framework. There is a growing concern about the trend of developers opting for web applications over native ones, driven by a lack of trust in native frameworks. Despite Microsoft's push for native app development through WinUI, there is currently no native version of WhatsApp for Windows, while Meta has developed optimized versions for other platforms.

AppWizard

June 13, 2026

As a longtime Android privacy nerd, here are 6 privacy apps I actually regret installing

The author shares experiences with six privacy applications that did not meet expectations. 1. Private Internet Access (PIA): A robust VPN service with a cluttered interface and concerns about its U.S. base; transitioned to NordVPN for a better user experience. 2. Brave Browser: Known for ad and tracker blocking, but had issues with Brave Search reliability, syncing, and battery drain; switched to Firefox with uBlock Origin. 3. LastPass: A former leading password manager that lost trust due to security breaches; moved to Bitwarden for its solid and secure platform. 4. KeePassDX: Impressive for local storage and clean UI, but lacked cloud syncing and required manual password management; eventually chose Bitwarden for convenience. 5. OpenBoard: A privacy-focused keyboard app that is no longer available on Google Play; basic features and installation hassles led to regret over its use; better alternatives exist. 6. OsmAnd: An open-source offline navigation app with extensive customization but a steep learning curve and rigid address searches; now prefers Organic Maps for ease of use.

Winsage

June 13, 2026

Windows Server 2025 Adds DNS Over HTTPS for Secure DNS Traffic

Microsoft has rolled out support for DNS over HTTPS (DoH) in Windows DNS Server as part of the Windows Server 2025 update. This feature enhances the security of DNS communications through encryption and server authentication, allowing encrypted client-to-resolver traffic in on-premises DNS environments. DoH encrypts DNS queries and responses using HTTPS, protecting sensitive information from interception or alteration. It also uses digital certificates for DNS server authentication to reduce spoofing and impersonation risks. The feature is compatible with existing Windows DNS Server configurations and supports both encrypted and traditional DNS. DoH support is available on Windows Server 2025 with the June 9, 2026 update or newer. Administrators must configure a trusted TLS certificate and enable DoH in the DNS Server service to deploy this feature. Microsoft plans to extend encryption capabilities to include communication between the Windows DNS Server and upstream DNS resolvers in the future.

Winsage

June 13, 2026

Windows 11 KB5094126: Microsoft’s desktop.ini hardening causes some folder icons to disappear

Following the June 2026 update, custom folder icons and localized folder names in Windows are no longer displaying as they typically would due to intentional modifications related to security updates, specifically KB5094126 for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. This update tightens the handling of the desktop.ini file, which is used for folder customization. Although access to the actual files remains unchanged, affected folders may revert to default icons or display original directory names instead of customized labels. Microsoft has identified certain sources as untrusted, including files downloaded from the internet and specific remote sources, which affects how desktop.ini files are processed. Users are encouraged to verify file origins, and administrators should ensure that internal sources are classified as trusted to avoid disruptions in folder presentation. The update also includes other security fixes and enhancements.