upgrade path Archives

Winsage

May 21, 2026

The 13 biggest Windows 11 changes from early May — and why they matter for 2026

Microsoft has released several preview builds of Windows 11 as part of the Windows Insider Program in early May 2026, focusing on refining existing functionalities. Key updates include: 1. Taskbar position settings: Users can now reposition the Taskbar to the top, left, or right edges of the screen with build 26300.8493. 2. Modern Run dialog: A redesigned Run dialog was introduced in build 26300.8346, featuring a modern aesthetic and support for light and dark modes. 3. Share interface with suggestions: App suggestions for Azure Active Directory users have been added to the Windows Share interface. 4. File Explorer improvements: Enhancements have been made to address loading issues and improve the "Favorites" section and thumbnail displays. 5. Widgets changes: Default settings for Widgets have been adjusted to minimize distractions, including disabling hover opening and Taskbar badges. 6. Windows Search box with improved results: The search interface will prioritize local apps and files over web results starting with build 26300.8493. 7. New spinner design for core experiences: A unified donut-style spinner animation has been introduced for various core experiences. 8. Touchpad gesture controls: New precision touchpad gestures have been added to adjust scroll and zoom speeds. 9. Home to Pro Education free upgrade: Eligible K-12 organizations can upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Pro Education at no cost. 10. Task Manager with new NPU visibility: The Task Manager now includes columns for "NPU" and "NPU Engine" in relevant tabs. 11. Voice Typing on the touch keyboard: The touch keyboard's Voice Typing feature has been updated with a new button and animations. 12. Windows Update overhaul: Users can skip updates during setup and pause updates indefinitely in 35-day blocks starting with build 28020.2134. 13. Shared Audio feature: The new "Shared Audio" feature allows two users to listen to the same audio stream from one computer using Bluetooth LE Audio technology.

AppWizard

May 21, 2026

Save $400 on this Nvidia RTX 5080 gaming PC that’s cheaper than you could build yourself

iBuyPower is offering substantial discounts on pre-built gaming PCs during their Memorial Day sale, with the RDY Trace X B01 model featuring an RTX 5080 graphics card, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, a 2TB SSD, a 360mm AIO CPU cooler, and an 850W power supply. The original price of the RDY Trace X B01 was ,199, but it has been reduced to ,799. The system is powered by an Intel Core i9 14900KF CPU on a Z790 motherboard. While it may not perform as well for gaming compared to AMD's latest processors, it is a solid choice for those not concerned with future upgrades. The closest comparable build found on PCPartPicker totaled ,796.79, excluding a Windows license and peripherals.

Tech Optimizer

May 20, 2026

Critical PostgreSQL Flaws Enable Code Execution and SQL Injection

On May 14, 2026, PostgreSQL released critical security updates for versions 18.4, 17.10, 16.14, 15.18, and 14.23, addressing 11 Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) related to stack buffer overflows, SQL injection, memory disclosure, and denial-of-service vulnerabilities. The most critical vulnerability, CVE-2026-6637, has a CVSS score of 8.8 and allows remote, unprivileged database users to execute arbitrary code. Other notable vulnerabilities include CVE-2026-6473, which affects memory allocation leading to potential memory corruption, and CVE-2026-6475, which allows overwriting sensitive OS-level files. Additional vulnerabilities include SQL injection flaws and authentication issues, with various CVSS scores ranging from 3.7 to 7.5. The updates can be implemented without a database dump, and PostgreSQL 14 will reach its end-of-life on November 12, 2026.

Winsage

May 20, 2026

You Can Get Windows 11 Pro on Sale for A$13 Right Now

Windows 11 Pro is currently available for a reduced price of A, down from A8. It includes features such as Windows Copilot, remote desktop access, TPM 2.0, Smart App Control, biometric login, BitLocker encryption, Azure Active Directory integration, Hyper-V, and Windows Sandbox. Minimum system requirements are a 1GHz processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of hard disk space. The offer is provided by a trusted Microsoft partner and may change soon.

Tech Optimizer

May 19, 2026

Avast Free Antivirus for US users: core features explained

Avast Free Antivirus is a free security application that provides essential malware protection and additional tools for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It blocks malware and suspicious websites using real-time scanning and integrates with the operating system's security center on Windows. Key features include file shield scanning, web and mail shields, and ransomware-related shields on select platforms. It is available for free download in the US and is popular among home users, families, students, and individual professionals. Avast competes with other antivirus vendors like McAfee and Bitdefender and is often reviewed positively by tech outlets. While it offers core protections, advanced features require paid subscriptions. Users can conduct various types of scans and utilize browser extensions to assess site safety. The software is designed to coexist with Windows built-in security features, but experts advise using additional security measures for online banking and shopping.

Winsage

May 11, 2026

Microsoft keeps fixing Windows and Xbox, but the community keeps complaining

Microsoft has rolled out four Windows Insider builds, introduced new hidden features, and revamped the Windows Run feature. Despite these advancements, many Windows 10 users are hesitant to upgrade due to financial constraints. Xbox Mode has received criticism for its performance on dual monitor setups. Approximately 25% of Windows users on Steam are still using Windows 10. Windows 11 will enhance CPU frequency during high-priority tasks, and recent Insider builds have improved touchpad gestures, File Explorer descriptions, and voice-typing interface. Users can now prevent Chrome and Edge from automatically downloading local AI models. Feedback on new features like the Low Latency Profile has been predominantly negative, with users expressing concerns over CPU spikes.

Winsage

May 10, 2026

Windows 11 testers say new touchpad upgrades and File Explorer fixes finally make Insider builds feel smoother

Windows Insiders can check for new builds weekly, with Microsoft releasing four Insider builds that include various enhancements. The Beta Channel Insiders have not yet transitioned to the new Beta experience. Users in the Dev Channel moving to the Experimental Channel will receive Build 26300.8376, while those in the Canary 28000 series will also transition to Experimental, receiving Build 28020.2075. Insiders from the Canary 29500 series will be updated to Build 29585.1000. A free upgrade path to Windows 11 Pro Education from Windows 11 Home is available for K-12 educational settings, allowing institutions to manage devices effectively. This upgrade is one-way only. Build 26300.8376 introduces new gesturing functionalities for precision touchpads, including control over scroll/zoom speed and automatic scrolling. File Explorer has received updates for improved address bar functionality, more readable file size formatting, and refinements to the renaming experience. Build 28020.2075 includes improved typing reliability with the ADLaM keyboard and enhanced clipboard history performance. Font improvements have been made for the Leelawadee UI font family. Build 29585.1000 features a streamlined voice typing experience with the touch keyboard, reducing distractions.

Winsage

May 10, 2026

Windows Insider builds ship with touchpad upgrades, File Explorer fixes, and a free EDU upgrade path

Windows Insiders are advised to set weekly reminders to check for new builds, as Microsoft has released four Insider builds with various enhancements, including updates to the Touchpad and Touch Keyboard experiences, and a new upgrade pathway for education users. The changes differ by Insider Channel, necessitating users to understand updates specific to their channel. The Windows Insider Program is being restructured, with Beta Channel Insiders yet to transition to the new experience. Insiders moving from the Dev Channel to the Experimental Channel will receive Build 26300.8376, while those from the Canary 28000 series will receive Build 28020.2075, and those from the Canary 29500 series will be updated to Build 29585.1000. Users should refer to release notes for detailed information on features and updates. A free upgrade path to Windows 11 Pro Education is now available for K-12 educational settings, allowing institutions to upgrade Windows 11 Home devices to Pro Education at no cost. This upgrade is one-way only. The Experimental Preview Build 26300.8376 introduces new gesturing functionalities for precision touchpads, including scroll/zoom speed control, automatic scrolling, accelerated scrolling, and single-finger scrolling. Additionally, File Explorer has received updates to improve reliability, readability, and usability.

Winsage

May 8, 2026

Microsoft Issues New Windows Insider Program Builds

Microsoft has released pre-release builds of Windows 11 for participants in the Beta, Experimental, and Experimental Beta channels of the Windows Insider Program. The rollout of new Windows Insider Program changes is expanding, with a transition for Insiders in the Canary 29500 Series Channel and Beta Channel expected in the coming weeks. The latest builds include two enhancements: 1. Touchpad Improvements (in Experimental): New gesture options for precision touchpads, including adjustable scroll and zoom speeds, automatic scrolling, accelerated scrolling, and single-finger scrolling. 2. Free Upgrade Path to Windows 11 Pro Education for K-12 (in Experimental Beta): Windows Insiders in K-12 education can upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Pro Education at no additional cost, allowing schools to purchase PCs with Windows 11 Home and upgrade them for centralized management.

Tech Optimizer

May 6, 2026

How Aurora Blue-Green Upgrades Cut Our Postgres Downtime by 50X

Paxos has implemented Blue-Green upgrades to improve database maintenance for asset trading, achieving a 50-fold reduction in downtime from 30-120 minutes to approximately one minute. This upgrade strategy allows for real-time synchronization between a blue cluster handling production traffic and a new green cluster with the updated version. Challenges included issues with CREATE ROLE statements disrupting upgrades due to temporary roles and the necessity to drop replication slots before PostgreSQL 17, which could lead to data loss. Additionally, upon the green cluster becoming primary, it acquires a new cluster ID, requiring updates for clients using RDS IAM authentication. The transition to PostgreSQL 17 is anticipated to resolve the need to drop logical replication slots, preserving Change Data Capture (CDC) continuity.