USB Archives

Tech Optimizer

April 22, 2025

VIPRE Security Crushes Competition with 99.93% Protection Rate in Latest Test

VIPRE® Advanced Security received the Advanced+ distinction from AV-Comparatives in their March 2025 Malware Protection Test, demonstrating strong capabilities against cyber threats. The test evaluated 19 security products using 10,030 malware samples and included both online and offline scenarios. VIPRE achieved a 98.7% detection rate and a 99.93% overall protection rate during execution testing, with one of the lowest false positive counts among the products tested. VIPRE's security solutions also enhance other Ziff Davis consumer security products, utilizing its threat intelligence cloud to block malicious sites and improve overall protection.

Tech Optimizer

April 22, 2025

VIPRE Security Crushes Competition with 99.93% Protection Rate in Latest Test

VIPRE® Advanced Security received the Advanced+ distinction from AV-Comparatives in their March 2025 Malware Protection Test for its exceptional performance in detecting and preventing malware threats. The test evaluated 19 security products using 10,030 malware samples on a Windows 11 system, focusing on both online and offline threats. VIPRE achieved a 98.7% detection rate in all scenarios, a 99.93% overall protection rate during execution testing, and had one of the lowest false positive counts. VIPRE's security features also enhance other Ziff Davis products, utilizing its threat intelligence cloud to improve protection across various platforms. VIPRE is a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc., and has over 25 years of experience in cybersecurity solutions.

Winsage

April 22, 2025

Tiny11’s creator squashed Windows 11 ARM onto an iPad Air M2, and it works better than you’d think

NTDev has successfully run Windows 11 Arm64 on the iPad Air M2 using a streamlined version called Tiny11, which has a smaller file size and fewer features. This was achieved with the UTM app and just-in-time (JIT) emulation, taking advantage of the iPad Air M2's ARM CPU. Although users may experience some lag, the ability to run Windows 11 on this device without crashing demonstrates innovative software solutions. This effort is part of a trend where enthusiasts explore unconventional methods to run Windows 11 on various devices.

Winsage

April 21, 2025

5 amazing Linux distros that are better than Windows, but you should avoid them as a beginner

Linux distributions have evolved to be more accessible for users transitioning from Windows and macOS, with Debian-based distributions being relatively easy to navigate. DietPi is an ultra-lightweight OS that requires manual configuration of essential packages, making it more suitable for experienced users. Tails prioritizes user privacy by using the Tor network and operates from a USB drive, but is not ideal for casual users. Qubes OS enhances security through virtualization but has a steep learning curve and challenges with GPU passthrough. Talos Linux is optimized for Kubernetes projects but may be difficult for newcomers due to its lack of SSH support and immutable design. Bazzite, a gaming-focused distribution based on Fedora, offers a user-friendly setup but may not support multiplayer games with kernel-level anti-cheat technology, making it less suitable for competitive gamers.

Winsage

April 21, 2025

I got my hands on the redesigned successor to 2024’s best gaming laptop for most people — I’m confident that I’m going to love it, but there is ONE downside

Lenovo has introduced the Legion Pro 7i (Gen 10), a gaming laptop featuring the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, a 24-core processor, and NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 50-series GPUs, including the RTX 5090 with 24GB of VRAM. It supports upgradeable DDR5 RAM and SSD storage, with plans for PCIe Gen5 options. The laptop has a redesigned CNC-milled aluminum chassis and a QHD+ OLED display with a 240Hz refresh rate and 0.5ms response time. The charging adapter has increased from 330W to 400W to support a peak TDP of 250W. The Legion Pro 7i is slightly larger but about 8% lighter than its predecessor. It features improved thermal management and retains essential connectivity options, including HDMI 2.1, gigabit Ethernet, USB Type-C, and a new Thunderbolt 4 port. Initial gameplay tests show performance improvements, achieving 158 FPS in Forza Horizon 5 and 134 FPS in Gears 5. The starting price is ,599.99.

Winsage

April 18, 2025

Your Windows 10 PC isn’t dead yet – this OS from Google can revive it

On October 14, 2025, Windows 10 will reach its end of life, affecting users with older PCs that cannot upgrade to Windows 11. ChromeOS Flex is a free operating system by Google designed to modernize older Windows PCs and Macs, offering a fast and secure alternative built on Chromium OS. It does not support standalone Windows applications but allows access to Microsoft 365 and other SaaS applications via web portals. ChromeOS Flex focuses on security with features like automatic updates and data encryption, and it has never experienced a reported ransomware attack. The minimum system requirements include an Intel or AMD x86-64-bit compatible device, 4 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal storage, and the ability to boot from a USB drive. To install ChromeOS Flex, users must back up their files, create a USB installation drive using the Chromebook Recovery Utility, and boot from the USB drive to test compatibility before proceeding with a full installation.

Winsage

April 18, 2025

Data Doctors: What’s behind Windows blue screen errors

The blue screen of death (BSOD) indicates a critical system issue in Windows. Common causes include: - Faulty or outdated drivers, often related to hardware changes. - Hardware problems, such as failures in RAM, hard drives, or motherboards. - Overheating due to dust, poor ventilation, or malfunctioning fans. - Corrupt system files from improper shutdowns, power surges, or software bugs. - Software conflicts, particularly with incompatible applications. - Issues from problematic Windows updates. - Viruses or malware that corrupt system files or disrupt functionality. - BIOS or firmware issues that introduce instability. - Defective external devices like USB sticks or hard drives. Resolving BSOD issues requires a systematic approach and understanding of error codes.

Winsage

April 17, 2025

Forget Windows 11. These mad lads made Linux look like Windows XP!

The Linux distribution Q4OS has introduced a feature that allows users to experience the Windows XP interface, along with other Windows versions, within a Linux environment. Users can download the free Q4OS distribution and install the XPQ4 graphical user interface (GUI) to activate various Windows-like interfaces, including Windows 2000, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10. A live installation option via USB is available, allowing users to try the experience without installation by downloading the ISO file for XPQ4, referred to as FreeXP. Users can create a bootable USB stick using tools like Rufus or balenaEtcher, and upon booting, they will encounter the FreeXP or Free10 interface. The default login credentials for Q4OS are “adminq” with a blank password, and users can customize the language during startup. The XPQ4 environment allows users to switch between different Windows versions using the ‘XPQ4 Desktop Styles’ tool. The operational experience is designed to feel familiar to Windows users, with features for easy software installation and personalization. Installing Q4OS with XPQ4 involves selecting ‘Install Q4OS’ and following an installation wizard that includes options for language, keyboard model, and user account setup. After installation, users can log in with their new credentials and use a Linux environment that resembles Windows XP.

Winsage

April 17, 2025

March, April Windows 11 updates cause BSOD pain for users

Microsoft has reported that two recent updates for Windows 11 24H2, specifically the April cumulative update KB5055523 and the March preview update KB5053656, are causing blue screen crashes with the error code 0x18B (SECUREKERNELERROR) after installation and reboot. There is currently no permanent solution, but Microsoft is working on a workaround using a Known Issue Rollback (KIR) that will automatically apply to personal or unmanaged devices through Windows Update. IT departments will need to manually download a Group Policy .msi file to implement the rollback. Affected machines will require a restart to complete the process.

Winsage

April 15, 2025

How to upgrade your ‘incompatible’ Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 now

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will stop providing security updates for Windows 10 PCs unless users enroll in the Extended Security Updates program. Upgrading to Windows 11 on machines older than five years may result in an error message about CPU compatibility, as Microsoft will not change the requirement for a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. While automatic upgrades may be hindered, there are workarounds for most PCs designed for Windows 10. To upgrade, the computer must boot using UEFI, support Secure Boot, and have an enabled TPM (version 1.2 is acceptable). Users can check their system's BIOS mode and TPM status using the System Information utility and the Trusted Platform Module Management tool, respectively. If UEFI is not an option or if the PC lacks a TPM, an undocumented hack can be used to bypass compatibility checks. A new restriction with the Windows 11 version 24H2 update requires CPUs to support SSE4.2 and PopCnt instructions, making upgrades impossible for PCs built in 2008 or earlier. Most Intel CPUs from 2009 and AMD CPUs from 2013 should meet this requirement. Users can bypass CPU checks and accept any TPM version through a registry edit, which requires running the Setup program from the current Windows installation. The process involves creating a registry key and modifying its value. Alternatively, the Rufus utility can be used to create a bootable USB drive that circumvents compatibility checks, but it cannot bypass the restrictions for very old CPUs lacking support for SSE4.2 and PopCnt instructions.