The most recognized Windows XP product key is FCKGW-RHQQ2-YXRKT-8TG6W-2B7Q8. Windows XP was released in two formats: Retail for consumers and Volume for Microsoft partners and OEMs. The Volume discs were not intended for the general public and were designed for mass installations without individual activation. The final CD version, Release to Manufacturing (RTM), was completed on August 24, 2001, two months before the official launch on October 25. A leak of the Volume image and its Volume License Key (VLK) is believed to have originated from a major OEM, possibly Dell or Intel, which was exploited by the pirate group Devils0wn, allowing broader access to Windows XP.
Google has extended access to its Gemini Daily Brief feature to users in the United States without requiring a paid Google AI subscription. This change allows users without Plus, Pro, or Ultra tiers to receive daily briefings summarizing essential tasks and emails. The announcement confirmed the removal of subscription prerequisites, aiming for a more inclusive user experience. The feature delivers concise information once a day and is accessible through Gemini mobile applications and the web platform, provided users link their Workspace apps and enable memory features. The rollout may be gradual, leading to potential delays for some users.
Samsung has alerted developers using the Galaxy Store about upcoming changes due to Google's new Android Developer Verification (ADV) rules, which will take effect on September 30, 2026. Developers in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand must complete the verification process to avoid having their unverified apps removed from the Galaxy Store. The ADV process requires developers to authenticate their identities and register package names and signing certificates. Apps that are not verified will be hidden from search results and listings, affecting their visibility. Users may face difficulties reinstalling or updating existing apps until developers complete the verification, although previously installed apps will continue to function. Samsung is indicating the status of app binaries in the Seller Portal and will restrict new registrations and updates lacking ADV approval starting in September. Sideloading will still be possible for certain apps and through an advanced installation flow, while ADB installations will remain unchanged. The initial rollout is limited to specific countries, with a global expansion expected in 2027. Developers are encouraged to act quickly to maintain app visibility.
Microsoft has confirmed that WSL Containers, which allows users to create and manage Linux containers directly from Windows, is now available on Windows 10. Users must have Windows 10 version 2004 (Build 19041) or later to utilize WSL Containers. The installation process involves checking the Windows build, installing WSL, updating to the container build, confirming the version, and running a test command. WSL Containers support GPU passthrough, enabling CUDA capabilities directly from Windows 10. A text-based UI dashboard for managing WSL Containers, named lazywslc, has also been introduced.
Google is redesigning its Google Translate app for Android, introducing a new navigation bar at the bottom with four sections: Translate, Live, Camera, and Practice. The language selectors have been moved to the top for a cleaner layout, and the translation input box now includes quick action buttons. A hamburger menu has replaced the Saved shortcut, providing a new “Your activity” screen that consolidates translation history and saved translations. The text input screen has a modern aesthetic, with recent translations visible within the input card, and the results page features individual cards for source and translated text.
PowerToys has released version 0.100.0, introducing several new features and enhancements:
- Command Palette now includes an Extension Gallery for managing extensions directly.
- Improvements to Command Palette include enhanced parameter pages, bookmarks for inline parameters, and better accessibility.
- Dock feature enhancements allow for separate customization for each monitor and drag-and-drop functionality.
- Performance Monitor introduces a Battery widget and dock bands for CPU, memory, and network metrics.
- Calculator enhancements include new functions and improved error messaging.
- Reliability improvements include a pinned commands section and smoother navigation.
- FancyZones received updates for better localization and guidance.
- File Explorer fixes address crashes related to Markdown previews.
- File Locksmith improvements enhance handling of Unicode file paths.
- Grab And Move has been fully released.
- Image Resizer supports live settings reload.
- Keyboard Manager editor is redesigned and enabled by default.
- Mouse Without Borders adds quick access to refresh connections.
- Peek's settings allow toggling of file preview tooltips.
- PowerDisplay is optimized for better performance.
- PowerToys Run improves calculator functionality and documents third-party plugins.
- Quick Accent updates enhance UI consistency and language support.
- Settings interface has been refreshed for better usability.
- Shortcut Guide redesigned for reliability and includes built-in manifests.
- Workspaces has a modernized editor.
- ZoomIt introduces webcam overlay capabilities and improved recording features.
- Development tools and dependencies have been updated for smoother contributions.
Microsoft's PowerToys version 0.99 introduces two new tools: Grab And Move and Power Display, along with enhancements to the Command Palette Dock.
Grab And Move allows users to reposition application windows by holding the Alt key and dragging anywhere on the window, facilitating easier window management. Users can customize the activation key and toggle the feature off during gaming sessions. There are also options to exclude specific applications from using this feature.
Power Display enables users to manage monitor settings directly from the system tray, including brightness, contrast, volume, rotation, and color temperature adjustments. It supports multi-monitor setups with DDC/CI standards and includes a Profiles option for saving specific monitor settings.
The Command Palette Dock now features a compact mode and customization options for pinned commands, improving user accessibility and screen space utilization.
Users are increasingly seeking effective solutions to enhance their browsing experience in digital advertising, with some opting for methods beyond traditional ad-blockers, such as configuring a private DNS server to filter ads at the system level. This method can face challenges, including certain applications circumventing settings and networks blocking custom DNS configurations, which may lead to connectivity issues. DNS-based ad-blocking can disrupt app functionality or create voids where ads would typically appear.
NextDNS offers customizable blocklists for ad-blocking and functions as a customizable endpoint, requiring users to set it up through Android's native DNS settings. It provides a dashboard with parental controls, tracking protection, and analytics tools, free for up to 300,000 queries per month.
AdLock focuses on system-wide ad-blocking across various platforms and requires users to download the APK and subscribe for use on multiple devices, starting at .05 per month. It does not allow ads to be displayed and includes a safety check feature for potential threats.
Total AdBlock, developed by Total Security Limited, offers free and premium versions, with the premium version providing full functionality, including ad-blocking on YouTube. It has a high effectiveness score on the AdBlock Tester tool and includes features like content blocking and direct support access.
The curated list of ad blockers targets options that do not require root access and are cost-effective, designed to operate at the device level for Android users, as the default Chrome browser does not support extensions. Trustworthiness and reputation were key factors in the selection process, focusing on maintaining a clean browsing experience without invasive tracking mechanisms.
The "Screen Tint" feature is being tested in a preview build of Windows 11, offering six preset tint colors and customizable settings to enhance visual comfort. The preset colors include pink for alleviating migraines, blue for reducing screen glare, and gray for easing stark contrasts. The feature is part of preview version 26300.8289, with no official launch date announced by Microsoft yet.
