user support Archives

Tech Optimizer

October 3, 2025

Tiger Lake Launches to Unify Postgres and Lakehouse for Real-Time Analytics and AI

A new software development framework is emerging, designed to enhance efficiency in development processes. Key features include a modular architecture for customization, real-time collaboration tools, improved application performance through optimized resource allocation, and comprehensive documentation for user support. The framework aligns with agile methodologies, supports rapid iteration and continuous delivery, and fosters a community-driven approach that encourages user feedback and contributions.

AppWizard

September 17, 2025

How To Make Your Own Custom Android Widgets

Widgets are applications on the Home screen that can control music and display battery metrics. Users can create their own widgets using third-party applications like KWGT Kustom Widget Maker, which has over 10 million downloads and a 3.9-star rating, and WidgetClub, which has over a million downloads and a 4.7-star rating. Both apps have in-app purchases. To create a widget with KWGT, users need to download and install the app, access the widget menu, select a widget size, and customize it by adding elements and actions. KWGT also allows for advanced features like coding designs and layering elements. Both KWGT and WidgetClub offer support documentation for users.

Winsage

August 15, 2025

Microsoft Fixed the Bug That Kept People From Signing Up for Windows 10 Extended Updates

Microsoft has announced an extension of service updates for Windows 10 for an additional year, until October 13, 2026, in response to user dissatisfaction over the original discontinuation date of October 14, 2025. Users must actively sign up to receive these extra updates, or support will end as scheduled in 2025. A bug that previously hindered enrollment has been resolved, allowing users to register for the extended updates. The sign-up process requires users to navigate to Settings, select Update & Security, and proceed to Windows Update. This extension is available only to consumers, not commercial users, and without enrollment, security updates will not be activated.

Winsage

August 14, 2025

Tearing your hair out because you can’t sign up for Windows 10 extended updates? New patch fixes annoying bug and makes support to October 2026 available for all

Windows 10's August update, KB5063709, extends user support until October 2026 and resolves a bug that prevented some users from enrolling in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. Users who faced issues with the ESU wizard are encouraged to try enrolling again after installing the update. The ESU program offers options to pay for an additional year of support, sync settings to OneDrive for free support, or use 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points. A Microsoft account is required to participate in the ESU program.

Winsage

August 11, 2025

California man sues Microsoft over Windows 11 upgrades

Lawrence Klein, a California resident, has filed a lawsuit against Microsoft regarding the company's plans to retire Windows 10. Klein, whose laptops are incompatible with Windows 11 due to the lack of a Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (TPM), is seeking continued free updates for Windows 10 until its user base significantly decreases. He argues that Microsoft has violated California's business and consumer protection laws by forcing unnecessary upgrades and neglecting security updates for Windows 10 users. Support for Windows 10 is set to end on October 14, and Klein's legal team claims that many users are not prepared to transition to new devices or pay for extended support. Microsoft offers a paid extended support plan for Windows 10, but Klein is advocating for free support until Windows 10's market share falls below 10%. The lawsuit also criticizes the rapid phaseout of Windows 10, noting that historically, Microsoft has provided longer support periods for previous operating systems. At the time of the phaseout announcement, Windows 10 still held over 50% of the market share, with nearly 43% of users remaining on the older OS. Klein's argument suggests that the transition to Windows 11 has been expedited to benefit Microsoft and its hardware partners financially.

Winsage

June 22, 2025

Ready to ditch Windows? ‘End of 10’ makes converting your PC to Linux easier than ever

Support for Windows 10 will cease on October 14, 2025. Microsoft's strategy encourages users to buy new computers. Linux is recognized for its speed and security. The End of 10 campaign provides resources and support for users transitioning from Windows 10 to Linux, offering links to local PC shops and user groups. The campaign outlines five reasons to consider upgrading to Linux: cost-effectiveness, lack of intrusive ads or privacy concerns, environmentally friendly options, community support, and enhanced user control. End of 10 maintains a calendar of events for user support across various countries and is supported by a group of contributors. Public communication channels are available, and the initiative encourages collaboration with Free and Open Source Software communities.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

Microsoft announces Windows 365 Reserve: Backup cloud PCs for the enterprise

The service allows administrators to pre-stage a cloud PC with company policies, applications, and security controls for quick delivery to users experiencing device failures. It enables users to access a familiar desktop rapidly, even in challenging situations like a malfunctioning laptop at a client site. Intune manages these virtual devices, simplifying the process for IT teams. The Reserve service offers organizations a low-risk way to explore virtual desktops, aiming to provide faster recovery options for lost, stolen, or damaged devices. However, practical implementation concerns remain, including user support access, the decision between physical replacements or temporary solutions, and the selection of applications and policies for the Reserve image. IT departments need a comprehensive operational playbook to effectively utilize this service.

Winsage

May 15, 2025

Windows 10 version of Microsoft 365 apps will be supported until 2028—but this isn’t the Microsoft u-turn you may think it is

Microsoft will continue to provide security updates for Microsoft 365 applications, including PowerPoint, Word, and Excel, on Windows 10 until October 10, 2028, despite the end of official support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. A misleading blog post suggesting that Microsoft 365 Apps would cease support on Windows 10 after the 2025 deadline was clarified by a Microsoft spokesperson as not being an official announcement. Extended Security Updates (ESU) are now available to individual consumers, previously limited to commercial clients and educational institutions. Users can purchase ESU, consider third-party security patches, or transition to Linux if they wish to move away from Microsoft’s ecosystem. Additionally, Microsoft recently announced layoffs of 7,000 employees.

AppWizard

March 6, 2025

TSplus Introduces Major Update for Remote Control to Android from Any Device

TSplus has released a major update to its Remote Support Android app, now available on the Google Play Store. This update enhances the app's features, which originally allowed users to remotely view and control devices in Full HD resolution at 24 frames per second, with functionalities including keyboard and mouse control, user chat, and device management. The update fully operationalizes the Sharer feature for seamless remote control of Android devices from various platforms. Enhancements include improved performance with upgraded screen encoder and decoder, new settings for optimizing app performance on older devices, shortcuts for quick actions, and improved debugging for easier issue reporting.

Winsage

December 25, 2024

Microsoft posts official uninstall and recovery guide for botched Windows 11/10 update

Microsoft released a new support article detailing the functionality of the Windows 11 feature 'Fix problems using Windows Update' and scenarios where it may not be effective. A shortcut link to the recovery settings menu has been introduced as part of the guidance for installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware. Microsoft updated another support article regarding the uninstallation of Windows Updates, now including instructions for using the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) for this purpose, applicable to both Windows 10 and 11. Users can uninstall updates via WinRE by accessing Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall Updates. A disclaimer about the end of support for Windows 10 is also present on the page. Additionally, a cautionary note regarding BitLocker recovery key requirements is included. Microsoft has emphasized the importance of system requirements such as TPM and Secure Boot in relation to Windows 11 24H2. Third-party backup and cloning applications are making adjustments to align with these updates.