virtual environment Archives

Winsage

March 5, 2026

I tested Windows 11 LTSC in 2026, and it’s the best version of Windows 11 without Copilot, AI and other bloat

Windows 11 LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) is a specialized edition of Windows 11 designed for organizations that prioritize stability over the latest features. It allows users to defer feature updates for up to ten years, receiving only monthly quality updates and optional feature updates every three years. LTSC includes only Microsoft Edge as a modern app, with classic versions of Calculator, Notepad, and Paint, and lacks Copilot integration, the Microsoft Store, and Widgets. Users can operate LTSC without signing into a Microsoft account. The version was officially announced in April 2023, with Enterprise and IoT editions set to launch in late 2024. It is suitable for large organizations, industrial systems, IT departments, and IoT devices needing long-term support. General users can download a 90-day trial of LTSC, but a clean installation is required for transitioning from Windows 11 Pro or Home. The minimum system requirements include a 1 GHz processor, 4 GB RAM, and 64 GB storage. LTSC offers advantages such as no bloatware, a stable environment, and a lower storage footprint, but it does not receive new Windows features and lacks access to the Microsoft Store by default.

Winsage

February 16, 2026

Contain your Windows apps inside Linux Windows

WinApps and WinBoat are two solutions for running Windows applications on Linux. WinApps, developed since 2020 by Ben Curtis, allows users to run a genuine copy of Windows in a virtual machine (VM) and export individual applications to the Linux desktop using Microsoft's Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). It supports various methods, including Docker, Podman, and KVM virtualization, with KVM offering extensive customization but requiring a more complex setup. WinBoat, a newer application at version 0.9.0, simplifies the user experience by automating much of the setup process and requires only Docker and FreeRDP to be installed. WinBoat is designed for ease of use, making it accessible for users less comfortable with technical configurations. Both tools allow users to run Windows software that may not work well under WINE, but running a full Windows OS in a VM involves licensing, maintenance, and resource considerations.

Tech Optimizer

February 12, 2026

Run PostgreSQL in Python

The pgserver library allows developers to create a no-maintenance, self-contained instance of PostgreSQL within a Python virtual environment, simplifying the integration of PostgreSQL as a data layer and reducing the need for manual database setup. This tool enhances productivity and streamlines the development process for Python developers.

Tech Optimizer

February 10, 2026

AKDAN Malware Hunters blocks new malware that are difficult to detect with existing Antivirus with ‘AKDAN HALL’

AKDAN Malware Hunters has launched the AKDAN HALL PED, a security solution that detects and neutralizes unknown document-based malware in 0.27 seconds, achieving a 99% success rate against emerging threats. This technology uses Pre-Execution Detection (PED) and a virtual "hypnosis" environment to analyze potentially malicious behavior, differing from traditional antivirus software that relies on known threat databases. CEO Sean Jeon, with over 15 years in cybersecurity, emphasizes the need for proactive measures as 91% of cyberattacks start via email, often using document-based malware. The AKDAN HALL product line includes a cloud-based agent for personal use and the AKDAN HALL Mini, a compact server for sensitive environments, both designed to complement existing antivirus solutions. The company has received support from the Initial Startup Package program at Seoul National University of Science and Technology and plans to expand into the Japanese market.

AppWizard

January 27, 2026

Minecraft gamifies Sir John Soane’s Museum

Minecraft has partnered with Sir John Soane’s Museum to create a digital experience called Soane’s Portals to the Past, allowing players to explore a virtual version of the museum. This interactive gaming experience features digital guides, including historical figures Sir John Soane and his wife, Eliza, as well as Soane's dog, Fan. Notable spaces like the Picture Gallery, Breakfast Room, and Dome have been recreated, showcasing artworks such as Canaletto's Riva degli Schiavoni, Venice. Players can also embark on guided tours of ancient sites in Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The virtual environment was created by BlockBuilders, and lesson plans from Microsoft Office 365 Education enhance its educational value. The partnership aims to fulfill the museum's educational mission and share its collection with a global audience through Minecraft. A demo of the experience is available for download.

AppWizard

January 18, 2026

New York City Has Been Under Construction in Minecraft at 1:1 Scale for 5 Years – It Covers 700 Square Kilometers

The Build The Earth project team is working to recreate New York City in a virtual environment at a 1:1 scale, covering approximately 700 square kilometers. A team of 50 to 80 Minecraft players collaborates on this project, focusing on accuracy and detail, with many areas undergoing multiple reconstructions. The project aims to evoke genuine emotional responses from users by creating a virtual space that resonates with authenticity.

Winsage

December 20, 2025

Registry hack enables new performance-boosting native NVMe support on Windows 11 — Windows Server 2025 feature can be unlocked for consumer PCs, but at your own risk

Microsoft has announced that Windows Server 2025 will offer native support for NVMe drives. Early adopters have reported performance improvements of 10% to 15%, including reduced latencies and enhanced transfer speeds. The native support allows for 64,000 queues, each managing 64,000 commands simultaneously, enabling over 4 billion operations, compared to existing SCSI protocols that limit queues to 32 commands. Not all users have experienced performance benefits, and Microsoft recommends backing up systems or testing in a virtual environment before enabling this feature.

Tech Optimizer

November 27, 2025

How Letta builds production-ready AI agents with Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL

AI agents benefit from persistent memory, enabling them to recall past interactions and maintain context, which enhances customer experience in scenarios like customer service. The Letta Developer Platform allows developers to create stateful agents with advanced context management features. It supports self-hosting within a virtual private cloud and uses Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL for long-term memory storage. Aurora PostgreSQL offers capabilities such as efficient similarity searches with the pgvector extension, sub-second query latency, and dynamic storage scaling. Letta operates as a persistent service, allowing agents to function independently and scale horizontally using Kubernetes. The platform supports multi-tenancy and includes enterprise features for security and monitoring. To set up an Aurora Serverless cluster for Letta, users must create a database on Amazon RDS, configure security group access, and install the pgvector extension. Letta connects to Aurora using a PostgreSQL connection string. After establishing the connection, users can create agents, send messages, and view agent states and conversation histories stored in Aurora. Letta organizes data in 42 tables, including those for agents, messages, and memory blocks. Users can explore the database schema and examine the structure of stored messages and embeddings. Finally, it is recommended to delete the Aurora cluster and associated resources after completing the integration to avoid charges.

Winsage

November 4, 2025

Russian hackers abuse Hyper-V to hide malware in Linux VMs

The Russian hacker group Curly COMrades has been using Microsoft Hyper-V to bypass endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions by creating a concealed Alpine Linux-based virtual machine for running malware. They have deployed proprietary tools, CurlyShell and CurlCat, within this virtual environment to maintain operational stealth and secure communication. Active since mid-2024, the group targets government and judicial entities in Georgia and energy companies in Moldova. In early July, they gained remote access to two machines, activated Hyper-V, and disabled its management interface to deploy a minimalistic virtual machine that hosted their malware. This tactic allowed them to evade traditional host-based EDR detections. The virtual machine was configured to use the Default Switch network adapter, making malicious traffic appear to originate from the legitimate host's IP address. CurlyShell executes commands and maintains persistence, while CurlCat facilitates covert traffic tunneling. The group also utilized PowerShell scripts for persistence and pivoting to remote systems, including injecting Kerberos tickets into LSASS and creating local accounts via Group Policy. Bitdefender advises organizations to monitor for abnormal Hyper-V activation, LSASS access, and suspicious PowerShell scripts.

AppWizard

October 22, 2025

Introducing Galaxy XR, the first Android XR headset

The Galaxy XR features an expansive screen for exploring applications and includes the Gemini assistant for intuitive navigation using voice commands, hand gestures, and eye movements. It runs on Android and provides access to a wide range of applications from Google Play, including streaming services like Crunchyroll, HBO Max, and Peacock, enhanced Google apps, games from various studios, and over 50 new XR experiences from brands like Adobe and MLB. The device supports open standards such as OpenXR and WebXR, and the Gemini assistant enhances user interaction by understanding visual and interactive context for streamlined assistance across applications.