waste Archives

Winsage

July 29, 2025

With Windows 10’s fast-approaching demise, this Linux migration tool could let you ditch Microsoft’s ecosystem with your data and apps intact — but it’s limited to one distro

Microsoft's end-of-life date for Windows 10 is October 14, 2025. Users can enroll in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for an additional year of support or sync their PC settings with a Microsoft Account for free security updates for another year. Many users are considering switching to Linux due to Windows 10's impending end of support. A new tool called Operese aims to facilitate the transition from Windows to Linux, currently in demo version and compatible only with Kubuntu. The Restart Project's "End of 10" toolkit helps users unable to upgrade to Windows 11 by promoting the installation of free and open-source operating systems on older devices. This initiative also addresses electronic waste and highlights the benefits of using Linux, such as the lack of ads and telemetry tracking.

AppWizard

July 29, 2025

Minecraft Light-Up Slap Bracelets Recalled For Button Batteries

Innovative Designs of New York has recalled its Minecraft Light-Up Slap Bracelets due to safety concerns related to button batteries that children can easily access, posing a risk of injury or fatality. The recall affects approximately 75,000 units sold at Walmart between March and May 2025, priced at about . The bracelets, available in pink and green, feature the "MINECRAFT" logo and model numbers 718508MCR and 718075MCR. Consumers are advised to keep the bracelets away from children and to contact Innovative Designs for disposal guidance and refunds.

AppWizard

July 28, 2025

Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game review

Players immerse themselves in a life simulation game called Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game, set in the town of Bywater, where they experience the daily lives of hobbits through activities like cooking, fishing, and farming. The game is developed by Wētā Workshop and published by Private Division, priced at .99 in the U.S. and £29.99 in the UK. Players take on the role of a newcomer helping local hobbits, engaging in detailed environments to forage for ingredients and prepare meals. The cooking system allows players to create various dishes, enhancing the gameplay experience, while foraging and fishing offer limited engagement. Farming is restricted to small planter boxes, and quests often involve repetitive tasks. The game features complex hobbit characters, adding depth to the narrative, but overall, it may lack gameplay variety and depth.

AppWizard

July 28, 2025

Battery Hazard Prompts Recall Of Popular Minecraft Toy

Innovative Designs has recalled approximately 75,900 Minecraft Light-Up Slap Ruler Bracelets due to non-compliance with federal safety regulations for battery-operated toys. The recall affects two models of bracelets that allow easy access to battery compartments, posing a risk of children swallowing button cell batteries, which can cause severe injuries. The bracelets were sold at Walmart from March to May 2025 and retail for approximately . They are available in pink and green and contain three pre-installed button cell batteries. One report of a battery detaching has been received, but no injuries have been reported. Parents are advised to remove the bracelets from children and send a photo of the disposed bracelet to receive a full refund. The CPSC has also reminded that button cell batteries should be recycled as hazardous waste.

AppWizard

July 24, 2025

Innovative Designs Recalls Minecraft Light-Up Slap Ruler Bracelets Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Button Cell Battery Ingestion Hazard; Violates Mandatory Standard for Toys

Innovative Designs LLC, based in New York, has recalled a toy due to safety concerns involving its battery, following a report of a battery separating from the toy. The affected toys were sold at Walmart from March 2025 to May 2025, priced at approximately $XX. Consumers can contact Innovative Designs at info@innovativenyc.com for refunds. The recall number is 25-404, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) oversees the recall process. Consumers are advised to handle button cell and coin batteries properly and dispose of them according to local hazardous waste procedures.

Winsage

July 23, 2025

5 Ways to Repurpose your Windows 10 System — Virtualization Review

As Windows 11 support ends, many Windows 10 PCs and laptops lacking compatibility with the new operating system are expected to enter the resale market or be given away. This situation creates opportunities to repurpose these devices for various uses, including: 1. Installing a Linux distribution to cater to business and personal needs, with options like Ubuntu, Fedora, and MX Linux for older hardware. 2. Running ChromeOS Flex for a lightweight experience focused on web browsing and cloud applications. 3. Installing a thin-client OS to access virtual desktops, maximizing existing hardware for businesses transitioning to virtual environments. 4. Converting the device into a media server using software like Plex or Jellyfin for centralized media storage and streaming. 5. Recycling the device responsibly through manufacturer or retailer e-waste programs, ensuring safe processing and potential donation of usable parts. Before recycling, it is important to securely wipe or destroy personal data on the hard drive.

Winsage

July 22, 2025

9 features I want Microsoft to add and improve in Windows 11

Windows 11 has received several feature updates, with version 25H2 upcoming, but it still lacks many user-requested features. Key issues include: 1. Users want more control over Windows Update, including the ability to disable automatic updates or schedule them flexibly. 2. There is a demand for the option to set up devices with a local account instead of being forced to use a Microsoft account. 3. Users miss the ability to resize the Taskbar, which is currently fixed in size. 4. The option to relocate the Taskbar to the top of the screen has been removed, and users want this flexibility restored. 5. A fully consistent dark mode across the operating system is desired, along with customizable live tiles. 6. Users would benefit from charging limit options for laptops to extend battery lifespan. 7. The settings page for File Explorer needs modernization to align with the Windows 11 aesthetic. 8. There is a call for a variant of Windows 11 that supports older PCs that do not meet current hardware requirements.

AppWizard

July 21, 2025

One Dune: Awakening player ‘will not bend the knee’ to hackers laying waste to ornithopters—’I am personally on their hit list now’

A group of hackers in Dune: Awakening has manipulated game mechanics to achieve speeds that allow them to capture players' ornithopters and transport them to remote locations. A player known as SpooN04 has been documenting these incidents and sharing video evidence on the game's official Discord channel to raise awareness. Despite numerous reports and evidence submitted, the hackers remain active, and the game's developer, Funcom, is dealing with various complaints and bugs. The community is concerned about griefers and has suggested removing rockets from ornithopters to reduce their impact.

AppWizard

July 14, 2025

This week in PC games: Stronghold, Destiny and Neverwinter Nights lead a host of drifters, necromancers and Pac-Monsters

The latest PC game releases include factory-themed titles such as "Kaizen: A Factory Story," an automation puzzle game by former Zachtronics developers, and "MoteMancer," which features real-time factory construction across dimensions with generative AI-inspired art. For those preferring different genres, "Arashi Gaiden" offers a turn-based ninja adventure. Notable revivals include "Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition" and "Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition." "Destiny 2" has released the Year Of Prophecy edition with new content. New games also feature "Becoming Saint," a real-time tactics roguelite, "Worship," which explores occult tactics, and "The Necromancer's Tale," an open-world RPG. Other titles include "Fill Up The Hole," a 2D landfill simulator, "Shadow Labyrinth," a horror twist on Pac-Man, and "The Drifter," a pulp adventure game. "Phantom Squad" promises action-packed gameplay.

Winsage

July 14, 2025

Microsoft’s extra year of free Windows 10 security updates feels like a last-minute snooze button — while groups like “The Restart Project” still want to help users

Microsoft will officially cease support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Users are expressing dissatisfaction with Windows 11 due to its stringent system requirements and design flaws. The Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) has launched a petition against Microsoft's decision, warning it could lead to significant electronic waste and contradicts Microsoft's sustainability goals. Microsoft plans to extend security updates for Windows 10, but users must sync their settings with a Microsoft Account to receive them. Approximately 400 million Windows 10 PCs may not be able to upgrade to Windows 11. The Restart Project highlights that nearly half of all Windows computers still run on Windows 10 and is advocating for repair and the use of free and open-source operating systems. They have developed an 'End of Windows 10' toolkit for community repair groups. The Restart Project has called for stronger durability and repairability rules, economic changes to discourage disposable products, and increased efforts for reuse and repair of electronic waste. Windows 11 has surpassed Windows 10 in market share, with reports indicating 50.88% for Windows 11 compared to 46.2% for Windows 10. Microsoft claims that Windows 11 PCs are significantly faster than Windows 10 PCs, although this has been met with skepticism.