windows apps Archives

Winsage

August 26, 2025

New Windows 11 feature will enable seamless app continuity with your Galaxy device

Microsoft has announced the upcoming Cross Device Resume feature, designed to connect Windows 11 PCs with Android devices, particularly Samsung's Galaxy line. This feature will allow users to continue tasks seamlessly across platforms, such as resuming a paused podcast from a phone on a Windows PC. Currently available in the Dev and Beta versions of Windows 11, it requires both devices to have the Phone Link and Link to Windows apps running, and users must be signed into the same account for apps like Spotify. The feature is expected to be available in the stable version in the coming months.

Winsage

August 12, 2025

InstallAware Launches Setup Virtualization Technology “Project OS/3,” Running Windows Binaries Directly on Linux and macOS.

InstallAware Software has launched "Project OS/3," a solution that simplifies running Windows applications on Linux and macOS by using Wine. Users can install Wine through an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) setup wizard, eliminating the need for command-line interactions. The installation process is initiated with a single click, and once Wine is set up, "Project OS/3" injects the Windows application along with necessary files and registry keys into the Wine instance, ensuring the application is operational with original shortcuts recreated on the host system. Developers can provide a Windows setup file, and the tool will create a ready-to-run native code installation for both Linux and macOS, addressing compatibility issues typically encountered with Wine. The ease of use is facilitated by InstallAware Studio Admin's PackageAware setup capture technology and InstallAware Multi Platform's native code setup engines, which automatically retarget captured Windows installations onto designated Wine instances. "Project OS/3" also offers a graphical method for installing Wine, providing a quicker alternative for compatible setups. InstallAware Software, founded in 2003, specializes in cloud infrastructure and enterprise software deployment, and offers InstallAware 2025 for free for open-source projects, with paid editions available.

Winsage

August 12, 2025

Web Account Manager: The Foundational Enabler of Single Sign-On for Windows Applications within the Microsoft Identity Ecosystem

Organizations are adopting cloud-first strategies for digital identity management, particularly using Microsoft identity providers and implementing Zero Trust Architecture. Microsoft's Web Account Manager (WAM), introduced with Windows 10, is central to this transformation, enabling secure access and single sign-on (SSO) across applications like Microsoft 365 Copilot, Office 365, Teams, and OneDrive. WAM addresses fragmentation issues associated with traditional authentication methods by centralizing identity management and token handling, thus enhancing security and user experience. WAM mitigates fragmentation challenges by simplifying protocol integration, managing token lifecycle, and reducing operational overhead. It provides seamless SSO for end-users, simplifies integration for developers, and supports compliance and security for organizations. WAM features two primary APIs for token acquisition: GetTokenSilently and RequestToken, which facilitate secure token requests based on device states and application needs. Future enhancements will focus on improving token protection strategies.

Tech Optimizer

July 18, 2025

ESET vs Avast: Which antivirus is better in 2025?

ESET and Avast are leading antivirus software providers, each offering solutions for individual and business users. ESET features real-time threat detection with a multi-layered engine that includes advanced heuristics and machine learning, achieving high marks in independent tests for catching new threats. Its firewall allows granular control over network traffic and includes a Learning Mode for initial configuration. Identity theft protection is available only in its Ultimate tier, focusing on proactive monitoring. ESET includes a VPN in its highest-tier solution and provides a password manager compatible with multiple platforms. Parental controls include content filtering and activity logging. ESET is recognized for minimal impact on system performance, scoring 5.5 out of 6 in performance tests. Avast offers strong malware detection with a vast threat intelligence network, achieving near-perfect detection rates. Its firewall protects against network attacks and is integrated into the Avast One suite. Identity theft protection is included across all plans, with advanced features in higher tiers. Avast bundles its VPN across all offerings and does not provide a traditional password manager but alerts users about compromised credentials. It lacks built-in parental controls but offers supplementary features. Avast scored a perfect 6 in performance tests. Both ESET and Avast scored highly in protection and usability during AV-Test trials, with Avast achieving a 97.7% offline and 99.3% online detection rate, while ESET recorded 96.5% offline and 97.2% online detection rates. ESET's pricing is customizable, starting at .99 for a single device, while Avast offers a free Basic tier and starts its premium plans at .88 for three devices.

Winsage

June 28, 2025

5 reasons I prefer this distro over Ubuntu as a Windows-to-Linux convert

Transitioning from Windows to Linux can be challenging due to the variety of distributions available. Users often experiment with different options using virtual machines or dual-boot setups. Ubuntu is a popular choice, especially within the Windows Subsystem for Linux and Hyper-V, but Zorin OS is highlighted as a more seamless alternative for users familiar with Windows. Zorin OS provides a desktop experience similar to Windows, making it user-friendly for new Linux users. It allows customization of the taskbar's position, reminiscent of earlier Windows versions. Zorin OS also supports running Windows applications through preconfigured Wine and Bottles, simplifying the process compared to Ubuntu. Zorin OS performs well on older hardware, with its Lite version using the XFCE desktop environment to enhance responsiveness, unlike Ubuntu, which can be sluggish on legacy systems. Zorin Connect enables integration with Android devices, allowing users to sync notifications and control their desktop from mobile devices. Zorin OS is noted for its minimalist approach, optimizing resource usage and avoiding unnecessary applications, particularly in its Lite version. The author currently prefers Zorin OS over Ubuntu Core for its user-friendly design and performance but remains open to exploring other Linux distributions.

Winsage

June 27, 2025

Microsoft Confirms Google Chrome Block After Windows 11 Users Complain

On June 23, Windows 11 users reported crashes of Google Chrome, particularly when using the Microsoft Family Safety parental control feature. The issues began around June 3, coinciding with an update to Chrome version 137.0.7151.68/69, causing the browser to close unexpectedly for users with children under parental control. Google acknowledged the problem and suggested workarounds, while Microsoft remained silent initially. Recently, Microsoft confirmed that it is adding the latest versions of Chrome and other browsers to a block list and that parents must approve the use of alternative browsers when web filtering is enabled. Users may continue to experience shutdowns of Chrome and other browsers during this update phase.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

This Microsoft app thinks Google Chrome is NSFW (Not Safe For Windows)

Microsoft's Edge browser promotion efforts have led to issues for some Chrome users, who reported being unable to access Chrome after a crash. This problem, first noted on June 3 by a Reddit user, may be linked to Windows 11's Family Safety feature, which is intended to protect younger users. Chrome support manager Ellen T confirmed that for some users, Chrome cannot run when Microsoft Family Safety is enabled. Microsoft has suggested that parents and IT administrators can disable the "Filter inappropriate websites" option to restore access to Chrome, although this may expose users to inappropriate content. Reports of the issue have decreased, but some users remain affected, particularly those who activated Web Safety under the Edge tab between November 2024 and June 3. The cause of the issue—whether it is a flaw in Chromium or Windows 11's Family Safety feature—remains unclear.

Winsage

June 6, 2025

Best Windows apps this week

Microsoft has made significant updates for users in the European Union and European Economic Area, including the ability to uninstall the Microsoft Store while still receiving app updates, a reduction in notifications related to Edge, and increased control over web searches in Windows. This week features discounts on various applications, with some offers extending beyond a single week. Notable new or improved Windows apps include: - Fences 6.0: An updated desktop management tool that allows users to organize programs and links into customizable groups with new tab support. - Start Everywhere: An application launcher that complements the Windows Start Menu, enabling users to launch applications from any screen corner using mouse clicks, hotkeys, or active corners. - VeraCrypt 1.26: An open-source encryption software that allows users to encrypt their entire system, individual hard drives, or specific partitions, with new protective measures against screen recordings and captures.

Winsage

May 28, 2025

Three ways to run Windows apps on a Linux box

If you're transitioning to Linux and need to run Windows applications, you have several options, including dual-booting, using a virtual machine (VM), or employing a compatibility layer like WINE. For virtualization, VirtualBox is a popular open-source choice, while VMware is another option that has been free since late 2024. Both require a Windows ISO, which can be obtained for free from Microsoft. VirtualBox suggests allocating 2GB of RAM and one processor core, but 8GB of RAM and two cores are recommended for better performance. Running a VM requires significant resources, and a valid Windows license is necessary for the guest OS. Dual-booting allows both Windows and Linux to run natively, providing full hardware access and optimal performance. WINE translates Windows application calls into Linux commands and is included in most Linux distributions. Its effectiveness varies by application. Bottles is a user-friendly wrapper around WINE that simplifies installation. For enhanced compatibility, CodeWeavers CrossOver is a premium alternative to WINE, with a free evaluation version available. For gaming, Lutris and Valve’s Proton are tools that facilitate running Windows games on Linux.

Winsage

May 24, 2025

Best Windows apps this week

Microsoft has open-sourced the Windows Subsystem for Linux to improve Linux integration within the Windows environment. This week, there are various discounts on new applications and games available on the Microsoft Store. Notable new or improved applications include: - Edit: An open-source application from Microsoft, currently available as a standalone tool, designed for 64-bit Windows users with basic functionality and support for multiple file operations. - Everything: A search application that outperforms Windows Search, with the latest version enhancing defenses against DLL hijacking. - Fixyfier: A lightweight utility that provides access to essential repair features for troubleshooting and optimizing Windows systems.