Windows environments Archives

Winsage

December 27, 2024

Mythbusters: Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC for Arm

Advantech's infographic addresses myths about Microsoft Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC for Arm, distinguishing it from Windows Home or Professional editions. Myths about the operating system include: 1. Windows on Arm consumes significant power and resources, leading to poor performance. 2. The image size of Windows on Arm is greater than or equal to that of Windows on x86. 3. Desktop mode is unavailable on Windows on Arm. 4. Windows on Arm is a stripped-down version of Windows. 5. Arm architecture may face limitations with complex tasks. 6. All Windows devices are power-hungry, and switching to Arm offers no improvement. Key facts include: - Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC typically occupies about 6GB of storage, with a minimum requirement of 16GB. - Desktop mode is available on Windows on Arm. - Windows on Arm retains core functionalities, though some hardware drivers may have compatibility issues. - Arm processors are generally more efficient than x86 counterparts. Myths regarding applications and workload include: 7. Windows on Arm exclusively supports Arm64 applications. 8. Multimedia applications perform poorly on Windows on Arm devices. 9. Windows Copilot can be extended to all versions of Windows running on Arm. Key facts include: - An emulation system allows x86 applications to run on Arm hardware. - Multimedia performance depends on hardware acceleration, which is supported by major SoC manufacturers. - Cloud-based services like Windows Copilot operate effectively on Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC for Arm, but on-device Copilot+ requires specific hardware capabilities. Myths about licensing and development include: 10. The Windows license fee for x86 is expensive, and the fee for Windows on Arm is similarly high. 11. Windows on Arm has limited support for certain Windows frameworks. 12. Development and debugging on Windows for Arm architecture present challenges requiring extended transition periods. Key facts include: - Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC is priced between 0 and 0, offering a decade of security updates. - Transitioning from x86 to Arm for application development is streamlined, with common programming languages and frameworks remaining compatible. Tools like Visual Studio facilitate the development process.

Winsage

November 23, 2024

The future of Windows is cloud and AI

Microsoft has introduced the Windows 365 Link mini PC, which streams Windows 11 from the Windows 365 cloud service and does not store data or run applications locally. The device was well-received by IT professionals at the Ignite conference, indicating its potential appeal for businesses transitioning from Windows 10. The Link is designed for organizations migrating to cloud-hosted virtual machines, enhancing security by keeping sensitive data off physical devices and reducing risks related to employee turnover and device loss.

Winsage

November 13, 2024

DirectML unlocks new silicon for AI experiences across Windows Copilot+ PCs

October saw the introduction of various applications utilizing the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) on Copilot+ PCs, enhancing AI innovations on the Windows platform. Adobe Premiere Pro became the first Adobe application to leverage NPU capabilities, integrating features like the Audio Category Tagger, which automatically tags audio clips. Capture One announced two AI-powered features, Match Look and AI Crop, for Copilot+ PCs, utilizing Qualcomm's NPU. Affinity Photo 2 introduced AI-enhanced Object Selection capabilities, automating the creation of layer masks using machine learning with Qualcomm's Hexagon NPU. DirectML facilitates compatibility across hardware architectures, supporting these advancements in AI applications on Windows.

Winsage

November 5, 2024

Exploring eBPF for Windows: Opportunities and Limitations

The extended Berkeley Packet Filter (eBPF) allows for the execution of custom code in kernel space, enhancing application performance management and security. Windows has introduced support for eBPF, but it has limitations. Microsoft began a project in 2021 to enable eBPF capabilities on Windows, allowing the use of existing Linux eBPF tools and libraries. To install eBPF on Windows, a kernel debugger or test-signing mode is required, which is impractical for production systems. eBPF for Windows is still in development, suitable for experimentation, but not yet ready for real-world deployment. There is no clear timeline for a production-ready version, and development activity has slowed.

Winsage

October 28, 2024

“We automated 150 tasks with AI agents, just copy us”: Microsoft’s Windows Agent Arena brings AI assistants keyboard-deep to Windows PCs but there are critical security and performance concerns

Microsoft introduced Windows Agent Arena, a benchmark for testing AI agents in realistic Windows environments. Multi-modal AI agents currently have a performance success rate of 19.5%, compared to the average human performance rating of 74.5%. The benchmark includes over 150 diverse Windows tasks and allows for evaluations in Azure, potentially completing assessments in 20 minutes. Microsoft Research developed a multi-modal agent named Navi, which demonstrated a 19.5% success rate in tasks like converting a website to a PDF. Privacy and security concerns are highlighted, with Microsoft recalling the Windows Recall feature to enhance user security. The open-source framework promotes research and the development of reliable AI models, with an emphasis on responsible AI practices. Other companies, like Anthropic, are also advancing AI capabilities, exemplified by their new API "Computer Use" for human-like interactions with computers.

Tech Optimizer

October 24, 2024

Unlock the Power of Quick Recovery: Why every windows PC needs RestoreX360

RestoreX360 is a software solution designed for Windows repair, enabling users to restore their PCs to a previous state almost instantaneously. It offers features such as comprehensive Windows repair, a user-friendly interface, snapshot management, and lightweight operation. RestoreX360 helps prevent data loss by allowing users to revert to earlier snapshots and addresses issues like sluggishness caused by errors and corrupted files. It consolidates antivirus protection and repair functionalities into a single solution, enhancing efficiency and reducing reliance on IT support. The software is endorsed by the AV Lab Cybersecurity Foundation in Poland as a Fast Windows Recovery Tool. It is beneficial for various user groups, including business environments, home users, and gamers, by minimizing downtime and maintaining productivity.

Winsage

October 5, 2024

Here’s How to Access Android Phone Storage Directly in Windows 11 File Explorer

Microsoft has introduced a feature that allows users to access their Android phone's storage directly through Windows 11 File Explorer. This is enabled by the Cross Device Experience Host, which also allows the use of an Android phone's camera as a webcam on Windows 11. To set it up, users must enable Phone Link in mobile device settings, install the Link to Windows app on their Android device, and grant storage permissions. Once connected, users can access their smartphone in File Explorer, enabling file transfers in both directions. The transfer speed is capped at approximately 9 MBps, and there may be delays in syncing changes made to files on the phone's storage back to File Explorer.

Winsage

September 25, 2024

Automating Certificate Lifecycle Management in Windows OS with AppViewX AVX ONE CLM

Automating certificate lifecycle management (CLM) in Windows operating systems involves challenges due to the complexity of various certificate stores and the need to manage system-level and user-level certificates. Privilege management is also a significant hurdle, as it requires balancing least privilege with the need for elevated permissions. The AppViewX AVX ONE CLM platform, particularly the AppViewX Windows Gateway component, addresses these challenges by automating CLM actions such as deployment, renewal, and revocation of certificates, while facilitating script execution for Windows system configuration. The AppViewX Windows Gateway uses three communication modes to interact with certificate authorities (CAs): WMI, Native API, and PowerShell. - WMI: Utilizes standard remote WMI queries via RPC, requiring TCP port 135 for initial connection and dynamic ports ranging from 49152 to 65535 for subsequent communications. Proper firewall configurations must allow inbound traffic on ports 135 and the dynamic RPC ports. - PowerShell: Requires PowerShell remoting to be enabled using the Enable-PSRemoting command, utilizing port 5985 for WinRM. - Native API: Interacts directly with the OS kernel and hardware for high-performance capabilities, specifically for Microsoft CA communication, using port 135 for RPC-based protocol messages. The AppViewX Windows Gateway simplifies the tasks of PKI administrators managing certificate lifecycles in Windows environments. An Implementation Architect from AppViewX is available to assist with the installation prerequisites for the AppViewX Windows Gateway.