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OWC MacDrive 12– One Solution for Complete Mac Disk Access on Windows
Winsage
April 18, 2026

OWC MacDrive 12– One Solution for Complete Mac Disk Access on Windows

OWC has launched MacDrive 12, which allows Windows users to access various Mac formats such as HFS+, APFS, APFS Encrypted, SoftRAID, and Apple RAID through Windows Explorer. Key features include full read/write access to Mac formats, disk management tools for creating and repairing Mac disks, professional performance for demanding tasks, native integration with Windows, enterprise-grade security for encrypted volumes, RAID array support, and advanced APFS crash protection. Use cases include support for creative professionals, production companies, business users, IT administrators, data recovery specialists, and remote teams. MacDrive 12 will be available at the end of April for .99, with upgrade pricing for existing users at .99.
silver Android smartphone
Winsage
April 18, 2026

“A solid list from the community,” as Reddit users highlight 10 open‑source apps that run great on Windows 11 and deserve more attention

Open-source software is becoming increasingly popular among Windows 11 users for its control, privacy, and avoidance of subscription models. Key applications highlighted include: - Firefox: A recommended open-source browser known for its privacy, customization, and performance, with robust extension support and regular updates. - Bitwarden: An open-source password manager that offers encrypted vault syncing across devices, end-to-end encryption, and features like password generation and autofill. - OBS Studio: A standard tool for screen recording and live streaming, praised for its flexibility and hardware acceleration support on Windows 11. - LibreOffice: A comprehensive office suite that provides document, spreadsheet, and presentation tools without subscription fees, supporting common Microsoft Office file formats. - 7-Zip: A file compression utility recognized for its speed and efficiency, offering enhanced security features not present in Windows 11's built-in archive support. - LocalSend: A file transfer tool that allows secure transfers over a local network without needing accounts or cloud services. - GIMP: An open-source image editing tool regarded as an alternative to Photoshop, known for its flexibility and extensive customization options. - Blender: An advanced open-source application for 3D modeling, animation, and video editing, benefiting from strong GPU acceleration on Windows 11. - PowerToys: A suite of productivity utilities for Windows 11 that enhances core features with tools like FancyZones and PowerRename. These applications are favored for their ability to enhance the user experience while prioritizing control, transparency, and long-term usability.
Microsoft’s Patch Tuesday release for April is a whopper
Winsage
April 18, 2026

Microsoft’s Patch Tuesday release for April is a whopper

A series of updates have been released, focusing on system integrity and performance. Users should perform verification tasks, including installing, uninstalling, and repairing MSI packages, connecting and disconnecting cloud sync providers, and enrolling devices in Intune or MDM solutions. The Common Log File System driver (clfs.sys) is receiving a follow-up patch, along with updates to Storage Spaces (spaceport.sys) and app isolation file system drivers (bfs.sys, wcifs.sys). Users should also run Windows Update installation and rollback cycles, install and uninstall applications, and verify data integrity through backup solutions. For Storage Spaces, creating a pool with mirrored and thin virtual disks and ensuring clean deletion is necessary. April's updates for Office target MSI editions, including Excel 2016 (KB5002860), PowerPoint 2016 (KB5002808), Office 2016 shared libraries (KB5002859), and SharePoint Server editions from 2016 to 2019. These updates do not apply to Click-to-Run deployments like Microsoft 365 Apps. Users should validate complex Excel workbooks, PowerPoint presentations, SharePoint document libraries, and the functionality of Office add-ins. Testing for two High Risk components is essential: changes to Kerberos may disrupt services using RC4 keytabs, and the Remote Desktop client update requires validation of clipboard functionality, printer redirection, and session reconnection. Validating Secure Boot and BitLocker is critical as CVE-2023-24932 key rolling progresses. Additionally, cloud sync testing is important due to five patches to the Projected File System driver, and regression testing is needed for dual afd.sys updates and VPN/IPsec patches across remote-access infrastructure. Office updates are limited to MSI editions.
RedSun: Windows 0day when Defender becomes the attacker
Winsage
April 18, 2026

RedSun: Windows 0day when Defender becomes the attacker

A vulnerability has been discovered in Windows Defender that allows standard users to exploit a logic error in the file remediation process, enabling code execution with elevated privileges without administrative access. This flaw, identified by security researcher Chaotic Eclipse, occurs because Windows Defender does not verify if the restoration location of flagged files has been altered through a junction point. The exploit, named RedSun, takes advantage of a missing validation in the MpSvc.dll file, allowing attackers to redirect file restoration to the C:WindowsSystem32 directory. RedSun operates by chaining together four legitimate Windows features: Opportunistic Locks (OPLOCKs), Cloud Files API, Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS), and Junction Points. The execution of the exploit involves monitoring shadow copies, triggering Defender's detection, synchronizing OPLOCKs, and ultimately writing malicious binaries to the System32 directory. The root cause is the lack of reparse point validation in the restoration process, and currently, no patch or CVE has been assigned for this vulnerability. It affects Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server 2019 and later, and organizations are advised to implement behavioral detection strategies until a fix is available.
Why Postgres wants NVMe on the hot path, and S3 everywhere else
Tech Optimizer
April 17, 2026

Why Postgres wants NVMe on the hot path, and S3 everywhere else

Efforts to merge storage roles into a single solution are ongoing, particularly with Amazon S3's durability and cost-effectiveness. In PostgreSQL, achieving a durable commit requires flushing the Write-Ahead Log (WAL) before signaling transaction completion, which can take tens of microseconds on high-performance NVMe drives but extend to milliseconds on slower storage. This latency impacts Online Transaction Processing (OLTP) systems and user response times. Benchmark studies show that systems with faster local storage outperform those with slower alternatives as workloads exceed memory capacity. The fsync operation in PostgreSQL is a commitment rather than a simple write, with enterprise-grade SSDs performing better due to power-loss protection. Read operations also face challenges, as PostgreSQL's need for small, latency-sensitive reads conflicts with S3's design for larger, higher-latency requests. As the working set exceeds memory, storage latency becomes a critical performance factor. Modern managed PostgreSQL systems typically do not place object storage in the critical commit path, instead maintaining a fast log or cache close to the database while relegating colder data to remote storage. Recent PostgreSQL developments, such as asynchronous I/O support in version 18, aim to leverage fast storage more effectively. S3 is valuable for tasks like WAL archiving and backups, but these should be kept separate from the commit path to avoid resource contention. The solution involves using both NVMe and S3, with fast storage managing commits and cache misses, while object storage handles archives and backups. PostgreSQL performs best when hot and cold storage functions are clearly delineated.
Nothing's new tool makes sharing between Android and desktop easier — and it does one thing differently
AppWizard
April 15, 2026

Nothing’s new tool makes sharing between Android and desktop easier — and it does one thing differently

Nothing Warp allows Android users to share files, text, and links with Mac, Windows, and Linux devices. It uses a Chrome extension and Google Drive to maintain file privacy and user control. The app integrates into Android's share sheet for easy transfers. Originally an internal tool for Nothing employees, Warp is now available for all Android users via the Play Store, with the Chrome extension accessible from the Chrome Web Store. It is compatible with all Android devices, making it a universal option for efficient file sharing.
Scott Hanselman Brings a macOS Feature to Windows
Winsage
April 15, 2026

Scott Hanselman Brings a macOS Feature to Windows

Microsoft vice president Scott Hanselman has introduced a new feature for Windows 11 called PeekDesktop, which allows users to minimize all open windows by clicking on an empty space on their desktop. This feature provides a clear view of files and shortcuts and can be restored with a second click. PeekDesktop is compatible with both x64 and Arm64 systems and is available for download on Scott's Tiny Tool Town website.
Best Android Fax Apps (2026): What Actually Matters for Real-World Use
AppWizard
April 14, 2026

Best Android Fax Apps (2026): What Actually Matters for Real-World Use

The Municorn Fax App is designed for users who send a high volume of faxes, offering no per-page pricing or limitations. iFax is tailored for structured workflows in industries like healthcare, featuring strong encryption and cloud storage integrations. Fax.Plus is aimed at teams with user permissions and workflow management, while eFax is a familiar option that provides basic fax functions but may feel outdated. The FAX App focuses on simplicity for quick sending but may not meet the needs of regular users. Overall, the effectiveness of fax apps is influenced by their pricing models, simplicity, and ability to integrate into daily workflows, particularly in sectors where reliability is crucial.
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