Category: Software

Looking for Windows Wallpapers? Microsoft has a download site for them

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

Wallpapers are a great way to customize your Windows PCs or any other device. Most devices come with a default set of wallpapers, but these are usually fairly limited.

On Windows, you get a few choices and may also download wallpapers from the Internet or the Microsoft Store.

A third option is provided by Microsoft’s official Design website. The Wallpapers section there hosts plenty of official Windows wallpapers and them some.

Want some examples? Microsoft Create, 10th Anniversary Windows Insider Program, Windows 11 Themes, Windows Dev Home, and a lot more.

The downloads contain just the wallpapers. Not all of them are for Windows apparently. When I downloaded the Design Week wallpaper package, I got smartphone wallpapers.

The tenth year anniversary of the Windows Insider program contained Windows wallpapers for regular and wide screen monitors.

There is no option to find out what each package contains. Microsoft does not provide any information on that. This is problematic, as you may be downloading packages that you cannot really use.

Many other wallpaper sites do that better, as they provide information about resolutions as well as filters to limit results to matching wallpapers.

Still, the site is free and interesting especially for users who saw a wallpaper in one of Microsoft’s presentations or teasers.

All in all, nice that Microsoft is offering these as free downloads for all users. You do not need a specific version of Windows to download these. If you run Linux, a Mac, or another device, you can download these as well.

What is your take on wallpapers? Download new ones regularly? Maybe even run software that downloads and sets wallpapers automatically? Feel free to leave a comment down below.

PeaZip 10.0: new version of open source archive tool released

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

When the makers of the archive tool Bandizip started to make changes that were disliked by part of the userbase, it was PeaZip among several other apps that users switched to.

The open source archiving software is available for Windows, Linux, and macOS. The developers have released version 10.0 recently; reason enough to take another look at it and highlight what is new and changed.

Also worth a consideration:

WinRAR 7.0 Final released: drops RAR 4 archive creation

PeaZip 10.0

The big new change in the new version is one that you may not notice right away. PeaZip launches with a redesigned graphical user interface. That is often cause for concern, but not with this release.

The developers highlight more icon sizes, updated themes, and “better organized menus” as the key elements.

Take a look at the two screenshots below. The first shows the PeaZip 9.x interface, the second the new interface in PeaZip 10.0.

PeaZip 9.x interface
PeaZip’s 9.x graphical user interface.
PeaZip 10
PeaZip 10.0 interface

As you can see, some of the icons have received a color upgrade, which may help differentiate between them better.

You can check out the theming options under Options > Settings > Themes.

There you find plenty of preferences to customize the look and feel. To name a few of those: set the main color, accents, contrast, spacing, colors of toolbars and more.

As far as other changes are concerned, here is what the developers reveal:

  • New options in the File Tools menu: save checksum / hash in GNU Coreutils compatible format., and search hash online for malware.
  • Updated the backends 7z and Pea to the latest version.
  • Supports a total of 234 file extensions as archives.

You can check out the full changelog here.

PeaZip, 7-Zip, or something different? Which archive software do you use mainly, and why? Feel free to leave a comment down below.

Mullvad

Mullvad VPN adds protections against AI traffic analysis

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

One of the best things you can do to protect your data and privacy while online is to use a good VPN. Not all VPNs offer equally good protections; some even collect and sell user data.

Mullvad VPN is already offering some of the strongest privacy protections in the industry. This begins with options to buy access anonymously, but does not end there. You may also run Mullvad Browser, a hardened fork of the Firefox web browser.

Also great:

DNS Forge Review: privacy-friendly censorship-free DNS with ad-blocking

Mullvad announced a new protective feature against AI-based traffic analysis in May of this year. Defense against AI-guided Traffic Analysis (DAITA) is designed to protect user data against the growing thread of the use of AI to analyze traffic to identify patterns and users, even when VPNs are used.

This form of traffic analysis works in the following way according to Mullvad:

  • Whenever you visit a website or use a service on the Internet, network packets are transferred.
  • While ISPs and network listeners do not know the content of these packages, they do know a) the size of the packets, b) when and how often they are sent.
  • AI may identify websites, services, and even people you message based on network packages.

DAITA

DAITA is designed to protect against any form of network packet analysis to determine visited websites, services, or communication.

This is achieved in the following way (again according to Mullvad):

  • DAITA changes the size of all packets send over the VPN to be the same size.
  • Random background traffic is added to the communication.
  • Data pattern distortion by sending cover traffic between the client and the VPN server.

DAITA is available in Mullvad VPN for Android already. You need to enable ti manually under Settings > VPN Settings > DAITA.

Note that DAITA works with select servers, Mullvad lists Amsterdam, London, Los Angeles, and New York, at the time.

Do you use a VPN service? If so, which and why this one? What is your take on Mullvad’s new privacy feature? Feel free to leave a comment down below.

Google Messages: new protections may cause issues for some

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

Google announced a range of new security features for its messaging app and service Google Messages.

Google says that the service is used by more than 1 billion users per day and that it filters out 2 billion suspicious messages each month already.

Good to know: the improvements roll out over time and some are currently available for Beta users in select markets. Others will be launching later this year or next year.

Here is what is getting improved:

  • Better protections against scam messages, starting with package delivery and job scams.
  • Improved protections against potentially dangerous links.
  • Option to turn off messages from unknown international phone numbers.
  • Option to turn on Sensitive Content Warning to blur images that may contain nudity.
  • Verification option to confirm the recipient or sender of messages. (next year).

Some of these may require additional explanations.

Google Messages gets improved message and link scanning protections. The first “will automatically move the message into your spam folder” or display a warning. Google says that it is using on-device algorithms to identify scams, which means that the information never leaves the device by default.

Issue: False positives may move legitimate messages into the spam folder. If you are waiting for such a message, but have not received it, you may want to check the spam to make sure it was not improperly classified as a scam by Google.

For links, Google is using two classifications.

  • Links from unknown senders display a warning.
  • Links from suspicious senders blocked automatically.

Controls to turn off messages from unknown senders sounds like a good idea. It is, for most users. It may be problematic if you receive messages regularly from users from other countries.

Issue: If you travel a lot, you may receive messages regularly. If you enable this feature, you may want to check the “Spam & blocked” folder, as they are moved there automatically when the feature is enabled.

Closing Words

Most users will benefit from the new features and options. While it may take months or even longer for them to roll out to all Android users who use Google Messages, they will arrive eventually.

For some users, these protective features may introduce issues, as some legitimate messages or message attempts will be moved to spam or blocked outright.

Now you: what is your take on the new functionality? Do you use Google Messages at all, or do you prefer a different kind of messaging system? Feel free to leave a comment down below.

Windows 11: Enhance Pointer Precision explained

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

Windows 11 and previous versions use the mouse feature Enhance Pointer Precision by default. This guide helps you understand what the feature does and why, in some cases, it may be better turned off.

What is Enhance Pointer Precision? Put simply, it is designed to improve the accuracy of slow mouse moves.

Maybe you have tried to target a very specific pixel on the screen. Say, a smaller than usual scrollbar, a button or link that is tiny, or anything else that needs precise movements.

Enhance Pointer Precision makes “the pointer work more accurately when you’re moving the mouse slowly” according to Microsoft.

While that may be useful in some cases, it can introduce problems in certain apps or games. Take first-person shooter games as an example. You need to be precise in them, but mouse movement is often rapid.

If you do not want Windows 11 to apply its pointer precision algorithm in those cases, you may turn it off.

Turning off Enhance Pointer Precision

You may toggle the mouse preference in the Settings app. Here is how that is done:

  1. Open the Start menu.
  2. Launch the Settings app from it.
    • Tip: you may use the shortcut Windows-I to launch the Settings app.
  3. Go to Bluetooth & devices > Mouse.
  4. Set Enhance Pointer Precision to Off to disable the feature.

Chance is, you may not see a difference right away. It depends on several factors, including the mouse and its movement.

Tip: you may want to test the change. If you ran into issues with the mouse in certain apps or games, launch those and start tests.

You can undo the change at any time by setting the preference to On again.

Registry offers more control

You may also modify the relevant settings in the Windows Registry. While most users may not need to do so, it is offering more options.

Here is an overview of the available keys:

  • MouseThreshold1 — If mouse movement exceeds this value, cursor speed is doubled.
  • MouseThreshold2 – If mouse movement exceeds this value, cursor speed is quadrupled.
  • MouseSpeed — The speed of the mouse cursor.

The two threshold values need to be higher than the value of MouseSpeed.

Here is how you change those values

  1. Open the Start menu.
  2. Type regedit.exe and press the Enter-key.
  3. Confirm the security prompt by selecting Yes.
  4. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Mouse.
  5. Double-click on MouseSpeed, MouseThreshold1, and MouseThreshold2 respectively to change the values.
  6. To turn Enhance Pointer Precision off, set all values to 0.
    • To enable the feature again, set the values to 1, 6, and 10.

Tip: you can experiment with different values to see if the adjusted parameters work for your use cases.

WinDirStat Interface

WinDirStat: a new version is out 19 years after its last stable release

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

If you have been using Windows computers for at least 2 decades, you may still remember the open source app WinDirStat.

WinDirstat, in a nutshell, visualizes disk usage and supports cleanup operations. Programs like it, or my current favorite WizTree, are helpful in detecting large files and folders.

The programs are useful especially when it comes to cleaning up disk space. If your disk space is running low, these programs may help you find large files or lots of smaller files that you do not need anymore.

Something like a downloaded Windows ISO image or a 4K test movie for example.

19 years later: a new version is released

A new version of the open source tool is now available. While WinDirStat 2.0.1 has been released 19 years after the previous version, it did not took 19 years to develop the new version.

A new developer offered to help last year and the new version is the result of the involvement.

As you can imagine, the new version had a lot of catching up to do. The official changelog reflects that. There is now an official native 64-bit version and a native ARM version. The installer is now using MSI, and compatibility with all recent and not so recent versions of Windows is guaranteed.

Next to these architectural changes, there are plenty of functional changes.

Here is a short list of important improvements:

  • Multiple items can now be selected, e.g. for cleaning or moving.
  • Scan results can be exported as CSV files.
  • Full Explorer context menu now available.
  • Support for long file names.
  • Duplicate file finder supports file hashes now.
  • Improved resolution scaling.

Note: I encountered an issue while running the program. It reported a total disk size of 202.1 TB on the main drive of the laptop I ran it on. This drive has an actual size of just 1 TB. It only reported the physical size incorrectly. The logical size was correctly displayed.

The program is easy to use. While it does not scan drives as fast as WizTree, it does so reasonably fast.

The main interface uses three panes. The first displays folders and files, the second file extensions, and the third a visual representation of the space.

You can use the options menu to hide some of the panes. A click on a folder expands it and shows subfolders and files that it contains. Each folder is listed with its size and number of files.

It is relatively easy to spot large folders and files. The program lacks an option to display the largest files though, which may make the process a bit cumbersome.

You may delete files right away or use the cleanup menu, which offers various options.

Closing Words

It is good to see that WinDirStat has been revived from the dead. While I still prefer WizTree, as it is faster and has better functionality, it is a solid alternative.

Do you use disk space analyzers? If so, which is your favorite and why? Feel free to leave a comment down below.

Windows 11 24H2: Firmware update addresses crash issue for Western Digital and Sandisk SSD

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

News about BlueScreen crashes on Western Digital or Sandisk SSD systems broke shortly after Microsoft’s release of Windows 11, version 24H2.

Affected user systems crashed regularly after the upgrade to the new version of Windows 11. Users started to collect information about the issue and even suggested a fix that involved making an edit to the Registry.

Microsoft, in the meantime, added an upgrade block for systems with affected hardware. This block prevents the upgrade to Windows 11, version 24H2 via Windows Update.

The block did not help users who upgraded already. Some downgraded their systems to resolve the issue, others applied the Registry fix.

Firmware Update

Western Digital and SanDisk have released a firmware update for affected storage devices that resolves the issue.

A page on the official SanDisk support website provides the details.

Note: it is recommended to back up important data before you apply firmware updates to storage devices. A BlueScreen crash during the process could corrupt the device and make the data unreadable.

In a nutshell:

  1. Download the Wester Digital Dashboard software using the provided links on the website.
  2. Run the downloaded application.
  3. Select the install button to install the application on the device.
  4. Keep “launch dashboard” checked and activate the finish button.
  5. Select the Tools section.
  6. Click on Update Firmware and then on proceed.
  7. Activate shutdown now at the end of the process.
  8. Power the computer on again.

The new firmware is now installed on the device and the crashes should be a thing of the past.

Affected Western Digital and SanDisk devices

The following Solid State Drives are affected by the issue:

NameModel Number Starting WithUpdated Firmware Version
WD_BLACK SN770 NVMe SSD 2TBWDBBDL0020BNC, WDS200T3X0E731130WD
WD_BLACK SN770M NVMe SSD 2TBWDBDNH0020BBK, WDS200T3X0G731130WD
WD Blue SN580 NVMe SSD 2TBWDBWMY0020BBL, WDS200T3B0E281050WD
WD Blue SN5000 NVMe SSD 2TBWDBS3F0020BNC, WDS200T4B0E291020WD
SanDisk Extreme M.2 NVMe SSD 2TBSDSSDX3N-2T00
Copilot key laptops

Windows 11 24H2: Microsoft confirms Asus Bluescreen issue

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

Microsoft confirmed three more issues that affect devices that are upgraded to Windows 11 version 24H2.

Probably the most severe of the lot is the issue that may cause a BlueScreen error during the upgrade from earlier versions of Windows 11.

Here are the details:

  • Some Asus devices, including 415KA and X515KA models, are affected.
  • The upgrade does not complete and may result in a BlueScreen error.
  • The issue is linked to “certain hardware components” used in affected models.

Microsoft is blocking (some?) Asus devices from upgrading to Windows 11, version 24H2 using a compatibility hold. This feature blocks the upgrade on the devices, but only when Windows Update is used.

Microsoft recommends that device administrators do not attempt to install the update manually, for instance by using the Windows 11 Installation Assistant or Installation media.

Two additional issues confirmed

Microsoft confirmed two additional issues. These are:

  • Voicemeter app may close unexpectedly and throw a BlueScreen error that may highlight a memory management error. Link
  • Camera use may cause some apps to become unresponsive. This may happen if object or face detection features are enabled. Link

A compatibility hold is now in effect for both issues. While it is easy enough to identify devices with Voicemeter, Microsoft does not reveal which devices are affected by the camera issue.

Administrators are asked not to upgrade to Windows 11, version 24H2 using any other method while Microsoft is investigating and creating patches to address the issues.

Closing Words

Microsoft confirmed several issues affecting Windows 11, version 24H2 already. It is possible that some of these will get resolved when the optional update for the operating system gets released later this month.

On a personal note, I did not experience any issues on a test system that I upgraded to Windows 11, version 24H2.

What about you? Did you upgrade a device to the latest Windows 11 version already? How did it go? Feel free to leave a comment down below.

Western Digital users report BlueScreens on Windows 11 24H2 (workaround)

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

Reports suggest that some Wester Digital users have problems with Bluescreens on devices with Windows 11 version 24H2.

Microsoft has not acknowledged the issue yet, but reports from the official Western Digital forum suggest that there is indeed an issue.

The post Windows 24H2 + WD = blue screens has 52 replies at the time of writing. It states that “multiple users are having issues with constant blue screens since updating to Windows 24H2”.

Multiple storage devices and firmware versions appear affected. To name the two mentioned the most:

  • WD SN770
  • WD SN580

The Event Viewer shows two related errors:

  • stornvme (this is the system-supplied storage miniport driver.
  • The driver detected a controller error on \Device\RaidPort1 or 2.

Some users rolled back to Windows 11 version 23H2 stating that this has resolved the issue.

Workaround for BlueScreen issues

Note that the workaround requires editing of the Registry. It is recommended to create a system backup, for instance using Paragon Backup & Recovery Free, before making changes to the system.

  1. Open Start.
  2. Type regedit.exe
  3. Select Registry Editor.
  4. Confirm the security prompt.
  5. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorPort.
  6. Right-click on HMBAllocationPolicy and set the value to 0.
  7. If HMBAllocationPolicy does not exist, right-click on StorPort and select New > Dword (32-bit) Value.
  8. Restart the PC.

This should fix the BlueScreens. Some users have reported performance issues after the reboot. Some have set that setting the value to 2 improved the performance on their devices.

The policy supports the following values:

  • 0 — HMB is disabled.
  • 1 — HMB is set to 8 MB buffer.
  • 2 — HMB is set to 64 MB buffer.
  • 3 — firmware controlled buffer size.

You may need to play around with these values to see which works best on your end.

Which hard drives do you use in your PCs? Do you have a Western Digital drive and are affected by the issue? Feel free to leave a comment down below. (via Deskmodder)

Google removes Kaspersky antivirus from Google Play

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

Things are heating up for the Russia-based cybersecurity company Kaspersky. After the company’s antivirus desktop version was hit by a ban in the United States, it is facing a second major drawback.

The details:

  • Google removed Kaspersky’s antivirus app from Google Play worldwide.
  • Google confirmed the removal.
  • Kaspersky apps remain available on the Apple App Store, third-party Android stores, and direct downloads.

Related content

Google services dominated web tracking last year

Google confirmed the removal of Kaspersky apps from Google Play in a statement to Bleeping Computer:

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security recently announced a variety of restrictions on Kaspersky. As a result, we have removed Kaspersky’s apps from Google Play.

A search for Kaspersky or any Kaspersky app comes up empty on Google Play. Other antivirus apps are highlighted instead.

Kaspersky says that users may download their apps from third-party sources or from Kaspersky directly.

Kaspersky representatives say that the company is investigating the removal of its apps from the Play Store. It seems unlikely that the apps will be reinstated any time soon.

The removal is another heavy blow for the cybersecurity company. While alternatives remain available, the bulk of Android users rely on the Play Store for all-things app related.

Closing Words

Whether you truly need an antivirus solution for Android is up for debate. A good trusted VPN on the other hand is a recommended addition, if you happen to connect your device to public or third-party wireless networks at times.

What is your take on all of this? Do yo use extra security apps on Android or iOS? If so, which do you use and for what purpose? Feel free to leave a comment down below.