The foreign secretary has written to the Environment Agency to tell them about the error, and has now bought a licence. Read...

Windows users sometimes have the impression that the operating system has a life of its own and does not allow any contradictions. Some restrictions are intended to ensure the security of the operating system, which is understandable. Regular system updates, for example, are clearly necessary. However, many users would prefer to decide for themselves what and, above all, when something is installed. In some cases, the blockade can be lifted with on-board tools — and sometimes more easily with tools that we present to you here. Control Windows updates Updates are supposed to improve the security of the operating system and fix bugs. Sometimes the opposite is the case and an update paralyzes the computer or individual functions. Microsoft tries to reduce errors by delivering updates in waves, one after the other. If problems occur, the company can withdraw updates again. Mark Hachman / IDG Windows updates are particularly annoying if you want to use the computer quickly after a restart, but then only see the update progress bar. Reduce updates with on-board tools: Windows offers two options for controlling updates with every edition, but you have to activate them in good time. Go to “Windows Update” in the “Settings” (call with Win+I). Under “Pause updates” you can stop updates for up to seven weeks. After that, you must install all available updates so that the auto-update can be paused again. Windows 10 users go to “Update & Security > Windows Update” and click on “Pause updates for 7 days” or, for a longer period, on “Advanced options,” where you can set an end date under “Stop until.” The second option can be found in the “Settings” under “Network & internet > Ethernet” or “Network and Internet > WLAN.” Activate the switch behind “Metered connection.” In Windows 10, you still need to click on “Ethernet” or the Wi-Fi connection to see the switch. However, neither setting completely switches off the Windows update. Security-related updates in particular are still installed, but the total volume of downloads is significantly reduced as a result. ‘Secret’ settings for the Windows update You can extend the update pause period. To do this, open the registry editor, create the key Hkey_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings and in it the Dword value (32-bit) FlightSettingsMaxPauseDays with the content 00001c84 (hexadecimal). This corresponds to 7300 days, i.e. 20 years, which you can now set as an update pause. If you want to deactivate the automatic update, create the key Hkey_Local_Machine\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate and in it the Dword value NoAutoUpdate with the content 1. Windows then automatically downloads no or only a few updates, but you can initiate the download at any time under “Windows Update” by clicking on “Check for updates.” Reduce updates: Configure the Internet connection as a “Metered connection.” Windows will then only download security-relevant updates.Foundry Disable Windows updates completely: If you really want to switch off Windows updates completely, use the Windows Update Blocker tool. Select the “Disable updates” option and click on “Apply now.” The tool deactivates all services that are responsible for updates and ensures that they are not reactivated. Only deactivate the Windows update if it is actually necessary. Once you have reactivated it, you should install all missing updates as quickly as possible. Temporarily do without all updates: Use Windows Update Blocker to switch off the update function to prevent disruptions caused by updates.Windows Update Blocker Defuse Microsoft Defender Virus scanners are often unable to recognize malware beyond doubt. To be on the safe side, the protection software warns of anything that could be potentially dangerous. This may be software that is categorized as dangerous simply because it has been downloaded from the internet and is not (yet) known to the virus scanner. In principle, there is little to criticize about this procedure. The virus scanner protects most Windows users from harmful email attachments or the download of malware. However, experienced users are often hindered by the start prohibitions. Partially deactivate Microsoft Defender: Only carry out the following actions if you are sure. If in doubt, check a file at www.virustotal.com for malware and get a second opinion. Paralyze the virus scanner: Disable real-time protection to allow you to start programs that Defender mistakenly classifies as malware.IDG If Microsoft’s antivirus protection reports when you download or start a program, go to “Privacy & security” in the “Settings” and click on “Windows Security.” Continue with “Virus & threat protection” and click on “Manage settings” under “Virus & threat protection settings.” Here you can deactivate “Real-time protection,” which means that Microsoft Defender will no longer scan new files. Windows does not remember the setting permanently and automatically reactivates real-time protection after a while. Under “Exclusions” you can click on “Add or remove exclusions” and “Add exclusion” to specify files and/or folders that the virus scanner should not scan. This is recommended, for example, for the project directories of development environments or folders in which you download files that Microsoft Defender prohibits. Prevent virus scan: Add a folder to the exclusions if you do not want Microsoft Defender to scan the files in it. Foundry Configure Microsoft Defender more easily and quickly The settings under “Windows Security” are not particularly clear. The free Defender UI tool has set out to improve this. When you start it for the first time, select the language at the top of the window. The tool shows several security profiles and you usually select “Recommended.” The details can be found in the descriptions. Click on the “i” in the settings to obtain explanations of the effects. On the “DefenderGuard” tab, you can specify the time period until automatic reactivation before “Real-time protection.” Use the Defender Exclusion Tool to quickly configure the exception list. Use the button in the toolbar to specify a folder that you want to exclude from the virus scan. Configure Microsoft Defender more quickly: Defender UI offers a clear interface where you can quickly find the most important settings.Defender UI Defender Control can disable Windows security completely. However, Windows understandably does not allow this: Software that wants to switch off virus protection is immediately classified as a threat. You should therefore add the folder in which you unpack the tool to the exclusion list. The download from the manufacturer is protected with the password sordum, which you enter when unpacking. Otherwise, the virus scanner would immediately remove the tool if real-time protection is activated. However, you must still deactivate real-time protection manually before starting the tool, as described above. In addition, set the switch under “Tamper protection” to “Off” in the “Virus and threat protection settings.” Edit the exclusion list more easily: With Defender Exclusion Tool, you can quickly add files or folders to the list that the virus scanner should not scan. Defender Exclusion Tool Once Defender Control has been started successfully, first go to “Menu > Add Defender Control to the white list.” The tool is then ignored by the real-time protection. Use the “Disable Windows Defender” button to switch off “Virus & Threat Protection” completely and click on “Enable Windows Defender” to switch it on again. Configure Smartscreen filter and Attachment Manager Smartscreen is another component of Microsoft Defender and is designed to protect your PC from malicious websites and downloads. When you open a website or download a file in Microsoft Edge, Smartscreen checks the reputation of the offer. If a website is on the blacklist, access is blocked. The hash value is checked for downloads. If the software is unknown, Windows categorizes it as potentially dangerous. The start ban generally applies to all downloads, even if you use a different browser. Start blockade: Smartscreen can prevent programs from starting simply because Microsoft Defender is not yet aware of the file.Foundry If you generally want to do without Smartscreen, go to “Privacy & security > Windows Security” in the “Settings” (Windows 10: “Update & security > Windows Security”). Click on “App and browser control” and then on “Reputation-based protection settings.” Set the switches for the desired options to “Off.” However, these settings do not prevent downloads from being prohibited. To do this, you must also deactivate real-time protection or add the download folder to the exclusion list. However, you are then responsible for the security of website visits and downloads. Additional measures: By default, Windows provides downloads with an (invisible) NTFS stream that certifies their origin and can prevent them from starting. You can recognize the stream in the properties of a file. On the “General” tab, the entry “The file originates from another computer. Access may have been blocked for security reasons.” Tick the “Allow” box and click “OK” to remove the NTFS stream. To prevent Windows from adding a stream to the downloads, create the following key in the registry Hkey_Current_User\Software\ Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ Attachments and in it the Dword values (32-bit) SaveZoneInformation and ScanWithAntiVirus each with the data 1. Bypassing the upgrade ban on Windows 11 Windows 11 places higher demands on hardware than Windows 10. You can find out which requirements apply from Microsoft. However, most experts agree that there are only a few technical reasons for the hardware requirements of Windows 11. Windows 11 generally runs smoothly and without any noticeable loss of performance on previous Windows 10 PCs. If you want, you can try it out for yourself and install Windows 11 alongside Windows 10. An upgrade is also possible. The system requirements for Windows 11 are checked by the setup program and can be bypassed. This worked in our tests up to and including version 24H2. However, it cannot be ruled out that Microsoft will prevent the installation or upgrade on officially unsupported hardware in the future. To be on the safe side, you should therefore create a complete backup of your system. (See our recommendations for best Windows backup software.) To reinstall or upgrade, you will need the Windows 11 ISO file, the Rufus tool and a USB stick. Enter the ISO file in Rufus after clicking on “Select.” Set your installation stick under “Drive.” Create an installation stick: Rufus transports the content of an ISO file to the USB stick. This is also suitable for installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware.Rufus Click on “Start” and tick the box “Remove requirements for 4GB RAM, Secure Boot and TPM 2.0.” If desired, activate further options. Confirm with “OK” and after checking the correctly selected drive, click “OK” again. For an upgrade, start “Setup.exe” from the installation stick. If Windows 11 is to be installed alongside Windows 10, you will need an empty partition or a second hard drive. You can reduce the size of the existing Windows partition using Disk Management or Minitool Partition Wizard Free. Boot the PC from the installation stick and enter the prepared partition as the target drive. You can adjust the boot sequence later with Bootice. Use an alternative tool: Use the Win11 Bypass tool to create a customized ISO file for a semi-automatic Windows installation without hardware check. Click on “Customize response file” and enter the user name, password, computer name, and network workgroup. Click on “Create ISO file.” You can use the ISO file if you want to try out Windows 11 in Virtualbox, for example. You can also prepare a USB stick with Ventoy. Ventoy offers the advantage over Rufus that you can store several ISO files on the stick and boot the PC from it. Retrofitting Pro functions in the Home Edition The Windows Home edition lacks some functions that are available in the Pro edition. This is not a serious shortcoming because you can realize most of the functions with free tools. Veracrypt, for example, can be used as a replacement for Bitlocker, and you can set up virtual PCs with Virtualbox instead of Hyper-V. The only thing missing is the editor for local group policies, which administrators can use to define individual user rights in detail. It can be useful for professionals if several people use the PC and you want to prohibit certain settings. You can use the standalone Policy Plus editor. If you use this to change the policies and click on “File > Save Policies,” the changes are immediately transferred to the registry. Note: You should always create a backup before making major changes to the registry. You can use the Registry Backup Portable tool for the registry alone. Or you can create a backup of the system with your Windows backup program. Use a repair system with more functions Windows offers a repair system with a few tools. It is used when Windows no longer starts and you can use it to restore the system from restore points or uninstall updates, among other things. For the rescue system, boot the PC from the installation medium and select “Repair my PC” in Windows 11 (Windows 10: “Computer repair options”). The repair system starts a greatly reduced Windows (Windows PE, Preinstallation Environment) without network and internet access. However, there have been projects for a very long time that significantly expand Windows PE and equip it with additional tools including network access. By providing a ready-to-use mini-Windows, the developers are probably operating in a legal gray area. Putting together a rescue system: Phoenix PE creates a Mini-Windows with numerous tools and programs. You can choose what to include.IDG However, some interpret Microsoft’s restrictions differently and make complete PE systems available for download, such as Hiren’s BootCD PE. You are on the legally safe side if you put together the PE system yourself. Read...

College can be extremely expensive — not just with tuition and dorm costs, but with materials, books, software, and more. You might think you have to spend lots of cash on apps to get you through your degree. But, really, you don’t have to spend any money at all! (Except in rare situations where you need a very specific software for class, in which case your college should ideally provide you with a license for it.) Here’s a truly useful collection of free apps that are must-haves for students like you, allowing you to outfit your college laptop with the essential tools to get your work done and do more. Bitwarden for safer passwords Chris Hoffman / IDG A password manager is one of several essential cybersecurity tools for college students. You’ll probably accumulate lots of different logins for various school accounts and resources, right? Well, a password manager not only keeps all of those logins in one place, but also conveniently fills out login forms on your behalf. You’ll never have to remember your passwords again, which means you can freely use long, strong passwords that are unique to each account for maximum online security with close to zero effort. Bitwarden is our favorite free password manager. It’s open-source and can sync between your devices, so you can access all your passwords with convenient auto-fill whether you’re on your laptop, your phone, or any other device. All of its important features are truly free. Further reading: The best free password managers ProtonVPN for network privacy Chris Hoffman / IDG A VPN can be really useful when you’re on a college network. Whether your access to a certain site is blocked or your internet speeds are throttled for certain activities, a VPN can help you get around many restrictions and limitations imposed upon you. Furthermore, VPNs are important for data privacy and security, especially if you’re frequently on the go and constantly using public Wi-Fi networks with your laptop or phone (e.g., at coffee shops). While most trustworthy VPNs cost money, there are some excellent free options if you don’t need all the bells and whistles. ProtonVPN is our favorite free VPN because it’s from the same privacy-focused company that created the famous ProtonMail email service. Further reading: The best free VPNs that don’t suck Microsoft OneNote for taking notes Chris Hoffman / IDG Did you know one of the best note-taking apps is already installed on your PC? It’s called Microsoft OneNote and it’s excellent for students. Whether you want to type notes, insert images, write with a stylus, or even record audio during a lecture, OneNote can do it all. OneNote is extremely flexible, so it’s as powerful as you want it to be. It’s also cross-platform, so you’re leaving yourself open to options by choosing it. If you later switch to a MacBook or Chromebook, you’ll still have full access and functionality. It also works well on iPads and other tablets, in case you like to review notes on such devices. Further reading: The best note-taking apps for college students Microsoft Office for assignments Chris Hoffman / IDG Microsoft’s full-blown Microsoft Office suite with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint normally costs money, but many colleges provide it to students free or charge as part of an agreement with Microsoft. Check with your college acquiring a free educational license for Office. You can also head to Microsoft’s Office 365 Education website and plug in your school email address to see if you get it for free that way. Even if you can’t get Office for free, you can still use Word and other Office apps for free in a web browser or subscribe for $3 per month with a student discount. Microsoft To Do for task management Microsoft A task management app is essential for keeping track of due dates and staying on top of deadlines. If you’re deep into Google apps, you may want to use Google Tasks which is built into Gmail and Google Calendar. Otherwise, I recommend Microsoft To Do. This 100% free to-do app comes included with Windows, and it’s also available on Android and iPhone devices. It’s a powerful, easy-to-use tool that’s packed with features, including collaboration. (You can create a shared task list with a roommate or project partner!) Grammarly or Microsoft Editor for writing assistance and suggestions Chris Hoffman / IDG Many students use writing assistants to polish up their essays, and Grammarly is the premier writing assistant. It’s available both as a browser extension and a Windows app, with the Windows app conveniently integrating with other apps like Microsoft Word. Anyone can use Grammarly Free to get instant access to basic grammar checking and suggestions, but Grammarly Premium with AI writing suggestions costs extra. Some schools offer Grammarly Premium for free to students, but not all of them do. You can also use the Microsoft Editor browser extension, which is completely free and provides similar writing suggestions in your browser. iCloud for Windows to sync your iPhone and Apple services to PC Apple If you’re an iPhone user, I highly recommend installing Apple’s iCloud for Windows app. It provides several integrations with the Apple services you’re probably using on your phone. With it, you can see your iCloud Photos in the Windows Photos app, browse your iCloud Drive files in File Explorer, access your bookmarks in your web browser, and get access to your iCloud Keychain passwords. Quick Share and Phone Link to sync your Android phone to PC Chris Hoffman / IDG If you’re an Android phone user, check out the Google Quick Share app. It integrates your Windows PC with the Quick Share functionality on Android phones so you can wirelessly send files back and forth between PC and phone. It works with Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, and more. Microsoft’s Phone Link feature, which is included with Windows, is also very useful if you have an Android phone. You can send text messages, take calls, manage notifications, and view/download photos from your phone’s camera roll, all from your PC. (It kind of works with iPhones too, but it works best with Android phones.) DaVinci Resolve for video editing Blackmagic Design When it comes to video editing, your mind likely goes right to professional software like Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro. Those may cost a pretty penny, but there’s an excellent alternative that’s just as good (mostly) and completely free: DaVinci Resolve. DaVinci Resolve is an extremely capable, industry-standard video editing and post-processing tool that’s actually used by professionals. It might actually be overboard if you’re just looking to edit a few clips, although I know some hobbyists who prefer it anyway. If you’re interested in video editing or post-production work and you’re on a tight budget, you owe it to yourself to try DaVinci Resolve. Adobe Photoshop Express for simple photo editing Chris Hoffman / IDG The Photos app built into Windows is a surprisingly capable tool for performing basic photo edits. But Adobe’s free Photoshop Express app is another great tool for quick photo touchups. With Photoshop Express, you can crop images, apply effects and filters, fix red-eye issues, and touch-up blemishes. This free photo-editing tool is meant to be simple and quick, so keep your expectations in check. For more powerful photo editing, you’ll have to look elsewhere. Adobe Photoshop isn’t free for students, but Adobe does offer a student discount on its Creative Cloud plans. Spotify for music streaming Spotify While Spotify has competition, it’s still the music streaming service. It has a high-quality Windows app (not just a web player) that integrates nicely with your PC. Unlike some of its competitors, Spotify offers free music streaming to everyone — you just need to listen to some ads. If those ads are a problem, you can get a student discount with the Spotify Premium for Students plan, which is $5.99 per month and comes with Hulu. (The bundled Hulu account does have ads, but the Spotify Premium account you get doesn’t have ads.) VLC for all-in-one video playback VLC Windows has a capable built-in video player these days, and there’s a good chance you don’t even need it because you’re probably doing most of your watching on YouTube, Netflix, and the like. But if you do find yourself viewing a lot of video files — especially videos in many different formats — then I have to recommend VLC. It’s been the go-to video player for decades. It’s the Swiss Army knife of media players that can play anything you throw at it. WizTree for freeing up drive space WizTree While Windows provides some built-in tools for clearing up space on your computer’s storage, one of the best ways to find out what’s using up all your space is to use WizTree, a free disk space analyzing tool that shows you — visually — how your space is used up. WizTree is the fastest way to analyze your disk space usage on Windows. With a quick scan, you can see exactly which files and folders are clogging up your drives, so you know exactly what you need to free up for the most impact right away. Perhaps you need to uninstall a particularly massive video game? Or maybe you have big media files lying around from a project? WizTree makes it easy to spot it all at a glance. VMware Workstation for virtual machines Christoph Hoffmann You may or may not need virtual machine software depending on your college major, but if you’re studying Computer Science or another along those lines, you might benefit from using virtual machines. Virtual machine software lets you install an operating system within your current operating system, essentially running an isolated instance of that OS within its own sandbox environment. This is a great way to install a full Linux system without giving up Windows, for example. (Or use the Windows Subsystem for Linux feature to run Linux apps on Windows.) VMware Workstation was, until very recently, a paid app. Broadcom now offers it free for personal use. It will likely be your best bet if you’re looking for a virtual machine application. Further reading: How to set up virtual machines with VMware Microsoft PowerToys for various useful tools and features Chris Hoffman / IDG Microsoft PowerToys is a collection of useful power-user tools that you probably didn’t know you needed. It’s packed with nifty utilities that can make your life easier, and they all come bundled together in one convenient (and free) package that’s easy to install. With PowerToys, you can do things like remapping keys on your keyboard (so they function as other keys), bulk rename lots of files at once, get a color-picking tool that gives you the color code for anything on your screen, and so many other useful things. And there you have it! A full assortment of free apps that’ll make your life as a college student that much more productive and enjoyable. For more software recommendations, check out our roundup of useful free apps that are already installed on your Windows PC. Read...

The Ministry for the Environment found the controversial West Coast mining project`s application did not comply with seven legal requirements. Read...

We’re now two months from the planned end of support date for Windows 10, and it seems tempers are running high as tensions continue to build. A man from Southern California filed a lawsuit against Microsoft last week, according to one news report. The reason for the lawsuit? Not enough people are currently using Windows 11, therefore it isn’t right to end support for Windows 10 at this time. Furthermore, by forcing users to give up Windows 10, Microsoft is strong-arming customers into buying new devices and attempting to “monopolize the generative AI market.” The plaintiff, Lawrence Klein, owns two Windows 10 laptops and is personally affected by end of support for the operating system. He isn’t demanding compensation, but only wants Microsoft to continue supporting Windows 10 free of charge until less than 10 percent of all Windows users are still using the operating system. As of this writing, the number of Windows 10 users as a share of all Windows PCs is sitting somewhere around 43 percent, according to Statcounter. Windows 11’s market share nearly caught up in July, then finally overtook Windows 10 for the first time in August—but there’s still a long way to go before Windows 10’s market share drops to 10 percent. Millions of PCs to be rendered unusable In his complaint, Klein criticizes the fact that Windows 10’s end of support will result in millions of devices suddenly becoming electronic waste simply because they don’t meet Microsoft’s requirements. Consumer advocates have been fighting back on this for some time, as unnecessarily buying new devices is a burden on the environment. In addition, Microsoft’s decision to no longer provide Windows 10 with security updates jeopardizes the data security of its customers. Without the updates, they risk falling victim to cyberattacks. This also applies to companies that store sensitive data: “In other words, Microsoft’s long-term business strategy to secure market dominance will have the effect of jeopardizing data security not only of Microsoft’s customers but also of persons who may not use Microsoft’s products at all.” Does the lawsuit hold water? It’s currently hard to judge whether the lawsuit will be successful. Klein is merely calling for Windows 10’s end of support to be postponed so that users have more time to prepare for a switch. Meanwhile, Microsoft has already announced that Windows 10 users will receive an extra year of free support if they either use Windows Backup to sync Windows settings to OneDrive, spend 1,000 Microsoft Reward points, or pay $30 for Extended Security Updates (ESU). That latter option now nets you 10 licenses and isn’t limited to just one machine. Microsoft has not yet issued a statement on the lawsuit. However, it seems unlikely that it will be successful in court. Read...

TL;DR: A lifetime license for Microsoft Visual Studio Pro plus coding training courses is now only $55.97. Learning to code is one of the most practical ways to open new career paths, and having the right tools and training from the start can make the process a lot smoother. If you want to find the tools and the training to help you use them all in one place, check out this bundle, which combines Microsoft Visual Studio Professional with a set of beginner-friendly programming courses. Right now, it’s only $55.97 (Reg. $1,999). Visual Studio Professional is a full-featured development environment used by professionals around the world. As Microsoft’s first 64-bit IDE, it can handle complex projects with improved performance and memory management. It supports multiple programming languages and platforms, offers real-time collaboration with Live Share, and includes tools like IntelliCode and CodeLens to help you write better code, faster. The included courses cover essential programming languages and tools, including Python, JavaScript, C++, Java, and SQL. You’ll also get training on frameworks like Flask and Vuex, automation with Google Assistant, mobile development with Flutter and Dart, and AI tools like ChatGPT and OpenCV. These training courses are designed to help you build practical, real-world skills, whether you’re working toward a new career or just expanding your technical abilities. If you want to start your tech training, don’t wait. Right now, you can get Visual Studio Pro and the Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle on sale for $55.97. Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 + The Premium Learn to Code Certification BundleSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

Contrary to popular belief, most property crimes—including burglaries and package theft—happen during the day, not under cover of darkness. But night still brings unique challenges: fewer people around, limited visibility, and more opportunity for intruders to move unseen. If your security camera can’t see clearly after dark, you’re missing protection when you might need it most. Night vision lets security cameras capture what the human eye can’t see in the dark. Some cameras shine invisible infrared light to illuminate a scene, while others rely on light-sensitive sensors to amplify what little light is already there. More advanced models can maintain color, adapt to changing light, or light up the scene with built-in spotlights. And there are the many camera/floodlight combos. The following sections break down the most common types of night vision you’ll find in modern home security cameras, along with what each one does best. Eufy Security Indoor Cam (model C220) Read our review Best Prices Today: $34.83 at Amazon Standard infrared (IR) night vision Standard infrared (IR) night vision remains the backbone of most home security cameras. It works by using IR LEDs—infrared light-emitting diodes—positioned near the lens to flood the area with light. This light falls just beyond the visible spectrum, with wavelengths typically between 750 nanometers (nm) and 1 millimeter (mm). Most security cameras use IR LEDs that emit at 850nm or 940nm. The camera’s image sensor detects this infrared light and converts it into a black-and-white image, making it possible to see what’s happening even in complete darkness. Black-and-white night vision on the very affordable Blink Outdoor 4 home security camera, as recorded on a Blink Sync XR.Michael Brown/Foundry The biggest advantage of IR night vision is reliability. It doesn’t require streetlights, porch lights, or any other source of illumination. It’s also cost-effective, which is why you’ll find it not only on almost every budget-friendly camera, but cameras at nearly any price. Another plus: IR is discreet. Cameras that use 850nm infrared LEDs emit a faint red glow, which provides brighter and longer-range illumination, making them ideal for outdoor areas where visibility is more important than stealth. Cameras using 940nm LEDs, on the other hand, are completely invisible to the human eye and are better suited for indoor use or locations where you don’t want the IR source to be noticeable. The trade-off is that 940nm LEDs generally have shorter range and reduced brightness compared to 850nm. Unlike a bright spotlight, the faint red glow of 850nm LEDs or the invisible beam of 940nm LEDs won’t alert intruders or bother neighbors. The downside is reduced visual detail. IR footage is always black-and-white, which makes it harder to distinguish details like clothing color or vehicle paint. The range is also limited, often topping out at around 25 to 30 feet for entry-level models. Lorex 2K Indoor Pan-Tilt Wi-Fi Camera Read our review Budget-friendly cameras often rely solely on infrared for night vision, and many do it well. Models like the Eufy Security Indoor Cam and Lorex 2K Indoor Pan-Tilt Wi-Fi Camera offer strong IR performance, providing crisp and clear footage when the lights go down. Full-color night vision (low-light color sensors) Color night vision from a Ring Stick Up Cam Pro.Michael Brown/Foundry Full-color night vision takes a different approach from traditional IR by using low-light sensors and advanced image processing to maintain color in dim environments. Instead of switching to black-and-white when the light fades, these cameras amplify the available light, such as from a streetlamp or a porch light, to produce a more natural-looking video. The result is footage that looks closer to daytime recordings, with richer detail and less guesswork when identifying people or objects. Starlight sensors fall into this category, but they represent the high end of performance. These cameras use larger or more sensitive CMOS chips, wide-aperture lenses, and advanced noise-reduction algorithms to produce clear color video in extremely low light—often down to 0.01 to 0.1 lux, roughly the brightness of a full moon or dim streetlight. Originally used in professional surveillance, this technology is now found in consumer cameras that deliver exceptional nighttime clarity without needing spotlights. Annke NightChroma NC500 Read our review The biggest advantage of full-color night vision is its ability to capture key identifying details, such as the color of a car or the clothing someone is wearing. This can make a huge difference when reviewing footage as forensic evidence or sharing clips with law enforcement. Color night vision, however, has its limits. It still needs at least some ambient light to work. In pitch-black settings, these cameras often revert to standard IR mode, resulting in black-and-white video. Some models address this by adding a built-in spotlight to provide the needed light for color capture, a feature we’ll explore in the next section. If maintaining color footage in near-dark environments is a priority, the Annke NightChroma NC500 is a strong option. It uses a large f/1.0 aperture and a backside-illuminated (BSI) image sensor—both designed to capture more light in low-light conditions. Combined with Annke’s Acme Color Night Vision technology, the NC500 can produce full-color video even in near-total darkness, without relying on a spotlight. Spotlight-enhanced night vision Spotlight-enhanced night vision uses powerful built-in LEDs or floodlights to light up the scene, letting the camera record full-color video no matter how dark it is. When motion is detected, the lights kick on and provide enough illumination for the camera’s sensor to capture sharp, vivid footage, much like it would during the day. Arlo Pro 5S 2K (model number VMC4060P) Read our review Best Prices Today: $119.99 at Amazon | $119.99 at Best Buy The main benefit of spotlight-enhanced night vision is consistency. Because the camera provides its own light, you don’t have to rely on ambient sources such as porch lights or streetlamps to capture full-color video. The result is bright, detailed footage that makes it easier to identify faces, license plates, and other fine details. The sudden burst of light also acts as a visual deterrent, alerting potential intruders that they’re being recorded. The trade-off is that these lights can be intense. They might bother neighbors if they’re triggered often, so they’re not ideal for areas with frequent activity. Spotlights also consume more power than IR or low-light sensors, which is something to keep in mind for battery-powered cameras. Floodlight cameras, such as the Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera shown here, are just the ticket for monitoring wide spaces, such as decks, patios, driveways, and entry points.Michael Brown/Foundry Models like the Arlo Pro 5S 2K and Wyze Cam v4 excel in this category, providing both powerful lighting and sharp nighttime video. If you want to light up a large area–such as a patio or deck, consider a floodlight camera like the Eufy Floodlight Camera E340 or the Ring Floodlight Cam Pro. Choosing the right night vision mode The best night vision mode for your home depends on where you’re placing the camera, how much light is available, and what level of detail you need. Use standard IR night vision when you want discreet, reliable coverage—especially indoors or in shared spaces. It’s ideal for monitoring quiet areas like living rooms, offices, or apartment hallways where visible lights could be disruptive or draw unwanted attention. IR is also a smart choice for battery-powered cameras, since it consumes less power than full-color or spotlight modes. Wyze Cam v4 Read our review Color night vision mode without a spotlight works well for areas like front porches or side yards where low light is present, but you don’t want to blast the area with artificial lighting. Choose spotlight-enhanced night vision when you need maximum detail in complete darkness, such as in a dark driveway, backyard, or alleyway. When you match the right night vision mode to the environment, you’ll get sharper, more dependable footage and fewer blind spots. Further reading: This story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best home security cameras. Read...

It’s that time of year again, folks. Whether you’re a freshman heading off to college for the first time or a returning student, you’re going to need a reliable laptop that can carry you through your school years and maybe even beyond. But finding the right laptop for your needs can be like searching for a needle in a haystack–daunting. What screen size should you choose? Do you really need a high-powered processor just for research and web browsing? It can be overwhelming, but that’s where I come in. In addition to overseeing PCWorld’s laptop reviews, I also manage our top-pick roundups, including best laptops and best laptops for college students. Notebooks are my specialty, so I know exactly what to look for in a great college laptop. If you’re not sure where to start, don’t sweat it—I’ll walk you through the process step by step. 6 must-have features in any college laptop Battery life The number one must-have feature when it comes to college laptops? Good battery life, hands-down. You don’t want your laptop to suddenly turn off when you’re in the middle of taking notes for an upcoming exam. I’ve been there and it sucks. So, what’s a good number to hit for battery life? This laptop has insane battery life Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition Read our review I’d recommend a laptop with 10-15 hours of battery life, but we’ve tested a few laptops with Qualcomm processors that last 20+ hours on a single charge while watching video, which is absolutely bonkers. For instance, the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge lasted 21 hours while the Asus ZenBook A14 lasted 24! The Galaxy Book4 Edge is especially impressive considering it’s a 16-inch laptop with an OLED display and, if you know anything about OLED, you probably know they tend to use more power. While laptops with Qualcomm processors are great for everyday tasks, they don’t always play nicely with specialized PC software that some courses may require. So if you’re in the market for a laptop with an Intel Core or AMD Ryzen processor, both of which offer full software compatibility, we’ve reviewed plenty of those, too. Two standout options: the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (15 hours!) and the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 (almost 25 hours!), both of which offer exceptional battery life. Enough power for writing papers and general web browsing You don’t need a ton of power for basic tasks like writing papers, research, general web browsing, and so on. You can easily get by with an Intel Core i3, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage. That said, more RAM and storage will improve the speed of the laptop, so you’ll notice a smoother web browsing experience as well as better multitasking performance like being able to simultaneously run multiple applications. If you can afford it, I’d recommend bumping up your configuration to 16GB of RAM and either 512GB or 1TB of SSD storage, especially if you’ve got a big backlog of games in your library. check out our favorite windows laptop for college students Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Read our review A good screen that won’t hurt your eyes Having dealt with eye strain and tension headaches for years, I know how important it is to invest in a laptop with a good screen and you should, too. Whether it’s tuning in to a remote lecture or writing a compare and contrast essay late into the night, you’re going to be staring at the screen a heck of a lot. The minimum resolution I’d recommend is 1920×1080–it’s sharp enough for writing essays, watching Netflix, answering e-mails, scrolling through your synopsis, and so on. Anything lower than 1080p and you’ll find yourself leaning in to squint at the ants, I mean words on your screen. If you’re looking for a laptop with a truly stunning screen, you should definitely check out the Asus ProArt P16, which earned the top spot in PCWorld’s roundup of the best laptops for video editing. Its 4K OLED display is simply to die for. OLED displays are also known for delivering deeper blacks and richer colors than IPS panels, making this laptop a good choice for graphic design majors. A lightweight form factor Nobody wants to be lugging a heavy laptop from class-to-class. If you’ve got a jam-packed schedule this year, then you’ll really need to take a laptop’s weight into consideration. Gaming laptops, for example, tend to be heavier machines often weighing six pounds or more. That’s because they house bigger and more powerful hardware inside. There are a few lightweight gaming options out there in the universe, but if it’s raw power you’re after, chances are you’ll end up with a bulkier one. Anything under four pounds is considered “portable” in the laptop world. That said, folks with weak arms and shoulders (hi, it’s me) may opt for something even lighter. If that’s you, then you’ll want to pick up the Microsoft Surface Pro (2025). It weighs just 1.51 pounds and it’s powerful enough to handle emails and Zoom calls. A superior ultraportable laptop for students Microsoft Surface Pro 2025 Read our review Best Prices Today: Not Available at Amazon The right operating system for your needs When it comes to operating systems, it’s like comparing apples to oranges. Windows, ChromeOS, macOS. They all offer different things, so it really boils down to your specific needs. Are you studying photo or video editing this semester? Then go with Windows, as it offers wider access to applications and browsers you can’t run on ChromeOS. Does simplicity and security matter to you? Chromebooks, which exclusively run ChromeOS, are less vulnerable to attacks because of automatic updates. Chromebooks also tend to be more affordable and don’t require as much maintenance as a Windows laptop. macOS, which you’ll find on Apple laptops like the MacBook Air (M3), integrates really well with other Apple products like the iPhone. Setting up a MacBook is also pretty easy and the whole process feels really polished. check out our best chromebook for students Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 Read our review Best Prices Today: $529.99 at Amazon A comfortable keyboard Whether it’s plugging numbers into a spreadsheet or producing a short story for your fiction class, whatever you’re majoring in, you’re going to be typing a lot in college. That’s why it’s important to buy a laptop with a comfortable keyboard. Let’s talk about key travel for a second. Key travel is the distance the key requires to fully depress and send a command to the computer’s CPU. This distance is measured in millimeters. My rule of thumb? A keyboard with a longer key travel is going to provide a more comfortable typing experience. Anything beyond 1.4 mm of travel is ideal. The most common type of laptop keyboard is a membrane keyboard, which has rubber or silicone underneath each key. Membrane keyboards are quieter and more affordable than the mechanical variety–making them a more suitable option for a classroom environment. Read...

Rarotonga is as popular as it has ever been. Read...

The Smart Bird Feeder from TT Nature is ideal whether you want to connect with nature or inspire a new hobby. It supports the backyard birdwatching experience with up-to-date technology, such as solar power, Wi-Fi-supported real-time notifications, and AI bird recognition that identifies over 10,000 species. Built to Last, Designed to Share Staring at an empty bird feeder, hoping for a bird visit? No need to wait, this smart bird feeder will notify you when a bird arrives. The HD camera provides clear footage, allowing you to marvel at the bright patterns on the wings of a cardinal or the delicate colors of a goldfinch. The AI bird recognition feature helps to accurately identify the bird that is visiting the feeder. The TT Nature bird feeder can serve as your personal bird identification guide, identifying species including cardinal, downy woodpecker, rare migratory birds, and more. Additionally, with Wi-Fi, it supports video recording and sharing. The bird feeder supports up to 20 users at once, making it ideal for large families or birdwatching communities. TT Nature Long battery life means you won’t miss a bird. This feeder is equipped with a solar panel for long operation time. The 1.5-liter capacity reduces the frequency of water refilling, making it suitable for people with a busy life. Setting it up is simple. It offers a video tutorial to guide you through each step. Even if you’re new to bird feeders, you can start using it right away with confidence. Birdwatching Brings Nature Closer Already thinking about gifts this Christmas, and looking for a meaningful gift for your bird-loving loved one? The TT Nature Smart Feeder is more than just a gadget, it’s a ticket to tranquility, curiosity, and link-building with mother nature. With a customer rating of 4.96 out of 5, this product has been recognized by the market. Feeding birds is more than just a hobby. As Paul Baicich, co-author of Feeding America’s Wild Birds, says: “It introduces people to nature — in their backyard. It’s the intermediate step between sitting around the house and actually going out to a national wildlife refuge,” according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.  Feeding both native and migratory birds has ecological benefits. Studies have found that populations of species like northern cardinals have expanded their range due to the support of reliable backyard feeders during harsh winters. TT Nature Be a Responsible Feeder Backyard bird feeding should be approached with care and responsibility, not just as a casual hobby. Experts warn that three main risks of irresponsible bird feeding are: disease, predation, and collision. Dirty feeders and unclean food can lead to the growth of bacteria. Moldy seeds and bird feces build the growing environment for salmonella and E. coli. Once a bird is infected, the droppings can eventually spread the disease to other local birds. It is best to clean feeders every two weeks. More frequent cleaning is also recommended during the rainy season. TT Nature That’s why maintenance matters. TT Nature recommends cleaning your feeder every few weeks, and always washing your hands after handling it. The feeder’s easy-to-clean design makes this part of bird-loving life just as seamless. How to Clean Your Bird Feeder A smart feeder can make birdwatching and recording easy. Keeping it clean ensures local birds stay healthy. Here are some simple cleaning tips to guide you on cleaning your bird feeder. You should completely disassemble your bird feeder before cleaning it. You can simply soak it in boiling water and hand wash it with soap when it cools down. For a deeper clean, you can also soak it in a diluted bleach solution for 10 minutes. After cleaning, rinse the bird feeder thoroughly and allow it to dry completely before assembling the feeder. Clean up trash and droppings around the bird feeder. The accumulation of bird droppings can attract rodents and even pose a threat to outdoor pets. If you wish to see your visitors more often, keeping the space clean and comfortable is the trick. TT Nature Birdwatching isn’t just about the birds. It’s about slowing down and reconnecting. For lifelong enthusiasts or just the newbies, the TT Nature Smart Bird Feeder with Camera invites you to witness the wonders within your own backyard. TT Nature believes “Nature always has something to say if we are willing to listen.” Rather than just building bird feeders, TT Nature is blending modern tech with a scientific understanding of birding and building bridges between humans and the natural world. This holiday season, give a gift that takes your recipient back to mother nature: get this bird feeder with camera for just $129.99 on the TT Nature website. Read...