At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros User-friendly presets Helps prolong SSD lifespan Works independently of the OS Cons Performance improvements depend on your setup Doesn’t support caching for network drives Our Verdict PrimoCache delivers noticeable speed improvements on systems with ample RAM and slower drives that frequently read and write data, while on high-end systems its main benefit is reducing wear and tear rather than boosting speed. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices PrimoCache is designed to boost the performance of hard drives and SSDs by using fast cache memory. It works by using your RAM or secondary SSD to temporarily store data you use a lot. Then, when your system needs that data again, it grabs it straight from the cache instead of the slower hard drive. That means your most common programs launch quicker and files open faster. This software tool also operates independently of the operating system and doesn’t require changes to existing software. It works with traditional hard drives, SSDs, and modern flash memory. PrimoCache can also speed up access to USB flash drives. But caution is advised: PrimoCache delays the final data storage. New data is first written to the cache and only later transferred to your hard drive or USB stick. Premature removal of your flash drive can actually lead to data loss when using this software. The software is pretty configurable. You can decide how much RAM or SSD space to dedicate to caching, and even speed up several devices at once. PrimoCache speeds up your system by using fast cache memory to load frequently used data quickly, helping programs start faster and files open sooner. PrimoCache: Setup and performance results After installation, we first had to set up a cache task. We were able to reserve RAM for the cache, set up a second-level cache on an SSD, select the drives to be cached, and adjust a few other parameters such as block size and delayed writing specifications. This process wasn’t overly complex, but less technically experienced users will appreciate the presets provided, which cover different use cases with just a few clicks. We initially set up a cache on a somewhat outdated notebook with a mechanical hard drive and 8GB of RAM to get a sense of PrimoCache’s performance. As expected, the result was positive, though there was no real wow factor, especially since the old machine had already been working satisfactorily. Primocache To avoid relying solely on subjective impressions, we measured performance using the Crystal Disk Mark benchmark tool. The results showed a significant increase in performance: in tests with a USB drive, average read speeds increased by more than 50 percent with random reads, and a performance gain of nearly 25 percent was measurable with the mechanical hard drive. However, speed gains in writing and sequential reading were negligible, such as when copying large files in one go, which is typical during backups. On a second, more current notebook with a fast SSD, neither perceived nor measured speed improvements were particularly impressive. In such cases, the main benefit of PrimoCache would be reducing the frequency of SSD access, potentially prolonging the drive’s lifespan by limiting write and delete cycles. PrimoCache: Worth it? A simple rule of thumb From our tests, we developed a simple rule of thumb to help decide whether purchasing PrimoCache is worthwhile. The software offers greater benefits the slower the drives you use and the more frequent individual, non-sequential file accesses occur in daily use. Examples include database applications, indexing services, or using your computer as a web server. Read...

Generative “AI” isn’t just useful for stealing from artists and writers—it’s also giving malware a boost in its ability to iterate and spread. According to hackers at this year’s upcoming Black Hat conference, some of the newest stuff can defeat Microsoft Defender (the default security suite for a billion or two Windows machines) up to 8 percent of the time. Dark Reading (via Tom’s Hardware) reports that a security researcher will present the system at the Black Hat security conference in Las Vegas next month. (Black Hat Briefings are ostensibly legitimate, not actually criminal, though Wikipedia reports that the presence of genuine hackers has resulted in “antics.”) Kyle Avery of Outflank will reportedly show off a lightweight language model designed specifically to evade Microsoft Defender, the free built-in security for Windows 10 and Windows 11. Eight percent might not seem alarming, and it’s not as if this would be the first time Defender was defeated. But it would be a huge leap forward in AI-powered malware’s core capability, an order of magnitude more reliably dangerous than the malware you can “vibe code” with current models. But expand that to 1.4 billion active Windows machines in the world, and power it up by the scale that AI-powered automation software could enable, and it suddenly becomes a lot more serious. Let’s say that this yet-to-be-detailed system was deployed at a large enough scale to access one in every 10 of those machines. That’s an audience of 140 million, resulting in over 11 million PCs compromised. The system is built on an open-source language model and trained on data for $1,500 over three months, according to its designer. If true, that’s a trivially small amount of time and money for the result. A “build your own black hat AI hacker” kit could be distributed easily, in the same way that current plug-and-play malware is passed around. The fact that Avery will present his findings at a security conference means Microsoft should have some time to work around it, to identify and mitigate its most threatening components. I hope Redmond has enough people left after its recent massive layoffs to pay attention in Las Vegas. Read...

These days, your home office doesn’t really need a laptop or bulky PC tower anymore—mini PCs are more than powerful enough for anything you may need to do, especially if you get one from a brand as solid as Minisforum. And right now, this Minisforum UM870 Slim is 20% off on Amazon, bringing its price down to $479.90 (was $599.90). You might scoff at the potential of mini PCs given how small they are, but that’s far from the truth. At least with the UM870 Slim, you’re getting a brilliant device that packs great performance between its AMD Ryzen 7 8745H CPU, chunky 32GB of fast DDR5 RAM, and fast 1TB SSD for quick file transfers and app loads. That’s more than enough for a responsive Windows 11 experience through work and leisure tasks. And while the UM870 Slim lacks a dedicated graphics card, it does have AMD Radeon 680M integrated graphics, which is good enough for some light gaming. (I have the same in my own mini PC and it works just fine for World of Warcraft!) It’s also able to power up to three high-def monitors: two 8K@60Hz via HDMI 2.1 and USB4, one 4K@60Hz via DisplayPort 1.4. There are plenty of other ports too, including high-speed USB-A ports, a 2.5G LAN port, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Don’t miss out on the Minisforum UM870 Slim for $479.90 on Amazon! This rare 20% discount won’t stick around forever. Save 20% on this powerful mini PC from a premium brandBuy now at Amazon Read...

As mentioned in the recent Windows Insider blog post, the latest preview version of Windows 11 for Insiders on the Dev Channel includes a new feature called “Administrator Protection,” which “aims to protect free floating admin rights for administrator users allowing them to still perform all admin functions with just-in-time admin privileges.” In a deeper dive via this Windows IT Pro blog post, we’re told that Administrator Protection kicks in whenever you want to do anything that requires administrator privileges, such as install software, change system settings, or access sensitive data. To do any of that, you’ll need to authenticate via Windows Hello on demand (which means setting up and using your fingerprint, face scan, or PIN code). Microsoft There are three fundamentals that make Administrator Protection work: Just-in-time elevation: With Administrator protection, the user stays de-privileged and is granted just-in-time elevation rights only for the duration of an admin operation. The admin token is discarded after use and is recreated when another task requiring admin privileges is performed.? ?Profile separation: Administrator protection uses hidden, system-generated, profile-separated user accounts to create isolated admin token. This helps ensure that user-level malware cannot compromise the elevated session, thus making elevation a security boundary. No auto-elevations: With Administrator protection, the user needs to interactively authorize every admin operation. This ensures that the administrator user stays in full control and that admin privileges are not abused. Integration with Windows Hello further enhances security while providing a convenient experience.? Not only does Administrator Protection help you avoid making accidental changes to your system, it also protects against malware that might otherwise make hidden changes that go undetected. For now, Administrator Protection is off by default and must be turned on manually via Windows Security or via group policy. However, in the future, Administrator Protection will be enabled by default. Expect this new feature to be rolled out to all users later this summer. Read...

The gorgeous Asus ROG Keris II Ace is down to $100 on Amazon, or a whopping 44% off its original $180 price. Back when we reviewed the Keris II Ace, we were utterly impressed by it, calling it “near perfection in an esports mouse” and giving it a 4.5-star rating plus our Editors’ Choice award. With this discount, it’s an absolute no-brainer! What did we love about it? The powerful and sensitive 42K optical sensor, the 4,000Hz polling rate, the ultra-light design, and that it has both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. “The Asus ROG Keris II Ace boasts a combination of top-level features and functionality that you’d be hard-pressed to find altogether in another FPS mouse. That makes it a dynamo—you’ll get some of the very best performance you’ve ever had in FPS games with this mouse.” This mouse is extremely featherlight, weighing just 54 grams (0.12 pounds), and you can charge it via USB-C so you won’t have to worry about batteries. And unlike lots of other gaming mice, this one features a single RGB zone that’s located in the scrolling wheel. You can use the associated app to change the color and motion effects and even sync them with other Aura Sync-compatible devices. The one caveat is that only the white version is on sale for $100 right now, while the black is only down to $140. If you’re okay with white, don’t miss out! Snag the Asus ROG Keris II Ace for $100 before this deal expires. The ultra-light Asus ROG Keris II Ace esports mouse is 44% offBuy now at Amazon Read...

Whether you’re always on the go, always forget to charge your phone, or just need a convenient way to charge while chilling in your backyard, this new power bank by Baseus is a standout—not just because it’s fast, not just because it’s high-capacity, but because it has a built-in retractable cable for maximum convenience. And it’s only $45 right now on Amazon, or half off its $90 MSRP! (Make sure to redeem all the coupons.) I’ve been using one of the Baseus Enercore review units for a few days now… and I’ve been enjoying it a bit too much. The built-in retractable USB-C cable is super handy as I no longer have to hunt down a cable whenever my husband and I go to chill out in the yard while playing Hearthstone (yes, yes, very fancy, I know). Since the power bank can hit 67W of charging, it takes very little time to actually get my phone back to 100%. There’s also a second USB-C port so my husband and I can charge our phones at the same time if needed, though I do need to find a cable to use that port. When both ports are in use, the total charging speed is split between them—but even then, the charging speed is still pretty fast for each device. There’s also a cute display on the power bank that tells you just how much battery life is left in the thing. With its 20K capacity, you can get between 3 to 4 full phone recharges from a single charge. And you can plug the built-in retractable cable into a wall plug to recharge the power bank—yes, that cable goes both ways! It’s one of the most convenient power banks on the market right now, so take advantage of this 50% discount while you can. Grab the 20K Baseus Enercore for $45 before this awesome promo expires! Save 50% on this fast 20K power bank with retractable USB-C cableBuy now at Amazon Read...

Deako takes a unique approach to smart lighting with its modular system, and now it’s offering a next-generation switch and app that promises to make installation and configuration even easier than before. The appeal of Deako’s system lies in its use of backplates that, once hardwired to your home’s electrical system, allow you to hot-swap one type of Deako lighting control for another—you don’t even need to turn off the power. If you have an on/off switch controlling your ceiling cans, for example, but you’d prefer to be able to dim those lights, you can just yank the switch out of the backplate and pop in a dimmer. Boom! You’re done. Once you’ve installed a Deako backplate in your electrical box, you can plug in–and later hot-swap–any of its smart or simple lighting controls.Deako Deako is celebrating its 10th anniversary by taking the wraps off an all-new smart switch: the Deako Smart Switch Gen2 ($100, pictured at the top of this page) features an integrated, dual-function LED light bar at its base. In Locator mode, the Beacon Light bar emits a soft glow when the lights it controls are turned off, to help you find the switch in a dark environment. Status mode, meanwhile, provides a visual cue to let you know if the controlled lights are on or off. The feature can be programmed in the Deako app. Deako has added a new Magic Linking feature to its app that automatically configures multi-way circuits (lights that are controlled by more than one switch; i.e., 3-way or 4-way). Once the switches are installed and activated, the app automatically configures them to work together without the user needing to have any electrical knowledge—you don’t even need to do any programming. All of the company’s smart devices support both Bluetooth mesh and Wi-Fi, and they’re compatible with DIY smart home ecosystems such as Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Home Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings as well as professionally installed smart home including Alarm.com and Control 4. Deako also offers a collection of “simple” switches and dimmers that offer local manual control. This news story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart dimmers and switches. Read...

The Shelly Group is now shipping most of the Z-Wave Long Range-based smart home devices the company announced in December 2024. Nine new products are available, including relays for converting conventional switches and dimmers into smart versions, a smart plug, a motion sensor, and a humidity and temperature sensor. Paired with a Z-Wave LR-capable controller, such as a Hubitat Elevation C-8 or C-8 Pro, a HomeSeer HomeTroller Pi G8, or the Linux-based Home Assistant platform with a Z-Wave 800-series USB stick, Shelly’s ZWLR devices can operate at distances up to 1.5 miles, line of sight with ideal conditions, without the need for repeaters. The devices can’t operate without a hub. Relays like the Shelly Wave 1 shown here are designed to be wired to installed inside an electrical box with–and wired to–a conventional (dumb) lighting control. In this case, that would be an on/off switch.Shelly Group While few homeowners need that kind of range, ZWLR’s sub-GHz signals can pass through thick walls and dense building materials much more effectively than Wi-Fi, Thread, or Zigbee, wireless technologies that operate in the 2.4GHz frequency range. What’s more, the standard enables ZWLR hubs to support up to 4,000 devices in a star network, and it’s backward compatible with existing Z-Wave devices.   “ZWLR strengthens the reliability and reach of our smart home solutions,” said Leon Kralj, CTO of Shelly Group. “With extended range capabilities and low power consumption, ZWLR enables seamless connectivity across vast distances, outdoor areas, large properties with multiple buildings or even an expansive campus.” If you prefer the mesh-network features of Z-Wave Here’s a list of the nine Z-Wave LR devices that are available now: Shelly Wave Plug, a smart plug: $37.99 Shelly Wave 1, a smart on/off switch relay: $29.99 Shelly Wave 1PM, a single-channel smart on/off switch relay with energy monitoring features: $29.99 Shelly Wave 2PM, a dual-channel smart on/off switch relay with energy monitoring features: $36.99 Shelly Wave 1 Mini, a smart on/off switch relay in a smaller form factor: $28.99 Shelly Wave 1PM Mini, a single-channel smart on/off switch relay with energy-monitoring features in a smaller form factor $29.99 Shelly Wave PM Mini: $28.99 Shelly Wave H&T, a humidity and temperature monitor: $34.99 Shelly Wave Motion, a motion detector: $36.99 You can find detailed specifications for each of Shelly’s new Z-Wave Long Range products on the company’s website. Shelly says it will ship the balance of its Z-Wave LR lineup later in 2025. This news story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart dimmers and switches. Read...

It’s easy to get attached to a gaming mouse and avoid getting a new one, especially when it’s helped you battle and win against hordes of enemies. If you’ve had it for years, like I’ve had my trusty Razer Cobra Pro, there’s a familiar safe feeling you get from it in games that’s hard to let go of, too. A new mouse can feel awkward and put you off your best game. While that may be so, a gaming mouse is meant to be a precision tool, and if your old familiar mouse isn’t living up to expectations you’re also not going to perform at your best. But how can you tell if it’s time for an upgrade? These five signs will tell you. 1. It has button issues You’ll know your buttons aren’t working properly if they’re unresponsive or slower to actuate than normal, or if the clicks aren’t smooth like they used to be (i.e. the buttons feel hard to press), or you experience double-clicking that happens unintentionally, or your macros don’t work. If those things are hard to pinpoint, you can take more of a blanket approach and aim to replace your mouse or its buttons using the manufacturer’s button lifespan rating as a guide. Manufacturers usually rate buttons for a certain number of clicks — say 80 to 120 million. From that figure you can work out the approximate lifespan of your gaming mouse’s buttons in years, which will give you a rough estimate of when it’s time to get a new mouse. For example, if you’re a heavy user and clock 500,000 clicks a year (to work that out, first work out your daily clicks then multiply up), as some gamers do, then you can likely expect the buttons to work at their peak for five years in a mouse with buttons rated for 100 million clicks. But that’s just a rough estimate. Every mouse is different, and your gaming mouse buttons could last for more or less time than that, depending on your model and usage patterns. Further reading: Best gaming mice 2025: Find your perfect match 2. The mouse doesn’t track properly and moves erratically Jerky, jittery, choppy, and erratic tracking, or a curser that gets stuck or disappears or won’t move smoothly to where you want it, are all signs of a sensor problem. You might also notice a delay in the response time of your cursor compared to your physical movements, or acceleration or deceleration that can’t be put down to DPI changes. But before you decide that your gaming mouse’s sensor is malfunctioning, you’ll want to rule out the other things that can cause these problems — those being a software conflict, debris or smudges on your sensor, a low battery, outdated drivers, outdated companion software app, or a sensor that’s fallen out of calibration. Eliminate these things one-by-one and you’ll have your culprit. Dominic Bayley / Foundry 3. There’s performance-sapping physical damage If you’re anything like me, you don’t think about the kind of damage you’re doing to your mouse when your mind is focused on winning the game. Indeed, lifting, dropping, jitter-clicking, and hard clicks are all fair game in the heat of a match. Most gaming mice are well suited to handling that kind of robust treatment, but even the strongest and most well-made will show signs of wear and tear after too long. Signs to look out for are cracks in the chassis, wonky mouse wheels (they will often rattle when you shake them in pro-grade mice; budget mice will rattle anyway), worn-down feet, and mouse buttons that don’t sit at their normal vertical positions at rest. Also look out for any RGB zones that stop working, which could indicate damage to lighting. Of course, scratches are just aesthetic and won’t affect performance, but if you’re the kind of gamer who likes your devices to look new, a scratched mouse can be very off-putting. Friedrich Stiemer 4. You don’t dig the design Gaming mice, like other devices, vary in size and shape and have varying degrees of functionality. They keep getting upgraded with each new generation released too, so if there’s a particular feature that you don’t dig in your current mouse — like a hump in the wrong place — you should find a better fit. For me design is more crucial than the mouse’s speed because it determines how much control I have in my movements. So, If I don’t like the shape, where my fingers fall on the buttons, or want a smoother glide, I’ll definitely try to swap out my device for something that does all of that. As to the sensor, a little secret is you don’t need a mouse with a 30,000 DPI resolution. Even 12,000 DPI or 14, 000 DPI is enough to stay competitive in just about every game you can play. 5. You notice connectivity issues Whether your mouse is wired or wireless, if you notice your connection is intermittently dropping out, or your cursor is blinking and disappearing, or if your cursor takes a while to appear in the first place, you could have a connection problem. If you’ve got a wireless mouse, you’re going to want to check if the connectivity settings are correct for your mouse in your companion software app. Again, also make sure your drivers are all up to date and your battery isn’t on the blink. In wired mice that have been well loved, connectivity problems can sometimes be put down to a yanked or frayed cable that’s damaged to the point where the wires are starting to break and affect the signal. If that fits the bill for you, then yes, it’s time to get a new mouse. Dominic Bayley / Foundry Read...

Some social media users had threatened to delete their accounts after WeTransfer`s terms were updated. Read...