Agenda Archives

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

GOG Makes 75%-Rated PC Game Free for the Next 3 Days

Sony has adopted a digital-only model, while Xbox has announced significant layoffs. PC gamers are benefiting from numerous discounts on platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG. GOG is offering the adventure game Silence for free from July 7 to July 10, allowing players to permanently add it to their library. Silence, developed by Daedalic Entertainment, features a narrative focused on 16-year-old Noah and his sister Renie, who become trapped in the world of Silence during an air raid. The game includes puzzles, memorable characters, and approximately 12 hours of gameplay. It is known for its hand-painted environments and emotional storytelling. Silence has a user approval rating exceeding 75% on Metacritic and typically retails for around . If players miss the giveaway, the game will still be available for purchase at a discount.

Winsage

July 7, 2026

Windows 11 rejuvenation list just got longer, with more legacy dialogs headed to WinUI 3

Marcus Ash, head of Design and Research for Windows and Devices at Microsoft, confirmed that the outdated "Switch to a local account" dialog in Windows 11, which references the obsolete Windows 8 "Search charm," is set for an update. This dialog instructs users to use the Search charm, a feature removed since Windows 8.1. Microsoft is actively working on refreshing various classic dialogs within the Windows 11 ecosystem as part of their "rejuvenation" process, which aims to modernize outdated user interface elements. The Run dialog is also being updated, with a hidden modern version prepared for rollout. Additionally, improvements have been made to file operation dialogs, and the File Explorer Properties dialog is next in line for modernization. Microsoft is also addressing other outdated UI elements, including the input method switcher on the login screen. The sound designer for Windows 11 has rejoined the team, suggesting potential updates to system sounds.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Chat Control 1.0: EU Council forces messenger scans via fast-track

Member states of the European Union are seeking to reinstate a previously expired regulation concerning the monitoring of encrypted communications, known as Chat Control 2.0, which mandates suspicionless scanning of encrypted messages. The Council of Ministers has proposed to reactivate a transitional regulation that allowed voluntary monitoring by technology companies, which lapsed on April 3. This move aims to close a legal gap and pressure Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to act quickly. The expiration of the previous regulation is viewed as untenable, as it is deemed crucial for identifying at-risk children and combating illegal content online. Critics argue that the approach undermines democratic oversight and lacks transparency. The draft regulation is set to be discussed as an urgent matter just before the summer recess, with potential voting occurring when many MEPs may be absent. The regulation requires that any processed content and traffic data be deleted within twelve months unless a specific suspicion is confirmed.

Winsage

June 20, 2026

I used Windows 11 exactly the way Microsoft wanted, and it drove me crazy

The author customized their Windows experience by changing the default browser, decluttering the Start menu, and preventing OneDrive from managing their files. They recently set up Windows 11 on a new mini PC and initially allowed OneDrive to back up their files, which led to confusion about file locations. They found Windows Search frustrating, as it redirected them to Microsoft's web version despite choosing a different search provider. The author refrained from altering Microsoft's recommended defaults, which made the system feel more aligned with Microsoft's agenda rather than their own needs. After three days, they reverted to their usual practices to regain control over their Windows experience.

Winsage

June 19, 2026

Sorry Microsoft, Windows 10 taskbar is still better than Windows 11, and here’s why

The taskbars of Windows 10 and Windows 11 differ significantly in design and functionality. Windows 11 features a centered icon layout by default, while Windows 10 has left-aligned icons. The search functionality in Windows 10 includes a larger "Type here to search" bar, whereas Windows 11 offers a more compact search button or box. Windows 10's right-click menu provides extensive customization options directly, while Windows 11's is more minimalistic and requires navigating to settings for customization. Windows 10 allows users to toggle small taskbar buttons, a feature that was initially absent in Windows 11 but has since been reintroduced. Taskbar repositioning in Windows 10 is straightforward, while Windows 11 requires accessing settings for repositioning. Windows 11 combines app icons by default and hides labels, complicating navigation compared to Windows 10's clearer visual cues. The Start menu in Windows 10 is resizable and features Live Tiles, which are not present in Windows 11's fixed-size Start menu. Windows 10's News and Interests feature contrasts with Windows 11's Widgets board, which has been criticized for being intrusive. Windows 11's Quick Settings separates toggles and notifications into two panels, enhancing user experience, while Windows 10's clock flyout offered a native agenda view that has been removed in Windows 11. Windows 11 includes a performance enhancement for taskbar flyouts to improve responsiveness on budget hardware, a feature not needed in Windows 10. Additionally, Windows 11 introduces a Resume function for Android activities and is developing AI integrations for the taskbar, which are not available in Windows 10.

AppWizard

June 7, 2026

How to watch the Xbox Games Showcase

The Xbox Games Showcase for Summer Game Fest 2026 is scheduled to air on Sunday, June 7, at 10 am Pacific time. Key time conversions include 1 pm EDT (New York), 2 pm ART (Buenos Aires), 6 pm BST (London), 7 pm CEST (Berlin), and 3 am AEST on June 6 (Sydney). The showcase will celebrate Xbox's 25th anniversary and is expected to feature Gears of War: E-Day Direct and Halo: Campaign Evolved. Fable 4 is anticipated to be mentioned, while The Elder Scrolls 6 may not be included. The livestream can be accessed on YouTube or Xbox's official channels.

Winsage

June 2, 2026

Microsoft showcases AI and Windows developer tools

Microsoft's annual developer conference, Build 2026, will take place on June 2-3 in San Francisco and online, featuring a keynote by CEO Satya Nadella. The event is expected to unveil the Copilot "super app," a new reasoning AI model, and a developer-focused Windows 11 experience. The agenda includes topics such as developer tools, cloud platforms, responsible AI practices, and Windows development insights. Attendees can anticipate new software development kits (SDKs), innovative model access patterns, and enhancements to Windows developer ergonomics.

Winsage

June 1, 2026

Microsoft to unveil new AI models and Windows improvements at Build

Microsoft will make significant announcements at its Build conference in San Francisco, focusing on rekindling its relationship with developers. Key highlights include new AI initiatives, such as a groundbreaking reasoning model and a Copilot "super app" that integrates various AI assistants, with a preview expected in late summer. Enhancements to Windows 11 aimed at developers will be introduced, featuring a distraction-free environment with pre-installed tools. Microsoft will also showcase performance improvements for Windows 11 and discuss adaptations for new hardware like Nvidia’s RTX Spark, emphasizing local computing capabilities. The conference will feature the introduction of the MAI-Thinking-1 reasoning model for enterprise applications, along with other AI developments. Microsoft is addressing challenges with GitHub, which has faced setbacks, as it aims to restore trust among developers. The conference is scheduled for June 2nd.

Winsage

May 31, 2026

Microsoft is killing every ancient Windows 11 dialog box with a modern rewrite, and file copy is already done

Microsoft is redesigning legacy dialog boxes in Windows 11, moving towards modern WinUI 3 interfaces. The company has begun implementing dark mode for some legacy dialogs, starting with file operation dialogs. A WinUI 3-based redesign of the Windows Run dialog is planned as an optional feature. March Rogers, Partner Director of Design at Microsoft, confirmed that a comprehensive redesign is underway, with the file copy dialog already completed and the common file dialog in progress. Users have expressed the need for more extensive updates to various legacy dialogs, and Microsoft is considering releasing these modern versions as optional features.

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

Alright, so maybe Zohran Mamdani isn’t New York’s first gamer mayor

In June, a nostalgic feature from 2002 showed 11-year-old Zohran Mamdani expressing his hopes for holiday gifts, specifically FIFA 2003 and SimCity 3000. Nearly six months into his tenure as the 112th mayor of New York City, following his November 2025 victory over Andrew Cuomo, Mamdani's gaming knowledge was tested during his inaugural Twitch stream, where he displayed a lack of familiarity with Minecraft. He admitted in a Hasan Piker stream that he does not engage in video games, although he enjoys FIFA. Despite the playful notion of him being a gamer mayor, it appears that Mamdani does not fit this mold.