audio

Winsage
October 8, 2026
Microsoft has acknowledged an issue related to a Windows update (KB5124010) released on September 22, 2026, which has caused unexpected closures of various games that rely on AC-3 audio decoding. This issue affects Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H2, while server editions remain unaffected. The problem primarily impacts legacy applications that depend on Windows' built-in audio decoding, particularly older PC games using the Dolby Digital codec for pre-rendered cutscenes and licensed soundtracks. Microsoft has confirmed the issue but has not provided a list of affected titles, workarounds, or a resolution timeline. The status remains unchanged as of October 7, and the issue persists regardless of user action.
Winsage
October 8, 2026
On October 2, Microsoft announced that its optional preview update "KB5124010," released on September 22, causes crashes in applications using the Dolby Digital (AC-3) codec on Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H2. The update does not include security fixes and affects media players, games, and certain line-of-business applications that rely on Windows' built-in AC-3 audio decoding. Symptoms include applications failing to launch or crashing during specific features like music playback. Users can check if they are affected by verifying their OS version, installed updates, and application implementation. Microsoft plans to address the issue in a future update, but a timeline is not provided. Users can uninstall KB5124010 or pause updates as temporary solutions. The update has already caused issues for the game "WARDOGS," leading to compatibility investigations by the publisher, Team17.
Winsage
October 6, 2026
Microsoft is testing five new builds of Windows 11 as part of the Windows K2 initiative, which includes several updates: - Support for Unicode 17.0 has been added, allowing Windows to display over 4,800 new characters and scripts. - Performance improvements have been made to the Settings home page, reducing loading times. - The Settings > Apps > Installed apps section now shows version numbers for packaged apps. - A new entry point for Cloud Rebuild has been introduced under Settings > System > Recovery. - The Cloud rebuild feature can restore a Windows 11 PC to a clean state without USB media. - The Address Bar in File Explorer now supports the '~' character for quicker navigation. - Adjustments to the preview pane in File Explorer include a new button for HTML files and automatic previews for non-HTML files. - Folder view customizations in File Explorer are now consistently maintained. - The Windows Magnifier now allows input of exact zoom percentages and includes preset step increments. - Cloud rebuild options have been enhanced to include drive sanitization. - The Windows share window now allows users to pin favorite apps. - Messaging related to age-restricted parental controls in Family Safety has been improved. - Minor visual issues in the taskbar have been addressed. - Fixes have been implemented for certain USB Audio Class 1.0 devices. - Corrections have been made for Remote Desktop window sizing. - Issues causing lag for some Insiders after updates have been resolved.
AppWizard
October 6, 2026
Scrcpy 5.0 is a lightweight, open-source tool for screen mirroring Android phones to PCs, released by developer Romain Vimont on GitHub. Key features include: - Native hardware-accelerated video decoding, reducing desktop CPU usage by up to 10 times. - Improved input latency due to offloading video decoding to the graphics card. - Enhanced audio capture capabilities, allowing capture of all audio streams. - Official native Windows on ARM64 binaries for Snapdragon-powered laptops. - Bug fixes and refinements, including improved video buffering and resolution of keypress dropping bugs. Hardware decoding is enabled by default, with an option for users to control or disable it. Scrcpy 5.0 follows the previous version's enhancements in flex display handling.
AppWizard
October 5, 2026
4A Games is releasing a complimentary next-gen update for Metro 2033 Redux and Metro: Last Light Redux, available on PC from October 22 and on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S from October 29. Existing owners of the Redux versions can access these upgrades for free. The update includes enhancements such as refined animations, higher-resolution textures, detailed environments, and improved lighting and shadow systems. Audio refinements and quality-of-life improvements will also be included. On PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, players can choose between native 4K at 60 FPS or upscaled 4K at 120 FPS. The update will utilize hardware-specific features like adaptive triggers on PlayStation 5 and impulse triggers on Xbox. PC gamers will benefit from uncapped framerates in 4K and DLSS compatibility. The Metro series has sold over 50 million copies globally.
AppWizard
October 5, 2026
A solo developer named YesterMester has revived The Simpsons Game, originally released by Electronic Arts in 2007, by recompiling the Xbox 360 version to run on Windows, Linux, and Steam Deck. The latest version, 0.0.6.2, was released on GitHub in early October 2026 and features capabilities such as booting up, playing videos, saving progress, loading levels, and engaging gameplay. The game utilizes static recompilation to convert approximately 82,000 game functions into a standard x86-64 application, allowing for smooth gameplay at 60 frames per second. Players can enhance visuals with features like supersampling and anisotropic filtering, and the game now supports keyboard and mouse controls with customizable settings. Installation requires downloading a launcher, and a NoAVX2 package is available for older processors.
AppWizard
October 5, 2026
Metro 2033 Redux and Metro Last Light Redux will receive complimentary next-generation updates, with the PC version available on October 22 and PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S updates on October 29. The updates are free for existing owners on supported platforms. Enhancements include 4K textures, improved animations, higher-quality audio, richer environmental detail, and community-requested bug fixes. PC updates will feature DLSS, spatial audio, and platform-specific optimizations, while console players will have native support for 4K resolution at 60 fps or upscaled 4K at 120 fps. Specific console features include PS5 Pro's PSSR, Xbox Series X's TSR upscaling, and spatial audio support on Xbox. The Metro series has sold over 50 million copies worldwide, with the next installment, Metro 2039, set for release on February 4.
AppWizard
October 5, 2026
Google has released an update to Android Auto, version 17.7, which refines the autoplay feature, allowing users to disable it entirely and preventing rarely used apps from launching automatically. Media controls are now accessible directly from the dashboard for browser streams and YouTube background audio. The waveform media player, introduced in version 16.0, has received enhancements for better navigation and album cover adaptability. Google’s AI assistant, Gemini, continues to have issues with incomplete responses despite recognizing commands. Upcoming features include 3D navigation, a weather widget, and video streaming capabilities, expected by the end of the year. The update also includes a new green app icon, with many changes being server-side updates.
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