background Archives

AppWizard

January 16, 2026

Heartopia (PC) Review

Heartopia is a life-simulation game that blends cozy simulation elements with MMO features, allowing players to cultivate a town and interact with locals. However, the MMO aspects dilute the individuality typically found in cozy games, as multiple players receive the same accolades for completing quests. Gameplay involves repetitive fetch quests to unlock activities like home decoration and fishing, which can feel tedious. The game features a community aspect, but players may find their neighbors' homes replaced or their own home relocated between sessions, undermining familiarity. Character design is uninspired, and the user interface resembles a mobile game, lacking polish. As a free-to-play title, it includes multiple currencies that create confusion, with microtransactions for premium items. Despite these issues, the game offers engaging home-building mechanics and unique hobbies like Birdwatching and Pet Care. Overall, Heartopia struggles to effectively merge MMO elements with cozy simulation, making it a less appealing option compared to established titles like Animal Crossing.

Winsage

January 16, 2026

Still on Windows 10? 0patch may be your best defense in the ‘End of Support era’

In early 2023, Microsoft announced that official support for Windows 10 would end in 2025, with regular updates and security patches ceasing on October 14, 2025. Users have a little over two years to transition to Windows 11 or other operating systems. Some users have enrolled in Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which will also end in October 2026. A third-party service called 0patch offers ongoing protection for Windows 10 by providing micropatches for vulnerabilities. 0patch releases two to three micropatches each month, prioritizing vulnerabilities that are publicly known, actively exploited, and lack an official Microsoft fix. 0patch has a free version that provides critical zero-day patches and a paid Pro plan that includes legacy patches. The Pro plan costs €25 per year, while an Enterprise plan is available for €35 annually. 0patch plans to support Windows 10 until at least October 2030, depending on user demand. Users have reported some performance issues with 0patch, but the updates are lightweight and do not significantly affect system performance.

AppWizard

January 16, 2026

‘The game literally flies’: Monster Hunter Wilds reportedly runs much better on PC when all DLC is installed

A player named deTylmarande discovered a correlation between downloadable content (DLC) ownership and performance issues in the PC version of Monster Hunter Wilds. They experienced improved frame rates on a friend's account with all DLC, while their own account, which had only the standard edition, suffered from frequent frame rate drops. DeTylmarande theorized that an "aggressive DLC ownership check function" negatively impacts performance when DLC is not owned. They created a mod that bypasses the DLC check, resulting in significantly improved performance. De_Tylmarande believes this issue is a bug rather than an intentional design by Capcom and has reached out to the company for a fix. Capcom has stated that their upcoming title, Resident Evil Requiem, is unlikely to face similar performance issues due to differences in gameplay mechanics and system architecture.

AppWizard

January 15, 2026

Monster Train 2’s first DLC is transforming the game with a giant new mode and the hammer-swinging Railforged clan

A significant update for Monster Train 2, titled Destiny of the Railforged, will be released in early February as the game's first paid DLC. It introduces a new clan, the Railforged, and a gameplay mode called Soul Savior. In Soul Savior, players battle to reclaim souls from a final boss named the Lifemother, with unique mechanics that enhance gameplay. Players can unlock and upgrade over 30 souls, each providing powerful enhancements and strategic options. The Railforged clan specializes in boosting the pyre's attack power and features new units and mechanics. Additionally, the Wurmkin clan will receive a free update with new designs and balance adjustments. Pricing details for the DLC have not been disclosed.

AppWizard

January 14, 2026

One of the best Xbox Play Anywhere games just got its notorious save bug fixed for Xbox Ally and Xbox PC

The save file bug in Death Stranding on Xbox PC has been resolved through a collaboration between Microsoft, 505 Games, and Kojima Productions. Initially, players faced issues where save files would fail to copy after a short gameplay period, leading to lost progress and contributing to a low review score of 2/5 on the Xbox PC store. The fix is being rolled out as part of the Xbox Gaming Services background app, and players can check for the update by verifying the version number in the Xbox PC app. The updated version is 32.106.13001.0 or higher. After testing the update, players have reported consistent progress saving. Death Stranding Director's Cut is available for purchase on the Xbox Store for .99 and supports the Xbox Play Anywhere initiative.

Winsage

January 14, 2026

How much RAM does your PC really need in 2026? A Windows and Mac expert’s verdict

Shopping for a new computer involves focusing on three critical components: the processor, storage drive, and RAM. For Windows machines, 16GB of RAM is the operational minimum for new consumer laptops, while 4GB is the minimum requirement for Windows 11. MacBook users can find satisfactory performance with 8GB of RAM, but Apple has set 16GB as the starting point for its new MacBook Air M4. Chromebooks can operate effectively with 8GB or less. More RAM generally improves performance, but excessive memory can lead to diminishing returns. DDR stands for "double data rate," with DDR5 being the latest standard for faster data transfer speeds. Most users find 16GB adequate, while gamers and creative professionals may need 32GB. Beyond 32GB is typically excessive unless engaged in demanding activities, where 48GB or 64GB may be warranted.

Tech Optimizer

January 13, 2026

Trusted Antivirus Protection for PCs

Your PC requires robust antivirus protection due to its diverse usage, and Windows 11 offers built-in protections that operate seamlessly. Antivirus software, such as Microsoft Defender in Windows 11, protects against threats like viruses, malware, phishing websites, and suspicious email attachments. However, it cannot fully defend against social engineering scams, new ransomware, zero-day vulnerabilities, or risky online behaviors. Microsoft Defender provides automatic threat scanning, works with the Windows firewall, utilizes cloud intelligence, alerts users to unsafe content, and offers ransomware protection. To enhance security, users should keep software updated, use strong passwords, secure their Wi-Fi, enable firewalls, and back up files regularly.

AppWizard

January 13, 2026

Official YouTube app or alternatives? Survey reveals surprising choice.

The YouTube app is widely used on Android devices, but many users are turning to alternatives like Morphe, which modifies the official app to add features. A survey with over 6,000 responses revealed that 60.59% of participants prefer alternatives to the official YouTube app. Alternatives like Morphe and Revanced provide features such as ad-free playback and background listening for free, along with additional functionalities like SponsorBlock integration and the ability to disable Shorts. Among those surveyed, 23.39% have not tried alternatives but are open to them, while 8.15% have tried them but prefer the official app, and 7.86% are satisfied with the official app. Concerns about the safety of using alternative apps, including the risk of getting a Google account banned, were also expressed by users.

AppWizard

January 13, 2026

6 Free Apps To Automate Tasks on Android

In daily life, people engage in repetitive phone actions that shape their routines, such as turning off Wi-Fi or silencing notifications. Android devices offer basic automation features, but true automation potential lies in apps that allow personalized routines. Samsung Galaxy users can utilize Modes and Routines, integrated into One UI 5.1, to create preset profiles and custom automations based on triggers like time and location. Google’s Action Blocks enable users to create customizable shortcuts for complex tasks with a single tap, leveraging Google Assistant. Automate by LlamaLab uses a visual flowchart interface for routine creation, allowing users to design automation flows with over 320 building blocks available. aProfiles focuses on profile-based automation, adjusting settings based on time and location, while IFTTT allows users to create applets for connected services, with limitations on custom applets for free users. MacroDroid offers a three-part structure for automations, with over 100 triggers and actions, and a template library for pre-made macros, while the free version limits users to five macros.

Winsage

January 12, 2026

Windows 11 Faces Backlash as Slowest OS in 25 Years, Benchmarks Show

Microsoft's Windows 11, launched in 2021, has been criticized for significant performance issues, making it potentially the least performant version of Windows in over two decades. Independent benchmarks reveal that Windows 11 is slower than its predecessors in areas such as boot times, application launches, and overall system responsiveness. Users with high-end hardware, including 13th-generation Intel Core processors, have reported noticeable slowdowns compared to Windows 10. Performance assessments indicate that Windows 11 struggles in various categories, including file operations, multitasking, and gaming, with longer boot speeds reminiscent of older systems. Gamers have experienced stuttering and frame rate drops, and Microsoft has acknowledged these issues in updates since 2022. The operating system is criticized for being a "resource hog," with preloaded features consuming resources even when idle. Users have reported lagging File Explorer and freezing processes, leading some to consider alternative operating systems. IT departments have noted increased support tickets related to performance issues, prompting some to delay upgrades from Windows 10. Microsoft has offered optimization advice, but critics argue these are temporary fixes for deeper architectural problems. The performance issues have implications for software developers and hardware manufacturers, increasing development costs and complicating hardware optimizations. Analysts warn that without prompt action, Microsoft's market dominance could be at risk, as users advocate for a leaner, faster Windows.