blocks Archives

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

Valorant’s new Vanguard update seems to be bricking cheaters’ PCs. Riot’s response? “Congrats on your $6k paperweights”

Riot Games' Vanguard anti-cheat system, introduced with Valorant and later integrated into League of Legends in 2024, operates at a kernel level, raising concerns about potential damage to players' PCs. Issues arose when streamer Nick 'LS' De Cesare experienced computer problems after a Vanguard update. The latest version of Vanguard reportedly made some cheaters' computers inoperable, requiring a complete operating system reinstall. Players must have Vanguard installed to access Riot's games, and the system now blocks most DMA firmware, which is used to mask cheats. Vanguard can activate even without Valorant installed, and if it detects DMA firmware, the only solution is a Windows reinstall. Riot Games acknowledged the complaints humorously, highlighting the frustrations of affected users. The kernel-level operation of Vanguard raises concerns about the risk of damaging personal computers due to misidentification, and legal discussions about its implications are ongoing. Players who do not want to use Vanguard cannot access Riot's games.

Tech Optimizer

May 22, 2026

Threat Protection Pro: all you need to know about IPVanish’s anti-malware tool

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have evolved into comprehensive cybersecurity solutions, offering features like ad-blockers, antivirus software, and dark web monitoring. IPVanish offers a feature called Threat Protection Pro, available with the Advanced plan, which protects against malware, ads, and trackers. It enhances online security by blocking ads and tracking scripts, quarantining suspicious downloads, and preventing access to malicious websites. All IPVanish plans include core Threat Protection, utilizing DNS filters to combat trackers and malware across various platforms. Threat Protection Pro, launched in March 2026, provides 24/7 malware and antivirus protection, even when the VPN is not active. This feature is exclusive to Advanced-tier subscribers and currently supports Windows and Mac platforms. It employs VIPRE’s antivirus engine and initiates detailed measures to identify risks at multiple levels. Users can activate Threat Protection Pro through a straightforward setup process on Windows or MacOS. IPVanish allows unlimited devices per subscription and includes DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy. Advanced users also have access to a Secure Browser for disposable browsing.

Winsage

May 21, 2026

A Windows 11 bug blocks all updates since February. Here’s what to do

A segment of Windows 11 users has been unable to receive updates since February due to issues stemming from the January Preview Update, which caused download timeouts. This has resulted in missed security patches and critical updates related to Secure Boot certificates. Users may experience crashes during the update process, indicated by the error code 0x80010002. To check if affected, users can view their update history in Settings; if no updates have been installed since January and updates have not been paused, they are likely impacted. Microsoft is working on a fix linked to download timeout changes and firewall settings. A Known-Issue Rollback (KIR) can be executed to revert to a previous state before the problematic update, restoring normal functionality. This rollback is available for specific Windows 11 versions and Windows Server 2025.

Winsage

May 21, 2026

The 13 biggest Windows 11 changes from early May — and why these updates matter for how the OS evolves through the rest of 2026

Microsoft has released preview builds for Windows 11 in May 2026 as part of the Windows Insider Program, focusing on refining existing functionalities. Key improvements include: 1. The reinstatement of Taskbar position settings, allowing users to place the Taskbar at the top, left, or right edges of the screen. 2. An upgraded Voice Typing experience on the touch keyboard with a new design and animations. 3. Significant changes to the Windows Update system, allowing users to skip updates during the Out-of-box Experience and pause updates indefinitely in 35-day blocks. 4. The introduction of a "Shared Audio" feature enabling two users to share the same audio stream from a single computer using Bluetooth LE Audio broadcast technology.

Winsage

May 21, 2026

The 13 biggest Windows 11 changes from early May — and why they matter for 2026

Microsoft has released several preview builds of Windows 11 as part of the Windows Insider Program in early May 2026, focusing on refining existing functionalities. Key updates include: 1. Taskbar position settings: Users can now reposition the Taskbar to the top, left, or right edges of the screen with build 26300.8493. 2. Modern Run dialog: A redesigned Run dialog was introduced in build 26300.8346, featuring a modern aesthetic and support for light and dark modes. 3. Share interface with suggestions: App suggestions for Azure Active Directory users have been added to the Windows Share interface. 4. File Explorer improvements: Enhancements have been made to address loading issues and improve the "Favorites" section and thumbnail displays. 5. Widgets changes: Default settings for Widgets have been adjusted to minimize distractions, including disabling hover opening and Taskbar badges. 6. Windows Search box with improved results: The search interface will prioritize local apps and files over web results starting with build 26300.8493. 7. New spinner design for core experiences: A unified donut-style spinner animation has been introduced for various core experiences. 8. Touchpad gesture controls: New precision touchpad gestures have been added to adjust scroll and zoom speeds. 9. Home to Pro Education free upgrade: Eligible K-12 organizations can upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Pro Education at no cost. 10. Task Manager with new NPU visibility: The Task Manager now includes columns for "NPU" and "NPU Engine" in relevant tabs. 11. Voice Typing on the touch keyboard: The touch keyboard's Voice Typing feature has been updated with a new button and animations. 12. Windows Update overhaul: Users can skip updates during setup and pause updates indefinitely in 35-day blocks starting with build 28020.2134. 13. Shared Audio feature: The new "Shared Audio" feature allows two users to listen to the same audio stream from one computer using Bluetooth LE Audio technology.

Tech Optimizer

May 21, 2026

Avast Antivirus and the Consumer Security Market in 2026

Avast Antivirus is a consumer cybersecurity software developed by Avast, now part of Gen Digital. It offers both free and paid versions, providing virus scanning, malware blocking, and device protection. The software is designed for individual users, focusing on straightforward solutions for common threats like phishing and malware. Avast is recognized in the U.S. and global markets for its ease of use and brand visibility. Gen Digital, the parent company, is publicly traded on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol GEN, with the issuer ISIN GB00BYT16L97.

Winsage

May 20, 2026

Did you know you can get Microsoft Office and Windows 11 Pro for life for only $26

Lifetime licenses for Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office Plus 2019 are available for .99, reduced from the regular price of 9.99. The Office 2019 Professional Plus suite includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access, designed for installation on a single Windows PC and allowing offline use without ongoing payments. Windows 11 Pro features enhanced snap layouts, virtual desktops, robust security with BitLocker encryption, TPM 2.0, Windows Hello, Smart App Control, Hyper-V for virtual machines, and Windows Sandbox for secure testing. Both licenses are permanent, device-linked, and verified through Microsoft’s partner program.

TrendTechie

May 20, 2026

Фанаты Minecraft тайно скопировали 24 терабайта данных с легендарного сервера 2b2t – архив миллиона блоков скоро раздадут через торрент

A group of Minecraft enthusiasts has completed a digital archaeology project, mapping and archiving the oldest anarchy server, 2b2t, resulting in 24 terabytes of data. This data will be released as a torrent in the coming weeks. The 2b2t server has been operational for 16 years and is known for its lack of rules and bans. The team successfully archived various areas of the server, including: - Overworld area of 1,024,000² blocks (December 25, 2025 – April 13, 2026) - Overworld area of 512,000² blocks (November 11, 2024 – December 12, 2024) - End area of 256,000² blocks (January 23, 2026 – February 15, 2026) - Nether area of 100,000² blocks (June 9, 2025 – June 14, 2025) The team plans to release high-resolution renders and data analysis tables alongside the archive. Open-source tools for the archive are available on GitHub, and updates can be followed via Discord and Patreon.

AppWizard

May 19, 2026

Valve Just Made Some Big Changes to Steam Tags, And The New Additions Shed Light on Recent Trends

Valve updated Steam's tagging system on May 18th, removing 28 outdated tags, introducing 17 new ones, and adjusting existing categories. The new tags include Bullet Heaven, Desktop Companion, Organizing, Cleaning, Decorating, Wuxia, Xianxia, Falling Blocks, Espionage, Samurai, Zoo, Wolves, Capybaras, Animals, Cult, Poker, and Language Learning. The retired tags include 3D Vision, Ambient, America, Blood, Crowdfunded, Cult Classic, Documentary, Drama, Dungeons & Dragons, Electronic, Experience, Feature Film, Foreign, GameMaker, Games Workshop, Illuminati, Kickstarter, LEGO, Masterpiece, Mature, Movie, Narration, NSFW, Roguevania, RPGMaker, Warhammer 40K, Web Publishing, and Well-Written. Existing tags like Clicker and Conversation were rebranded to Incremental and Dialogue Heavy, respectively. The updates aim to improve user navigation and reflect current gaming trends.

Tech Optimizer

May 19, 2026

Avast Free Antivirus for US users: core features explained

Avast Free Antivirus is a free security application that provides essential malware protection and additional tools for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It blocks malware and suspicious websites using real-time scanning and integrates with the operating system's security center on Windows. Key features include file shield scanning, web and mail shields, and ransomware-related shields on select platforms. It is available for free download in the US and is popular among home users, families, students, and individual professionals. Avast competes with other antivirus vendors like McAfee and Bitdefender and is often reviewed positively by tech outlets. While it offers core protections, advanced features require paid subscriptions. Users can conduct various types of scans and utilize browser extensions to assess site safety. The software is designed to coexist with Windows built-in security features, but experts advise using additional security measures for online banking and shopping.