Blu-ray Archives

Winsage

December 27, 2025

I’ve been dual-booting Windows 11 and Linux in total harmony throughout 2025 — Microsoft is in no danger of a mass exodus (unless it fumbles AI in Windows 12)

In 2025, many users began transitioning to Linux due to dissatisfaction with Windows 11 and the end-of-life status of Windows 10. Users faced challenges with Windows 11's stringent hardware requirements, leading some to seek alternatives. Criticism of Windows 11 included issues with the Start menu, high memory consumption, and a perceived prioritization of AI features over user control. Some users have successfully adopted Linux, finding open-source alternatives to popular applications, though hardware compatibility and troubleshooting remain concerns. Familiar desktop environments like KDE Plasma and Cinnamon in distributions such as Fedora and Linux Mint have made Linux more accessible. While some distributions aim to enhance gaming performance, many users still prefer Windows for certain tasks, particularly those involving Adobe products. Microsoft's dominance in the desktop OS market is expected to continue, with future developments potentially influenced by AI integration. The relationship between Windows and Linux may evolve towards coexistence rather than a complete shift in dominance.

Winsage

November 30, 2025

Microsoft warns Windows 11 users: If you can’t find password login option, it’s because… – The Times of India

Windows 11 users are experiencing a glitch where the password sign-in icon is missing from the lock screen after installing the non-security preview update KB5064081. This issue affects users with the August 2025 update or later on Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 systems. Microsoft confirmed that the password functionality is still available by hovering over the area where the icon should be, allowing users to access the password text box. Microsoft has not provided a permanent fix yet. Additionally, other problems linked to recent updates include DRM-protected videos freezing and unexpected User Account Control prompts for non-admin users. Microsoft also addressed failures in security updates delivered through WSUS, which affected reset and recovery features in Windows 10 and Windows 10 Enterprise.

Winsage

November 29, 2025

Microsoft: Windows updates make password login option invisible

Microsoft has warned Windows 11 users about an issue where the password sign-in option may not appear on the lock screen after updates since August 2025, although the functionality is still available. This issue affects users who installed the KB5064081 non-security preview update or later on Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 systems. Users can still log in by hovering over the area where the password icon should be, which reveals the button to access the password text box. Microsoft is working on a fix but has not provided a timeline. Additionally, Microsoft addressed other issues related to the KB5064081 update, including playback interruptions in DRM-protected video applications and installation problems for non-admin users. Earlier, Microsoft also released emergency updates to fix issues with security updates failing and problems with Windows reset and recovery features.

Winsage

November 21, 2025

Nvidia hotfix tackles Windows 11 gaming slowdown

The Windows 11 October 2025 Update has caused declines in gaming performance for some users, prompting Nvidia to release a hotfix based on version 581.80 of its Game Ready Driver. This hotfix is a quick solution aimed at addressing specific issues from the update, particularly gaming slowdowns. Microsoft has acknowledged various problems related to the update, including issues with Blu-ray, DVD, and digital applications, as well as USB mice and keyboards not functioning in the Windows Recovery Environment. Developers have reported disruptions to localhost functionality, affecting web applications on local machines. Despite these challenges, Nvidia's financial results remain strong, although concerns about the high costs and overheating issues of its latest RTX 50 Series cards have been raised. Microsoft has not officially acknowledged the gaming performance issues in its release notes for the October 2025 Update, despite Nvidia confirming their existence.

AppWizard

November 3, 2025

Video Game Release Dates: The Biggest Games of November 2025 and Beyond

In November 2025, several video games are set to be released across various platforms. Key release dates include: - Tavern Keeper - November 3 (PC) - Age of Empires IV - November 4 (PS5) - Europa Universalis V - November 4 (PC) - Football Manager 26 - November 4 (PS5, Xbox, PC, Mobile) - Satisfactory - November 4 (PS5, Xbox) - Biped 2 - November 5 (PS5, Switch, Xbox, PC) - Dinkum - November 5 (Switch) - Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment - November 6 (Switch 2) - The Last Caretaker - November 6 (PC) - Of Ash & Steel - November 6 (PC) - Siberia Remastered - November 6 (PS5, Xbox, PC) - Unbeatable - November 6 (PS5, Xbox, PC) - Whiskerwood - November 6 (PC) - A Pizza Delivery - November 7 (PS5, Xbox, PC) - Thrasher - November 7 (PC) - Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition - November 10 (PS5, Xbox, PC) - Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road - November 10 (PS5, Switch, Switch 2, Xbox, PC) - Lumines Arise - November 11 (PS5, PSVR 2, PC) - NASCAR 25 - November 11 (PC) - Unpetrified: Echoes of Nature - November 11 (PC) - Tombwater - November 12 (PC) - Winter Burrow - November 12 (Switch, Xbox, PC) - Anno 117: Pax Romana - November 13 (PS5, Xbox, PC) - Yakuza Kiwami - November 13 (Switch 2) - Yakuza Kiwami 2 - November 13 (Switch 2) - Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 - November 14 (PS5, Xbox, PC) - Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero - November 14 (Switch, Switch 2) - Monster Hunter Stories Collection - November 14 (Xbox) - Where Winds Meet - November 14 (PS5, PC, Mobile) - Escape from Tarkov 1.0 - November 15 (PC) - Unmourned - November 17 (PC) - Deadpool VR - November 18 (Meta Quest) - Morsels - November 18 (PS5, Switch, Xbox, PC) - News Tower (1.0 launch) - November 18 (PC) - SpongeBob Squarepants: Titans of the Tide - November 18 (PS5, Switch 2, Xbox, PC) - Demonschool - November 19 (PS5, Switch, Xbox, PC) - Kirby Air Riders - November 20 (Switch 2) - Outlaws + Handful of Missions: Remaster - November 20 (PS5, Switch, Xbox, PC) - STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl - November 20 (PS5) - Constance - November 24 (PC) - Project Motor Racing - November 25 (PS5, Xbox, PC) - Terminator 2D: No Fate - November 26 (PS5, PS4, Xbox, Switch, PC) - Bubble Bobble: Sugar Dungeons - November 27 (PS5, Switch, PC) Additionally, upcoming releases in December 2025 include: - Simogo Legacy Collection - December 2 (Switch, Switch 2, PC) - Let It Die: Inferno - December 3 (PS5, PC) - Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - December 4 (Switch, Switch 2) - Octopath Traveler 0 - December 4 (PS5, PS4, Switch, Switch 2, Xbox, PC) - Routine - December 4 (Xbox, PC) - Thief VR: Legacy of Shadows - December 4 (PSVR 2, Quest 2/3, Steam VR) - Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 - December 8 (PS5) - Yakuza Kiwami 1+2 - December 8 (PS5, Xbox) - Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader - December 11 (Switch 2) In January 2026, notable releases include: - Dragon Warriors Origins - January 22 (Switch, Switch 2) - Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade - January 22 (Switch 2, Xbox) - The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin - January 28 (PS5, PC) - Code Vein II - January 30 (PS5, Xbox, PC) February 2026 will see the release of: - Nioh 3 - February 6 (PS5, PC) - Dragon Quest VII Reimagined - February 5 (PS5, Switch, Switch 2, Xbox, PC) - Mario Tennis Fever - February 12 (Switch 2) - Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties - February 12 (PS5, PS4, Switch 2, Xbox, PC) - High on Life 2 - February 13 (PS5, Xbox, PC) - Virtual Boy: Nintendo Classics (NSO) - February 17 (Switch, Switch 2) - Tides of Tomorrow - February 24 (PS5) - Resident Evil Requiem, Resident Evil 7, and Resident Evil Village - February 27 (PS5, Xbox, Switch 2) March 2026 will feature: - Monster Hunter Stories 3 - March 13 (Switch 2) - Crimson Desert - March 19 (PS5, Xbox, PC) - Dynasty Warriors 3 Complete Edition Remastered - March 19 (PS5, Switch, Switch 2, Xbox, PC) - Mouse: P.I. for Hire - March 19 (PS5, Switch, Switch 2, Xbox, PC) - 007 First Light - March 27 (PS5, Xbox, Switch 2, PC) In May 2026, Grand Theft Auto 6 is scheduled for release on May 26 (PS5, Xbox). In September 2026, Halloween: The Game will be released on September 8 (PS5, Xbox, PC). Several upcoming video games have TBA release dates, including titles like Ark 2, Atomic Heart 2, and Borderlands 4, among others.

Winsage

October 18, 2025

Optical drive demand surges amid Windows 10 retirement — Japanese users switching to Windows 11 are buying up Blu-ray drives | Tom’s Hardware

Microsoft has officially concluded support for Windows 10, leading to a surge in demand for Windows 11, particularly in Japan's Akihabara district. This increase in interest in Windows 11 has coincided with a revival in the popularity of optical drives, as consumers seek to retain access to their physical media collections. There is a notable scarcity of internal Blu-ray drives (BD-R) in the market due to this demand. A representative from Dospara Akihabara Main Shop noted that many consumers prefer internal drives for their writing speed, despite modern PC designs often not accommodating them.

Winsage

October 2, 2025

Microsoft’s ultra compact Windows 11 25H2 update is here – get it in a single restart

Microsoft has begun the rollout of Windows 11 25H2, featuring a streamlined installation process that requires only a single restart. This update shares its code base with the upcoming 2024 version, 24H2, ensuring both versions receive the same updates, with certain features activated in 25H2. Key enhancements include advanced security features, support for Wi-Fi 7, Quick Machine Recovery, and improvements to the Taskbar, File Explorer, and Task Manager. Users upgrading to 25H2 will have support until October 2027, compared to October 2026 for 24H2. Known issues include a glitch affecting playback of protected content and an installation error in enterprise environments. To obtain Windows 11 25H2, users should ensure their device is updated to 24H2 and can follow various installation methods provided by Microsoft. After installation, users can verify the update in the Windows specifications section.

Winsage

October 1, 2025

Windows 11 KB5065789 update released with 41 changes and fixes

Microsoft has released the KB5065789 preview cumulative update for Windows 11 24H2, which includes 41 enhancements and bug fixes. This update is categorized as an "optional non-security preview update," allowing administrators to assess changes before the next Patch Tuesday. Key improvements include a fix for Windows Sandbox unresponsiveness, bugs affecting Windows Update via WSUS, and errors related to Windows Hello. The update introduces AI functionalities in File Explorer, including image editing and document summarization. It also enhances the Click to Do context menu for easier access to AI actions. The update raises Windows 11 24H2 systems to build 26100.6725 and includes features like Administrator Protection Preview, a new passkey manager, and performance improvements for gaming. A known issue may affect DRM-protected video playback in certain applications post-installation. Windows 11 24H2 is being broadly deployed and is available via Windows Update.

Winsage

October 1, 2025

Microsoft fixes Windows DRM video playback issues for some users

Microsoft has acknowledged an issue affecting Windows 11 24H2 systems related to the playback of DRM-protected video content in Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital TV applications. Users reported freezes, black screens, and playback disruptions after installing the August 29, 2025 Windows non-security preview update (KB5064081) or later updates. The issue particularly affects applications using Enhanced Video Renderer with HDCP enforcement or DRM for digital audio, leading to copyright protection errors. Microsoft released KB5065789, the September 2025 Windows preview update, which has "partially resolved" these playback issues for some users, but some DRM-related challenges may still persist. Additionally, Microsoft addressed other problems from the August 2025 updates, including installation issues for non-admin users and severe lag in NDI streaming software on Windows 10 and 11. They also fixed a known issue causing security updates via WSUS to fail and released emergency updates for bugs affecting Windows reset and recovery operations.

Winsage

September 25, 2025

Two annoying Windows 11 bugs have finally been fixed – and it only took Microsoft a year

Microsoft has fixed two long-standing bugs in Windows 11. The first bug involved webcams, which had prevented access to the 24H2 update since October 2024. The second bug affected Bluetooth audio connectivity, disrupting users since late last year. Both fixes allow users to install the 24H2 update. However, a new issue has emerged from the September update, affecting Blu-ray and DVD applications, as well as Digital TV software, causing playback failures and error messages. Microsoft is aware of this problem and is working on a solution. The 25H2 update is expected to arrive soon, potentially bringing a refreshed Start menu.