COM Archives

AppWizard

August 5, 2026

Test more features from our upcoming drop

Builders can enhance projects with concrete available in 16 colors by mixing dye with sand and gravel. This mixture, combined with water, creates concrete blocks for crafting stairs or slabs, which can also be accessed from the Creative inventory. Cushions can be found in abandoned camps or crafted from three wool slabs of the same color, providing versatile seating options. Straw beds can be found in abandoned camps or crafted from three hay bales, allowing players to sleep without resetting their spawn point. The dappled forest biome features poplar trees and red shrubs, with hidden treasures like an abandoned tent. Abandoned camps include a tent, campfire, straw bed, and cushions. The wool block set now includes soft stairs and slabs in 16 colors. Poplar trees yield crafting materials, red shrubs add color, and shelf mushrooms can be used in various ways. Players can explore these features by enabling snapshots for Minecraft: Java Edition or activating previews/beta for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition.

Winsage

August 4, 2026

Microsoft never learns, IT admins rage as a new OneDrive app invades Windows 11 and keeps coming back when you remove it

Microsoft has begun silently installing the "OneDrive Photos" app on Windows PCs, including enterprise systems managed via Microsoft Intune, without prior notification. IT professionals have expressed significant frustration over this unexpected addition, noting that the app is incompatible with Entra accounts and cannot be removed without uninstalling OneDrive entirely. The app functions as a web-based gallery feature, indexing and displaying photos stored on local machines, but its necessity is questioned due to the existing Microsoft Photos app. OneDrive Photos is linked to the OneDrive sync client, making it impossible to uninstall independently. Users have reported that the app appears in Windows Search results with an 'Uninstall' option but does not show up in the Installed apps page, leading to confusion. A script has been developed to remove the shortcut, but it often reappears due to its connection with the OneDrive sync client. Discussions with Microsoft suggest that the rollout may have been unintended, with an apology expected soon.

Tech Optimizer

August 4, 2026

Automated PII redaction for Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL audit logs

The article discusses a serverless pipeline for creating an irreversibly redacted and queryable archive of Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL audit logs. It sanitizes sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers, credit card details, and email addresses, before storing the clean logs in Amazon S3, which can be queried using Amazon Athena. The deployment process is facilitated by a single AWS CloudFormation template. The challenge is that pgAudit logs sensitive data in cleartext to Amazon CloudWatch Logs, which poses compliance risks under regulations like GDPR and HIPAA. While CloudWatch Logs Data Protection offers reversible masking of PII, this is insufficient for compliance needs requiring permanent separation of PII from audit evidence. The proposed pipeline creates an irreversibly redacted copy stored in Amazon S3, ensuring original values cannot be restored. The deployment requires an active AWS account with specific permissions, AWS CLI v2, a compatible AWS region, and confirmation of service quotas. The CloudFormation template has four main parameters for deployment, including ProjectName, DBInstanceClass, DBAllocatedStorage, and EnvironmentType, with sensible defaults provided. Three deployment options are available: via the AWS console, AWS CLI, or a deploy script. After deployment, users can generate test data, trigger the redaction pipeline, and verify results in Athena. The process includes steps to create a PostgreSQL table, insert records with PII, run queries, and monitor the execution of the redaction pipeline. The article emphasizes that unredacted PII remains in the source CloudWatch Logs, recommending enabling CloudWatch Logs Data Protection for added security. To clean up resources and avoid charges, users must empty the S3 buckets and delete the stack. Cost considerations for the pipeline include infrastructure costs and the expense of achieving irreversibility.

AppWizard

August 4, 2026

Microsoft’s Xbox Emulator on Windows Will Soon Support Xbox 360 Games

Microsoft is testing a new Xbox emulator for Windows 11, allowing select Xbox Insiders to access classic original Xbox games like Fuzion Frenzy, Conker: Live & Reloaded, and Crimson Skies. A broader official launch is expected before the end of the year, with plans to include Xbox 360 games next year. An internal document indicates a full launch of backwards compatibility on PC is scheduled for October 2026, coinciding with the Xbox brand's 25th anniversary, followed by a rollout of the Xbox 360 catalog for next-generation Xbox devices in 2027-2028. The emulator will handle the technical challenges of emulating original Xbox and Xbox 360 games, allowing developers to choose whether to make their titles accessible on Windows 11. Backwards compatible games may be available for purchase through the Microsoft Store or included in Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming. Additionally, a disc-to-digital program is anticipated to launch in August, enabling Xbox console owners to convert physical game discs into digital copies.

Winsage

August 3, 2026

An official Microsoft engineer gives a favorite unofficial Windows 11 app a shiny polish

Microsoft is addressing performance gaps in Windows 11, particularly with built-in applications. Users have turned to third-party applications like Files, which has received a substantial update focusing on file extraction and folder loading improvements. The update includes enhanced user experience features, such as updated sidebar icons and improved management of encrypted archives. A notable addition is the integration of WindowSill into Files, allowing users to perform various tasks directly from file selections without opening dedicated applications. This integration provides context-aware actions for different file types, including images, PDFs, videos, and Office documents. The update also includes numerous bug fixes and performance enhancements. The latest version of Files, 4.2.2, is available for download on GitHub and the Microsoft Store.

Tech Optimizer

August 3, 2026

How to Turn Off McAfee

McAfee provides various cybersecurity features, including real-time antivirus protection, firewalls, VPNs, and browser extensions. Users can adjust settings based on their device. To pause real-time scanning on Windows, open the McAfee app, click on My Protection Widgets, select Real-Time Scanning, and turn it off. For Mac, click the McAfee icon in the menu bar, access the product console, and turn off Real-Time Scanning. To shut down the Advanced Firewall, open the McAfee app, select Advanced Firewall, and turn it off. Scheduled scans can be stopped by navigating to Scheduled Scans in the McAfee app and using the Turn off control. To turn off Secure VPN, open the app, find the Secure VPN tile, and toggle it off. For disabling McAfee WebAdvisor in browsers, users should manage extensions in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. To stop notifications and alerts, users can adjust settings in Windows and various browsers. Uninstalling McAfee involves navigating through the device's settings, and to stop renewal billing, users must log in to their McAfee account and disable auto-renewal. Users should be aware of older and managed-device guides and how to stop notifications on mobile devices. Disabling features does not uninstall McAfee, and turning off auto-renewal does not remove the application from the device.

AppWizard

August 1, 2026

Late 90s Platformer Is Getting Remastered for Modern Consoles and PC

Argonaut Games has announced a remaster of Croc 2 Kingdom of the Gobbos, set to be released on modern consoles and PC. The remaster will feature classic platforming action with enhancements, including a triple jump mechanic and expanded gameplay options such as racing and flying. Players will explore four unique villages, rescue Gobbos, and encounter new Guardians. The remaster will also include the “Croc2pedia,” a digital museum with production materials and interviews about the game's development. It will be available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Windows PC via Steam and GOG.com.

AppWizard

July 31, 2026

Minecraft Experience surpasses 1m visitors

The Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue launched its first outdoor nighttime experience, Moonlight Trail, in Argentina on May 15 at the Ciudad Universitaria Sports Grounds in Buenos Aires. Since its inception in 2024, the Minecraft Experience has attracted over 1 million visitors worldwide. The Moonlight Trail invites participants to explore eight interactive Minecraft-inspired biomes, face formidable mobs, and restore an ancient beacon. The experience was developed in collaboration with Mojang Studios and Supply & Demand, featuring new environmental effects and gameplay mechanics for a nighttime setting. Minecraft is the best-selling video game of all time, with over 400 million copies sold globally. Further details about the experience can be found at www.minecraftexperience.com and on social media.

AppWizard

July 31, 2026

Bethesda Has a New Logo to Celebrate Its 40th Anniversary — and It Harkens Back to the Studio’s Old Terminator

Bethesda has introduced a new logo to celebrate its 40th anniversary, reflecting on its history and hinting at future projects. The studio has a legacy that includes significant titles such as The Elder Scrolls: Arena (1994) and The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall (1996), as well as several games in The Terminator franchise, including The Terminator: Future Shock (1995) and Skynet (1996). The Elder Scrolls 6 is projected for release in 2028, and Bethesda is also working on Fallout 5, remasters of Fallout 3 and New Vegas, an upcoming Fallout title from Obsidian, additional DLC for Starfield, and ongoing enhancements for Fallout 76. The new logo does not indicate a revival of The Terminator games.

Winsage

July 30, 2026

Malwarebytes for Windows, now available on the Microsoft Store

The Microsoft Store now offers Malwarebytes for Windows, providing a convenient and reliable way for users to download the full version of the software without limitations. This version includes all features, such as real-time protection and seamless integration with Windows. Users can install it by searching for Malwarebytes in the Microsoft Store and clicking "Get." The listing also provides app information and screenshots. Existing users of Malwarebytes from the official website do not need to reinstall or make changes to their current setup.