comments Archives

Winsage

June 20, 2025

Microsoft is blocking Google Chrome through its family safety feature

Microsoft's Family Safety feature has been causing disruptions for users of Google Chrome on Windows for over two weeks, with issues reported since June 3rd. Users have experienced unexpected closures or an inability to launch Chrome due to a bug in Family Safety. Other browsers like Firefox and Opera are unaffected. A workaround involves renaming the Chrome executable file, and users can also disable the "filter inappropriate websites" setting in Family Safety to restore functionality. There is no timeline for a fix from Microsoft, and attempts to contact the company for comments have gone unanswered.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

Windows parental controls are blocking Chrome

Microsoft's Family Safety feature has been restricting users from launching Chrome on Windows since early June, causing issues specifically for Chrome users. Reports of the problem began on June 3, with users experiencing crashes when attempting to open the browser. A Google spokesperson confirmed that Chrome cannot run when Microsoft Family Safety is enabled for some users. Microsoft has not yet implemented a fix after 17 days, and users are advised to either disable the "Filter Inappropriate Websites" setting or rename the chrome.exe file as potential workarounds. Engadget has reached out to Microsoft for further comments but has not received a response.

AppWizard

June 20, 2025

Can we trust Google Maps to get us anywhere anymore?

The author experienced issues with Google Maps while driving home from a weekend retreat, where the app suggested two incorrect routes that would have taken them significantly off course. This raised concerns about the reliability of Google Maps, particularly in unfamiliar areas. A poll indicated that 6% of respondents felt Google Maps consistently gets them lost, 46% reported occasional issues, 39% found it reliable, and 9% do not use the app while driving.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

The Windows 11 beta build adds a new UI effect, and people already hate it

The recent beta update for Windows 11 introduced a new touchscreen effect where a trail of bubbles follows the user's finger movement. User feedback has been largely negative, with many comparing the effect to "defect monitor ghosting" and expressing a preference for the previous design. Some users have suggested that Microsoft should allow an option to revert to the old touch input visuals. There is also a growing concern among users about the overall direction of Windows 11, with some feeling that certain aspects are not improving.

AppWizard

June 19, 2025

‘Exciting’ Red Dead Redemption news less exciting than previously thought, says John Marston actor: ‘Rockstar Games makes announcements for Rockstar Games’

Rob Wiethoff, the voice of John Marston from Red Dead Redemption, hinted at "exciting news" related to the game but later clarified that the excitement may have been overblown. He has also been active in fitness content on YouTube. The gaming community is speculating about the nature of his news, which could involve a new project or a revisit to the Red Dead universe.

AppWizard

June 19, 2025

‘Stargazers’ use fake Minecraft mods to steal player passwords

A malware campaign targeting Minecraft players has been identified, utilizing malicious mods and cheats to infect Windows devices with infostealers that steal sensitive information, including credentials and cryptocurrency wallets. The campaign, orchestrated by the Stargazers Ghost Network, has been active on GitHub and has previously infected over 17,000 systems with a new type of malware. Researchers found around 500 GitHub repositories linked to this operation, disguised as Minecraft mods. The malware employs a Java-based loader that downloads a stealer targeting Minecraft account tokens and user data, as well as Discord and Telegram tokens. It also includes a .NET-based stealer called '44 CALIBER,' which collects data from browsers, VPNs, and applications like Steam and Discord. The stolen data is sent via Discord webhooks, indicating a potential Russian origin for the operators. To protect against these threats, players are advised to download mods from reputable sources and use separate accounts for testing.

AppWizard

June 18, 2025

Minecraft’s Nintendo Players Request “Switch 2 Edition” After Graphics Update Skips Switch

Mojang has launched a visual graphics upgrade for Minecraft called 'Vibrant Visuals' alongside the 'Chase the Skies' drop. Nintendo Switch players are disappointed that the Switch trailer does not feature the new visual enhancements, leading to calls for a "Switch 2 Edition" that would include these updates. The Vibrant Visuals update enhances the game's aesthetics without changing gameplay mechanics and allows players to toggle the enhancements on and off. Mojang has expressed a commitment to bringing this graphical update to as many devices as possible in the future. The latest update for the Switch version introduces new features, including a flying mount, building in the sky, leashing camels, a new music disc, and a Player Locator bar.

AppWizard

June 16, 2025

Sony Lifts Region Locks on Its PC Games, Including Helldivers 2, The Last of Us, More

Sony has lifted restrictions on its PC game catalogue on Steam, allowing a wider audience to access titles like God of War Ragnarok, Marvel's Spider-Man 2, and The Last of Us Part II Remastered without needing a PlayStation Network (PSN) account. However, some games, including Helldivers 2, Ghost of Tsushima, and Until Dawn, still require a PSN link for gameplay.

Winsage

June 15, 2025

It’s been four years, and I still don’t have a strong enough reason to upgrade to Windows 11

Windows 11 was released in October 2021 and initially received a score of 6.5/10 due to its focus on aesthetics over functionality. The author currently uses both Windows 10 and Windows 11, with Windows 10 on their personal laptop and Windows 11 on their work laptop. They have been using Windows 11 for six months but still prefer Windows 10 for its familiarity. While Windows 11 has introduced features like enhanced virtual desktops, improved Microsoft Teams integration, a refined taskbar, and new widgets, these changes do not significantly impact the author's daily tasks. The author would consider switching to Windows 11 if it offered enhancements that directly improve their workflow, particularly with meaningful integration of Teams or AI-driven productivity features. The end of life for Windows 10 is approaching, prompting users to decide whether to upgrade to Windows 11 or explore alternatives. Microsoft is trying to encourage upgrades, but many users remain on Windows 10, which is still the most widely used operating system.

Winsage

June 14, 2025

Windows 11 users want these five features back

Windows 11 users have expressed significant dissatisfaction with several features, as reflected in the Microsoft Feedback Hub, where requests continue to gather thousands of votes. 1. Users want the ability to move the taskbar to the top and sides of the screen, with a post receiving 24,046 votes and 2,086 comments. 2. Many users wish to turn off the Recommended section in the Start menu, which has 17,479 votes and 794 comments. 3. There is a request for Windows search to allow users to choose their preferred search provider, garnering 11,007 votes and 101 comments. 4. Users have criticized the high CPU/Processor requirements for Windows 11, with 8,483 votes and 1,025 comments supporting this feedback. 5. There is a demand for the taskbar to support never combining app icons and hiding labels, reflecting dissatisfaction with the current implementation. These five requests alone account for over 75,000 votes, indicating a strong desire for improvements in Windows 11.