community feedback Archives

AppWizard

January 17, 2026

Minecraft Age Verification Goes Live in the UK; Locks Chat Access If Unverified

Starting in February, UK players of Minecraft will need to verify their age to access unrestricted chat, in compliance with the UK's Online Safety Act. Players with adult accounts must confirm they are at least 18 years old; those who do not will lose access to social features like chat until verification is completed. The verification process will be conducted by Yoti, and no personal data will be retained after verification. This requirement currently applies only to the UK but may expand to other regions in the future. Players will not lose any in-game purchases, worlds, or achievements if they choose not to verify their age.

Winsage

January 5, 2026

Microsoft Ends Windows 11 SE Support in 2026 Amid Low Adoption

Microsoft will conclude support for Windows 11 SE in 2026, ceasing security updates and feature enhancements after October 2026. Launched in late 2021 for K-8 classrooms, Windows 11 SE struggled with adoption due to hardware limitations and competition from alternatives like Google’s Chrome OS. The final feature release for SE will be Windows 11 version 24H2. Schools will face challenges in transitioning to new systems, as devices running SE may become vulnerable to cyber threats without ongoing support. Microsoft is shifting its focus to integrating educational tools into its main operating system rather than maintaining a separate edition. The end of support for Windows 11 SE may accelerate hardware refresh cycles in schools, posing financial burdens on underfunded districts.

AppWizard

January 5, 2026

Ex-CDPR devs’ blood-soaked new RPG teases two possible companions and a stunning theme playing on its Witcher 3 heritage

The Blood of Dawnwalker is set to launch in 2026, developed by Rebel Wolves, which includes former CD Projekt Red veterans. The development team, led by game director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz and community lead Dominika Burza, is committed to transparency and community engagement, sharing insights and progress on the game. An orchestral performance of the game’s main theme was presented, composed by Nikola Kołodziejczyk. A cinematic trailer introduced two characters: a human with magical abilities and a vampire, who will accompany the protagonist, Coen. Fans can wishlist the game on Steam for updates.

AppWizard

January 3, 2026

New Path of Exile 2 patch notes nerf the ARPG’s game-breaking temples, but GGG might have gone too far

New patch notes for Path of Exile 2, specifically the 0.4.0c hotfix 13, aim to address the dominance of certain Vaal Temple layouts by introducing changes to room modifiers and restricting the locking of anything below tier three. The update includes diminishing returns on modifier values for room types after four or more of a specific type are used, primarily affecting lower-tier rooms. This change is intended to improve server performance and reduce the potential of high-value temple layouts, which previously generated hundreds of Divine Orbs per run, now averaging around 20. The rooms associated with Golem Works and Spymaster have been swapped to encourage variety in temple setups. Additionally, the use of Juatalotli's Medallion is restricted to tier-three rooms, leading to backlash from players who feel disadvantaged by this change. The patch is now live, and while it aims to mitigate top-end currency drops and curb inflation, it may disproportionately affect average players.

AppWizard

January 3, 2026

Embark CEO confirms that Arc Raiders’ matchmaking takes your aggression into account, so behave yourself out there

Embark CEO Patrick Söderlund discussed the matchmaking mechanics of Arc Raiders, an extraction shooter launched in 2025. The matchmaking system considers players' tendencies toward aggression, grouping them based on skill and preferences for PvP or PvE interactions. This feature was implemented a week before the interview to enhance player experience by aligning similar preferences. Söderlund confirmed the existence of an aggression-based matchmaking system, acknowledging the complexity of predicting player behavior. He noted that while players may be matched with like-minded individuals, the game still retains inherent PvP tension.

AppWizard

January 2, 2026

Steam’s most popular survival game is now bigger than ever, and its developer has major plans for the year ahead

In 2025, Rust reached a peak player count of over 250,000 active users on Steam and logged 700 million hours by 5.8 million players in the past year. Facepunch Studios plans to introduce new features in 2026, including an expanded ecosystem, enhanced load times, and a potential battle pass system. The Naval update, set to launch on February 5, will introduce player-crafted boats for navigation and exploration. Other planned content includes new monuments, updates to player models and animations, and the introduction of new animals like cows and sheep with a breeding system. Facepunch aims to combat cheating, enhance performance, and explore DLC options, with a new anti-cheat layer in development. Performance improvements have reduced load and server connection times by approximately 65%. The team plans to continue releasing new DLC items monthly and is considering a battle pass system that aligns with the game's ethos. Test servers for upcoming features are available on the Rust staging branch.

Winsage

January 1, 2026

Windows Registry Tweak Unlocks 80% SSD Speed Boost on Consumer PCs

A modification in the Windows Registry can enable a native NVMe driver, potentially doubling the performance of solid-state drives (SSDs) by enhancing random read and write speeds by up to 80%. This driver is typically reserved for enterprise environments and is not officially available for consumer versions of Windows 11. The modification carries risks, including the possibility of rendering a system unbootable and disrupting features like BitLocker encryption. Early adopters have reported mixed results, with some experiencing significant performance improvements while others face stability issues. The tweak highlights the disparity between consumer and enterprise hardware capabilities and reflects ongoing discussions within the tech community about optimizing SSD performance.

AppWizard

December 30, 2025

Essential Apps to Install First on Your New Android Phone

Google's Find My Device app is essential for Android phone users, providing security features such as locating a misplaced phone, playing a sound, and remotely locking or erasing data. The app's integration with Android has improved tracking accuracy and introduced features like offline finding and compatibility with Bluetooth trackers. Other recommended apps for a well-rounded Android setup include Bitwarden for password management, Solid Explorer for file management, Google Keep for note-taking, and Signal for secure messaging. Productivity apps like Microsoft’s SwiftKey keyboard and Todoist for task management are also highlighted. Customization options include Nova Launcher, while performance optimization can be achieved with Greenify. Privacy-focused tools include DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser and Authy for two-factor authentication. Emerging trends suggest increased AI integration in apps and innovations for foldable devices. Regular maintenance apps like CCleaner and update managers are recommended for long-term device health.

Winsage

December 29, 2025

Microsoft Adds Sudo to Windows 11 24H2 for Seamless Elevated Commands

Microsoft has introduced the sudo command in Windows 11 version 24H2, allowing users to execute commands with elevated privileges directly from a standard command prompt or PowerShell window. Users can enable this feature via Settings under System > For Developers. Sudo can run commands in three modes: “in a new window,” “with input disabled,” and “inline.” The inline mode runs the elevated command in the same console session, preserving context and variables. Microsoft has open-sourced the project on GitHub, inviting community contributions. Sudo integrates with User Account Control (UAC) for security, ensuring every elevation request is vetted. It simplifies administrative tasks for software engineers and system administrators, particularly in corporate environments where full admin access is restricted. The feature works seamlessly in Windows Terminal and supports Azure integrations. While some users have reported compatibility issues, Microsoft emphasizes that sudo is a developer tool rather than a complete replacement for Linux's sudo. Future developments may include community-driven extensions and integration with Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).

TrendTechie

December 23, 2025

Торрент-платформы останутся популярными в 2025 году благодаря обширным коллекциям и активным сообществам.

In 2025, users are increasingly seeking reliable file-sharing methods via the BitTorrent protocol, with platforms like YTS, 1337x, and The Pirate Bay leading in global traffic. These sites offer millions of files, including movies, TV shows, and games, with dedicated users updating content daily. The BitTorrent protocol enables efficient transfers through active seeders, and many sites prioritize verified torrents to reduce the risk of corrupted files. Community feedback aids users in selecting quality downloads. YTS specializes in high-resolution films and compressed files, while 1337x provides an organized interface for various media. The Pirate Bay continues to operate despite legal challenges, offering a wide range of content. Other notable sites include TorrentGalaxy, Limetorrents, EZTV, NYAA, FitGirl Repacks, RuTracker, IPTorrents, and Torlock, each catering to specific content types or user needs. In Brazil, operators block popular domains due to copyright rulings, prompting users to use mirrors or DNS changes. VPNs are recommended for encrypting traffic during P2P transfers. Recommended clients include qBittorrent, Transmission, and Deluge. Users are advised to check seeders, review community comments, opt for magnet links, and prefer reputable uploaders. In 2025, platforms will cater to diverse needs, with EZTV updating television releases weekly and YTS and 1337x dominating high-resolution film searches. Compressed games and specialized sites like NYAA for anime are also highlighted. Meta-search engines like AIO Search and Torrentz2 help users find torrents across multiple platforms. The BitTorrent protocol is legitimate for distributing open-source files, but users must be responsible in their content selection. Brazilian law differentiates personal downloads from commercial distribution, and prolonged seeding of protected materials may violate rights. Users prioritize privacy and verification methods.