compatibility Archives

Winsage

July 7, 2026

Windows 11 Pro Has Dropped to Just $10 Through July 19

Windows 11 Pro is available for .97 until July 19, reduced from its standard retail price of 9. This offer is suitable for PCs that meet Microsoft's hardware requirements for Windows 11. Users should verify compatibility with Microsoft's PC Health Check tool. The operating system includes features such as BitLocker, Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, and Azure AD Support, along with productivity enhancements like Snap Layouts, Biometric Sign-in, DirectX 12 Ultimate, and Copilot Integration. The license is perpetual and tied to a single compatible PC, delivered digitally after purchase.

AppWizard

July 6, 2026

Display Assistant app on Galaxy devices gets ready for One UI 9

Samsung is preparing for the launch of One UI 9.0, updating its applications and modules for a smooth transition. The Display Assistant module has been updated to version 9.0.08, enhancing compatibility with One UI 9.0 (Android 17) but not adding new features or fixes. Compatibility updates have been rolled out for several Good Lock modules, with more updates planned. One UI 9.0 will debut with the Galaxy Z Flip 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8, and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, announced on July 22, 2026, and available from August 5, 2026. The stable One UI 9.0 update will also be rolled out for existing flagship models, including the Galaxy S26 series.

AppWizard

July 6, 2026

Most of the top 10 Steam Deck games are discounted in this year’s Steam Summer Sale, with up to 90% off

Steam's annual Summer Sale has started, offering discounts of up to 90% on a wide range of games. Many titles compatible with the Steam Deck are available for under , with some even priced below . Eight out of the ten most-played games on the Steam Deck are included in the sale. The only two games not featured are Slay the Spire 2 and Forza Horizon 6. All listed games are Steam Deck Verified. Additionally, Fanatical's Triple Pack bundle includes 14 Steam Deck-friendly games, potentially offering greater savings than the Summer Sale.

AppWizard

July 6, 2026

Who Needs a Steam Machine? I Converted My PC for Free and It Was Simple

The Steam Machine offers PC gamers a console-like experience with access to the Steam library and various PC games. The starting price is ,049 due to RAMageddon, prompting some users to consider building their own Steam Machine. Valve provides a guide for installing SteamOS, which requires compatible hardware, including a 12th-gen Intel Core processor and an NVMe solid-state drive. An 8GB or larger USB drive is needed to create installation media. Users should disconnect other drives to avoid data loss during installation. The installation process involves selecting "Wipe Device & Install SteamOS," which erases the system. After installation, users must configure settings like language, time zone, and audio output. SteamOS operates in a Big Picture Mode, allowing easy navigation with a controller. Benefits of SteamOS include avoiding Windows-related frustrations and potential performance improvements in some games, although results may vary.

Winsage

July 6, 2026

Microsoft finally fixes bug that broke all major Windows 11 core UI components on some PCs

Microsoft introduced an update to the out-of-box experience (OOBE) for Windows 11, identified as KB5095189, targeting versions 25H2 and 24H2. This update includes enhancements and fixes, coinciding with additional updates KB5102558 and KB5095615 from the June C-release preview update (KB5095093). A major fix addresses a storage issue caused by the Capability Access Manager process, which was consuming significant disk space. Another fix resolves a malfunction affecting Shell components, impacting the Start menu, Search bar, Settings, Taskbar, and File Explorer, primarily on provisioned PCs due to compatibility issues with XAML. This bug had been present since July 2025 and is being resolved with updates released starting June 23, 2026 (KB5095093), with full deployment expected in the following month. Users are advised to use previous workarounds until the fix is fully available. Further details can be found in support article KB5072911 on Microsoft's website.

Winsage

July 5, 2026

Windows 11 version 26H2 is packed with surprising upgrades, and these 7 features might change how you use your PC

Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 11 version 26H2 will be released in the latter half of 2026, transitioning to a streamlined servicing model with a small enablement package instead of a full installation. Key features expected in this update include: 1. A revamped Copilot that enhances search experiences with AI assistance. 2. Customization options for the Taskbar, allowing repositioning and size adjustments. 3. An option to disable web results in Windows Search for a more focused experience. 4. Improved control over Windows Update, including the ability to pause updates for up to 35 days. 5. An Administrator Protection feature that creates temporary accounts for administrative tasks to enhance security. 6. A modern design refresh for the Run dialog box, featuring rounded corners and a "recent commands" section.

Winsage

July 5, 2026

The Curious Case of Windows 11 Pro for Workstations, Essentially Windows 11 “Pro Max”

Windows 11 Pro for Workstations, available since 2021, is a successor to Windows 10 Pro for Workstations. It focuses on performance and efficiency, lacking consumer bloat such as sponsored shortcuts. Key features include support for the Resilient File System (ReFS), which enhances fault-tolerant storage, and the ability to support up to four CPU sockets and a maximum memory capacity of 6 TB. Networking capabilities include support for SMB Direct client and RDMA, which improve performance for clustered AI inferencing setups. It also supports NVDIMM-N for enhanced workstation applications. Unlike Windows Server, it does not include a native NVMe SSD driver. Windows 11 Pro for Workstations is not available for direct purchase by end-users; it can only be obtained through OEM channels or the Windows for Business channel.

AppWizard

July 5, 2026

Fanatical’s latest Platinum Collection bundle is offering 19 Steam Deck-friendly games worth $356 for only $48

Fanatical's Platinum Collection bundle for July allows gamers to build their own selection of titles at varying prices based on the number of games chosen. The pricing tiers are as follows: three to four games at .33 each, five to six games at .00 each, and seven or more games at .85 each. The entire bundle, which includes 19 Steam Deck-compatible games, is priced at .45, offering significant savings from the original combined value of approximately 6. The bundle features various games with their Steam Deck compatibility status and original prices, including titles like "Star Overdrive" (Verified, .99) and "Worshippers of Cthulhu" (Playable, .99). Additionally, Steam's annual Summer Sale runs until July 9, featuring many Steam Deck-friendly titles under .

AppWizard

July 4, 2026

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced promises smooth handheld sailing with Steam Deck and Steam Machine verification

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced will be released on July 9th and has secured the Steam Deck Verified badge, indicating it operates seamlessly on SteamOS handheld PCs. This new version surpasses the original Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag, which only received a Playable badge due to technical issues. Black Flag Resynced is the first major title to achieve full compatibility across all SteamOS devices since the launch of the Steam Machine. Previous titles in the Assassin’s Creed series have had mixed performance reviews on the Steam Deck. The game must maintain a frame rate of at least 30fps on the Deck’s 800p screen to meet Verified status criteria, but there are concerns about its technical performance based on preview reports.

Winsage

July 4, 2026

Ex-Microsoft engineer rebuilds Notepad in 2.5KB using nothing but stuff Windows already had

Dave Plummer, a retired Microsoft engineer, has developed TinyRetroPad, a Notepad-like application that is only 2.5 kilobytes in size. TinyRetroPad includes features such as Open, Save, Find and Replace, printing, font selection, word wrap, and an unsaved changes prompt. It is built on existing Windows components, allowing it to function efficiently without extensive resources. TinyRetroPad is based on Dave’s Tiny Editor and utilizes RICHEDIT50W for text handling. The application's file size increased incrementally with each feature added, with the final size being 2,476 bytes. Crinkler, a compression linker, was used to optimize the executable. TinyRetroPad is still in development, facing issues like high memory consumption and compatibility problems. In contrast, Windows 11's Notepad has become larger and more complex, weighing approximately 352KB and incorporating features that some users find unnecessary. Windows 11 LTSC retains the classic Notepad without modern features, while TinyRetroPad aims to demonstrate the potential for simplicity in application design.