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Back to the Start: How Microsoft launched Windows 95 to the world
Winsage
August 24, 2026

Back to the Start: How Microsoft launched Windows 95 to the world

In 1995, Microsoft launched Windows 95, an operating system designed to transition users from 16-bit to 32-bit computing, with a marketing budget estimated between 0 million and 0 million. Windows 95 featured a 32-bit architecture capable of managing up to 4GB of memory, the Start button, taskbar, Microsoft Exchange, and Plug and Play technology. The global launch event occurred on August 24 at Microsoft's headquarters, featuring Bill Gates and a promotional campaign that included The Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up" and a videotape guide with Friends stars. In Malaysia, the official launch was on August 29, with some dealers organizing midnight sales, although turnout was disappointing. Microsoft hosted a Windows 95 Expo in Kuala Lumpur, leading to strong sales of additional products. By 1996, Microsoft announced the shipment of 40 million units of Windows 95 worldwide.
A faster OS and UI fixes won't save Windows 11 if Microsoft's apps remain laggy web wrappers
Winsage
August 24, 2026

A faster OS and UI fixes won’t save Windows 11 if Microsoft’s apps remain laggy web wrappers

Microsoft is testing new context menus and updating the AutoPlay dialog box in Windows 11. The Windows K2 initiative is prompting discussions about a potential Windows 12 update. Concerns remain about the performance of key applications like Microsoft Teams, which has been criticized for slow loading times. The upcoming Windows 11 update will include a refreshed Start menu, Taskbar enhancements, and quality fixes. A study by Signal65 found that the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme outperforms Intel and AMD chips. Rudy Huyn is leading a team to improve Windows applications, but it is uncertain how many apps will benefit from these efforts. Many major applications operate independently from Huyn's team, raising concerns about user experience. Microsoft 365 is currently available at a discount when bundled with NordVPN.
Windows NT 4 went on sale 30 years ago today
Winsage
August 24, 2026

Windows NT 4 went on sale 30 years ago today

Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 was officially released on August 24, 1996, marking its 30th anniversary today. Codenamed “Tukwila,” it integrated the Windows Explorer desktop from Windows 95 with the NT operating system. Windows 95 was released a year earlier on August 24, 1995, and was initially codenamed “Chicago.” Windows NT 4 incorporated a modern user interface while maintaining the reliability of the NT kernel. It introduced features like the journaling NTFS filesystem but had limitations such as stability issues due to changes in the Graphics Device Interface (GDI) and lack of support for FAT32 and USB interfaces. Despite these shortcomings, NT 4 was a significant operating system that contributed to the competitive landscape of operating systems.
AI vendors are turning to custom hardware as Microsoft winds back the clock on Windows
Winsage
August 24, 2026

AI vendors are turning to custom hardware as Microsoft winds back the clock on Windows

This week, insights into datacenter technology reveal a shift in GPU dominance, with companies exploring alternatives. Cerebras, founded by Andrew Feldman, has developed chips the size of dinner plates that contain 44 gigabytes of ultra-fast SRAM, circumventing high-bandwidth memory supply constraints. In 2024, Cerebras launched an inference server that processes tokens faster than any GPU configuration, utilizing structured sparsity and partnering with AWS and AMD. The latest Cerebras chips, CS-4 systems, feature a modular architecture that doubles performance and bandwidth. Google is also moving towards custom silicon with its Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), while Marvell competes with Broadcom in providing IP for custom chips. Waymo announced a custom machine learning accelerator for its autonomous vehicles to enhance compute density and address limitations of previous FPGA use. On the software side, Microsoft is reintroducing the ability to move the taskbar in Windows 11, responding to user feedback after nearly five years. This change reflects Microsoft's focus on user experience amid competition from alternatives like macOS and Linux.
Malwarebytes Review 2026: Safe, But is Free Tier Enough?
Tech Optimizer
August 24, 2026

Malwarebytes Review 2026: Safe, But is Free Tier Enough?

Overall Rating: 4.3/5 ⭐ Protection: 4.3 ⭐ Performance: 3.9 ⭐ Features: 4.4 ⭐ Support: 4.8 ⭐ Value: 4.2 ⭐ Pricing starts at .99 for the first year, verified August 2026. Malwarebytes earned the AV-TEST TOP PRODUCT award in March-April 2026, scoring 17.5 out of 18 points. It successfully removed all infections in remediation tests and had no false detections across 1.5 million legitimate samples at AV-TEST. The software can coexist with other antivirus solutions and offers a free version with limited features. The free version lacks ongoing protection after 14 days, while the paid version provides real-time protection. Malwarebytes has a privacy policy stating it does not sell customer data and collects only necessary identifiers. The company was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, having raised a total of 0 million, including a recent investment from Vector Capital in September 2022. It acquired AzireVPN in November 2024. Malwarebytes offers various plans, including Standard, Plus, and Total, with consistent renewal pricing. The Windows version includes comprehensive features, while the Mac version targets adware and browser hijackers. The Android app provides scanning capabilities and phishing protection, and the iPhone app focuses on scam text filtering. Customer support is efficient, with quick responses.
The First Antivirus Built for Family IT Support Misses the Mark on Protection
Tech Optimizer
August 23, 2026

The First Antivirus Built for Family IT Support Misses the Mark on Protection

Splashtop has launched its antivirus product, Splashtop Shield, after over two decades in remote access solutions. The antivirus received a four-star rating but is still being refined. It offers remote care capabilities for families, with various licensing options: an Individual license for two computers, a Family Lite license for up to five devices, and a full Family subscription for ten devices. Pricing is competitive within the market. Splashtop Shield enhances security by blocking unapproved remote access tools and provides a control console for family members to manage antivirus settings. In testing, it scored 7.8 out of 10 for malware protection, lower than competitors, and blocked 86% of malware-hosting URLs. It excelled in phishing protection, detecting 99% of fraudulent attempts. The Family Guardian feature allows comprehensive control over family members' antivirus settings, facilitating remote assistance. However, the antivirus component lacks the robustness of established competitors, and its performance raises concerns.
Star Wars Zero Company And Galactic Racer Clashed, Lucasfilm Could Have Prevented It
AppWizard
August 22, 2026

Star Wars Zero Company And Galactic Racer Clashed, Lucasfilm Could Have Prevented It

Two Star Wars titles, Star Wars Zero Company and Galactic Racer, are set to launch within months of each other, marking the first time in 15 years that games from different developers will share a release year. The simultaneous lifting of embargoes for both games occurred just an hour apart, creating a clash that disadvantaged the team behind Galactic Racer. The two titles are developed by independent studios Fuse Games/Secret Mode and Bit Reactor/EA, respectively, with Lucasfilm Games overseeing the process. The marketing strategies for the games have differed, with Zero Company announced at last year's Celebration and Galactic Racer unveiled in December. Star Wars Zero Company is set to launch on August 27th, while Galactic Racer will follow on October 6th. Pre-orders are available for both titles.
2 Steam top sellers, 2 simultaneous betas, 2 very different shooters: It's Wardogs & Modern Warfare weekend
AppWizard
August 21, 2026

2 Steam top sellers, 2 simultaneous betas, 2 very different shooters: It’s Wardogs & Modern Warfare weekend

Two highly-anticipated military first-person shooter titles, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 and Wardogs, are offering beta access to pre-order customers. Call of Duty is currently leading sales on Steam, while Wardogs has over one million wishlists and is gaining popularity. Wardogs features a short time-to-kill mechanic, expansive maps, and aims to balance realism with accessibility. The game is designed to attract fans of mainstream shooters and battle royales. The pre-order price is set, and players are encouraged to request refunds if the beta does not meet expectations. Over 87,000 participants are currently facing server issues due to high interest.
PS5, Xbox, and PC AAA launch to shutdown after less than 1 year as mass community outrage ensues
AppWizard
August 21, 2026

PS5, Xbox, and PC AAA launch to shutdown after less than 1 year as mass community outrage ensues

Riot Games announced that support for its game 2XKO will conclude in December 2026, although servers will remain operational. A final update will introduce two new champions and address existing bugs, with refunds for any purchases made. The decision has sparked backlash from the community, with criticisms aimed at the company's focus on immediate profitability and a history of discontinuing projects. 2XKO joins other canceled titles like Hytale and 'Project F'. The upcoming MMORPG set in the League of Legends universe is scheduled for release in 2028 after being rebooted in 2024, but concerns about its potential fate persist.
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