connection Archives

AppWizard

January 17, 2026

Minecraft-inspired RPG Hytale, created by Minecraft multiplayer server devs, gets mod to make it look more like Minecraft

Hytale, an RPG developed by Hypixel, draws significant inspiration from Minecraft, featuring a similar blocky visual style. The game originated from a Minecraft server in the mid-2010s. A modder has created a mod that makes Hytale resemble Minecraft more closely, showcasing a multi-square inventory and softer textures. Discussions within the community include ideas for unique items and a portal connecting the two games, with predictions that someone will recreate Minecraft within Hytale. Recently, Hytale developers released a patch with dinosaur-themed content and plan further enhancements.

Winsage

January 17, 2026

Reddit users: r/WindowsCentral is live — join us to shape coverage, boost visibility, and help build the strongest Microsoft community online

The Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central announced the launch of their subreddit, r/windowscentral, emphasizing the vibrant community engagement it offers. Reddit allows for fast-paced discussions, immediate access to news, and real-time feedback, enhancing their journalism. The subreddit provides a direct connection to readers, free from algorithmic barriers, and fosters a collaborative space for sharing insights, troubleshooting, and engaging in technical discussions. Following the subreddit will also grant users access to behind-the-scenes content, polls, and editorial debates, strengthening the community and supporting independent tech journalism.

Winsage

January 16, 2026

Easterly helms RSAC, Windows update problems, Police Copilot gaffe

Jen Easterly has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of the RSA Conference. She is a cybersecurity expert and former Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Palo Alto Networks has released security updates for a vulnerability (CVE-2026-0227) with a CVSS score of 7.7 affecting its GlobalProtect Gateway and Portal, which can cause a denial-of-service condition in PAN-OS software. The January 2026 security update from Microsoft has caused connection and authentication failures in Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365, affecting users across various Windows versions. Microsoft is working on a resolution. The chief constable of West Midlands Police acknowledged an error by Microsoft’s Copilot AI in generating a fictional intelligence report. Microsoft has not confirmed Copilot's involvement. Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has collaborated with Five Eyes partners to provide guidance on securing industrial operational technology, highlighting risks associated with remotely monitored systems. Kyowon, a South Korean conglomerate, confirmed a ransomware attack on January 10 that may have compromised customer information, affecting approximately 5.5 million members. Researchers at Varonis have identified a new attack technique called "Reprompt" that allows data exfiltration from Microsoft Copilot via a malicious link, exploiting a Parameter 2 Prompt (P2P) injection technique. Central Maine Healthcare is notifying over 145,000 patients about a data breach that compromised personal, treatment, and health insurance information, discovered on June 1.

Winsage

January 16, 2026

For January, Patch Tuesday starts off with a bang

Users accessing Azure Virtual Desktop or Windows 365 Cloud PCs through the Windows App may experience authentication errors and credential prompt failures after installing updates KB5074109, KB5073455, or KB5073724. Microsoft is preparing an out-of-band fix and advises affected users to connect via the Remote Desktop client for Windows or the Windows App Web Client. A minor subset of users may also find the password icon missing on the Windows login screen, an issue since the August 2025 update, for which Microsoft has introduced a Known Issue Rollback for Pro and Home users, while enterprise deployments should implement an updated Group Policy. Microsoft has removed legacy Agere and Motorola soft modem drivers to address CVE-2023-31096, a security vulnerability, which will render hardware reliant on these drivers non-functional after the January updates. Additionally, certificates from 2011 used by many Windows devices will begin to expire in June and October, potentially causing boot issues or loss of access to Secure Boot security fixes for devices not updated with 2023 certificates. A new section for resolved issues has been introduced in the monthly updates, addressing challenges impacting enterprise environments.

Winsage

January 15, 2026

Windows App forgets how to log in with first security update of the year

Microsoft's January security update, released on January 13, 2026, has caused connection and authentication failures for users of Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365, particularly affecting those using the Windows App. The update has resulted in credential prompt failures during Remote Desktop connections across all supported Windows versions, from Enterprise LTSC 2016 to Windows 11 25H2, as well as Windows Servers from 2019 to 2025. Microsoft is investigating the issue and plans to release an out-of-band update soon. Users have been advised to either uninstall the update or use the Remote Desktop Client or the Windows App web client as workarounds. Reports indicate persistent issues, including an "Unable to Authenticate" error when attempting to connect via the Windows App. Microsoft has also made a Known Issue Rollback available to address these credential problems.

AppWizard

January 15, 2026

What is ‘Hytale’? The new viral ‘Minecraft clone’ explained

“Hytale” is an open-world sandbox game that allows players to collect resources, craft, and build unique worlds. It was developed by Hypixel Studios, which previously worked on a popular “Minecraft” server. Development began in 2015 and faced setbacks, including a cancellation in mid-2025, but resumed in November after the rights were acquired by Hypixel founder Simon Collins-Laflamme. The game is currently in early access and is fully playable, though still under development. “Hytale” is available exclusively on PC for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and can be accessed through the official website, not on Steam. The standard edition is priced at .99, with additional tiers available for .49 and .99. Early indications suggest significant popularity, with pre-purchase sales generating enough revenue for at least two years of development and over 400,000 viewers watching gameplay on Twitch on its release day.

AppWizard

January 14, 2026

81-year-old grandma’s Minecraft YouTube channel pays for grandson’s cancer treatment

Sue Jacquot, an 81-year-old woman, started a YouTube channel called Gramma Crackers in 2024 to support her grandson Jack Self during his cancer treatment. The channel focuses on her gaming adventures in Minecraft and has attracted over 150,000 followers and 564,000 views on her first video. Each video includes a link to Jack's GoFundMe page, which raised significant funds for his treatment. The gaming community has shown overwhelming support, contributing to the campaign and providing encouragement. Sue's experience highlights the growing trend of elderly individuals engaging in gaming, as seen in other stories like a 92-year-old woman winning a Tekken 8 tournament in December 2025.

Winsage

January 13, 2026

Microsoft fixes 114 flaws in year’s first Windows 11 Patch Tuesday

Microsoft's January 2026 Patch Tuesday update, KB5074109, addresses 114 vulnerabilities, including a critical zero-day vulnerability (CVE-2026-20805) in the Windows Desktop Window Manager (DWM) that has been actively exploited. The update is applicable to Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 and includes security enhancements and updates to AI components. Other high-severity vulnerabilities addressed include CVE-2026-20816 (privilege escalation in Windows Installer), CVE-2026-20817 (elevation of privilege in Windows Error Reporting), CVE-2026-20840 (vulnerability in Windows NTFS), CVE-2026-20843 (flaw in Routing and Remote Access Service), CVE-2026-20860 (vulnerability in Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock), and CVE-2026-20871 (another DWM vulnerability). The update removes legacy modem drivers to minimize the attack surface and resolves reliability issues in Azure Virtual Desktop and WSL networking. It also changes the default setting for Windows Deployment Services (WDS) to disable hands-free deployment. Users can install the update through Windows Update, and a system reboot is required for full application.

AppWizard

January 13, 2026

6 Free Apps To Automate Tasks on Android

In daily life, people engage in repetitive phone actions that shape their routines, such as turning off Wi-Fi or silencing notifications. Android devices offer basic automation features, but true automation potential lies in apps that allow personalized routines. Samsung Galaxy users can utilize Modes and Routines, integrated into One UI 5.1, to create preset profiles and custom automations based on triggers like time and location. Google’s Action Blocks enable users to create customizable shortcuts for complex tasks with a single tap, leveraging Google Assistant. Automate by LlamaLab uses a visual flowchart interface for routine creation, allowing users to design automation flows with over 320 building blocks available. aProfiles focuses on profile-based automation, adjusting settings based on time and location, while IFTTT allows users to create applets for connected services, with limitations on custom applets for free users. MacroDroid offers a three-part structure for automations, with over 100 triggers and actions, and a template library for pre-made macros, while the free version limits users to five macros.

AppWizard

January 13, 2026

Anthem is finally, officially dead

At approximately 2:05 PM EST today, players of Anthem were unexpectedly disconnected from EA's servers, marking the official end of the game after nearly seven years since its launch. The game had struggled with live service management and received a lukewarm reception, with a review rating of 55 in February 2019. Development issues and a lack of creative direction plagued Anthem, leading to abandoned plans for reinvention in February 2021. EA announced the game's closure in July, and in its final hours, the community engaged in a nostalgic farewell. Players expressed mixed feelings about the game's experience, highlighting both the thrill of combat and frustrations with its design.