countdowns Archives

Winsage

November 8, 2025

Microsoft’s Free Windows Update—You Have 48 Hours To Act

Microsoft is transitioning away from Windows 10, which will reach its end-of-life on October 14. Users have 48 hours to take action regarding potential vulnerabilities. Windows 10 users will receive their last general security updates in October, but ongoing protection will only be available through enrollment in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which is free until October 13, 2026. Approximately 40% of Windows users, or around 560 million, are still on Windows 10. Failing to enroll in the ESU could leave devices vulnerable to security threats. Enrollment requires a licensed Windows 10 PC, a Microsoft Account, and saving settings to OneDrive. Users can also upgrade to Windows 11 for enhanced security if their hardware qualifies. The ESU is a temporary measure, and enterprise users have alternative, potentially more costly options for long-term solutions.

AppWizard

November 6, 2025

World of Warcraft Midnight’s addon confusion strikes again, as game director breaks two-year Reddit silence to address countdown concerns

Recent discussions in the gaming community have focused on the World of Warcraft (WoW) addon landscape, particularly with the upcoming Midnight expansion. Adam 'MysticalOS' Williams shared a video on the official subreddit discussing Blizzard's evolving stance on countdown addons, following a two-year hiatus from game director Ion Hazzikostas. Hazzikostas expressed concerns about players becoming overly reliant on timers during raids, which could diminish engagement with game mechanics. He emphasized the importance of preventing addons from surpassing the base user interface (UI) capabilities, as this could detract from competitive gameplay. Hazzikostas plans to clarify Blizzard's goals regarding addons in an upcoming blog post, aiming to create a level playing field where addons enhance the experience without providing unfair advantages. Specifically regarding audible countdowns, Hazzikostas stated that the concern is not about the countdown itself being automation, but about ensuring all players have access to similar functionalities. He mentioned that if Blizzard's design goals are not met, they might consider integrating an audio countdown feature into the base UI. MysticalOS acknowledged the need for enhancements to be integrated into the stock UI before addon customization. As the Midnight expansion approaches, significant changes to healing mechanics are expected, and experienced modders like WeakAuras' 'Stanzilla' will not update their addons for the new expansion.