desktop Archives

AppWizard

June 28, 2026

The Steam client was hurting PC gaming on Android — Valve’s VR headset accidentally solved it

Playing Windows games on Android has become feasible due to Winlator and open-source technologies like Wine, Box64, and DXVK. User-friendly applications such as GameHub and GameNative have emerged, enhancing mobile gaming experiences to rival dedicated handheld consoles. A major challenge was the reliance on the x86 Windows Steam client, which was resource-intensive on mobile devices. GameNative 1.0 introduced an experimental feature that eliminates the need for the desktop Steam client by using Valve's native Android libraries, improving the gaming experience significantly. Valve released Steamworks SDK version 1.63 in November 2025, which included native ARM64 libraries for Android, allowing for essential Steam functionalities without a translation layer. GameNative integrated these libraries, replacing the desktop client with a more efficient "bionic" Steam client that operates without a user interface, streamlining DRM and matchmaking processes. GameNative now supports Steam Guard TOTP sign-in, enabling smooth authentication and access to the user's Steam library. It downloads games natively, supports cloud saves, and is compatible with most single-player games with Steam DRM. The application boasts a high compatibility rate, with 221 out of 241 games in one user's library showing as compatible. GameNative 1.0 has improved performance with a Vulkan renderer and reworked controller stack. Despite its success, GameNative is not yet available on the Play Store, with nearly a million users sideloading the application. Developers aim to create a Play Store version that complies with Google's policies for easier installation.

Winsage

June 27, 2026

Whew! Windows 10 Users Get a Year’s Extension for Security Updates

Microsoft has extended its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10 until October 14, 2027, after the original end-of-life date was set for October 13, 2023. The ESU program is the only way for users to receive security patches after Microsoft ceased support for Windows 10 in October 2025. Users must be running at least version 22H2 and have a Microsoft account to enroll in the ESU program. The extension aims to provide customers more time to transition to new hardware, which requires a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) for upgrading to Windows 11. Additionally, the prices of laptops and desktop PCs have increased due to demand from artificial intelligence and data centers, although budget-friendly laptops have started to emerge in the market.

Winsage

June 27, 2026

Critics on Microsoft extending Windows 10 support for free through 2027: “Are they admitting Windows 11 isn’t good enough 5 years later?”

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft ceased support for Windows 10, affecting nearly 400 million PCs. In response to user concerns, Microsoft extended the operating system's life through the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, allowing continued access to essential patches until October 14, 2027, at no cost for users with a Microsoft account. Critics, including The Restart Project, expressed skepticism about this extension, viewing it as a temporary fix. Protests occurred in France against Microsoft's planned obsolescence strategy. Some users are considering alternatives like Linux due to hardware limitations and dissatisfaction with Windows 11. Recent surveys indicate that about 30% of HP PCs still run Windows 10, suggesting a gradual transition to Windows 11, which became the dominant desktop OS in July 2025.

Winsage

June 27, 2026

Windows 10 support extended to 2027 for free — Is this Microsoft admitting Windows 11 isn’t enough?

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft ended support for Windows 10, prompting concerns among users. In response, the company extended support through the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, allowing continued access to essential patches until October 14, 2027, at no cost for users with a Microsoft account. The Restart Project criticized this late intervention, while users expressed mixed reactions, with some considering a switch to Linux due to rising hardware costs and dissatisfaction with Windows 11. A recent HP survey indicated that 30% of HP PCs were still running Windows 10, down from 50% in September 2025. Microsoft's decision to extend support for Windows 10 has raised questions about the adequacy of Windows 11, which surpassed Windows 10 as the leading desktop operating system globally in July 2025.

Winsage

June 26, 2026

Microsoft gives Windows 10 users a reprieve by extending security updates another year

Microsoft has extended the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10 personal computers until October 12, 2027. This extension was noted in a revised support document and aims to give users more time to transition to Windows 11 while still receiving security updates. The ESU program, launched in June 2025, was initially set to conclude in October 2026. Currently, Windows 10 powers approximately 26% of desktop Windows PCs globally, with around 1 billion PCs still running it, according to Dell COO Jeffrey Clarke.

Winsage

June 26, 2026

Microsoft extends free Windows 10 security updates for a second year — program now ends on October 12, 2027

Microsoft has extended its free consumer Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) program by an additional year, with the new deadline for critical security patches set for October 14, 2027. The ESU program was originally scheduled to end on October 12, 2026. Devices already enrolled in the program will automatically transition to the new date. Approximately 400 million active PCs are unable to upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware limitations. IDC forecasts a 10% to 20% rise in prices for PCs, tablets, and smartphones through the end of 2026. Third-party solutions, such as unofficial Windows 10 micropatches from security firm 0patch, will be available through 2030.

Winsage

June 25, 2026

This free app puts Microsoft to shame by bringing widgets to the Windows 11 taskbar

WidBar is a beta application for Windows 11 that allows users to integrate widgets into the taskbar, currently offering two widgets: "Now Playing" and "System Metrics." Users can drag and drop these widgets into a live preview of their taskbar and place them across multiple monitors. The native Widgets Panel in Windows 11 has 56 widgets but lacks a dedicated Now Playing widget, as media controls are only available in the Action Center. WidBar is gaining attention for its potential to enhance user experience and is being discussed in the tech community on platforms like Reddit.

AppWizard

June 25, 2026

Gemini on desktop could soon get Gemini Live, Magic Pointer, and voice dictation

The Gemini desktop application for macOS is testing several new features, including support for Gemini Live, a system-wide voice dictation feature called “Speak to Window,” cursor tracking for contextual assistance, and a toolbar option labeled “Connect another Mac.” These features are currently being evaluated by a select group of users.

AppWizard

June 25, 2026

This free Pixel app is the reason I canceled my AI note-taking subscription

Sanuj Bhatia from Android Authority highlights the capabilities of Google’s Pixel Recorder app, which he found effective enough to cancel his subscription to a paid AI note-taking service. The app, upgraded with Gemini Nano technology in the Pixel 9 series, can record audio and generate live transcripts with punctuation and grammar corrections, identifying multiple speakers during meetings. It integrates with a web application for easy access to recordings and transcripts on desktop devices. The app processes data on-device, ensuring privacy, which is advantageous for professionals handling sensitive information. While it has limitations, such as not being able to join meetings virtually and lacking collaborative features, it is considered a reliable and cost-efficient alternative to traditional AI note-taking tools.

Winsage

June 25, 2026

PowerToys replaced tools I used to install on every Windows PC

Raycast for Windows, a productivity app, was initially a valuable tool for launching applications and executing actions quickly. However, the introduction of the Command Palette in Microsoft PowerToys provided similar functionality, leading to Raycast being less essential for the user's needs. The user found that the Command Palette effectively served as a fast app launcher, integrating well with other PowerToys features. The user also transitioned from GlazeWM, a tiling window manager, to FancyZones in PowerToys for better window management, as FancyZones offered more tailored window layout options. Additionally, Text Extractor in PowerToys streamlined the user's optical character recognition (OCR) tasks by allowing easy text extraction from images. Overall, PowerToys consolidated several utilities into one suite, enhancing the user's productivity while reducing the need for multiple separate applications.