distributions Archives

AppWizard

April 14, 2026

These custom Linux lock screens styled after Minecraft, NieR Automata, and Genshin Impact are single-handedly eroding my loyalty to Windows

A Redditor named Darkkal44 has created a collection of visually striking Linux lock screens inspired by video games, available on GitHub. The sentiment towards Linux is becoming more favorable among gamers, particularly with the introduction of a new Proton Experimental build that simplifies playing classic Capcom titles. A distribution called Bazzite is highlighted for its user-friendliness and features like ScopeBuddy for HDR gaming. Customization options, including a Windows 7-style lock screen called Qylock, are appealing for users considering a switch from Windows to Linux. Despite the growing appeal, some users remain hesitant to fully transition from Windows.

Winsage

April 13, 2026

Windows 11 no longer forces you to update the OS when setting up your PC

Microsoft has introduced a significant change to the out-of-box setup process for Windows 11, allowing new users to bypass the mandatory update phase that previously extended setup times by as much as 30 minutes. An "update later" button will now appear during setup, enabling users to access their desktops more quickly. This feature has been tested with select user groups and is now available to all users. Additionally, Microsoft is working on further modifications to the Windows Update system, including options to postpone updates indefinitely and reduce required restarts to once a month.

AppWizard

April 13, 2026

No, cracked versions of Resident Evil Requiem aren’t performing better than the official game — but there are still issues with DRM

Capcom's Resident Evil Requiem has sparked discussions about Denuvo DRM's effectiveness against piracy. Reports indicate that pirated versions of the game, cracked by the group 'voices38' using a Hypervisor Denuvo bypass, do not show significant performance advantages over the legitimate version. Unlike previous titles such as Assassin's Creed Origins, which improved performance after Denuvo removal, Requiem remains well-optimized without a Denuvo-less version. The history of Denuvo's impact on performance is mixed, with the recent Resident Evil 4 remake experiencing performance declines due to Enigma DRM, leading to its eventual removal by Capcom. Additionally, Denuvo can create accessibility issues for users on platforms like SteamOS, particularly when switching between Proton modes. Currently, players of Resident Evil Requiem can enjoy the game without performance disparities associated with pirated versions.

Winsage

April 8, 2026

“Wait, Windows uses less?”: I break down the surprising requirement that flips the Linux vs. Windows script

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, developed by Canonical, will be released on April 23, 2026, with updated desktop requirements of a 2GHz dual-core processor, 6GB of RAM, and 25GB of storage. Unlike Windows 11, which enforces strict minimum requirements, Ubuntu allows installation on lower-spec machines, though performance may be compromised. The new requirements reflect a shift away from supporting older hardware, as the operating system incorporates a modern desktop stack with updated GNOME components and Wayland support. Ubuntu's installer evaluates hardware capabilities but does not block installation on unsupported devices, contrasting with Windows 11's rigid installation process that requires specific hardware features like TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot.

Tech Optimizer

April 8, 2026

PostgreSQL logical replication: How to replicate only the data that you need

Many organizations using PostgreSQL face challenges in replicating data across different logical databases while controlling shared information. PostgreSQL 15 introduces native logical replication with column-level and row-level filtering within publications, allowing precise control over data transfer between PostgreSQL databases. Logical replication operates on a publish-subscribe model, where the source database logs changes to the Write-Ahead Log (WAL) and applies publication filters to transmit only the relevant data to the target database. Two filtering modes are available: column-level filtering allows users to specify which columns to replicate, while row-level filtering uses WHERE clauses to determine which rows to include. Both filtering modes can be combined in a single publication. The SQL syntax for creating publications and subscriptions is consistent across various PostgreSQL environments, with specific configurations required for enabling logical replication. Use cases for logical replication include multi-tenant SaaS data isolation, regional data distribution for ecommerce, PCI DSS compliance in financial services, development and testing environments, and retail inventory management. Prerequisites for implementing logical replication include using PostgreSQL 15 or later, ensuring network connectivity, having a user with replication privileges, enabling logical replication on the source instance, and monitoring WAL retention. Logical replication has limitations, such as the need for a replica identity for UPDATE and DELETE operations, the non-replication of DDL changes and sequences, and potential performance overhead during initial synchronization and ongoing replication. After testing, it is advisable to clean up by removing replication resources to prevent unnecessary costs.

Winsage

April 8, 2026

CachyOS is dethroning Windows at the one thing it owned for decades

Windows has historically been the dominant operating system for PC gaming, with Linux being less appealing due to a lack of developer support and compatibility issues. The introduction of Valve's Proton in 2018 transformed the Linux gaming experience by allowing Windows games to run on Linux without requiring developers to create separate versions. CachyOS, a Linux distribution, has emerged as a strong competitor to Windows 11, often outperforming it in gaming performance due to its specialized schedulers. However, certain games with specific anti-cheat mechanisms remain inaccessible on Linux, keeping Windows as the preferred choice for many popular titles. Despite this, the growing popularity of Linux distributions like CachyOS may lead to increased demand for Linux-compatible games and potential solutions for anti-cheat issues in the future.

Winsage

April 6, 2026

Death of Windows? Cachy OS Destroys Windows 11 in Gaming Performance

Recent benchmark results show that Linux, specifically CachyOS, outperforms Windows 11 in various modern gaming titles. Tests conducted by NJ Tech used identical hardware configurations, including an AMD Ryzen 5 5600X processor and a Radeon RX 6700 XT graphics card. In the game Crimson Desert, CachyOS achieved 63 FPS compared to Windows 11's 59 FPS, and in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, CachyOS delivered 81 FPS versus Windows' 68 FPS. In Red Dead Redemption 2, CachyOS averaged 85 FPS while Windows recorded 81 FPS, and in Cyberpunk 2077, CachyOS reached 98 FPS compared to Windows' 91 FPS. Overall, Linux showed frame rates approximately 3 to 10 percent higher across multiple tests. However, in The First Descendant, Windows outperformed CachyOS with 63 FPS to 54 FPS, and in The Division 2, both platforms had identical average frame rates of 128 FPS, though Windows had slightly more stable lows. All games on Linux were run using Proton, which has evolved into a robust solution for running Windows games on Linux. The results indicate that the performance gap between Linux and Windows in gaming is narrowing, with Linux capable of matching or surpassing Windows in certain scenarios.

Winsage

April 6, 2026

Linux gaming reaches 5.3% on Steam, Windows drops below 93%

The Linux gaming market share among Steam users has reached 5.3%, a historic high, coinciding with Windows usage dropping below 93%. Windows 10 usage has decreased by nearly 15%, while Windows 11 has gained only 10.6%. SteamOS Holo 64-bit is the leading Linux distribution, making up 25% of all Linux users, largely due to the popularity of the Steam Deck. macOS has gained 1.2% market share, indicating a shift in gaming preferences. Valve announced plans to expand SteamOS to desktop PCs, which may further boost Linux gaming adoption.

Winsage

April 4, 2026

Windows Use Among Gamers Falls, Linux Tops 5% For the First Time

The latest Steam Hardware survey indicates that Windows usage among gamers has fallen below 93% for the first time, while Linux has surpassed 5%, reaching 5.3%. Windows 10's market share dropped nearly 15% in March 2026, and Windows 11 only gained 10.6% during the same period. macOS increased by 1.2%, while Linux grew by over 3.1%. Among Linux users, SteamOS Holo 64-bit is the leading distribution with a 25% share, attributed to the Steam Deck. Other distributions like Arch and Mint hold 8.8% and 6.9% of the market, respectively. There are also unnamed distributions referred to as "0 64 bit" and "64 bit," which may be experimental versions of SteamOS.

BetaBeacon

April 3, 2026

Wine 11.6 Brings Android Driver Work, Game Mod Fixes

The Wine Project has released version 11.6, which includes improvements and bug fixes to enhance user experience. The update focuses on reviving the Android driver and improving VBScript compatibility. Gaming compatibility has been addressed, fixing issues in popular games like Minecraft Windows 10 Edition and Mount & Blade: Warband. For Linux gamers, the update resolves problems in Diablo IV and Cyberpunk 2077. Additionally, enhancements have been made for DLL handling in Gecko-based browsers and modded game setups. Compatibility fixes have also been provided for various applications like StarOffice 5.1 and PDF-XChange Editor. The source code for Wine 11.6 is available for download on GitLab, with binary packages for different distributions expected to be available soon.