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9 big things Steam needs to improve in 2026
AppWizard
January 10, 2026

9 big things Steam needs to improve in 2026

72% of developers perceive Steam as having a functional monopoly in the PC gaming landscape. Competing platforms like the Epic Games Store and Xbox App have not matched Steam's user experience. Suggestions for improving Steam include adding a "currently playing" section in the library, separating achievements for base games and DLC, streamlining the DLC acquisition process, enhancing mod support in Steam Workshop, improving wishlist organization, and making SteamOS available for all PCs.
You can now try the Windows phone OS that Microsoft never released
Winsage
December 31, 2025

You can now try the Windows phone OS that Microsoft never released

Microsoft had plans for a custom operating system called Andromeda OS, designed for dual-screen devices, which was ultimately shelved. A leaked build of Andromeda OS has been ported to the original Surface Duo by developer Gustave Monce, allowing users to experience this unfinished software. Andromeda OS was based on Windows 10 and resembled Windows Phone, featuring Live Tiles and a Start Menu for dual displays. The project was abandoned in favor of Android in 2018 to avoid rebuilding a mobile app ecosystem. The ported build is not compatible with Surface Duo 2 and is available for download, but installation will erase existing Android data and may not be suitable for beginners. The device can run both Android and Windows, but booting into Windows requires a PC connection. The current version of Andromeda OS is unstable and incomplete, providing insight into Microsoft's previous mobile technology aspirations.
Over Half A Million Windows Users Are Switching To Linux - Here's Why
Winsage
December 20, 2025

Over Half A Million Windows Users Are Switching To Linux – Here’s Why

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 in October 2025, offering free Extended Security Updates until October 13, 2026, and paid options until 2028. The requirement for the TPM 2.0 security chip has prevented many users from upgrading to Windows 11, leading to increased adoption of Linux distributions like Zorin, which has surpassed a million downloads, with 78% from Windows users. Valve's Steam Deck has improved gaming on Linux, with major titles now supporting Linux compatibility, and the development of Proton has enhanced the ability to run Windows games on Linux. Zorin allows users to install Windows applications and progressive web apps, providing alternatives to traditional software.
PC makers expected a faster Windows 11 surge, yet adoption lags far behind
Winsage
December 7, 2025

PC makers expected a faster Windows 11 surge, yet adoption lags far behind

Windows 10 powers over two in five active desktops globally, holding a 42.7% share, while Windows 11 has 53.7% of active Windows desktops as of November 2025. Many enterprises are delaying upgrades to Windows 11 by using Extended Security Updates due to reliance on legacy applications and equipment lacking driver support. Funding for large-scale computer replacements is often unallocated, with migration costs including compatibility testing, deployment planning, retraining, and workflow management. The adoption rate of Windows 11 is lagging behind previous cycles, with Dell executives noting double-digit margins in this delay. Many consumers continue using older Windows 10 machines for secondary tasks, prolonging their lifespan. In some European regions, consumers receive free security updates for Windows 10, reducing the urgency to upgrade. The growth of Windows 11 reflects net additions rather than outright replacements, as operational advantages over Windows 10 remain limited.
Your Windows on ARM laptop could someday play real PC games
Winsage
December 4, 2025

Your Windows on ARM laptop could someday play real PC games

The Lisuan 7G106 is the first discrete graphics card to operate on Windows on ARM, successfully executing the 3DMark Time Spy benchmark. This marks a significant milestone for the ARM ecosystem, confirming real discrete GPU driver support. The demonstration indicates essential rendering, driver, and API support are operational, suggesting potential for ARM PCs to cater to gaming laptops and high-performance desktops. This development challenges major graphics companies like NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel to consider entering the Windows on ARM market. While the Lisuan GPU is not yet market-ready, it serves as a crucial proof-of-concept for future advancements in ARM computing.
Qualcomm Overhauls Windows on Arm Gaming with Downloadable GPU Drivers and AVX2 Support
Winsage
November 20, 2025

Qualcomm Overhauls Windows on Arm Gaming with Downloadable GPU Drivers and AVX2 Support

Qualcomm has decoupled GPU updates from Microsoft's OS release cycle, allowing Snapdragon X Elite owners to download graphics drivers directly, which aligns the company with industry standards set by Nvidia and AMD. The company has transitioned to a direct "Upgradable Graphics Drivers" (UGD) model, enabling immediate access to driver updates through Qualcomm’s portal. The beta "Adreno Control Panel" has been rebranded to the "Snapdragon Control Panel," which now includes game-specific profiling and optimization features. Qualcomm has also integrated support for AVX and AVX2 instruction sets, addressing compatibility issues with games like God of War and Control. Kernel-level anti-cheat support has been introduced, making multiplayer gaming more accessible on Arm-based systems. The Snapdragon X2 Elite is set to launch in the first half of 2026, promising "Day 0" driver support and the ability to run 90% of top games, with performance expectations to outperform Intel’s Lunar Lake architecture.
ReactOS Making Progress On Windows WDDM Driver Support
Winsage
October 13, 2025

ReactOS Making Progress On Windows WDDM Driver Support

The ReactOS project is working on supporting the Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM), which is a modern graphics driver architecture introduced with Microsoft Windows Vista. This development signifies a shift from older XDDM drivers and aims to keep ReactOS relevant as new hardware emerges. Recent efforts have focused on enabling communication between ReactOS and WDDM drivers, with progress reported by developer TheDarkFire, who noted that BasicDisplay.sys was successfully loaded in ReactOS, allowing the system to utilize modern monitors at full resolutions and refresh rates. However, limitations were encountered due to hardware support rather than the implementation of Win32k.
Tested: Google’s new GPU is a disaster for Pixel 10 game emulation
BetaBeacon
October 12, 2025

Tested: Google’s new GPU is a disaster for Pixel 10 game emulation

The Google Pixel 10 series struggles with higher-end emulators, with frame rates dropping significantly during PlayStation 2 and Dolphin emulation tests. The switch to the Tensor G5 chip has resulted in performance and API issues compared to its predecessor, making it a risky choice for gamers.
Legendary Microsoft developer reveals the true story behind the most famous product activation key of all time — infamous Windows XP 'FCKGW' licensing key was actually 'a disastrous leak'
Winsage
October 9, 2025

Legendary Microsoft developer reveals the true story behind the most famous product activation key of all time — infamous Windows XP ‘FCKGW’ licensing key was actually ‘a disastrous leak’

Dave W. Plummer, a Microsoft developer, revealed that the alphanumeric string FCKGW-RHQQ2-YXRKT-8TG6W-2B7Q8 is the first valid Windows XP volume licensing key that was leaked and subsequently used by software pirates. This leak was described by Plummer as a "disastrous leak" rather than a clever hack. At the time of the leak, broadband internet was not widely available, with only about 20% of households having access, making it difficult for users on 56K modems to download the 455.1MB 'pre-activated' XP, which would take a full day. In contrast, those with ADSL connections could download the Windows XP VLK install ISO image in about two hours on a 512K line.
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