failure Archives

Winsage

September 22, 2025

Steam will stop supporting Windows 32-bit systems in 2026

Valve will discontinue support for 32-bit versions of the Windows operating system in its Steam client starting January 1, 2026. The decision is based on the minimal user base of 32-bit systems, which has dropped to 0.01% according to the August 2025 Steam Hardware Survey. After the deadline, users on 32-bit systems will no longer receive updates or technical support, and while the client may still operate temporarily, its performance will decline due to lack of updates. Users with 64-bit versions of Windows will still be able to access their legacy 32-bit games. Valve encourages users to upgrade to a 64-bit version of Windows for continued updates and security.

Winsage

September 21, 2025

How to fix unarc.dll error code 11 in Windows 10/11

The unarc.dll error code 11 can disrupt the installation of games and software on Windows 10 and 11. The unarc.dll file is a dynamic link library crucial for various applications, especially gaming. This error typically occurs when the unarc.dll file is corrupted or missing. Manual fixes include checking disk space, running the installation as an administrator, disabling antivirus software, and verifying game files. Alternatively, DLL repair software can be used to scan for and repair corrupted or missing DLL files. Preventive measures include regular system updates, maintaining disk health, and backing up important files.

Winsage

September 20, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.6690 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.6690 (KB5065786) has been released for Dev Channel users on Windows 11, version 25H2. This update includes new features and improvements, such as: - A translation feature in Click to Do powered by Microsoft Copilot, allowing users to translate on-screen text. - An option to share screens with Copilot when hovering over an app on the taskbar. - New options in Desktop Spotlight for accessing background information. - A refreshed account management experience in Settings, renaming "Email & accounts" to "Your accounts." Fixes include: - Resolution of an issue causing File Explorer to become unresponsive with UNC server names. - A fix for installation failures leading to error 0x80070002. - Resolution of audio issues from recent updates. - Fix for the "Add an optional feature" option not loading under certain conditions. Known issues include: - Swipe visuals appearing on the incorrect display when launching Click to Do. - Media controls not appearing on the lock screen. - New animations on taskbar previews temporarily disabled. - Unexpected text in search results. - Camera preview failures with certain external webcams when using Windows Studio Effects. - Issues with Xbox Controllers via Bluetooth causing bugchecks. Windows Insiders are encouraged to provide feedback and report any issues encountered.

AppWizard

September 20, 2025

‘You wouldn’t believe how much stupid s**t is in this giant world’: The Baby Steps devs want you to know as little as possible before you play their walking sim

Gabe Cuzzillo, the developer of Baby Steps, described the game as a comedic walking simulator that players should approach with minimal prior knowledge for maximum enjoyment. The game features a unique ambient soundtrack and aims to evoke emotions related to frustration and failure, influenced by Bennett Foddy's work. It centers around an "unemployed failson" character and offers a lighthearted take on challenges. Baby Steps is set to launch on Steam on September 23.

AppWizard

September 19, 2025

Dev says Steam bug ruined “more than 10 years” of work and tanked their game’s 1.0 launch, Valve says oops and offers a Daily Deal slot “to help make up for lost visibility”

The developers of the indie game Planet Centauri experienced a significant setback during their 1.0 launch due to a bug in the Steam wishlist notification system, which resulted in their launch notifications not being sent out. This glitch, affecting less than 100 games since 2015, severely impacted their sales. Valve acknowledged the issue on September 12 and offered a Daily Deal to help mitigate the visibility loss, but industry experts noted that such deals cannot fully compensate for the effects of a failed launch. The developers highlighted the improbability of their situation, being one of only a few games affected out of over 86,000 on Steam.

AppWizard

September 18, 2025

Stellaris factions keep getting weirder, as Paradox’s “madness-consumed doomsday cult” lets you embrace the end with open arms

Paradox Interactive's latest expansion for Stellaris, titled Shadows of the Shroud, introduces the Endbringers, a faction linked to a cosmic force that leads them toward an unavoidable fate. Players must choose to resist, accept, or propagate this impending doom. The expansion features predetermined ascension paths, with the Psi-Corps replaced by the Chamber of Silence, where players can attune to the End's voice. The Shroud interface now acts as a countdown clock, and players can gain various covenant powers while managing rising paranoia among their populace. New civics, such as 'Entropy Drinkers,' allow leaders to siphon life energy from the population. The expansion also includes proxy wars, enabling players to instigate conflicts between civilizations based on trust or infiltration ratings. Shadows of the Shroud is set to launch on September 22, priced at .99 / £16.75, and will be available as part of the Season 9 expansion pass for .99 / £34.99.

Winsage

September 15, 2025

Microsoft fixes Windows 11 audio issues confirmed in December

Microsoft has lifted the safeguard hold that restricted certain users from upgrading to Windows 11 24H2 due to compatibility issues with Bluetooth headsets and speakers. The bug, acknowledged in December, primarily affected systems using Dirac audio improvement software, causing audio-related malfunctions. The incompatibility was linked to the software component cridspapo.dll. On September 11, 2025, Microsoft announced the removal of the update block for devices with Dirac audio software, allowing them to upgrade to Windows 11, version 24H2. A new driver addressing the issue is available via Windows Update. However, upgrades remain blocked for devices with incompatible Intel Smart Sound Technology audio drivers, SenseShield Technology code-obfuscation drivers, wallpaper customization software, and integrated cameras.

Winsage

September 14, 2025

Millennium edition of Windows is 25 years old

On September 14, 2000, Microsoft released Windows ME, the last version of Windows to rely on MS-DOS. It was intended as a successor to Windows 95, 98, and 98 SE, offering discounted updates and compatibility with existing software. Windows ME obscured DOS, making it less accessible for users, and eliminated the ability to create bootable DOS copies from formatted floppy disks. It inherited system file protection from Windows 2000 to prevent "DLL hell," where application software replaced system libraries, causing other programs to fail. Windows ME aimed to bridge the gap between Windows 98 and Windows XP, but users faced compatibility issues with programs not designed for the new version. The control panel adopted a web-like appearance, and documentation transitioned to HTML format. Windows ME had minimal system requirements of a 150 MHz Pentium and 32 MB of RAM, and performance tests showed negligible differences compared to Windows 2000. Windows XP was released a year later, marking the end of DOS's relevance in Microsoft's operating systems.

AppWizard

September 12, 2025

Meet Max, Russia’s all-in-one app: From messages to spying on Russians

The Russian messaging application Max was first tested in March 2025 and is developed by Communication Platform LLC, a subsidiary of VK. It is marketed as a "national" and "unified" messenger, with significant promotion from the Kremlin. A law signed by President Vladimir Putin in June 2025 established Max as a state-owned entity, mandating its use in school chats and pre-installation on smartphones. Mobile operators are required to offer Max without consuming data traffic. Users in occupied Ukrainian territories are also required to install the app. Restrictions on other messaging services have been implemented, with security services limiting their functionalities. By mid-August 2025, Max had around 18 million users, but it has faced criticism for lacking end-to-end encryption and requesting excessive access to smartphone features. Users have reported performance issues and concerns over surveillance by the Russian government. The Kremlin has acknowledged monitoring through Max, and the app is compared to China's WeChat. Putin has ordered increased control over foreign messaging applications, aiming to restrict the use of foreign software by September 2025.

Tech Optimizer

September 11, 2025

How Distributed Postgres Solves Cloud’s High-Availability Problem

Application availability and downtime are significant concerns for organizations, with unplanned outages costing the Global 2000 approximately billion annually, averaging million in losses per company. High-stakes sectors like healthcare and finance face severe financial repercussions from even brief outages. Phillip Merrick, co-founder and CEO of pgEdge, highlights that five minutes of downtime in a trading platform can lead to millions lost. Many organizations still host applications within a single cloud region, which poses risks, as evidenced by incidents like the 2021 AWS Tokyo outage and the 2023 Google Cloud outage. A survey indicated that 21% of IT decision-makers experienced a cloud region failure in the past year. The urgency for high availability has increased due to rising consumer expectations, yet many industries still rely on outdated practices that can lead to downtime. Keeping data synchronized across multiple regions is challenging, particularly for PostgreSQL, which requires continuous data synchronization for instant failover. pgEdge offers a distributed Postgres architecture that enables multimaster, multiregion deployments with real-time data replication, addressing high availability needs. Organizations using this architecture, including a global investment management firm, benefit from enhanced service continuity amid cloud outages.