farewell Archives

Winsage

August 29, 2026

Microsoft Edge update adds Apple sign-in and scam protection, but officially ends Edge Drop and real-time video translation

Microsoft Edge has introduced a feature allowing users to sign in with their Apple accounts on both Windows and macOS devices, with administrators able to manage its availability. The update includes a security enhancement that automatically unsubscribes users from notifications from scam or malicious sites. However, it also retires features such as Edge Drop, which allowed users to send messages and files to themselves, and the real-time video translation capability. An enhanced key icon in the address bar has been added for easier access to saved credentials. Additional updates include a new Copilot Cowork policy and clarifications on the DowngradeVersion policy for WebView2, while the LocalNetworkAccessRestrictionsTemporaryOptOut policy is set for removal in a future update.

Winsage

August 25, 2026

Windows XP was released to manufacturing a quarter of a century ago

Windows XP was released to manufacturing on August 24, 2001, marking a shift from the Windows 9x codebase. It succeeded Windows 2000 for professionals and Windows ME for home users, becoming known for its reliability and user-friendly interface. At launch, it was available in two editions: Home and Professional. Extended support ended on April 8, 2014, but it continued to be used in various sectors, including Windows Embedded POSReady 2009, which saw support end in April 2019. Microsoft issued a patch for XP in May 2019 to address vulnerabilities. By the end of 2016, 90 percent of the UK's NHS was still using XP, and the Reserve Bank of India set a 2019 deadline for phasing it out from ATMs. Some in the global banking sector continued to operate on Windows Server 2003. Windows XP became widely available in retail in October 2001.

Winsage

August 24, 2026

Windows XP turns 25 today, and the nostalgia hits hard

Windows XP celebrates its 25th anniversary today, having been released to manufacturing on August 24, 2001, and to consumers on October 25, 2001. It marked a significant transition for Microsoft by combining consumer and business operating systems onto the Windows NT kernel, moving away from the older Windows 9x-based systems. The operating system was supported until April 8, 2014, nearly 13 years after its launch. Windows XP is noted for its iconic design and has left a lasting impact on personal computing, representing a blend of modernity and nostalgia.

AppWizard

August 18, 2026

Warren Spector retires from game development, at least he thinks so

Warren Spector has announced his intention to retire from the game development industry after nearly 44 years, citing personal reflections on age, health, and a declining enthusiasm for the current gaming landscape. He has contributed to iconic titles such as the Ultima series, Wing Commander, Deus Ex, and Thief. Spector expressed a desire to create three specific games before retiring, with one being ambitious, another modest, and the third uncertain. There is speculation that System Shock 3 may be one of these projects. Despite some recent titles not achieving expected success, Spector's career is marked by significant achievements. He emphasized the importance of continued innovation in gaming and encouraged new developers to bring fresh ideas. Spector plans to focus on writing, reading, and possibly consulting, and hinted at exploring his musical interests. He left open the possibility of returning to the industry in the future.

Winsage

August 16, 2026

Microsoft is removing a legacy Windows feature that has been around for 25 years

WMIC, a utility for IT administrators introduced in Windows XP in 2001, will be removed from Windows 11 after August 2026. It has been deprecated since 2016 and was previously removed from Windows 10 in 2021. Although it remained available as a Feature on Demand, it was disabled by default in new installations. Recent Preview builds for Windows 11 confirmed that WMIC will not be included in version 26H2. PowerShell is suggested as a prominent replacement for WMIC tasks.

TrendTechie

August 3, 2026

Что сказал победитель “Формулы-1” на воде Шон Торренте о Кыргызстане » Новости Кыргызстана, Бишкека и Оша

On the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, the F1H2O championship concluded with Sean Torrente from the UAE's Victory Team winning his final race at an elevation of 1,607 meters. The event featured 18 elite pilots racing on a challenging two-kilometer circuit over 40 laps, facing difficult high-altitude conditions and unpredictable winds. Torrente noted the unique challenges of the lake and expressed his satisfaction with the victory in Kyrgyzstan. Eduard Kubatov, head of the State Agency for Tourism Development, highlighted the event's safety and significance, stating there were no incidents during the race. He also announced a preliminary memorandum with the F1H2O organization and UIM to potentially host the world championship regularly at Issyk-Kul.

AppWizard

August 1, 2026

Total War: Warhammer 40k’s siege reset is one of the things I’m looking forward to most

Total War: Warhammer 3 features ongoing issues with siege mechanics, notably a "gate bug" that affects unit movement during battles. Players have historically faced challenges with sieges, including unreliable pathfinding and the tendency for units to scale walls instead of moving through gates. The upcoming Total War: Warhammer 40k may change the approach to sieges, focusing on grander battlefield designs without conventional siege towers and ladders, potentially eliminating walls altogether. This shift could enhance tactical gameplay in streets and chokepoints, moving away from traditional wall-based defenses. The new War Core engine is expected to address persistent siege bugs from previous titles.

AppWizard

July 31, 2026

GOG Is Permanently Removing 6 PC Games on July 31

GOG is removing six titles from its catalog on July 31. The titles being delisted are: 1. A Long Journey to an Uncertain End - A sci-fi adventure RPG released in 2023, with a 75% approval rating on Steam and a score of 2.3/5 on GOG, priced at .99. 2. Outerverse - A crafting automation adventure game released in 2022, with a 51% approval rating on Steam and a score of 2.3/5 on GOG, priced at .99. 3. PLAGUN – The Plague Goes On - A roguelike scroller shooter released in 2025, with an 81% rating on Steam and a score of 3.3/5 on GOG, priced at .99. 4. Clouzy - An adventure simulation game released in 2022, with a 53% approval rating on Steam and a score of 3.6/5 on GOG, priced at .99. 5. Tavernacle - A co-op tower defense game released in 2023, with a 60% rating on Steam and no user reviews on GOG, priced at .99. 6. Airborne Kingdom - A sky city builder released in 2022, with a 76 rating on Metacritic, an 87% rating on Steam, and a 4.3/5 rating on GOG, priced at .99.

AppWizard

July 25, 2026

Discussion time: Have you ever said goodbye to an MMO you’ve played for 1,000s of hours?

Sean Martin reflects on the emotional experience of saying goodbye to a beloved MMO, specifically Destiny 2, in which he dedicated over 3,000 hours. The game reached an abrupt conclusion, halting midway through a narrative arc, leaving a bittersweet sense of finality. He acknowledges the deep connections players form within MMOs, including friendships and romantic partnerships. Martin plans to take a break before exploring Guild Wars 3, expressing both excitement and relief at the end of Destiny 2, as it allows for new adventures.

Winsage

July 22, 2026

Redmond’s reaper cometh: October 2026 set to bury a graveyard of Microsoft products

October 2026 will see the end of support for several Microsoft products, including Office LTSC 2021, which requires organizations to transition to LTSC 2024 or Microsoft 365 for continued support. Windows Server 2022 will exit mainstream support on October 13, 2026, while Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro editions will also reach their end of life on the same date. The enterprise and education versions of Windows 11 23H2 will be supported until November 10, 2026. Publisher 2021 will be discontinued without a successor. Additionally, Entra ID Sign-In risk policies will be phased out on October 1, 2026, necessitating a transition to Conditional Access to maintain user and sign-in risk protection. SQL Server 2017 is scheduled for retirement in October 2027.