feature Archives

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

ASUS Republic of Gamers Announces Raikiri II Pro PC Game Controller

ASUS Republic of Gamers has launched the ROG Raikiri II Pro PC gaming controller, featuring an 8K polling rate for high responsiveness. It includes customizable hot-swappable TMR joystick modules with two actuation force options (120gf and 50gf), four removable rear buttons, and two extra claw bumpers that can be remapped. A full-color panel allows for on-the-fly adjustments, and ASUS Gear Link software offers detailed customization, including Turbo mode for rapid auto-repeat. The controller boasts up to 79 hours of battery life on a single charge using 2.4 GHz wireless. It comes with premium accessories, including a protective charging case, charging stand, rear button cover plates, a module removal tool, TMR modules, and detachable joystick caps.

Winsage

July 10, 2026

Microsoft’s new Windows 11 recovery tool is the ultimate Undo button

On July 19, 2024, at 12:09 AM EDT, 8.5 million Windows PCs, including devices from half of the Fortune 500 companies and the leading U.S. cybersecurity agency, experienced a catastrophic failure due to the Blue Screen of Death, leading to reboot loops. IT teams had to physically access each machine to resolve the issue by removing a problematic CrowdStrike file. CrowdStrike released an automated remediation tool three days later, on July 22. Microsoft pledged to improve Windows' resilience, introducing Quick Machine Recovery nearly a year later. Microsoft unveiled a new recovery feature called Point-in-time Restore, which allows users to revert their PCs to a previous state when functioning correctly. This feature generates daily snapshots of the entire system using the Volume Shadow Copy Service, retaining the three most recent snapshots and consuming minimal disk space (typically 2% of the system drive). Users can access the restore point through the Windows Recovery Environment after three failed startups, with the restoration process taking 30 to 45 minutes. Point-in-time Restore differs from System Restore, which creates less comprehensive snapshots and preserves document files. Point-in-time Restore is automatically enabled for systems with at least 200 GB drives in retail or OEM editions of Windows Home or Pro, while it must be manually activated for smaller drives. In Windows 11 Enterprise edition, it is disabled by default and may require administrative approval to activate. The feature intelligently manages disk usage, discarding older snapshots as needed, but users must enter a BitLocker recovery key if their system drive is encrypted. Users are warned about the risk of losing unsaved work when applying a restore snapshot, and reversing the operation is not straightforward.

Winsage

July 10, 2026

Windows 10 is still getting Windows 11 features, but it’s only for developers

Microsoft has confirmed that WSL Containers, which allows users to create and manage Linux containers directly from Windows, is now available on Windows 10. Users must have Windows 10 version 2004 (Build 19041) or later to utilize WSL Containers. The installation process involves checking the Windows build, installing WSL, updating to the container build, confirming the version, and running a test command. WSL Containers support GPU passthrough, enabling CUDA capabilities directly from Windows 10. A text-based UI dashboard for managing WSL Containers, named lazywslc, has also been introduced.

Winsage

July 10, 2026

Microsoft Confirms Windows 11 Bug That Eats 500GB Of Your Storage

Microsoft has acknowledged a significant issue affecting Windows 11 users on versions 24H2 and 25H2, where a bug can consume up to 500GB of storage, leading to critical space shortages and potential system failure. This bug has been reported since May 2025, with a solution disclosed on June 29, but it will not be automatically rolled out until July 14. Users can check if they are affected by navigating to Settings > System > Storage and examining the “System files” category; if it exceeds 100GB, they are likely impacted. The issue is linked to a hidden file named CapabilityAccessManager.db-wal in the “%ProgramData%MicrosoftWindowsCapabilityAccessManager” directory. Microsoft has released an optional update (KB5095093) to address the bug, which also includes feature previews that may affect performance. Users are advised against deleting the problematic file to avoid disrupting WiFi connectivity and screen capture functionalities. An automatic fix will be deployed during the July 14 update.

Winsage

July 10, 2026

Microsoft goes all in on new AI-powered Windows security strategy – what it means for you

Microsoft is integrating artificial intelligence into its vulnerability management processes to enhance cybersecurity, particularly for its Windows operating system used by over 1.5 billion devices. The company is implementing an automated, AI-driven approach to identify vulnerabilities earlier in the development cycle, allowing for quicker fixes. Microsoft has developed a cloud-based scanning system called MDASH, which has identified 16 vulnerabilities since its introduction, four of which were critical and promptly patched. AI tools are being embedded earlier in the software development lifecycle, and Microsoft is updating its Secure Development Lifecycle best practices to address potential AI-enabled attack techniques. The shift towards an AI-enhanced system will lead to an increase in the volume of security updates, requiring enterprise administrators to adopt more agile approaches to testing and deploying updates. Microsoft has introduced a feature called Known Issue Rollback (KIR) to help admins revert problematic changes. The company emphasizes the importance of human oversight in evaluating AI findings and making informed decisions.

Winsage

July 10, 2026

Microsoft Warns of GigaWiper Backdoor Built to Destroy Windows PCs

Microsoft has unveiled a destructive Windows backdoor named GigaWiper, which allows operators remote control over compromised systems to execute irreversible damage. GigaWiper originated from cyberattacks in October 2025 and is a composite of code from at least three malware families. It maintains its presence through a scheduled task disguised as “OneDrive Update,” executing at startup and every minute. GigaWiper can obliterate partition information, overwrite physical drives, and restart systems. It also mimics ransomware by encrypting files with the .candy extension, using randomly generated keys that are not stored, making recovery impossible. The malware has connections to the Crucio ransomware and resembles FlockWiper, with rewritten code in Go. GigaWiper features 20 command codes for various functions, including executing PowerShell instructions, managing processes, capturing screenshots, and remote access similar to VNC. It can remain on a system for surveillance until its destructive functions are activated. Microsoft Defender includes detection capabilities for GigaWiper, and users are advised to enable tamper protection and monitor for suspicious activities.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

Gemini won’t cut you off as much, and its reliability improved in Google Home

Google has released patch notes for an early July update, enhancing reliability, sports interactions, and visual aesthetics for Gemini. The Home app now offers improved light control for two Walmart onn products and "Suggested Automations" for a tailored user experience. Gemini is evolving with improved assistance and conversational capabilities, featuring revamped visual layouts for weather forecasts and sports updates. Automation suggestions for tasks like home security and energy efficiency are being rolled out. The Home app introduces light control for the onn Outdoor Camera Plug-in and the onn Floodlight Camera Hardwired devices, along with improvements to the setup process for older Nest cameras. Earlier this year, Google launched the Continued Conversations feature for Gemini, enhancing the AI's memory for ongoing discussions. In June, the introduction of Pet Memory allowed smart home cameras to better recognize pets, providing personalized alerts based on the pet's name and breed.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

A Spotify Teardown Just Showed Us How Apps Will Actually Work on Android XR Glasses.

An APK teardown of Spotify version 9.1.66.1259 revealed plans for a Gemini experience designed for Android XR smart glasses. Users can link their Google account to access Gemini for voice-controlled playback, contextual music discovery, and real-time playlist management through prompts. The glasses can analyze the environment via a camera to suggest music based on surroundings. The architecture allows the app to run on a smartphone while the glasses act as a display and sensor, making development easier for developers by enabling them to extend existing Android apps for the glasses. This model supports the creation of lightweight AI glasses. Spotify's early preparation for Android XR glasses signals positive ecosystem development and developer engagement ahead of hardware releases. However, the use of cameras for contextual music selection raises privacy concerns. The findings are based on an unreleased build and may change before official confirmation.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

TIDAL Raises Prices Again: What It Means for Music Streamers

TIDAL will implement a price increase for its U.S. subscribers starting August 3, 2026. The new pricing structure will be as follows: Individual plan at .99/month, Family plan at .99/month, and Student plan at .99/month. Existing subscribers will maintain their current rates until their first billing date after the price change. TIDAL's Individual plan remains competitive compared to Spotify Premium and Qobuz Studio, but is higher than Apple Music's .99/month for Individual and .99/month for Family plans. TIDAL cites the need to support artists and invest in new features as reasons for the price increase. The impact on Individual subscribers is expected to be minimal, while Family and Student subscribers may reconsider their options due to the higher costs.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

Minecraft part 3: Actually Building Something

Google has introduced a passive sign-in feature for YouTube to streamline user authentication, enhancing user experience by allowing easier access to accounts. This innovation aims to reduce barriers to entry, potentially increasing user satisfaction and engagement with content. For content creators, this could lead to a larger audience as viewers may be more likely to explore new channels and interact with videos. The focus on user-centric design may influence other platforms in the digital ecosystem.