file Archives

AppWizard

September 28, 2026

19 years later, the shooter The Darkness has been ported to PC

The Darkness has been officially released on PC, marking its first availability on this platform since its original launch in 2007 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The port was developed by portingpete, who adapted the Xbox 360 version for the Windows 64-bit operating system without using emulation. The game features original gameplay mechanics, support for gamepad and mouse controls, comprehensive video settings, and fully functional sound and save systems. Portingpete has also made the source code of the project available on GitHub, but players must provide their own Xbox 360 game files to play.

BetaBeacon

September 28, 2026

PKForge Is A New Android Pokémon Bank Built For Retro Handhelds & ROM Hacks

Main features of version 3.0 include managing Pokémon by editing various aspects, legalizing Pokémon offline, moving Pokémon between games, storing collections in a Bank, tracking the Pokédex, browsing and injecting events, editing the bag and trainer, using RNG tools, batch editing, breeding and hatching Pokémon, completing the Pokédex, playing with Pokémon in the Poképark, sharing teams, using game-specific editors, keeping saves safe, and supporting dual-screen devices. The software supports various generations of Pokémon games and emulators.

Winsage

September 28, 2026

Microsoft was better at software in the ’90s, and these still-useful Windows utilities prove it

Microsoft PowerToys originated during the development of Windows 95 as small programs created by engineers to test concepts and ease workloads. The first collection of PowerToys included tools like FindX, Send To X, and Tweak UI. System Configuration (MSConfig) helps isolate configuration and startup issues by allowing selective loading of services and startup components, remaining useful despite modern management shifting to Task Manager. Disk Cleanup was launched with Windows 98 to help users reclaim disk space, featuring commands that allow saving cleanup profiles, a functionality that persists in Windows 11. Task Scheduler, introduced in 1995 as System Agent in the Microsoft Plus! pack for Windows 95, automates tasks based on specific triggers. System File Checker (SFC), dating back to Windows 98, scans and repairs protected Windows resources, evolving from a graphical utility to a command-line tool. Device Manager provides an expandable tree of hardware components and reflects advancements in Microsoft's Plug and Play system from Windows 95, continuing to assist users in hardware inspection and troubleshooting. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool (DxDiag) was created for gamers in the late '90s to examine hardware and software configurations related to DirectX and remains available in Windows 11.

AppWizard

September 27, 2026

After 8 years, Monster Hunter: World gets seamless co-op on PC thanks to a modder

Players of Monster Hunter: World can now experience a new seamless cooperative mode introduced by modder huntardy. This modification allows players to embark on quests, explore expeditions, and engage in story cutscenes together. A demonstration of the mod showcases its functionality, enhancing the monster hunting experience. Users are advised that each game launch with the modification creates a backup of the save file in a specific folder, preserving the last ten saves. The modification is available for free on Nexus Mods, and an in-game panel appears in Steam to guide users through the new features.

Winsage

September 27, 2026

Windows 11’s driver signature requirement is one of the best anti-consumer security features out there

Windows 11 requires drivers to be digitally signed, a policy aimed at enhancing security by preventing unauthorized code from executing at the kernel level. This requirement, which began with Windows Vista and became mandatory with Windows 10, version 1607, has tightened over the years, especially with the introduction of UEFI Secure Boot and TPM in Windows 11. While this enforcement protects against malware and supports anti-cheat systems in gaming, it limits user autonomy and imposes significant challenges for developers, particularly those working on smaller projects. In contrast, Linux allows users more freedom to modify their systems, though this flexibility can compromise security.

AppWizard

September 27, 2026

AnyPS5 Reaches PS5 Game Menu on PC, No Emulator [2026]

A developer named boykopovar has created an open-source tool called AnyPS5 on GitHub, which aims to convert PlayStation 5 games to run natively on Windows and Linux systems. AnyPS5 can load a PS5 game's logo and reach its main menu on PC hardware but crashes before the menu becomes interactive. The tool uses a method called relinking, which reformats PS5 executables into native Windows or Linux files and provides replacement libraries to mimic PS5 system libraries. There is currently no public build available, and the developer has stated that a public release will only occur after a successful game launch. Sony has not made any public statements or taken legal action regarding AnyPS5. The project operates under the GPL-2.0 license, but the legal implications of using it with actual PS5 games remain unclear. Historical trends suggest that console emulation projects typically take years to mature, but AnyPS5's shared architecture with PCs may offer a potential shortcut.

Winsage

September 27, 2026

‘Decades-old’ bugs found affecting Windows, Android, macOS and Linux — but the OS makers don’t see it as a big deal

Researchers at Graz University of Technology discovered significant vulnerabilities in the file-notification subsystems of major operating systems: Linux, Windows, macOS, and Android. These flaws, present for decades, allow side-channel attacks that can infer sensitive information like keystrokes and visited websites. The vulnerabilities are rooted in components such as inotify (Linux, since 2005), FileObserver (Android, since 2008), ReadDirectoryChangesW (Windows, since 2000), and FSEvents (macOS, since 2007). Unprivileged users can exploit these subsystems to observe file events, potentially leading to keystroke timing attacks and credential theft. While Linux has implemented partial mitigations (CVE-2025-68788), Microsoft and Apple have acknowledged the issues but have not provided substantial patches.

AppWizard

September 27, 2026

Android Auto 17.8 Now Available for Download for All Users

Google has begun rolling out Android Auto 17.8 for production devices, which will be available gradually through the Google Play Store. Users may receive updates in waves, and some may find their version already current. A stand-alone APK installer is also available for those seeking immediate access. The update introduces a new full-screen GameSnacks experience and restores signal bars for some users. Additionally, Google Maps has added new pop-ups for stop signs and traffic lights to enhance navigation. The full build number for this update is 17.8.6638.

Winsage

September 27, 2026

Google researcher explains why Windows NT “puts Linux to shame,” and imagines an alternate history where it won

Laurie Kirk, a Google researcher and former Microsoft reverse engineer, argues that the Windows NT kernel is superior to Linux in several aspects, particularly in its architecture for managing resources and access permissions. She emphasizes that her critique focuses on the system architecture rather than the user interface of Windows 11. Kirk raises concerns about Linux's suitability for AI agents due to its complex security model, while praising NT's object-based design and security framework. She speculates on an alternate history where Microsoft had created an "Open NT," allowing for customizable components, but acknowledges the challenges of maintaining forks in operating systems. Critics of NT highlight its performance and reliability issues, while Linux's open-source nature has contributed to its dominance in servers and cloud computing. Kirk suggests that future operating systems may need to balance the defined resource types of NT with the flexibility of Linux, especially as AI technology evolves.

Winsage

September 26, 2026

Windows finally let me rip Bing out of my desktop. The speed boost is undeniable

Windows 11 users previously experienced a dual-search environment where local and web results were mixed, often leading to cluttered searches. Many resorted to registry edits to disable web results, but these workarounds were not fully effective. The search interface was complicated by irrelevant web links, making it difficult to find local files. With the introduction of version 26H2, Microsoft added a toggle in Settings that allows users to manage web searches independently, improving the search experience by prioritizing local files. This feature began rolling out after the September 2026 Patch Tuesday update. Disabling web results streamlines the search panel but removes the Copilot entry and may not be immediately available to all users.