gamepad Archives

Winsage

June 10, 2025

Microsoft Issues New Prerelease 24H2 Builds to Dev and Beta Channels

A significant update for Windows 11 version 24H2 is available for participants in the Windows Insider Program’s Dev and Beta channels. The cumulative update KB5060824 is rolling out for the Dev channel, upgrading systems to build 26200.5641, while the Beta channel receives cumulative update KB5060820, upgrading to build 26120.4250. Key features of the update include: - A redesigned Start menu with in-place scrolling, two new views (Category and Grid), dynamic resizing for "Pinned" and "Recommended" sections, and improved customization options. - An optimized Phone companion pane that integrates with the Phone Link feature, featuring an expand/collapse button. - Customization options for the Lock screen, allowing users to select and order displayed widgets. - A new Screen Curtain feature in Narrator that blackens the display for privacy, along with a modernized onboarding experience. - Consolidation of all Windows Search settings into a single location within the Settings app under Privacy & security > Search. - Enhancements to the Windows Touch Keyboard, including a refined Gamepad layout, flyout menus, word suggestions, language switching, and a new PIN sign-in option for the Lock screen tailored for gaming controllers.

Winsage

June 10, 2025

You can now try Microsoft’s new Start menu for Windows 11

Microsoft has released an updated Start menu for Windows 11, now available in the Dev Channel. The new menu features a larger, customizable interface with a scrollable design that displays all applications at the top level, simplifying app access. Users can disable the recommended section for a personalized view and choose between category view and grid view for app organization. The Start menu size adjusts based on screen dimensions, with larger monitors showing up to eight columns of pinned apps, while smaller devices display six columns. A mobile device button has been added for expanding or collapsing the Phone Link interface. Users can also customize their lock screen widgets and a Gamepad keyboard update allows signing into PCs with a PIN via a controller.

Winsage

June 9, 2025

Full-screen Xbox handheld UI is coming to all Windows PCs “starting next year”

Valve's Steam Deck and SteamOS primarily support Windows games compatible with the Proton compatibility layer and some native Linux titles. Microsoft and Asus have collaborated on the ROG Xbox Ally, which features a new Xbox-branded interface designed to improve compatibility for PC gamers while resembling SteamOS. This interface will debut on the ROG Xbox Ally and is planned for broader release on other handheld devices next year. Microsoft has been developing a handheld-optimized user interface for Windows since at least 2022, identified during an internal hackathon. The proposed "Windows Handheld Mode" includes a tile-based UI similar to the Xbox interface and aims to enhance touch screen usability. The ROG Xbox Ally's full-screen interface replaces the traditional Windows desktop, conserving RAM and optimizing energy consumption compared to standard Windows devices like the regular ROG Ally, which require additional software to function similarly to SteamOS.

Winsage

June 9, 2025

Hands-On With the Xbox Ally X, the New Gaming Handheld from Asus and Microsoft

PC gaming handhelds, including the Xbox Ally X and Xbox Ally, are designed for the Xbox platform through a collaboration between Asus and Microsoft. The Xbox Ally X features an AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme APU, 24GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, while the base Xbox Ally has a Ryzen Z2 A chip, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. Both models have a 7.0-inch 1080p IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate and support VRR and FreeSync technology. The Xbox Ally X was tested with Gears of War: Reloaded at 1080p and 60 fps. The systems run a streamlined version of Windows with an optimized Xbox app that allows game imports from other platforms. The ergonomic design resembles a split Xbox controller, but its size may affect portability. Pricing details are not yet disclosed, but the Xbox Ally X is expected to be premium-priced.

AppWizard

May 28, 2025

Can Your PC Run Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater?

Hideo Kojima's latest project, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, is upcoming, while Konami will release a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, titled Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, on August 28, 2025. The retail price will be .99, and it will be available on PC (via Steam), PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. A Deluxe Edition with additional content will cost .99. Minimum system requirements for PC include Windows 10 (64-bit), AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or Intel Core i5-8600 CPU, 16GB RAM, Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Super GPU, and 100GB SSD storage. Recommended specs include Windows 11 (64-bit), AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or Intel Core i7-8700K CPU, 16GB RAM, Nvidia GeForce GTX 3080 GPU, and 100GB SSD storage. The game will support DualShock and Xbox controllers, and will include Steam features like achievements and cloud support. Compatibility with Steam Deck is uncertain.

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

Elden Ring Nightreign: Can Your PC Run the Gothic Multiplayer Action?

Elden Ring Nightreign is set to launch on May 30, 2025, for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One, with a base price of .99 and a deluxe edition priced at .99. The game will introduce co-op multiplayer elements and emphasize multiplayer combat, where teams must defeat a boss within a limited timeframe. The minimum system requirements include Windows 10 (64-bit), AMD Ryzen 5 5500 or Intel Core i5-10600 CPU, 12GB RAM, AMD Radeon RX 580 (4GB) or Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 (3GB) GPU, and 30GB of available storage. The recommended specs are Windows 11 (64-bit), AMD Ryzen 5 5600 or Intel Core i5-11500 CPU, 16GB RAM, AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 (8GB) or Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 (8GB) GPU, and 30GB of available storage. The game will support various controllers and is expected to use third-party DRM through GuardIT, though Steam Deck compatibility is yet to be confirmed.

Winsage

April 21, 2025

Microsoft is finally making the Start menu better — now fix these 5 things, too

Users have expressed frustration with the restrictive Start menu in Windows 11 compared to Windows 10, prompting some to seek third-party solutions. A newly discovered Start menu design is larger, allows immediate access to the full list of applications, and offers the option to remove the Recommended section. Microsoft's inclusion of Clipchamp as a video editing tool is seen as a step forward, but it lacks features compared to Apple’s iMovie and operates as a web-based application. Widgets in Windows 11 are not well-received due to their isolated interface, and integrating them onto the desktop could improve accessibility. The gaming experience on Windows remains subpar, particularly in navigation with a gamepad, and Windows Search directs users to Bing and Edge, limiting browser choices. The initial setup process for Windows 11 is cumbersome, with numerous prompts for Microsoft services, leading to a frustrating experience.

Winsage

April 9, 2025

Windows 11 KB5055523 & KB5055528 cumulative updates released

Microsoft has released two cumulative updates for Windows 11: KB5055523 for version 24H2 and KB5055528 for version 23H2. These updates address security vulnerabilities and system issues and include critical security patches from the April 2025 Patch Tuesday. The build number for Windows 11 24H2 will update to Build 26100.3775, while 23H2 will change to 226x1.5191. New features include: - Enhanced Windows Search powered by semantic indexing models. - Improved search for cloud-stored photos on Copilot+ PCs. - A Gamepad keyboard layout added to the touch keyboard. - A new system tray icon for easier access to emoji and panels. - Live captions and real-time translation for communication on AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs. - "Top cards" in Settings for quick access to PC specifications. - Voice access now supports natural language commands and Simplified and Traditional Chinese. - Lock screen widgets available on devices in the European Economic Area (EEA). - An icon in the system tray for apps using Windows Studio Effects. - General fixes for various system reliability issues. Some persistent issues include problems playing Roblox from the Store on ARM PCs and an incorrect Event 7023 error regarding SgrmBroker.exe. Users are encouraged to install the updates promptly.

Winsage

April 9, 2025

Microsoft squashes one of File Explorer’s strangest UI bugs in April’s Patch Tuesday

Microsoft released its Patch Tuesday updates on the second Tuesday of April, including the KB5055523 patch for Windows 11 24H2, which addresses a File Explorer menu issue and includes security enhancements. This patch encompasses improvements from the previous KB5053656 build. The update resolves a glitch with the three dots menu in File Explorer, fixes a critical issue causing a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) when waking from sleep, and upgrades Task Manager to display standardized CPU usage metrics. For Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon chips, it introduces AI-driven Windows Search capabilities and improves Live Captions for real-time translation in over 44 languages. New features include an enhanced search functionality, a Gamepad keyboard layout for touch, and a new system tray icon for emoji. The update also provides a quick overview of key specifications in the Settings menu and resolves issues with Credential Roaming. KB5055523 is a mandatory security update, and older versions of Windows 10 have also received updates.

AppWizard

April 7, 2025

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: The House of Da Vinci 3, Teslagrad, Dungeons of Dreadrock 2, more

Samsung has launched its 2024 QLED smart TV lineup, allowing consumers to save up to ,250. Discounts are also available on Samsung’s LTE Galaxy Watch FE, Razer’s Kishi V2 Android gamepad, and CMF Buds from Nothing. Notable Android app deals include the game Teslagrad, a 2D puzzle-platformer where players use electromagnetic powers to navigate challenges in the Kingdom of Elektropia. Teslagrad has sold over 1.6 million copies on PC and has been adapted for mobile devices.