innovation Archives

Winsage

October 21, 2026

Why Windows 11 keeps 64-bit files in System32 and 32-bit files in SysWOW64, according to Microsoft

Microsoft does not produce a 32-bit edition of Windows 11 but supports 32-bit applications through two system folders: System32 for 64-bit files and SysWOW64 for 32-bit files. The WOW64 file system redirector directs 32-bit applications to SysWOW64 when they request System32. On a Windows 11 26H2 system, both folders contain kernel32.dll, but the files differ in size. The System32 folder contains files corresponding to the operating system's architecture, while SysWOW64 is reserved for 32-bit applications. A 32-bit process cannot load a 64-bit DLL, necessitating the WOW64 redirection. There are six subfolders within System32 that 32-bit applications can access without redirection. Microsoft has announced that 32-bit Arm applications will no longer be supported on Arm PCs, and only x86 applications will continue to operate through Prism emulation.

Winsage

October 21, 2026

Windows 10 users were right: Windows 11 still can’t drag the taskbar, so Microsoft is testing a menu instead

Windows 10 allowed users to drag the taskbar to any screen edge, a feature missing in Windows 11, which initially frustrated users. Microsoft is currently testing a new right-click menu in Insider Preview Build 26340.9750 that enables users to reposition the taskbar without accessing the Settings menu. This menu includes buttons for moving the taskbar to the left, top, right, or bottom of the screen. Although the menu is available in the Experimental channel, it remains hidden from casual users and has not been officially announced. Testing confirmed that the taskbar can be moved smoothly between positions, although some minor inconsistencies with the Start menu were noted. The right-click menu concept has been in development for some time, as indicated by a previously deleted video from a Microsoft engineer. Users previously had to navigate through Settings to change the taskbar position, and while Microsoft reintroduced some movement capabilities, the process is still cumbersome. The auto-hide feature is only available when the taskbar is at the bottom, limiting customization options. Microsoft is also exploring additional features, including different taskbar positions per monitor and the potential return of drag-and-drop functionality.

Tech Optimizer

October 20, 2026

Why you can finally stop paying for antivirus software? – Innovation Village

Since the launch of Windows 8 in 2012, Microsoft has integrated antivirus protection into the operating system, making it unnecessary for users to pay for essential protection. Microsoft Defender Antivirus has improved significantly, achieving a score of 6 out of 6 in AV-Test's July–August 2026 results, successfully detecting 100 percent of threats. Modern cyber threats primarily involve social engineering rather than traditional viruses, prompting third-party antivirus companies to offer core protection as a free tier while promoting premium subscriptions with additional features. Many users find that third-party antivirus software can degrade their computing experience due to nagware, performance hits, and inferior bundled tools compared to standalone services. Microsoft Defender, along with modern web browsers that provide anti-phishing security, is sufficient for most users.

AppWizard

October 20, 2026

Can’t miss alerts: Android Auto might support ‘Work Accounts’ for busy drivers

Google is developing a "Work Account" feature for Android Auto, which will allow users to separate personal and professional apps and notifications while driving. This feature will include a toggle in the Quick Settings. Additionally, a recent update has improved the Play Store interface and enhanced YouTube playback to switch to audio-only mode when the vehicle is in motion. Some users, particularly with foldable devices like the Motorola Razr, have reported issues with notification alerts not coming through unless the device is opened. Motorola and Google are addressing these concerns and providing assistance to affected users.

AppWizard

October 20, 2026

PS5 open-world RPG lands rave 9/10 score, as game praised as the next Minecraft

Enshrouded has transitioned from early access to a full launch on PC and PlayStation 5, receiving a Metacritic score of 89 and a 4.81-star rating on the PlayStation Store. Developed by Keen Games, it features both solo and cooperative gameplay, set in the kingdom of Embervale, where players face the Shroud, a threatening fog. The game includes a handcrafted map with quests and exploration opportunities, allowing players to level up, unlock skills, and gather resources. Reviews highlight its successful integration of survival crafting mechanics with ARPG exploration, with scores of 90 from GamingBolt and a perfect score from Try Hard Guides. Many players consider it a worthy successor to Minecraft, emphasizing its innovative approach to voxel-based gameplay. 92% of players on the PlayStation Store rated it five stars.

AppWizard

October 20, 2026

Lucasfilm wants to do more Star Wars games like Zero Company and Galactic Racer: ‘We’ve tried to be more flexible about who we’re willing to take pitches from’

In 2026, two new Star Wars games were released: Zero Company, a tactical game developed by Bit Reactor, and Galactic Racer, an arcade racing game by Fuse Games. Both received positive acclaim, indicating a shift towards unconventional Star Wars games from smaller studios. Douglas Reilly, vice president of Lucasfilm Games, emphasized the value of diverse ideas in game development. Lucasfilm Games was revitalized in 2021 after a decade-long partnership with Electronic Arts, which did not meet expectations. Upcoming titles include Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, a new chapter in the Knights of the Old Republic series, a third installment of the Star Wars Jedi series, and Quantic Dream's Star Wars: Eclipse, along with ongoing work on the KOTOR remake.

AppWizard

October 20, 2026

Moonlighter studio won’t host a public playtest of its next game due to rampant AI-led cloning: ‘We know we’re not the only developers feeling this way’

Digital Sun Games has decided not to conduct a public playtest for their upcoming title, ReVamp, due to concerns about reverse-engineering and cloning of their game. This decision follows a trend of hastily produced clones appearing on platforms like Steam and Roblox, exacerbated by the rise of AI-driven tools that facilitate game replication. Other developers, such as those behind Drunken Goddess Reflux, have also canceled public demos for similar reasons. The number of demos available during the recent Steam Next Fest increased significantly, highlighting the issue of rapid cloning in the gaming industry.

AppWizard

October 19, 2026

23 devs teamed up to make a free game of ‘innovative yet questionable volume sliders,’ and it feels like browser-based WarioWare

Volume.art is a free online collection of 29 microgames that explore the manipulation of volume sliders. The gameplay includes "A man named Bow" by Alice Bottino, where players aim a bow and arrow to achieve a perfect volume level; "What's This About" by Akuma Kira, which involves navigating dialogue choices to persuade a potato character; and "Ctrl+Alt+Date" by Iodine, a parody of dating games with emotional dialogue options. One game, "In the Zone," takes players to a 3D environment inspired by the STALKER series, where they follow a Geiger counter to find the highest volume. The entire experience takes about an hour to complete and offers a nostalgic and innovative approach to gaming.

Winsage

October 17, 2026

Microsoft is killing a pointless extra process that slows Windows 11 app launches, but you can’t force enable it yet

Windows 11 has introduced an "accelerated app launch" feature, initially benefiting Microsoft Edge. This feature allows Windows to open Edge more quickly by routing requests directly to the existing instance of the app instead of starting a new temporary process. The update, KB5127936, was rolled out to Windows Insiders on October 16, 2026, and is part of updates for Windows 11 25H2 and 26H2. The enhancement primarily improves the launch speed of Edge when it is already running in the background, particularly benefiting warm launches. Testing showed that Edge launched faster when other applications were active post-update. Microsoft aims to extend this feature to other single-instance applications, but it requires developers to meet specific prerequisites and request access to certain APIs. The accelerated launch feature is expected to be available as an optional update around November 10, 2026.

Winsage

October 17, 2026

You’re not alone: even the former CEO of Microsoft’s advertising can’t put the Windows 11 taskbar on the left yet

Users of Windows 11 are awaiting taskbar customization options, including autohide and size controls, which are not yet available despite the rollout of the 26H2 update. Mikhail Parakhin expressed disappointment on social media, stating that the taskbar is "not usable yet." The rollout of these features is staggered, with some users having access while others do not.