issue

AppWizard
June 21, 2026
The review of Dishonored in PC Gamer issue #246 (December 2012) highlights the game's immersive experience, customization options, and technical execution. The reviewer describes a gameplay moment where they successfully eliminate an enemy after a miscalculated leap. The PC version offers extensive customization, including field-of-view adjustments and graphics settings. The game runs smoothly on a 2.8GHz Core i7 with a 2GB GeForce GTX 670 graphics card. Dishonored is noted for its originality as a major title that is neither a sequel nor a remake, and it avoids unskippable boss fights, enhancing player freedom and engagement.
Winsage
June 21, 2026
The expiration of Microsoft's Secure Boot 2011 certificates on June 24 will not prevent older Windows PCs from booting, as confirmed by Microsoft. Devices will continue to operate normally, but they will miss future boot-level security updates, including updates to the Windows Boot Manager and mitigations for newly identified vulnerabilities. The ability to receive the Secure Boot 2023 update depends on the device firmware's compatibility, with many manufacturers, including Dell, HP, Lenovo, and ASUS, having cutoffs for BIOS updates based on the device's End of Service Life. Older PCs using Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module (CSM) mode do not utilize UEFI Secure Boot, making the update irrelevant. Users running Windows 11 on unsupported hardware may have Secure Boot disabled or improperly configured. Without the 2023 certificates, devices cannot receive future revocation updates to the Secure Boot DBX, which lists compromised bootloaders. Users on Windows 10 with supported OEMs may receive the update if a compatible BIOS is available, while those on older PCs without updates can continue using their devices but will lack future security updates. The Secure Boot status can be checked through the Windows Security app, with color-coded badges indicating the status of the certificates.
Tech Optimizer
June 21, 2026
Antivirus software is evolving from relying on static databases of known malware signatures to employing behavioral monitoring and machine learning for threat detection. Traditional antivirus solutions focused on recognizing known threats through unique signatures, but this approach has become inadequate due to the rapid evolution of malware, including polymorphic and metamorphic types. Modern antivirus systems now monitor program behavior, looking for suspicious activities such as unexpected file encryption or unusual network communication. Machine learning models analyze large datasets to identify patterns associated with malware, allowing for the classification of files as safe, potentially unwanted, or malicious. Techniques like sandboxing and dynamic analysis are used to preemptively neutralize threats. However, advancements in AI also present challenges, as cybercriminals can exploit these technologies to create sophisticated malware that evades detection. Despite improvements in antivirus effectiveness, modern cyberattacks increasingly target individuals through methods like phishing and social engineering, necessitating a combination of robust antivirus solutions and good cybersecurity practices.
AppWizard
June 21, 2026
Season 2 of Marathon began with technical issues and a free-to-play week, but introduced new features like the Night-time Dire Marsh map and Sponsored Survival mode. Players experienced unexpected ease in progression, leading to an influx of treasures and a disrupted in-game economy. Bungie acknowledged that player progression and access to power in Season 2 moved much faster than in Season 1, with players accumulating wealth comparable to weeks 11 and 12 of Season 1 by the second week of Season 2. Contributing factors included bugs causing guaranteed gold drops, early access to Sponsored Kits, and lucrative chests in the Complex Control area. Bungie is investigating the source of excessive loot, as it was not observed in internal playtests. Temporary adjustments have been made, such as disabling boosted containers and reducing Cradle XP rates, with plans to reinstate previous conditions later in the season.
Winsage
June 21, 2026
Windows 11 preview builds 26300.8697 and 26220.8690 have been rolled out for Insiders in the Experimental and Beta Channels. The Experimental Channel has been upgraded to version 26H2. Key improvements include: - The versioning for Insiders in the Experimental channel now reflects version 26H2. - The Copy dialog in Dark mode has been enhanced for visual consistency and reliability. - The Start menu now accurately reflects newly installed or removed applications without requiring a sign-out or restart. - An issue with the smaller taskbar option has been resolved, preventing the system tray from being cut off or pushed off-screen. - Reliability enhancements have been made to Settings > Apps > Startup. - A critical issue causing bugchecks (HYPERVISORERROR and KMODEEXCEPTIONNOTHANDLED) during system restarts, virtual machine operations, or specific gaming applications has been addressed.
AppWizard
June 20, 2026
Google Messages has introduced a "Tap to draft" option within its Smart Replies feature, allowing users to review and edit suggested responses before sending them. This feature is part of app version 2026052200RC00 and can be enabled by updating to the latest version and adjusting settings in the app. Smart Replies use AI to generate quick response suggestions based on user interactions, while ensuring that no message content or data is transmitted to Google, thus maintaining user privacy.
Winsage
June 20, 2026
The author customized their Windows experience by changing the default browser, decluttering the Start menu, and preventing OneDrive from managing their files. They recently set up Windows 11 on a new mini PC and initially allowed OneDrive to back up their files, which led to confusion about file locations. They found Windows Search frustrating, as it redirected them to Microsoft's web version despite choosing a different search provider. The author refrained from altering Microsoft's recommended defaults, which made the system feel more aligned with Microsoft's agenda rather than their own needs. After three days, they reverted to their usual practices to regain control over their Windows experience.
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