issue Archives

Tech Optimizer

July 9, 2026

LG Monitors Allegedly Install Software Without User Consent

Certain LG monitors are reportedly installing software on Windows PCs without user consent, including unsolicited advertisements for McAfee antivirus. This was discovered by a Reddit user who found the "LG Monitor App Installer" in their Windows event log. The application may install itself automatically via the Microsoft Store or Windows Update and is difficult to remove. Users can disable the app's automatic startup or uninstall it, but it may reinstall in the future. Windows Pro users can use the Group Policy Editor to prevent automatic installations of manufacturer-specific applications. The incident raises concerns about user control and transparency regarding unsolicited software installations.

Winsage

July 9, 2026

Microsoft Confirms Windows 11 Bug That Can Consume Over 500GB of Storage Through Permission Log File

Microsoft has acknowledged a bug in Windows 11 that causes the Capability Access Manager's write-ahead log file to expand indefinitely, potentially exceeding 500GB of storage on affected devices. This issue is addressed in update KB5095093, which includes builds 26200.8737 and 26100.8737. Users can manually install this update via the optional updates section of Windows Update or wait for its automatic rollout during the July 2026 Patch Tuesday. The Capability Access Manager manages app permissions and logs usage of privacy-sensitive features, but the WAL file continues to grow unchecked on affected systems. The file can reach sizes from 70GB to over 513GB. To check if a system is affected, users can check storage settings or use Robocopy to verify the file size. The update is available through the Optional updates section and will be included in the cumulative update on July 8, 2026. The excessive size of the WAL file can lead to critical storage shortages and related issues, but it does not compromise the security or core functionality of the permission system. Microsoft has not confirmed if Windows 11 26H1 Insider builds are affected.

Winsage

July 9, 2026

Windows hides a secret identifier that Microsoft hands over to the FBI

19-year-old Peter Stokes, a member of the Scattered Spider group, was arrested by the FBI due to a unique number embedded in his Windows operating system known as the Global Device Identifier (GDID). This identifier, assigned during Windows installation, remains unchanged and can leak user information despite the use of VPNs. The FBI identified Stokes by obtaining a history of IP addresses linked to his GDID from Microsoft, which allowed them to trace his online activities across various platforms. Microsoft tracks over a billion devices with this permanent identifier, which cannot be disabled.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

Valve’s magical play-Windows-games-on-Linux tech is rebased, updated, and ready to play Resident Evil

Valve has launched Proton 11, which is based on Wine 11 and available to Linux users through Steam settings. This version includes support for several games, such as "Deadly Premonition," "Resident Evil," and "DCS World Steam Edition." Key fixes in Proton 11 include improved KDE window maximization support, video playback fixes, and enhanced controller support. The update also addresses various rendering issues, game crashes, and performance improvements for multiple titles. Proton 11 is rebased on Wine 11.0 and includes updates to several components, enhancing the gaming experience on Linux platforms.

Winsage

July 8, 2026

Lenovo’s stunning new Windows 11 all‑in‑one finally dethrones the Surface Studio with its bold Yoga AIO i Aura design

The Lenovo Yoga AiO i 32 Aura Edition features a unique upside-down V-shaped stand that supports the display and houses the computing hardware, creating a floating screen illusion. It has a 32-inch 4K OLED panel with a 165Hz refresh rate and a 99% DCI-P3 color rating, making it suitable for creative professionals. The device is powered by an Intel Core Ultra X7 358H processor and integrated Intel Arc B390 graphics, performing well in various tasks but lacking a dedicated GPU option for high-performance gaming. The built-in speaker system has been reported to produce a persistent hissing noise, affecting audio quality. The port selection is limited, with only a few USB ports and no Ethernet jack or SD card reader, which may require users to invest in additional adapters or peripherals.

Winsage

July 8, 2026

Windows 95 used a very basic “trick” to detect setup files

Microsoft developed Windows 95 with innovative detection mechanisms to prevent external installers from downgrading essential system components. The team used a heuristics-based approach to identify installer files by analyzing their names for keywords like "setup," "installer," or "inst," and also considered variations in other languages. If these keywords were not present, the system would check the file path for "setup." File checks were delayed until the next start to catch improperly modified files, as some setup programs would exit Windows to run batch files. Additionally, live file checks were conducted for multimedia driver installations via INF files, which was a special exception.

Winsage

July 8, 2026

Windows 11 cleanup is finally simple with this powerful open‑source tool that strips bloat, boosts speed, and gives you real control

Windows 11 includes built-in tools like Storage Sense, Temporary Files settings, and Storage Recommendations for managing storage. BleachBit is a free, open-source cleanup utility for Windows 11 that removes temporary files, caches, logs, and browsing data without ads. Users can download it via a standard installer or a portable version, with installation possible through the command line. BleachBit features a "Preview" option to estimate storage recovery before deletion and offers recommended cleanup options such as temporary files, logs, and the Recycle Bin. It includes a file shredder for securely deleting sensitive files and can wipe free disk space, although this is not recommended for regular maintenance. BleachBit does not have a Registry cleaner, which can prevent potential system issues. While it does not directly speed up Windows 11, it can free up storage space and resolve some cache-related issues. Users comfortable with Windows 11's built-in tools may not need BleachBit, but it offers greater control for those wanting to manage browser data and temporary files more effectively.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

We Are Social launches Minecraft experience with One Voice to raise awareness of animal testing

We Are Social in France has partnered with One Voice to create The Memorial, an immersive experience in Minecraft that raises awareness about the over two million animals used in laboratory testing annually in France. The initiative aims to educate players about the lives of these animals and existing alternatives to animal testing. The Memorial features a landscape with commemorative monuments, educational quests, and real-time tracking of laboratory animals. It highlights the stories of individual animals and introduces scientific alternatives to reduce animal testing. This launch coincides with the European Parliament's recent legislation to ban animal testing for detergents by July 2029 and plans to phase out other animal testing requirements. The Memorial is accessible at le-memorial-des-animaux-de-labo.fr.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

Minecraft 26.3 Snapshot 3 patch notes: Straw Bed, Cushion, and more revealed

Mojang has released Minecraft 26.3 Snapshot 3, introducing new features focused on player comfort, including the Cushion and the Straw Bed. The Cushion is a placeable item available in 16 colors, crafted from three wool slabs of the same hue. It can be placed on any flat surface, allowing players to sit down, and aligns with the grid while overlapping with most objects. Cushions will break if their supporting block is removed. The Straw Bed allows players to sleep through the night without setting a spawn point and is single-use, being destroyed after use. It cannot be used in the Nether or The End and is crafted from three hay bales, yielding four beds. A new statistic tracks the number of times players have slept in a Straw Bed. Additional features include Gothic language support, a new command (/posteffect) for adding or removing post-processing shader effects, data-driven custom brewing recipes, and a new minecraft:number_provider registry for flexible data-driven systems. Bug fixes in this snapshot address various gameplay issues, including problems with Drowned entities, rendering issues on macOS, and inconsistencies in GUI elements.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced review

Ubisoft is releasing a comprehensive remake of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, titled "Resynced," on July 9, 2026, priced at in the U.S. and £50 in the U.K. Developed by Ubisoft Singapore, the remake features enhanced graphics using the latest Anvil engine, dynamic weather, a realistic day-night cycle, and improved combat mechanics. The game has been verified for Steam Deck, though performance may be an issue. While it retains core elements from the original, some features, like customizable homes and additional ship ammunition types, were already present in the original game.