issue Archives

Winsage

April 20, 2026

Microsoft releases emergency updates to fix Windows Server issues

Microsoft has confirmed that some administrators are experiencing difficulties installing the KB5082063 security update on Windows Server 2025. This month's Patch Tuesday updates have caused certain Windows servers, especially those with domain controller roles, to enter a restart loop due to failures in the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS). Microsoft has released emergency out-of-band updates, including KB5091157 for Windows Server 2025, to address both the installation failure and the restart issues. Additionally, some Windows Server 2025 devices may boot into BitLocker recovery mode after installing the KB5082063 update. A bug affecting Windows Server 2019 and Windows Server 2022 that caused unexpected upgrades to Windows Server 2025 has also been resolved. Microsoft has issued various emergency updates throughout the year to address other issues, including a Bluetooth device visibility bug and vulnerabilities in the Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS).

AppWizard

April 20, 2026

Dreaming in Cubes

Minecraft features infinite replayability due to its sophisticated world generation mechanics, which use noise functions to create expansive worlds divided into chunks of 16×16×384. An alternative approach called ChunkGAN has been developed for similar world generation challenges. A video by Lewis Stuart from January 2026 discusses the difficulties of 3D generative modeling, particularly the lack of quality 3D datasets and the complexities introduced by the third dimension. The video emphasizes issues related to diffusion models that require labeled data and the challenges posed by scale, such as a repository of 512×512. The training data for this research was generated by the author using Minecraft Java Edition, with chunks extracted through a custom script, ensuring no third-party datasets were used.

AppWizard

April 19, 2026

The Internet Archive has preserved 758 old PC Gamer demo discs you can download and play

The Internet Archive hosts a collection of hundreds of promotional demo discs from PC gaming history, which include unique extras and bonuses. Notable examples include the Quake-O-Rama disc from October 1997, featuring Quake maps and the first speedrun demo file, and a March 2008 disc containing a full episode of Telltale's Sam & Max along with a Duke Nukem Forever trailer. Additionally, a 1994 floppy disk may contain FMV clips with the Coconut Monkey mascot. The archive's cover disc collection, curated by Jason Scott and contributors, includes 758 entries that showcase the history of PC gaming magazines.

Winsage

April 19, 2026

Fix: “Cannot Complete the Archive Extraction” in Windows

Users may encounter the error message “Cannot complete the archive extraction wizard” when using the built-in Windows extractor for ZIP or RAR files, indicating limitations of this tool. Common issues include damaged archives, incompatible compression methods, long file paths, restricted extraction locations, insufficient disk space, or interruptions from security software. To address these challenges, users can: 1. Use third-party extractors like 7-Zip, WinRAR, or PeaZip for better compatibility and success rates. 2. Check if the archive is corrupted and re-download it if necessary, ensuring the download completes fully. 3. Shorten the file path by moving the archive to a simpler directory to avoid exceeding path limits. 4. Temporarily disable antivirus or real-time protection, as it may interrupt the extraction process. If problems persist, testing the archive on a different PC can help determine if the issue is with the archive or the current system. If the archive fails on another computer, it is likely corrupted or incomplete, requiring a fresh download or replacement.

AppWizard

April 19, 2026

Mirror’s Edge review (2009)

Wes Fenlon reflects on the evolution of the Mirror's Edge franchise, noting that only six years separated the original game from its sequel, Mirror's Edge Catalyst. Despite Catalyst's mixed reception, Fenlon maintains nostalgia for the original, particularly its vibrant cityscape and the iconic cloth physics supported by Nvidia's PhysX. A review by Graham Smith highlights the early levels of Mirror's Edge for their embodiment of free-running, with a design that emphasizes evasion over traditional combat, which can lead to frustration. The game's physicality and attention to detail enhance immersion, while the sensation of speed adds excitement to gameplay. Players navigate through jumping puzzles and environments that blend challenge and satisfaction, although the story mode is brief, taking about six hours to complete. Additional modes like Speed Run and Time Trial offer further challenges focused on movement. Overall, Mirror's Edge is recognized as a bold experiment in merging first-person platforming with traditional gameplay elements.

AppWizard

April 19, 2026

Government has carried out no modelling on under-16 social media ban impacts

Campaigners are urging caution regarding a proposed ban on social media for individuals under 16, as the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has not conducted any internal modeling or analysis to assess the potential impacts of such a ban. The DSIT acknowledged that "clear, agreed evidence does not currently exist" in response to a Freedom of Information request. In legislative discussions, MPs rejected immediate restrictions on social media for minors, while Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the need for action without guaranteeing prompt implementation. The government is piloting measures such as app bans, time restrictions, and overnight curfews with approximately 300 teenagers involved in a trial. Research led by Professor Amy Orben indicates gaps in understanding the relationship between children's mental health and digital technology use, highlighting the need for high-quality studies. The DSIT confirmed it has internal research on the subject but is withholding it to avoid misinterpretation. Burrows advocates for stronger regulation targeting online harm instead of outright bans, suggesting bans may not effectively address safety concerns. A DSIT spokesperson reiterated the commitment to building a strong evidence base and seeking public input before making decisions.

Winsage

April 19, 2026

Microsoft is giving Windows 11 File Explorer a speed boost, dark mode fix, and reducing explorer.exe crashes

Microsoft is updating Windows 11 by improving File Explorer, focusing on performance and user experience. The latest release, Windows 11 Build 26200.8313, shows File Explorer loading faster and eliminating white flashes in dark mode. This build is currently for Windows Insiders, with public availability expected in April 2026 and further updates in May 2026. The update enhances speed, manages themes better, and adds support for new archive formats like cpio, uu, xar, and nupkg. Reliability improvements have reduced crashes related to explorer.exe, and new features include a preview option for internet-downloaded files, a redesigned search bar, and immediate reflection of folder view preferences.

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

5 Android Auto settings I always change on any new Android phone

Android Auto has become a popular tool for drivers, supporting both wired and wireless connections in vehicles. Google regularly updates the platform, adding features like Google Meet support. Users can enhance their experience by adjusting settings, such as disabling auto-play for music when connecting, managing notifications from apps like YouTube Music and Spotify, preventing Android Auto from starting automatically, setting up shortcuts for Google Assistant commands, and enabling quick controls for music playback from the taskbar.

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

Gemini app bug removes features, reverts UI on Android

A bug in the Gemini app has led to the removal of several features, including the ability to upload NotebookLM notebooks via the ‘plus’ menu, the disappearance of the “Temporary chat” button, and the option to “Import memory to Gemini” from the profile menu. The app's design has reverted to side-by-side pills from a list format, and the background color has changed from black to gray, affecting the visual experience. Android users have also experienced a return to a previous overlay design that limits access to the Tools menu, and the fullscreen glow effect has been removed. This issue is affecting users across both stable and beta channels with Google app version 17.14, and a server-side fix is expected to restore the lost functionalities. The Gemini web platform remains unaffected.

Winsage

April 18, 2026

Windows 11 finally fixes inconsistent folder views in File Explorer

Microsoft has released Build 26200.8313 (KB5083631) for the Release Preview Channel, enhancing File Explorer by ensuring that folder view settings remain consistent across all access points. This update allows user preferences, such as sorting, icon sizes, and layouts, to persist regardless of how a folder is accessed, addressing previous inconsistencies where settings would reset when opening folders from different applications. The update also includes improved launch performance, reduced white flash in dark mode, expanded support for additional archive formats, and reliability improvements for explorer.exe. The update is expected to roll out to standard Windows 11 PCs by May.