issues Archives

Winsage

August 14, 2026

Classic Outlook bug breaks Copilot, but some might call it an upgrade

Microsoft is facing scrutiny over a bug in build 20026.20182 affecting classic Outlook users with Copilot features, causing the Copilot button to disappear and other functionalities to become inoperable for those with either a Copilot Chat (Basic) license or a paid M365 Copilot (Premium) account. The Copilot icon is missing from its usual locations, and while the Microsoft 365 Copilot app and web experience are functioning, users are advised to switch to Outlook on the web or the new Outlook app for immediate access. Standard troubleshooting methods have not consistently resolved the issue.

Winsage

August 14, 2026

August’s Patch Tuesday is a monster: 751 fixes, with an exploited Windows flaw

Users can connect to SMB shares with features like RDMA, leases, and Continuous Availability, allowing efficient data transfer and session management. Hyper-V users can create, checkpoint, and export Generation 2 virtual machines, enable virtual TPM and BitLocker, and connect USB storage and MIDI devices. MSI package management has improved, allowing easy installation, repair, and uninstallation with UAC prompts. TAPI has 11 entries focused on parity fixes, with enhancements in TCP/IP, HTTP.sys, Windows Firewall, Bluetooth, wired 802.1X, and message queuing. Users can verify TAPI line status, HTTP.sys functionality across protocols, and confirm TCP/IP IPsec tunnels. Office updates include client updates for MSI Office 2016 and SharePoint Server updates for 2016, 2019, and Subscription Edition, requiring attention to browser-based editing functionality. On-premises Exchange Server receives a security update addressing seven CVEs, including one critical elevation of privilege vulnerability and six important issues.

Winsage

August 14, 2026

Windows has a secret database that makes your old games

Microsoft's Windows operating system has developed intricate compatibility mechanisms over decades to ensure that older games can run on modern machines. It maintains compatibility databases that recognize software with known issues and applies specific fixes, known as shims, which adjust the OS's responses to meet the game's expectations without modifying the game's executable. Users can also manually apply fixes through Compatibility settings, allowing them to emulate earlier operating system behaviors and address specific issues. The compatibility shims can modify interactions with APIs, file handling, system privileges, and display scaling. Microsoft provides AppHelp warnings for applications with known compatibility issues and maintains a comprehensive compatibility database located at C:WindowsAppPatch. Users can access this database and explore compatibility settings using the Windows ADK and the Compatibility Administrator tool.

Winsage

August 14, 2026

Microsoft Issues New Release Preview Channel Builds

The Windows Insider Program has released two new builds in the Release Preview Channel, introducing several enhancements for Windows 11. Key updates include: - Taskbar: Users can position and resize the Taskbar on any side of the screen. - Start Menu: The Start menu is now resizable and features a Recent section, replacing the Recommended section, with independent toggles for Pinned, Recent, and All items. - Windows Search: A streamlined home view allows users to choose whether to display web and Store results. - File Explorer: Improvements focus on performance and touch scrolling for smoother navigation. - Design: Updated progress indicators appear during startup, sign-in, restart, shutdown, and update installations. - Windows Share: A suggested app interface has been introduced for improved sharing options. - Administrator Protection: This feature returns but is disabled by default. - Additional Minor Updates: Enhancements have been made across multiple desktops, display settings, Task Manager, Setup, Windows Update, and more. Further refinements include: - File Explorer: Improvements in file size displays, middle-click support, and enhanced file thumbnails. - Windows Search: Adjustments for better accommodation of typos and partial app names, with results based on user Settings. - Additional Minor Changes: Updates across Start, Widgets, Touchpad, Windows Hello, and other components.

AppWizard

August 14, 2026

Google Play will make rival Android app stores easier to find after judge says it is ‘not acceptable’ yet

A judge has expressed dissatisfaction with the accessibility of third-party Android app stores on Google Play, particularly criticizing the search functionality that makes it difficult for users to find these stores. The launch of Aptoide Games, the first third-party app store on the platform, has highlighted these issues. Google has committed to redesigning the user interface for third-party app stores, changing the “View” button to an “Install” button. Judge Donato has given Google a one-week deadline to address these concerns and has criticized the existing “are you looking for” banner as unnecessary friction in the user experience.

BetaBeacon

August 14, 2026

KONKR Pocket Advance Review: A Superb $89 Starter Android Handheld

- KONKR Pocket Advance specifications include a 3.5" LCD display, MediaTek Helio G90T CPU, 3GB or 4GB RAM, 32GB or 64GB storage, 4,000mAh battery, active cooling fan, Android 12, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C, microSD card slot, 3.5mm headphone jack, dual speakers, rotor vibration motor, gyroscope, and available in navy, coral, and grey colors. - The device is designed to resemble the original GAME BOY Advance with modern enhancements while maintaining a nostalgic design. - The display is a 3.5" LCD with a resolution of 960 x 640 and an aspect ratio of 3:2, suitable for upscaling GBA games by 4x. - The device has a textured matte feel, no metal or glass, and features soft, quiet buttons with a premium feel. - The Pocket Advance has a large Micro SD card slot, two speaker grills, USB-C charging port, 3.5mm headphone jack, and volume wheel. - The device runs on Android, offers good emulation performance for consoles like PlayStation 1, GAME BOY Advance, SEGA Game Gear, and SEGA Mega Drive. - Battery life ranges from 4 to 10 hours, with an average of around 6 hours. - The KONKR Pocket Advance is compared to the RG34XX and Pocket Air Mini, offering a competitive price, good build quality, and performance for retro emulation.

Tech Optimizer

August 14, 2026

Databricks acquires Electric to bring local Postgres databases to agentic apps

Many enterprise teams are facing challenges in data governance, particularly concerning sandbox-level state, despite effective central warehouse governance. Databricks is addressing this issue proactively. CIOs should ask vendors how state is secured and managed within agents, not just in central databases. Distributing state across agent sandboxes increases security risks and complicates governance, requiring enterprises to extend access control, audit, and compliance frameworks beyond a single database to numerous local instances. Robust data governance strategies are essential for managing data security and compliance.

AppWizard

August 14, 2026

Studycat cites back-to-school surge in top children spanish language android app downloads

Studycat has reported a significant increase in downloads for its Spanish language app on Google Play during the back-to-school season, reflecting a seasonal trend where parents seek educational tools as they establish new routines. The rise in downloads is attributed to increased searches and installations on Android devices, consistent with historical patterns of heightened interest in educational apps during this time. The Studycat Spanish app, designed for children aged two to eight, features interactive games, songs, and stories to teach vocabulary and pronunciation. It allows parents to create multiple learner profiles and includes a VoicePlay feature for real-time pronunciation feedback. Parents can monitor their children's progress through a dashboard that displays completed lessons and badges earned. Studycat develops language-learning apps for various languages and offers additional educational resources on its website.

Winsage

August 13, 2026

Microsoft-vendetta hacker has a new zero day that gives system privileges on fully patched Windows

Nightmare Eclipse has released a new zero-day exploit called ShieldBreak, which can bypass Microsoft's RoguePlanet patch (CVE-2026-50656) and allow attackers to gain SYSTEM privileges on fully patched Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server systems. The exploit has been confirmed by security expert Kevin Beaumont, who provided detection methods for it. ShieldBreak is the tenth zero-day from Nightmare Eclipse since April and was released shortly after Microsoft's monthly Patch Tuesday. The exploit allows local privilege escalation and has a 100% success rate on the latest version of Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025, while Windows 10 remains vulnerable. Microsoft is aware of the vulnerability and is investigating it, emphasizing the importance of coordinated vulnerability disclosure. Previous exploits from Nightmare Eclipse include LegacyHive and GreatXML, with earlier vulnerabilities having been patched but recent ones still unaddressed. Microsoft had threatened legal action against Nightmare Eclipse in May but later reconsidered its approach to vulnerability disclosure.

Winsage

August 13, 2026

It looks like Windows updates might actually be speeding up the OS now

Microsoft is focusing on enhancing the user experience of Windows 11 by introducing a feature that accelerates app launch times. Recent updates have shown improvements to the Start menu, indicating that Microsoft is responding to user feedback. Although some users faced temporary issues related to AMD drivers, these have been resolved. Additionally, Microsoft is increasing the costs of Windows licenses for OEMs, leading users to expect a more efficient operating system. The tech community is anticipating further updates to Windows 11.