Leaked documents reveal that Microsoft developed Project Aion, a Copilot-centric operating system distinct from Windows 11, which was never released. Aion was designed without a Start menu, desktop icons, or a traditional taskbar, placing Copilot at the center of user interaction. The project was conceived as early as 2024 and aimed to redefine user engagement with technology, focusing on education, entertainment, and task completion. It utilized a streamlined Windows codebase called Win3, which was lighter than Windows 11 but lacked support for legacy Win32 apps. Aion featured a personalized dashboard with task cards and app icons for both Microsoft and third-party applications. It was intended to run on various AI-focused devices and aimed to create a versatile operating system adaptable to different hardware configurations. Key features included a conversational user experience, an "Ask me anything" box for queries, and "Spaces" for project organization. Despite its innovative design, Aion was primarily aimed at enterprise use and faced limitations due to the absence of traditional desktop applications. The likelihood of Aion's release is slim as Microsoft has shifted its focus to refining Windows 11 and has begun retracting ambitious AI integrations, prioritizing stability and performance enhancements over new operating systems.
Windows 11 Pro is currently available for , down from its usual price of 9, with the code SAVE30 required for the discount. The upgrade offers improved performance, a modern interface, and enhanced security features, including Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, BitLocker, and Azure AD Integration. It also includes Copilot, an AI-powered assistant for productivity. The purchase grants a lifetime license with no recurring fees.
Developers face challenges in maintaining fragile data pipelines that connect transactional data to analytical insights. Snowflake Postgres provides a solution that allows developers to focus on innovation. A Virtual Hands-On Lab will demonstrate the capabilities of Snowflake Postgres, requiring participants to have a Snowflake free trial. Key features include rapid deployment of a fully-managed Postgres foundation, elimination of data pipelines through the pg_lake extension, integration with Snowflake Cortex AI for real-time data reasoning, and built-in high availability with a 99.95% uptime SLA. The event is aimed at Software Developers, AI/ML Engineers, and Data Engineers who want to use their Postgres tools on the Snowflake platform.
Players in How to Fish face the challenge of defeating the Pufferfish boss, which requires multiple attempts and strategic upgrades to weapons, particularly the SMG. To obtain Pufferfish bait, players must find endangered fish and feed them to a swimmer in exchange for Carrot Bait. Tips for defeating the Pufferfish include maintaining constant movement, using trees for cover, avoiding its purple poison, and taking advantage of its size increase to dodge more easily. Players should not stop to shoot the Pufferfish but instead keep moving to succeed in the battle.
A bug following the Windows update KB5121003 has caused several games, including Arc Raiders, Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, and The Finals, to become unresponsive. Embark Studios suggested that the crashes are linked to the driver inpoutx64.sys and recommended disabling it through the Command Prompt. Microsoft confirmed that the update is the cause of the issues and is investigating a potential connection between RGB lighting components and the affected games. They provided a method to disable the driver via the registry, advising users to back up the registry first. Disabling the driver may affect RGB lighting features. Users can also consider rolling back to a previous Windows update as a temporary solution.
Walmart is offering the MSI Codex R2 AI gaming desktop with an RTX 5070 graphics card for ,499, down from its regular price of ,600, with free shipping. The desktop features an Intel Core Ultra 7 265F processor, 16GB of DDR5 memory, and a 1TB SSD. It includes built-in Wi-Fi, RGB lighting, and comes pre-installed with Windows 11. As part of Intel Gamer Days, it also includes free digital copies of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis and STAR WARS: Galactic Racer, valued at .98. The desktop is built on the MSI H810M-B motherboard and has a 750W 80+ Gold PSU.
Malware researcher Dominik Reichel has discovered a sophisticated Windows backdoor named Sleepwalker, which remains dormant in memory until activated by a specially crafted network packet. Sleepwalker uses a 23-instruction command language to execute tasks, including running code in memory and exfiltrating data. It activates through a proprietary activation packet that does not contain readable commands. The malware targets a VMware VMCI and disguises itself as Microsoft's dpapi.dll, mimicking its functions while redirecting calls to a non-existent file. Once it confirms its host process as ERAAgent.exe, it enters a dormant state to evade detection. Sleepwalker monitors for a specific pattern known as a magic packet to decrypt and interpret commands. Commands sent to it are encrypted with AES-256-CCM and must be read in a specific order. The backdoor includes functionalities for sending and concealing data, receiving tasks, and executing programs. Reichel has developed a toolkit to decode Sleepwalker’s bytecode and a mitigation guide for affected users. However, there are significant gaps in knowledge regarding the initial access method, victim identification, and the malware's operator.
Microsoft has acknowledged gaming issues related to Windows 11 updates released on August 11, 2026, affecting games like ARC Raiders, MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls, and The Finals. Problems reported include game crashes, failures to launch, freezes, and unexpected system restarts, particularly on Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. Microsoft identified a link between these issues and drivers or components associated with RGB lighting devices, specifically the inpoutx64.sys driver. A temporary workaround involves disabling the inpoutx64 driver through the Windows Registry, with caution advised regarding potential unintended consequences. Users are encouraged to report issues via the Feedback Hub app as Microsoft investigates further.
Microsoft is testing new context menus and updating the AutoPlay dialog box in Windows 11. The Windows K2 initiative is prompting discussions about a potential Windows 12 update. Concerns remain about the performance of key applications like Microsoft Teams, which has been criticized for slow loading times. The upcoming Windows 11 update will include a refreshed Start menu, Taskbar enhancements, and quality fixes. A study by Signal65 found that the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme outperforms Intel and AMD chips. Rudy Huyn is leading a team to improve Windows applications, but it is uncertain how many apps will benefit from these efforts. Many major applications operate independently from Huyn's team, raising concerns about user experience. Microsoft 365 is currently available at a discount when bundled with NordVPN.
