LAN Archives

Winsage

September 17, 2026

Microsoft Pushes OneDrive After Killing Windows 11 Transfer Tool

Microsoft has announced the discontinuation of Windows 11’s PC-to-PC migration tool, which was designed for direct file transfers over local Wi-Fi or LAN connections. This tool, integrated into the Windows Backup application, allowed users to connect two computers using a one-time code to transfer specific files and folders without requiring cloud storage. Users are now directed to use Windows Backup, which relies on OneDrive for file synchronization and restoration, posing challenges for those with limited OneDrive capacity. The former tool also allowed the transfer of certain Windows settings but did not include installed applications, saved passwords, or sign-in credentials. Microsoft has updated its support documentation to confirm that the PC-to-PC Migration feature is no longer available.

Winsage

September 16, 2026

Microsoft built a local PC-to-PC transfer tool for Windows 11, now it’s killing it to push OneDrive-based solution

Microsoft has discontinued its PC-to-PC transfer tool for Windows 11, which allowed file transfers over Wi-Fi or LAN without using OneDrive. The company has shifted its focus to the Windows Backup solution that relies on OneDrive for file storage. Users must now restore backups linked to their Microsoft accounts and retrieve synced files via OneDrive, which has a 5GB storage limit for free accounts. The PC-to-PC transfer tool, tested in July 2025, enabled users to transfer documents, photos, videos, and user settings locally, but did not support the transfer of saved passwords, credentials, or installed applications.

AppWizard

September 14, 2026

Warcraft 3: Reforged adds always-online requirement, removes LAN mode

The 3.0 patch for Warcraft 3: Reforged has introduced the Forsaken Kingdom expansion, which includes bug fixes and new features. A significant change is the requirement for an internet connection to play, even in single-player mode, which removes local area network (LAN) functionality. Blizzard has provided access to the legacy Warcraft 3 client with the purchase of Reforged, allowing offline play and LAN support. The patch also adds a new graphics mode for improved visual fidelity and doubles the unit selection cap from 12 to 24. Full patch notes are available on the Blizzard forums.

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

The Best Ways to Play a Modpack With Friends

To play modded Minecraft with friends, every player must have the same modpack, including matching mods, versions, and loaders. Sharing the modpack can be done using launchers like CurseForge or Modrinth. There are free options for gameplay, such as LAN worlds for local connections, Virtual LAN tools like Hamachi for distant friends, and direct hosting from one player's PC. However, these methods require one player to act as the host, which can lead to lag and restrict access when the host is offline. For a more stable experience, using a dedicated server is recommended, as it allows 24/7 access without burdening a single player's computer. When choosing a host, look for features like guaranteed RAM, one-click modpack installations, automatic backups, and responsive support.

AppWizard

September 2, 2026

Fully Playable Scream Game Found in Steam Leak [2026]

A horror game based on the Scream film franchise was discovered in the Steam data leak that occurred from August 29 to 31, 2026. The game, an unfinished multiplayer prototype created by Fatshark, was found by a Twitter user named Roly Poly Reaper, who managed to run it on their computer and enable online multiplayer. The prototype included several unfinished builds, with one featuring operational networking code that allowed players to take on the roles of survivors evading a player-controlled Ghostface. The project appears to have been a pitch build, never fully greenlit for production, and was stored in Valve’s old Steam2 backend for approximately 15 years before the leak. Roly Poly Reaper used the Goldberg Steam emulator and Radmin VPN to run the game, circumventing the need for a live connection to Valve’s servers. Fatshark, known for cooperative shooters, had reportedly built the Scream prototype around 2011, coinciding with the release of Scream 4. The prototype's existence predates the popularization of the asymmetric horror genre by several years. The Steam2 leak itself involved approximately 12 to 13 terabytes of data, including various internal builds and beta versions from Valve and third-party developers. Valve has not publicly commented on the leak.

AppWizard

August 21, 2026

How a Decade-Old Samsung Laser Printer Became a Minecraft Host Server

A Samsung C410W printer has been repurposed by a maker named vimpo to host a Minecraft server, leveraging its debug serial port and LAN Test Protocol. The printer, despite being from the mid-2010s, features Wi-Fi connectivity and has 23 megabytes of RAM. Vimpo crafted a payload to redirect execution to activate the printer's status lights, allowing the lightweight UCraft server to run. This server, with a binary size of about 46 kilobytes, enables basic gameplay for a single player but has limitations in processing power, leading to lag when multiple players connect. The exploit and server code are publicly available for others to replicate this project.

BetaBeacon

August 20, 2026

Payday: Aces High first impressions: VR is so back, baby!

The game Payday: Aces High is the fourth entry in the Payday series, where players choose one of the Aces to seek revenge on billionaire Warren Jupiter. The game features six missions with randomized objectives, immersive VR mechanics, and a high level of replayability. It will be available on Meta Quest 3 and Steam VR with full crossplay between platforms.

Winsage

August 20, 2026

Microsoft shares detailed guide for IT admins on saving massive internet data on Windows 11

Microsoft has released a guide for IT administrators focused on optimizing Windows deployments and reducing bandwidth usage through Windows Delivery Optimization configured via Microsoft Intune. Delivery Optimization uses a peer-to-peer sharing system, allowing devices to download content from each other instead of solely from Microsoft servers, which helps reduce internet strain for organizations with many Windows PCs. Administrators can create specific peer groups based on network topology and control bandwidth usage for downloads, with options to set different limits for business and off-hours. Microsoft also introduced Connected Cache, which stores frequently accessed content locally to further minimize bandwidth consumption. A statistic shared by Microsoft indicates that using Delivery Optimization can significantly reduce internet traffic, as a 1 GB update for 10,000 devices could otherwise generate 10 TB of internet traffic. The guide recommends starting with a small seeder ring of devices to populate peer caches before wider deployment. Microsoft provides specific policy settings for Delivery Optimization, including default and recommended values for settings such as download mode, peer selection, cache size, minimum file size for caching, cache age, and monthly upload data cap. Proper configuration of Delivery Optimization is suggested to benefit organizations managing large numbers of devices.

BetaBeacon

August 18, 2026

Best Android Emulators 2026: 4 of 7 Play Store Banned

- Ads: No - Funding model: Open-source community RetroArch - Base price: Free - Optional paid tier: None - Ads: No - Funding model: Open-source community Winlator - Base price: Free - Optional paid tier: None - Ads: No - Funding model: Donation-funded DraStic - Base price: Free - Optional paid tier: None - Ads: No - Funding model: None public

Winsage

August 13, 2026

How to Turn Your Idle Home PC into a File Server Using Built-in Windows Features

Many individuals are repurposing older PCs into home file servers, especially those not eligible for the Windows 11 update. This process utilizes built-in Windows features, allowing families to share files across devices without additional software, making it cost-effective since it leverages existing hardware. The setup involves four steps: preparing storage, creating a local account, creating shared folders, and accessing them from other PCs. Guidelines suggest around 500GB for photos and 1TB for videos. Compared to commercially available NAS devices, repurposing a PC incurs virtually no cost, while NAS options range from approximately ¥30,000 to ¥80,000. Performance tests show that mini PCs as file servers can achieve read speeds of about 4.8GB/s and write speeds of around 4.5GB/s on a 2.5GbE network. This method is particularly appealing for older PCs, allowing users to maximize resources rather than discard them, while also addressing the growing demand for efficient file sharing in households. Data backup and security measures are essential considerations when operating a file server.