licenses Archives

AppWizard

July 28, 2026

Ubisoft and Xbox Team Up for Play Anywhere-Type Solution For Select Titles

Ubisoft and Xbox have launched a dual-entitlement system for thirteen games, allowing players who buy these titles through the Xbox Store to access them on PC via the Ubisoft Connect launcher. The games included are: 1. Assassin’s Creed Mirage 2. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla 3. Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora 4. Far Cry 6 5. Immortals Fenyx Rising 6. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown 7. Riders Republic 8. Skull and Bones 9. The Crew 2 10. The Crew Motorfest 11. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Extraction 12. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege 13. Watch Dogs Legion The rollout of PC licenses is set between July 21st and August 4th, with some titles already appearing in users' PC libraries. This system allows Xbox users to claim a complimentary PC version, but does not provide reciprocal access for PC players. Most single-purchase downloadable content (DLC) will carry over, but certain microtransactions may not.

Winsage

July 27, 2026

You heard wrong, Microsoft isn’t ending pirated Windows 11 with TPM, and the new rule only affects enterprise KMS servers

On July 22, Microsoft announced the KMS Hardware-Secured requirement, linking Windows volume activation servers to a TPM chip. This initiative is aimed at organizations using Key Management Service (KMS) servers to enhance security by ensuring that KMS hosts verify their identity and integrity through the TPM before activating Windows machines. The motivation behind this requirement is to prevent unauthorized activation methods that exploit fake KMS servers. Organizations are advised to ensure their KMS hosts are certified and that TPM is enabled. The KMS Hardware-Secured measures do not target individual users with pirated copies of Windows, as most current piracy methods do not involve KMS servers. Microsoft has not pursued legal action against minor piracy instances, focusing instead on maintaining user engagement through subscriptions and services.

Winsage

July 26, 2026

Upgrade your PC with Windows 11 Pro and Office for $25.99

A bundle offering lifetime licenses for Windows 11 Pro and Office Professional Plus 2019 is available for .99, down from its original price of 9.99. The Office Professional Plus 2019 suite includes applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access. Windows 11 Pro features include Snap Layouts, BitLocker device encryption, Hyper-V virtualization, and Windows Sandbox. Support for Office 2019 will end in October 2025, and Publisher 2019 will reach its end of support in October 2026. The licenses are tied to a single PC and cannot be transferred.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

Microsoft shipped a native Xbox 360 emulator with its new backwards-compatible releases on PC — modders quickly got 360 games running with minor tweaks

Microsoft has released four original Xbox titles for PC, enhancing its gaming ecosystem and aligning with its commitment to backwards compatibility. These titles are packaged as standard Games on Demand (GOD) files, which can be converted into base ISOs using GOD extractors. The company has utilized a native x86 version of its Xbox 360 emulator, Xe03, to facilitate this transition. Xe03 is integrated into Xbox One and Xbox Series consoles for backwards compatibility and allows modern consoles to run original Xbox titles. The recent PC port of Xe03, combined with components from projects like XWine1, enables the running of dumped backwards-compatible Xbox 360 and original Xbox games. Among the released titles is Fuzion Frenzy, and Microsoft plans to expand its library of backwards-compatible titles for PC. The PC version of Xe03 enhances the original 480p output of OG Xbox games to 4K and includes features like built-in V-Sync and enhanced anti-aliasing. These games are available through the Xbox PC app under the Xbox Anywhere program, allowing users with digital licenses on console to access them for free on PC. Microsoft is also set to introduce Xbox Achievements support for these titles.

Winsage

July 26, 2026

Microsoft is using TPM chips to crack down on pirated Windows activations

Microsoft has mandated the inclusion of the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) as a standard feature in all new motherboards and CPUs to enhance the Windows activation process. The company has introduced an enhancement to its Key Management Service (KMS) that leverages TPM's security capabilities to authenticate the legitimacy of KMS servers. This new "TPM-based attestation" aims to mitigate exploitation risks associated with KMS by validating the cryptographic integrity of KMS servers. Starting in August 2026, TPM-based attestation will be required for KMS activation with the next release of Windows Server. Microsoft has also closed off the "KMS38" activation method in 2025, while traditional KMS activation remains functional. The Massgrave collective has developed an Online KMS method that may be impacted by the new TPM-based attestation.

Winsage

July 23, 2026

Microsoft making a new feature mandatory requirement for Windows KMS activation

Microsoft has introduced enhancements to its Windows operating system security, including an update to Entra ID authentication with default passkeys and AI-enhanced security updates. A key advancement is the KMS Hardware-Secured initiative, which uses Trusted Platform Module (TPM)-based attestation to ensure KMS hosts operate on trusted hardware for Windows volume activation. This aims to combat risks from counterfeit KMS servers. Under the new model, KMS hosts will confirm their hardware identity using TPM before activating Windows devices. Starting in August 2026, Windows Server 2025 will provide readiness messaging for KMS host compliance with new security requirements. TPM attestation will be mandatory for KMS Hardware-Secured activation with the upcoming Windows Server 2028 LTSC release. Organizations are advised to prepare for this transition.

AppWizard

July 22, 2026

Xbox Backward Compatibility Is Finally Bringing Original Xbox Games to PC

Xbox has announced the early release of backward compatibility for original Xbox games on PC, allowing players to purchase and enjoy four classic titles: Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live and Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Fuzion Frenzy. These games are available via the Xbox PC app and included in all Xbox Game Pass plans. Players who own digital copies on Xbox can transfer their licenses to PC without repurchasing. The games can be installed locally, and Xbox is enhancing them with PC-specific improvements, including up to 4x resolution upscaling and customizable settings. Achievements for these titles will be introduced later this year.

AppWizard

July 22, 2026

Microsoft brings OG Xbox games to PC with backward compatibility

Microsoft is expanding its backward compatibility initiative to include original Xbox console games on PC, starting with four titles: Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live and Reloaded, Crimson Skies, and Fusion Frenzy. These games are available for purchase and included in Xbox Game Pass, with licenses transferring seamlessly for those who already own them digitally on Xbox. New graphics settings have been introduced, allowing up to 4x resolution upscaling, VSync support, fullscreen and windowed modes, anisotropic filtering, and enhanced anti-aliasing. This launch is part of a larger effort to preserve Xbox's gaming legacy and integrate achievements into classic titles. The move comes amid discussions of game preservation in the industry, particularly with Sony ending physical disc production by 2028. The upcoming Xbox console, codenamed Project Helix, will support both Xbox and PC games, indicating a trend towards cross-platform integration.

AppWizard

July 22, 2026

Xbox Is Bringing Backward Compatible Games To Your Windows PC

Microsoft has announced the early release of its Xbox backward compatibility program for Windows PCs and portable handhelds, allowing players to access four classic Xbox games: "Fuzion Frenzy," "Blinx: The Time Sweeper," "Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge," and "Conker: Live and Reloaded." These games can be purchased individually or accessed through Xbox Game Pass. The program will support Xbox achievements, which will be activated later this year, and offer customizable graphics settings. Minimum system requirements for PCs include Windows 11, updated drivers, 8GB of RAM, a minimum 4 Core CPU, and a compatible GPU.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

As a PC Gamer Who Hasn’t Bought a Disc in a Decade, I Think PlayStation All-Digital Future Was a Long Time Coming – but There Are Still Reasons To Be Wary

Rockstar has decided not to release a physical version of its upcoming game, GTA 6, while Sony plans to stop producing discs for PlayStation consoles by January 2028. The gaming community has reacted strongly, but it is unlikely that either company will change its decision. The transition to a discless future is seen as inevitable. In the PC gaming sector, physical discs have largely become obsolete, with platforms like Steam dominating the market. The initial skepticism towards Steam has shifted as it became a reliable digital marketplace, leading to a decline in physical media. The absence of physical discs raises concerns about consumer autonomy, pricing, and game preservation, as digital ownership is often limited to licenses rather than full ownership. The shift away from physical media has been ongoing, with modern gaming increasingly reliant on digital downloads and updates.