management Archives

Winsage

July 20, 2026

Today’s the last day to get Windows 11 Pro for just $7.97

Windows 11 Pro is available for .97, reduced from its standard price of 9, with a promotion expiring tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT. The operating system includes features like Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, BitLocker encryption, Azure AD integration, and an AI-powered assistant called Copilot.

Winsage

July 20, 2026

Enable BitLocker on Windows 11: 11 Steps, 45 Min [2026]

A stolen laptop can lead to a significant data breach, particularly when taken from public places. Windows 11 has introduced BitLocker, a full-disk encryption feature that became mandatory for Australian businesses in 2026. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner reported 766 notifiable data breaches in the latter half of 2024, with unauthorized access to devices being a major cause. Full-disk encryption is crucial for compliance with the Essential Eight framework, which mandates data protection on portable devices. BitLocker ensures that data on an encrypted drive becomes unreadable if the drive is removed and connected to another computer. It aligns with the Essential Eight framework, requiring evidence of encryption rather than just claims of protection. There are three types of encryption on Windows 11: Device Encryption, BitLocker Drive Encryption, and File-Level Encryption. BitLocker is available only on Windows 11 Pro and higher editions. To use BitLocker, certain prerequisites must be met, including having Windows 11 Pro or higher, a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot enabled, and local administrator rights. The process to enable BitLocker involves confirming the edition, checking TPM status, enabling BitLocker through Windows Settings or PowerShell, and backing up the recovery key. Organizations can deploy BitLocker fleet-wide using Microsoft Intune, and additional security measures like TPM+PIN can be implemented for pre-boot authentication. Common pitfalls during BitLocker rollout include skipping recovery key backup and assuming that Home edition machines are covered. Troubleshooting common BitLocker issues involves identifying symptoms and applying appropriate fixes. Advanced tips for enhancing security include suspending BitLocker before maintenance and auditing compliance at the fleet level. BitLocker is integral to protecting data on portable devices, and compliance documentation is essential for proving that every device has an active recovery key.

AppWizard

July 20, 2026

Steam Week in Review: Take cover, because it looks like more than half of Steam games will have an AI-disclosure by 2027-2028

In June 2017, Valve introduced Steam Direct, changing the platform's game release process from manual curation to a more open system. Before this, game releases were limited, with only one month—December 2016—exceeding 500 releases. By February 2025, monthly game launches on Steam surpassed 1,500. A study by Sulka Haro analyzed around 53,600 Steam titles released between mid-2023 and mid-2026, noting that in 2024, 10.9% of new games included an AI disclosure, rising to 19.9% in 2025, and reaching 30.8% by July 2026. Non-AI flagged launches increased from about 1,030 to around 1,320 per month, while AI-flagged launches grew from approximately 13 to about 530 monthly. Projections suggest that by 2027 or 2028, nearly half of all games on Steam will have an AI flag. Despite the increase in AI-flagged titles, many struggle financially and receive mediocre reviews. The gaming industry is seeing a rise in generative AI technologies, particularly in management simulation genres. Recent notable releases on Steam include Granblue Fantasy: Relink and Palworld, with anticipation for Star Wars Zero Company on August 27.

AppWizard

July 20, 2026

Minecraft 26.3 Snapshot 4 brings SDL3, and prefers Wayland on Linux

Minecraft 26.3 Snapshot 4 is currently available for testing, featuring a transition from the GLFW library to the SDL3 library, which is expected to improve window management, input handling, and platform integration. The update introduces Borderless Fullscreen as the default setting, allowing players to switch between Borderless and Exclusive Fullscreen modes without restarting the game. For Linux users, the game now prefers Wayland natively when available, moving away from the older X11/XWayland framework. The release date of Minecraft is 8th November 2011, and it supports native Linux.

AppWizard

July 20, 2026

Minecraft 26.3 Snapshot 4 is a big update hiding under the hood

Minecraft's Snapshot 26.3 update transitions the Java Edition from GLFW to SDL3, improving window management, input handling, and platform support. It uses SDL scancodes for key positions and SDL keycodes for text shortcuts, enhancing control responsiveness. The Raw Input mouse option has been removed, and players can switch between Borderless and Exclusive Fullscreen modes without restarting the game. However, Exclusive fullscreen mode may cause crashes on Windows and is not supported on macOS. Players in Spectator mode can now interact with Nether portals, End portals, and End gateways. The debug overlay has been improved, and the creative inventory has been reorganized. Armadillos will no longer roll up while submerged. New item components for cooking and brewing fuels have been introduced, allowing data pack creators to define parameters like burn duration and cooking speed. Sign behavior has been adjusted to prevent click events by default. There are extensive format changes to world generation, loot tables, predicates, number providers, and advancement triggers, updated to Data Pack version 111.0 and Resource Pack version 92.0. Snapshot 4 addresses various bugs, but players are advised to back up their worlds before using the snapshot to avoid potential damage to saved games.

Winsage

July 20, 2026

July 2026 Patch Tuesday: KB5101650 Windows 11 Update

On July 14, 2026, Microsoft released cumulative update KB5101650 for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, addressing OS Builds 26200.8875 and 26100.8875. This update includes essential security fixes, updates to Secure Boot certificates, and enhanced Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) defenses against phishing attacks. It consolidates July 2026's security content, addressing known vulnerabilities and introducing functional improvements. The update is critical for minimizing exposure to identified threats and is prioritized for systems managing remote access or nearing certificate expiration. The update enhances Remote Desktop security by supporting SHA-2 certificate thumbprints while retaining SHA-1 for legacy compatibility. It includes new Group Policy options to mitigate phishing risks associated with malicious .rdp files. The curl upgrade to version 8.21.0 incorporates security patches for command-line tools in Windows environments. Secure Boot certificates are automatically updated through Windows updates, ensuring boot security across various hardware. KB5101650 installs primarily through the Windows Update interface, requiring a restart to activate changes. Enterprise environments can use the Microsoft Update Catalog for manual distribution. A temporary restriction affects certain Dell devices with Intel Innovation Platform Framework drivers, which Microsoft plans to address in a future update. The cumulative update resolves a total of 622 Microsoft CVEs, including 416 affecting Windows components. Users are advised to verify and install the update promptly to secure the full suite of improvements.

AppWizard

July 19, 2026

Path of Exile is ripping up the rulebook, and nothing is “untouchable” – but don’t get your hopes up for a campaign skip

Path of Exile 3.29 introduces significant changes, including the removal of socket colors, a rebalancing of over 100 skills, and the addition of underwater combat. Game Director Mark 'Neon' Roberts and Game Designer Christopher 'Octavian' Laferriere discussed the decision to remove socket colors, emphasizing the importance of flexibility in game design. They oppose allowing players to skip the campaign, believing it diminishes emotional investment in characters. The expansion will introduce a third ascendancy for the Scion class, called the Luminary, focused on managing mercenaries. Upcoming content includes a new pinnacle boss related to Breach, accessed through an item named Zorath's Eye of Malevolence. Path of Exile 2 is set to launch at the end of the year, with the team confident in their development progress. Exilecon is approaching, generating excitement for community feedback.

Winsage

July 19, 2026

How to install apps on your Windows 11 PC with Windows Package Manager (winget)

Windows 11 users can download applications using the Windows Package Manager (winget) via the command line, bypassing traditional web browser navigation. Winget is integrated into Windows 11, modern Windows 10, and Windows Server 2025, simplifying application management. To use winget, users can open the Command Prompt, check for installation with "winget --version," search for applications with "winget search [app name]," and install them using "winget install [app name]." Users can also specify installation directories and utilize commands to list installed applications, show details about specific apps, and uninstall applications.

Winsage

July 19, 2026

The 200GB catch hiding in Windows 11’s new recovery feature

Microsoft has introduced point-in-time restore for Windows 11 users, enhancing the traditional System Restore. This new recovery tool allows users to recover their PCs from software issues, problematic drivers, or faulty updates, even when Windows won’t boot. It uses the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) to automatically generate restore points every 24 hours, which include both system and user files, unlike System Restore. Point-in-time restore manages storage by deleting restore points after 72 hours and integrates seamlessly into Windows Settings, being activated by default for volumes over 200GB. Users with smaller volumes must activate it manually. It also incorporates Reserved Storage to ensure restore points do not consume regular disk space. The feature is available on Windows 11 Home and Pro editions with the installation of the optional Preview Update KB5095093. Users can access point-in-time restore through Windows Settings under System > Recovery, and initiate recovery via the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE).

AppWizard

July 19, 2026

RTS IS BACK! The Best Upcoming Real-Time Strategy (RTS) Games of 2026-2027

The real-time strategy (RTS) genre, which thrived in the late 90s and early 2000s, experienced a decline from the late 2000s until around 2015 but is expected to make a comeback in 2026 and 2027. Anticipated titles include Stronghold 4, ZeroSpace, D.O.R.F., Dawn of War IV, and Total War: Warhammer 40,000. Bergfried, developed by Quid Pro Games, is a medieval strategy game that combines castle-building mechanics, town management, and real-time combat, with a unique grid reflecting European castle shapes. Panzer Strike, by ISAK Team, aims to recapture the essence of late 90s RTS games and is set for release in Q3 2026. Falling Frontier, a procedurally generated space RTS, is highly wishlisted on Steam and promises detailed ship combat. Chronicles: Medieval, releasing in 2026, offers a sandbox strategy experience during the Hundred Years’ War, blending free-roaming gameplay with large-scale battles. Dinolords, developed by Northplay, features a medieval world with armored dinosaurs and allows players to control dinosaur-riding Lords, presenting a unique twist on traditional RTS gameplay.