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Winsage
October 6, 2026
Microsoft's Windows chief, Pavan Davuluri, acknowledged a fan's request for the return of 3D Pinball during the Inside Windows podcast. While he noted that 3D Pinball is part of a "matrix for things to think about," he clarified that no team is currently working on reviving the game, nor is it planned for Windows 11. The absence of 3D Pinball is attributed to technical challenges during the transition to 64-bit Windows. The nostalgia for classic Windows games has been highlighted, with a desire to incorporate more engaging features into Windows 11. Microsoft has an upcoming event on October 7, which may present an opportunity for surprises, though there is no indication that 3D Pinball will be featured.
AppWizard
October 6, 2026
DroidDeck is a new mobile gaming application for Android devices that allows users to access and play their Steam library, mimicking the Steam OS interface. It offers a comprehensive Steam client experience in Big Picture mode and supports various Steam OS functionalities, including desktop mode and the installation of Decky plugins and Linux applications. The installation process is user-friendly but requires users to enable the “disable child-process limit” feature in developer options, which is unavailable on Android 12 or 13. Users need a device with a Snapdragon processor and an Adreno 700 series GPU or higher, excluding many budget and mid-range options. Preliminary tests on the Retroid Pocket G2 showed a familiar interface but noted performance issues and high storage usage, with the app consuming approximately 12GB after installing one sub-1GB game. Gameplay experiences varied, with some titles running at playable speeds while others had inconsistent frame rates. Users may want to keep alternative apps like GameNative installed for better performance and compatibility.
Tech Optimizer
October 6, 2026
Devart has released dbForge 2026.2, a database management suite update featuring a PostgreSQL Debugger for error tracking, visual editors for managing PostgreSQL objects, and an enhanced dbForge AI Assistant with broader context awareness. The AI Assistant now supports models from Anthropic and OpenAI and includes a free Express edition with limited features. The update also improves SQL development and schema comparison functionalities, with new refactoring commands and support for MySQL 26.7 and MariaDB 13.x. dbForge 2026.2 is available for download, with current users able to update through the Help menu.
Winsage
October 6, 2026
Windows 11 version 26H2 was released on September 29, 2026, featuring performance enhancements for users with 16 GB or more of RAM, including a reduction in idle memory consumption by 2–3 GB and a 40% acceleration in application and system interface launches. The update package is 174 kilobytes and activates previously dormant features, resetting the support lifecycle for Windows 11 Home and Pro until October 2028. The Low Latency Profile is a key feature that boosts CPU clock speed temporarily during application launches, resulting in faster interactions, with independent tests showing a 70% improvement in opening the Start menu. Users with 16 GB or more of RAM have reported idle RAM dropping from over 10 GB to around 7 GB after the update. However, users with 8 GB of RAM have experienced minimal improvements and high idle memory utilization. Microsoft is committed to optimizing Windows for 8 GB machines, but early reports suggest limited gains from 26H2.
Winsage
October 5, 2026
Since late February 2026, Microsoft has introduced a feature in Windows that allows users to test their internet speed directly from the taskbar by right-clicking the network or Wi-Fi icon and selecting "Perform Speed Test." This option directs users to a speed test page on Microsoft's Bing, powered by Ookla's Speedtest service.
AppWizard
October 5, 2026
A new lock screen customization page has been discovered in the Wallpaper & Style app on Pixel devices, indicating potential enhancements for users. This page includes buttons for adjusting wallpapers, colors, clock display, widgets, and a new category called “media,” which may integrate media playback functionalities. The current customization options allow users to modify the lock screen and home screen aesthetics, including clock styles, shortcuts, and notifications. The rollout of the Android 17 QPR3 beta raises questions about whether this new interface will improve user experience compared to the existing customization menu. Features revealed through APK teardowns are not guaranteed to appear in the final public release.
Winsage
October 5, 2026
Windows 11 includes the Aero Shake feature, also known as "Title bar window shake," which allows users to minimize all other open windows by shaking the title bar of the active window. This feature is disabled by default and can be activated by navigating to Settings > System > Multitasking. To use Aero Shake, users click and hold the title bar of the desired window and shake it left and right to minimize other windows, with the option to shake again to restore them. Aero Shake was originally introduced in Windows 7 and is designed to enhance productivity by allowing users to focus on their active window without distractions.
Winsage
October 4, 2026
In October 2026, Microsoft is addressing ongoing issues from its September updates for Windows 11, particularly related to audio decoding. Certain applications and games using Windows' built-in AC-3 (Dolby Digital) audio decoding may crash when users adjust volume or audio settings. This issue primarily affects older applications and games, while most modern apps are expected to function normally. Microsoft has issued multiple updates, including a mandatory Patch Tuesday update and an emergency patch, but some audio problems remain unresolved. The September updates also introduced a significant increase in security fixes, addressing 974 vulnerabilities compared to 86 in September 2025. Additionally, an emergency update disrupted the functionality of File History, which Microsoft is investigating. An optional update aimed to fix File History but led to new crashes in various applications. Microsoft is currently working on a resolution for the audio-decoding bug without a specified timeline.
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