Microsoft Archives

BetaBeacon

October 15, 2026

Master Chief Reaches Smartphones – Halo: Combat Evolved Gets Fan Port for Android

Fans of Halo: Combat Evolved have created an unofficial port of the game for Android devices based on the decompilation of the original Xbox version. The port includes the full story campaign and multiplayer support for online or local play with up to four players. Players can use touch controls, gyroscope aiming, and customize on-screen buttons. To run the port, users need their own image of the original Xbox version of the game.

Winsage

October 15, 2026

Microsoft admits a Windows 11 bug caused mouse stutter in games

Microsoft has addressed a mouse input stuttering issue in various games with the release of security update KB5127648 on October 13, 2026, applicable for Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H2. Specific details about the affected games, number of users, or the cause of the bug have not been disclosed. Users have reported problems with mouse movements in games like Star Wars: The Old Republic, Final Fantasy XIV, and The Division 2, but it remains unclear if these issues are linked to the Windows bug. To install the fix, users need to check for updates in the "Update & Security" section of the Settings app.

Winsage

October 15, 2026

Operating system Windows 7 was able to run on a hacked PlayStation 5

A user named araiz_why has launched Windows 7 on a jailbroken PlayStation 5 running lower firmware versions. The operating system is executed through a virtual machine or emulator within the modified console environment. Videos show the OS loading from the console's main menu, displaying the Microsoft desktop with the Aero interface. This experiment has generated discussions about the potential of modern consoles as alternatives to PCs. However, the current build is a proof of concept and lacks stable hardware acceleration for 3D graphics.

Winsage

October 15, 2026

Microsoft: Recent Windows updates may trigger Remote Desktop failures

Microsoft has acknowledged an issue affecting non-admin users connecting to devices via Remote Desktop after recent Windows updates, specifically when the "Administrator protection" feature is enabled. This feature, introduced with the KB5067036 update for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 in October 2025, restricts users to standard permissions and requires authentication through Windows Hello for certain actions. Users may encounter connection failures with error code 0xC000000D after applying the KB5124010 September 2026 non-security preview update on systems running Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, 26H1, or 26H2. This issue primarily affects enterprise-managed remote devices configured as Remote Desktop hosts with Administrator protection enabled. Organizations using Windows security baselines have this feature enabled by default unless configured otherwise. A temporary workaround involves disabling Administrator protection, and IT administrators can reset the "User Account Control Type Of Admin Approval Mode" policy using Microsoft Intune or Group Policy. Similar issues have been addressed by Microsoft in the past, including a problem resolved in March 2025 and emergency updates issued last month for Remote Desktop Services failures on Windows Server devices.

Winsage

October 15, 2026

Windows update patches a whopping 1,400 security bugs – including 2 zero days

Microsoft released the October Windows update, addressing over 1,400 vulnerabilities, including 80 critical vulnerabilities and two zero-day exploits. This update is the final supported update for Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro editions and the first for Windows 11 26H2. Notable enhancements include improvements to File Explorer and refined Bluetooth connectivity. One zero-day vulnerability, CVE-2026-96951, has been exploited in the wild, allowing remote attackers to bypass security protections. The second zero-day, CVE-2026-108398, could enable attackers to circumvent security measures in Microsoft’s .NET Framework. Windows 11 users can install the update via Settings and Windows Update, while Windows 10 users can follow a similar process. Each annual version, such as 24H2, will lose support after 24 months, necessitating an upgrade to Windows 11, version 26H2, for continued security updates. The update also introduces a feature to remap the Copilot key for enhanced user flexibility.

Winsage

October 15, 2026

Tiny11 puts Windows 11 on a diet without the PowerShell workout

Tiny11 Builder has released a new desktop application preview for creating lightweight Windows 11 installation images, minimizing the need for PowerShell knowledge. The tool generates an ISO image by removing bundled applications and selected system components, supporting Windows 11 installation media from version 22H2 onward, including 26H2. It features a WinUI 3 desktop application with a new C# image builder, offering three build modes: Tiny11, Tiny11 Core, and Custom. The ISOs produced are not supported by Microsoft, and users are cautioned that Tiny11 Core should be used only in test virtual machines. There is no guarantee that the tool will bypass Windows 11's hardware and account requirements. A license is still required for the modified installation, as it remains Microsoft Windows 11.

Winsage

October 15, 2026

Expert tips to speed up your Windows PC

A fast PC enhances productivity by allowing users to run complex software and multitask efficiently. The latest version of Windows, Windows 11 2024 Update Version 24H2, was launched in October 2024 and offers improved speed and usability compared to previous versions. To optimize a Windows PC's performance, users can take several steps: - Delete old files to free up space. - Remove unwanted startup programs through the Windows Settings app or Task Manager. - Update drivers via Device Manager to ensure optimal performance. - Pause OneDrive syncing to reduce RAM usage. - Use ReadyBoost with an external USB drive to increase memory storage. - Install antivirus software to detect and eliminate viruses. - Upgrade RAM for better performance under heavy usage. - Change power mode to "Best Performance" in settings. - Adjust Windows appearance by disabling visual effects. - Turn off unwanted notifications to minimize disruptions. - Uninstall unnecessary apps to free up resources. - Enable Game Mode for optimized gaming performance. - Restart the PC regularly to clear RAM and refresh resources. - Restore the PC to a previous setting if performance issues persist.

Winsage

October 15, 2026

Windows 11 26H2 gave my laptop nearly 2GB of RAM back, but there’s a catch for low-RAM PCs

Windows 11 version 26H2 has been released, resulting in a decrease in RAM usage for many users. Reports indicate that users with 16GB or more of RAM have experienced reductions in idle memory usage, with one user noting a drop from 6.9GB to approximately 4.8GB, and another from over 10GB to about 7GB. However, users with 8GB of RAM have not reported similar improvements, leading to concerns that this update primarily benefits those with larger memory capacities. Personal tests on a laptop showed a decrease in idle memory usage from 8.5GB to 6.7GB after the update. Despite Microsoft's commitment to optimizing memory usage, the 8GB machines have not seen the same enhancements.

Winsage

October 15, 2026

NVIDIA Freezes Windows 10 GeForce Drivers in October: RTX 40-Series Misses DLSS 5 Support

On October 14, 2026, NVIDIA will release the final GeForce Game Ready Driver for Windows 10, coinciding with the operating system's mainstream end of support. Starting in November 2026, all new Game Ready and Studio Driver releases will only support Windows 11. Approximately 23.56% of Steam gamers were still using Windows 10 as of June 2026. The last Game Ready driver for Windows 10 is version 617.42, released on October 6, 2026. NVIDIA will provide quarterly security updates for Windows 10 GeForce drivers until October 2029, but no new game support or enhancements will be available. Users with RTX 20, 30, 40, and 50 series cards will be affected by this transition, while older models like the GTX 900 and GTX 10 series have already reached their support limits. Windows 10 users will miss out on DLSS 5, which is exclusive to RTX 50-series hardware. Microsoft has extended the free consumer Extended Security Update (ESU) program for Windows 10 to October 12, 2027.

Winsage

October 15, 2026

The Windows blue screen of death could have looked completely different if a 33-year-old decision had gone another way

The blue screen of death (BSOD) is a symbol of system failure for Windows users, indicating catastrophic failures and initiating a restart to protect data and hardware. The blue color was chosen for its legibility and familiarity during the development of Windows NT. The BSOD originated in the early 1990s with Windows NT 3.1, designed by John Vert, who was inspired by the color scheme of a MIPS workstation. Earlier versions of Windows, like Windows 3.1, had blue screens but were not classified as true stop screens. The BSOD evolved through various Windows versions, with Windows 8 introducing a sad face and Windows 10 adding a QR code for troubleshooting. In 2024, Microsoft transitioned to a black screen in Windows 11 24H2, marking a significant change in user experience and design principles. This change has received mixed reactions, with some users finding the black screen less reassuring compared to the familiar blue screen.