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An enthusiast built a Valve Steam Machine from an old PC for $200.
AppWizard
June 29, 2026

An enthusiast built a Valve Steam Machine from an old PC for $200.

Valve's new Steam Machine console, called the GabeCube, has a base price of ,049 and an upgraded version priced at ,428. A blogger demonstrated that a comparable gaming device could be built for 0 using a refurbished Dell Optiplex and a used Radeon RX 5500 XT graphics card. The custom case was designed as an 8-inch cube, and the software used was Bazzite Linux with the SteamOS interface. The homemade console achieved an average performance of 62.7 frames per second in Cyberpunk 2077 and over 300 FPS in Portal, with a total system power consumption of 200 watts under maximum load.
Windows 11 just changed the name of Xbox mode (kind of)
Winsage
June 29, 2026

Windows 11 just changed the name of Xbox mode (kind of)

The May 2026 Security Update for Windows 11 introduced "XBOX mode," replacing the previous "Xbox mode" as part of Microsoft's rebranding effort to align its gaming identity with the original console. This change was influenced by community feedback, with Xbox CEO Asha Sharma noting user preference for the all-caps version. XBOX mode is designed to optimize gaming performance by prioritizing gaming processes and can free up to 2GB of memory on a PC. Future iterations of XBOX mode are expected in the next generation of Xbox, referred to as Project Helix. Microsoft is also working on enhancements to Windows 11 through its K2 initiative to improve the gaming experience.
Microsoft keeps Windows Server 2022 hotpatching alive into 2027
Winsage
June 29, 2026

Microsoft keeps Windows Server 2022 hotpatching alive into 2027

Microsoft has extended the availability of Windows Server 2022 hotpatching until 2027, specifically for the Windows Server 2022 Datacenter: Azure Edition. Mainstream support for Windows Server 2022 will end on October 13, 2026, while extended support will last until October 14, 2031. Hotpatching allows administrators to apply security updates without server downtime, although quarterly cumulative updates requiring a reboot will still occur. This feature is exclusive to Azure Edition users, with no similar support for on-premises users of Windows Server 2022. Additionally, hotpatch updates are being introduced for Windows 11 24H2 Enterprise clients and are now the default for Windows Autopatch.
PC Game Pass: Rethink buying games
AppWizard
June 29, 2026

PC Game Pass: Rethink buying games

PC Game Pass from XBOX offers access to over 500 high-quality PC games for a monthly fee of .90. It includes new releases available on launch day, classic AAA titles, and indie games, allowing players to explore various genres without the need for an XBOX console. Gamers can download and play multiple titles simultaneously, with no restrictions on installations. The library features popular games like Forza Horizon 6, EA SPORTS FC 26, Age of Empires IV, and Minecraft. PC Game Pass is part of a tiered subscription model, with trial promotions available for the first 14 days. Game Pass Ultimate offers additional benefits, including access to Ubisoft+ Classics and online multiplayer features.
Microsoft Weekly: 5 years of Windows 11, more support for Windows 10, and expensive Xbox
Winsage
June 28, 2026

Microsoft Weekly: 5 years of Windows 11, more support for Windows 10, and expensive Xbox

Microsoft's Windows 11 celebrated its fifth anniversary on June 24, 2026, and is undergoing regular updates to improve user experience, particularly addressing search functionality. Microsoft has extended the Extended Security Updates program for Windows 10 for an additional year. A non-security update for Windows 11, KB5095093, was released, introducing enhancements such as point-in-time restore capabilities and accessibility improvements. In the Windows Insider Program, new builds were released across various channels, including accessibility features and improvements to File Explorer. Microsoft has discontinued the AI-powered browsing history search feature in Edge due to user feedback. PowerToys version 0.100.1 has been updated with improvements and bug fixes. In gaming, Microsoft announced a price increase for Xbox consoles effective August 1, 2026, with the Xbox Series X|S models seeing price hikes. The 2TB Xbox Series X will be discontinued, but new accessibility programs are being introduced. Valve's upcoming Steam Machine console is priced at ,049 for the 512GB configuration. Rockstar Games announced that Grand Theft Auto VI will launch at .99 for the base edition and .99 for the ultimate edition. NVIDIA announced new titles for its GeForce NOW streaming service, while Steam is hosting its annual Summer Sale until July 9, and the Epic Games Store is offering free games and deals.
Microsoft Shares Bounce From 52-Week Low as Italian Probe and Windows 10 Extension Create Crosscurre
Winsage
June 28, 2026

Microsoft Shares Bounce From 52-Week Low as Italian Probe and Windows 10 Extension Create Crosscurre

The Italian antitrust authority, AGCM, has launched an investigation into Microsoft 365 for allegedly guiding users toward pricier subscription tiers by integrating AI tools like Copilot and Designer without explicit user consent. Microsoft has stated it will cooperate with the investigation. Last year, Australia’s consumer watchdog made a similar complaint regarding hidden costs related to Copilot during contract renewals. Despite this scrutiny, Microsoft shares rose to €327.90, a 5.71% increase, following a shift in investor sentiment towards AI-software firms. Microsoft also extended its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10 until October 2027, allowing users to delay transitioning to Windows 11, which could hinder hardware sales. The stock remains down nearly 19% year-to-date and is trading below key moving averages. The ongoing regulatory investigation and sluggish Windows upgrade cycle present challenges for Microsoft’s growth.
Microsoft is quietly reinstalling Copilot on Windows 11
Winsage
June 28, 2026

Microsoft is quietly reinstalling Copilot on Windows 11

Microsoft has resumed the automatic installation of the Microsoft 365 Copilot app on eligible commercial Windows 11 devices that use Microsoft 365 desktop applications. The rollout began in mid-June 2026 and is expected to continue into early July. The app is delivered through the Office updater and is enabled by default, requiring organizations to opt out if they do not want it. This initiative excludes countries within the European Economic Area due to stricter regulations. The move aims to simplify access to AI tools but has faced criticism regarding user consent and control over software installations.
Microsoft denies WSL 3 exists, reveals Windows 11's WSL Containers ship next week
Winsage
June 28, 2026

Microsoft denies WSL 3 exists, reveals Windows 11’s WSL Containers ship next week

Microsoft has clarified that there is no WSL 3 in development, as stated by Craig Loewen, the Product Manager for the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). The confusion arose from articles discussing a new feature called WSL Containers, which will be launched soon. WSL allows users to run Linux environments on Windows without dual-booting, while WSL Containers enable the creation and management of Linux containers directly within Windows, eliminating the need for third-party tools like Docker Desktop. WSL 1, introduced in 2016, served as a translation layer for Linux system calls, and WSL 2, launched in 2019, included a full Linux kernel in a lightweight virtual machine. WSL Containers is an enhancement to WSL, allowing developers to build, run, and deploy containers directly from Windows using the wslc.exe command. This feature is part of Microsoft's strategy to make Windows a more accessible platform for running Linux workloads, helping to retain developers who might consider switching to other operating systems.
Microsoft Caught Between Windows 10 Stagnation and AI Infrastructure Splurge as Macro Data Looms
Winsage
June 28, 2026

Microsoft Caught Between Windows 10 Stagnation and AI Infrastructure Splurge as Macro Data Looms

Microsoft shares rose 5.71% to close at €327.90 on Friday, recovering from a 52-week low of €307.10 earlier that day. The company reported revenue of €82.9 billion in its latest quarterly earnings, an 18% year-on-year increase, driven by cloud and AI services. On June 22, Chevron announced a 20-year power purchase agreement with Microsoft for approximately 2.67 gigawatts of capacity for a data center, with the first power delivery expected in 2028. Microsoft extended its Extended Security Updates program for Windows 10 home users by another year, pushing the final security patch deadline to October 2027. The stock's closing price is only 6.77% above its 52-week low, with a 50-day moving average at €352.96 and a 200-day average at €383.98. The relative strength index is at 43, indicating no strong momentum.
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