new PC Archives

AppWizard

March 2, 2026

This week in PC games: Marathon, Slay The Spire 2, a promising Disco-like RPG and a monastic garden mystery

This week features a variety of new PC game releases, including: - The Abbess' Garden: A life simulation game set in the 17th century where players restore a botanical sanctuary. - Sad God: A game where players navigate a shaft filled with threats to reach the surface before lava engulfs them. - The Legend of Khiimori: An open-world courier game set in 13th-century Mongolia, now in early access. - Esoteric Ebb: A single-player CRPG where players investigate an explosion at a teashop during an election. - Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered: A remaster of the classic title focusing on narrative and choice. - Humanica: A city-building game where players can edit the landscape of their prehistoric city. - Luxman Moonlit Market: A night market simulation game with a unique art style. - Scott Pilgrim EX: A side-scrolling brawler based on the Canadian comic book series. - Slay the Spire 2: The sequel to the roguelite deckbuilder, now in early access. - Card Cultivation: A game combining elements of Cultist Simulator with Chinese mythology. - Planet of Lana II: A puzzle-platformer where players save a cyborg world alongside a kid and their pet. - Age of Barbarians Chronicles: An action game with a sword-and-sorcery theme. - Here Comes The Swarm: An early access survival RTS where players fend off gigabeetles. - Marathon: Bungie's reboot of the classic FPS set in a rich lore universe. - Ratcheter DX: An adventure game challenging players to escape a sunken ice base. - Mr. Peregrino: A game set in the 19th century where players manage food supplies while escorting pilgrims. - Over The Top: WW1: A game where players experience the frontlines of World War I. - Aethus: A game where players investigate a lost science expedition on a desert world. - Post-Apocalyptic Technician: Players repair Stroggs as an underground technician. - Frog Abundance: An exploration game centered around frogs in various time periods. Team members at RPS express interest in different titles, with Ollie favoring Marathon, James interested in Planet of Lana, Mark leaning towards automotive adventures, and Julian considering writing about Slay the Spire 2.

Winsage

February 27, 2026

De-Enshittify Windows 11: Make Windows 11 More Secure ⭐

Windows 11 offers a mix of security and privacy features, with a recommendation for users to opt for a Copilot+ PC with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X-series processor for enhanced security. Most users log in with a Microsoft account, which provides benefits such as two-factor authentication, device-bound passkeys, account recovery options, and automatic disk encryption. However, using a local account poses security risks, including limited recovery options and lack of support for key security features. To secure Windows 11, users should take several steps during initial setup or later, including enabling Windows Security features, verifying device encryption, and enhancing sign-in security through Windows Hello options like facial and fingerprint recognition. Additional security features such as Controlled Folder Access and Smart App Control can be configured for better protection. Users are advised to remove unnecessary third-party security apps and keep Windows 11 and installed applications up-to-date to maintain security. Regular updates and proper configuration of Windows Update settings are also essential for preventing disruptions and ensuring data safety.

Winsage

February 27, 2026

Is Microsoft really spying on you with Windows telemetry?

Windows 10 was released in 2015 and faced criticism for its telemetry feature, which some viewed as a surveillance tool. In 2017, the Dutch Data Protection Authority found Microsoft's telemetry settings non-compliant with local privacy laws, leading to changes by Microsoft. Telemetry, termed diagnostic data by Microsoft, is essential for device reliability and security, with a baseline level of data collection set to "Required." Users can opt to limit data collection to this level. The Optional category of diagnostic data may include device settings and browsing history, raising privacy concerns. Microsoft introduced the Diagnostic Data Viewer in 2018 to enhance transparency, allowing users to inspect the telemetry data sent to them. As of now, Microsoft has over a billion monthly active Windows 11 users.

AppWizard

February 26, 2026

“Square Enix, hire us, I’m not joking,” says team of Final Fantasy modders who gave Final Fantasy 7 new voice acting and audio, because “we must fix” the JRPG’s busted new PC version

A new PC version of Final Fantasy 7 was released by Square Enix, replacing the 2013 version, which has been delisted. Existing owners can access the new version for free, while newcomers must purchase the 2026 edition. User reviews on Steam have been "very negative," citing performance issues, including a glitch that causes battles to run at double speed. The modding team Tsunamods has proposed to Square Enix to hire them to fix these issues, highlighting their experience with mods for Final Fantasy 7. The 2013 version is still available on the PlayStation Store, and players are advised to wait for updates on the new release before playing.

AppWizard

February 23, 2026

New report says older games like CS2 and League of Legends take up 35% of PC playtime, but Roblox reigns supreme

The gaming industry is experiencing significant changes, with a few major titles dominating player engagement. The "big five" PC games—Counter-Strike, Fortnite, Minecraft, League of Legends, and Roblox—account for 35% of player hours, while older titles make up about 10%. In 2025, newly released games, including annual franchises like Call of Duty, represented only 14% of player hours on Steam. A large portion of PC gamers, 45%, engage with games that are one to seven years old, and 41% play titles that are eight years or older. Despite challenges, industry revenue has been maintained or grown through price increases rather than expanding the player base. Roblox has emerged as a significant market driver, representing over 4.5% of non-China spending and accounting for 67% of net growth in 2025. Developers on Roblox are earning over 0 million annually, with a 70% year-on-year growth. Titles like Grow a Garden have surpassed engagement metrics for Blizzard's games, and others have outperformed Valve's Dota 2. The anticipated release of GTA 6 could signal a new era, although its 2026 launch is uncertain.

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

2024 PC Game Now 100% Free for Everyone on Steam

Paragnosia is a new PC game released on October 24, 2024, available for free on Steam for a limited time. It is a horror-themed game where players act as a surveillance operator capturing images of paranormal anomalies. Developed by Sine Coda, the game has over 100 user reviews and a 92% approval rating, earning a “Very Positive” designation. It is priced at .99 and is compatible with the Steam Deck. This is Sine Coda's second game of 2024, following PathBlasters, and it is a strategic release to promote the upcoming sequel, Paragnosia: Museum. User reviews highlight the game's simplicity, replayability, and effective sound design, although there has been some negative feedback regarding AI-generated images.

Winsage

February 19, 2026

From Marquette to Microsoft: This alumnus leads global communications for over a billion Microsoft devices

A representative from Marquette University visited University of Detroit Jesuit High School during Chris Morrissey’s junior year, shortly after Marquette’s men’s basketball team won the national championship in 1977. Morrissey decided to attend Marquette, influenced by friends with siblings enrolled there. He has had a diverse career, moving from the automotive sector to chemicals, and is currently the senior director of communications for Windows and devices at Microsoft. Morrissey worked the midnight shift at the downtown Hilton during college, which allowed him to complete homework and read major newspapers. His interest in technology began at Chrysler, where he embraced new PCs while others were hesitant. At Microsoft, he manages a team that handles communications for Windows device updates and features, emphasizing the global impact of their work. Recently, his team addressed a crisis involving a cybersecurity issue affecting Windows devices, focusing on customer support. Morrissey credits his Marquette education with teaching him to prioritize others in crisis situations. He has also become involved in community service in Seattle, volunteering at food banks and serving on the board of North Helpline. As a father and grandfather, he values the growth mindset he sees in his children.

AppWizard

February 16, 2026

This week’s new PC games are a treasure trove of the scary, eerie and occult, plus a charming Star Trek game

A diverse array of new PC game releases includes: - Book Smugglers: A point-and-click adventure set in 19th century Tsarist Lithuania focused on forbidden literature. - Stormbridge: A combination of tower defense and city-building elements. - Dobbel Dungeon: A turn-based tactics game using dice rolls in an ogre-battling setting. - Astrobotanica: An early access puzzle and survival game featuring an extraterrestrial botanist on prehistoric Earth. - Alien Morgue: A game where players conduct autopsies on extraterrestrial beings. - Under The Island: A top-down dungeon puzzler with six distinct biomes. - Ritual Party: A multiplayer experience blending humor and horror. - Placid Plastic Deck: A Quiet Quest: A card-battler with a suspicious premise. - Beyond The Doors: A surveillance simulation involving mysterious requests. - Roach Post: A roguelite puzzler using cockroaches to assemble postage stamps. - Forgotlings: An action-adventure game set in a world of sentient objects. - Blank: A platforming experience in a cavernous origami world. - Kill The Witch: An early access 2D action platformer featuring a witch with a baseball bat. - The Killing Stone: A cursed board game set in the Arctic. - Star Trek: Voyager - Across the Unknown: A strategy management game based on the TV series. - FUR Squadron Phoenix: A space simulation game with vibrant gameplay mechanics. - PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse: A mystery horror novel about ghastly fishwomen. - Demon Tides: A platformer inspired by the N64-to-Gamecube era. - Styx: Blades Of Greed: An open-world goblin stealth game. - Love Eternal: An introspective horror platformer. - Key Fairy: A hand-drawn, pacifist bullet-hell game. - Nightsoil: A game exploring turd collection in an emotive context. - Ys X: Proud Nordics: An updated entry in the Ys series with bumpslash combat mechanics. - Horripilant: An incremental dungeon clicker with grotesque creatures.

Tech Optimizer

January 30, 2026

Bitdefender vs McAfee

Bitdefender and McAfee are both established antivirus solutions that achieve similar lab test scores, often earning 18 points in assessments by AV-Test and AV-Comparatives. Bitdefender offers a more economical pricing structure, with its Antivirus Plus plan priced between .99 and .99 per year for three devices, while McAfee's plans start at .99 for one device. In real-world malware protection tests, Bitdefender achieved a 99.8% protection rate, compared to McAfee's 99.3%. McAfee includes firewall protection at the antivirus level, while Bitdefender reserves its firewall for higher-tier plans but offers better exploit protection. Bitdefender successfully thwarted 11 out of 12 ransomware attacks in controlled tests, while McAfee's ransomware protection is less reliable. Both offer limited VPN services, with Bitdefender providing 200MB per day and McAfee offering between 250MB and 500MB per month. McAfee completes scans more quickly but uses more CPU, while Bitdefender is more thorough. Bitdefender includes additional security features like anti-tracker and secure browser, whereas McAfee's features are more limited.

Winsage

January 30, 2026

Microsoft said my PC can’t run Windows 11, but I upgraded in 5 minutes anyway

Microsoft ceased support for Windows 10 in October 2022, prompting users to consider their next steps, especially those with PCs that do not meet the requirements for Windows 11. A desktop built in 2020 with an Intel Core i9-9900 CPU lacks a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0, which is necessary for Windows 11 eligibility. Microsoft encouraged users to invest in new hardware rather than upgrade existing systems. However, there are workarounds available for users with compatible machines. One method involves using the third-party program Rufus to install Windows 11, which requires an empty USB thumb drive with at least 8GB of storage. The installation process includes downloading Rufus, obtaining the Windows 11 ISO, and following specific steps to bypass TPM and other requirements.