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A recent HP laptop BIOS bug is leaving high-end Windows 11 PCs stuck in an endless BitLocker recovery loop
Winsage
May 26, 2026

A recent HP laptop BIOS bug is leaving high-end Windows 11 PCs stuck in an endless BitLocker recovery loop

HP laptop owners, especially those with EliteBooks, ProBooks, and ZBook workstations, are experiencing issues after a recent BIOS firmware update via Windows Update, leading to system freezes and Blue Screen of Death errors. HP has acknowledged the problem and is investigating it, noting that Microsoft’s 2023 certificates may not apply correctly during this issue. Users are advised to check the UEFICA2023Status and UEFICA2023Error registry values to assess the update process. If the UEFICA2023Status is "In Progress" for too long and UEFICA2023Error is greater than 0, the update has failed. HP recommends disabling automatic updates to avoid the problematic BIOS update and has provided a manual workaround for the BitLocker Recovery loop. Users can also revert to a stable BIOS version, though this may be challenging and may require specific hardware.
Take-Two forces shutdown of Grand Theft Auto multiplayer modding platform Rage:MP
AppWizard
May 26, 2026

Take-Two forces shutdown of Grand Theft Auto multiplayer modding platform Rage:MP

Rage:MP, a multiplayer platform for Grand Theft Auto 5, will undergo a structured shutdown following a cease-and-desist order from Take-Two Interactive. Rockstar Games and Take-Two have designated FiveM as the only authorized platform for GTA 5 multiplayer modding. As part of the shutdown process, server owners are advised to transition to FiveM. Key dates include the discontinuation of public access to the Rage:MP server toolkit, no acceptance of new community servers, the shutdown of the public server listing on June 1, and the cessation of all remaining services, including the game client and server toolkit, on August 31.
5 extremely popular Steam apps that aren't games — Level up your PC with these useful utilities and tools
AppWizard
May 26, 2026

5 extremely popular Steam apps that aren’t games — Level up your PC with these useful utilities and tools

Cale Hunt is preparing for Computex and enhancing his yard for summer. Steam is the largest platform for PC gamers, featuring over 130,000 games and also offering non-gaming software for development, design, editing, and production. Cale enjoys using Aseprite for creating 2D pixel art, although he hasn't used his creations for projects. Lossless Scaling provides frame generation for any GPU, benefiting retro gaming enthusiasts. Wallpaper Engine allows users to create animated wallpapers and screensavers and has maintained an Overwhelmingly Positive rating on Steam since 2018. Crosshair X enables customization of reticles in games and integrates with the Xbox Game Bar. OBS Studio is popular among streamers for its comprehensive tools. Cale encourages readers to share their favorite non-game apps on Steam.
You already know Russia’s Max messenger spies on users. You probably don’t know just how many surveillance tools it hides, including even a neural network for eavesdropping.
AppWizard
May 25, 2026

You already know Russia’s Max messenger spies on users. You probably don’t know just how many surveillance tools it hides, including even a neural network for eavesdropping.

Concerns about the Russian messaging application Max have grown due to vulnerabilities and surveillance features identified by IT specialists. An analysis revealed that Max can disable encryption on conversations with a single command and includes a forced-update feature that restricts user communication until the app is updated. Max collects extensive user data, including a list of installed applications and checks for VPNs, and has the ability to disable TLS session validation. Additionally, a version of Max included a neural network for speech recognition, although these features were later removed. Despite these concerns, VK, the parent company of Max, reported rapid user growth, surpassing 120 million users as of early May, with a daily reach of 68 million users. Many users are switching from Telegram to Max due to accessibility issues with Telegram and pressure from authorities. Major mobile carriers in Russia have collaborated with VK to send authentication messages through Max, further embedding the app in users' daily lives. However, Max has faced challenges in becoming a primary source for news and entertainment, hosting around 300,000 public channels compared to Telegram's 1.6 million, which has hindered advertising growth and led to an increase in scams.
Report: St. Petersburg State University orders staff and students to use Russia’s state-backed messaging app Max
AppWizard
May 24, 2026

Report: St. Petersburg State University orders staff and students to use Russia’s state-backed messaging app Max

St. Petersburg State University has mandated the use of the Max messenger for internal communications, as directed by vice rector Vladimir Starostenko. The human resources department is required to inform new employees about this policy. Sources indicate that the directive has been communicated to all departments, but staff members express discontent and reluctance to adopt the platform, with many not engaging in meaningful communication via Max. The Max messenger, developed by VK, was launched in spring 2025 and is being promoted by Russian authorities for various uses, while popular apps like WhatsApp and Telegram are blocked in Russia.
2 Classic Fantasy Games Will Be Delisted Next Month (But They’re Massively Discounted Until Then)
AppWizard
May 24, 2026

2 Classic Fantasy Games Will Be Delisted Next Month (But They’re Massively Discounted Until Then)

Witchaven and Witchaven 2 are set to be delisted from Steam on July 15th. Originally released in 1995 and 1996, these games were reintroduced to modern platforms in 2021. The announcement of their delisting was made by SNEG on May 22nd, with no specific reasons provided. Those who purchase the games before the delisting will retain access to them indefinitely. The status of the games on GOG is uncertain, and it is speculated that they may also be removed from that platform. Currently, both games are available at a discount of 89%, priced at less than .50 for the bundle.
PlayStation’s Single-Player PC Push Reportedly Comes to an End
AppWizard
May 24, 2026

PlayStation’s Single-Player PC Push Reportedly Comes to an End

PlayStation has announced that its narrative-driven single-player titles will remain exclusive to the PlayStation platform, ending a six-year trend of releasing these games on PC. This update was shared by Hermen Hulst, CEO of PlayStation Studios, during a town hall meeting on May 18, 2026. The decision reflects a broader industry trend towards valuing exclusive content to strengthen brand identity and maintain a competitive edge.
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