performance hiccups Archives

AppWizard

January 15, 2026

Monster Hunter Wilds sleuth has seemingly uncovered bizarre reason for performance drops: “I refused to believe what I was seeing”

Monster Hunter Wilds, a popular co-op game, is facing ongoing performance issues, particularly on PC, despite Capcom's efforts to address them. A player on Reddit, de_Tylmarande, theorized that the game's performance may be linked to the amount of downloadable content (DLC) owned by players. They observed that their friend's Steam account, which has a complete collection of DLC, performed significantly better than their own account with less DLC. This player created a mod that allowed the game to bypass checks for DLC, resulting in improved frame rates on an account mimicking full DLC ownership. They have contacted Capcom for further investigation and have gained interest from Digital Foundry. If unresolved, they may release their mod as open source. Potential adjustments in upcoming patch notes could address these performance issues related to DLC.

Winsage

January 5, 2026

Windows 11 finishes an embarrassing last in speed test of six Windows generations — but there’s a big catch

A YouTuber named TrigrZolt conducted tests comparing six versions of Windows (XP, Vista, 7, 8.1, 10, and 11) using six Lenovo ThinkPad X220 notebooks with Intel Core i5-2520M CPUs, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB HDDs, which do not meet the minimum requirements for Windows 11. Windows 11 ranked last in several metrics, including boot-up speed, memory consumption, and battery life. It was slower than all other versions in opening applications, particularly Paint and File Explorer. However, it ranked fourth in storage efficiency and performed reasonably well in one web-page loading test. The testing conditions, including outdated hardware and the choice of benchmarking applications, may have skewed the results against Windows 11. Users expressed concerns about Windows 11 being bloated and criticized its performance issues.

Winsage

December 30, 2025

5 big problems with Windows 11 that I really hope Microsoft fixes in 2026

Microsoft's Windows 11 has faced numerous challenges in 2025, including bugs affecting core functionalities, leading to user frustration. The company has acknowledged these performance issues and started a data collection effort to address them, resulting in some improvements like a fix for File Explorer's sluggishness. However, many users still experience responsiveness issues, particularly with the right-click menu. For gamers, Windows 11 introduced features like Auto HDR, but the potential of DirectStorage remains largely unused, with recent updates causing gaming-related glitches and crashes. Microsoft has recognized the need for improvement in gaming performance amid competition from platforms like SteamOS. The quality assurance process for Windows 11 has been criticized due to bizarre bugs and interface inconsistencies, prompting calls for Microsoft to enhance its testing processes. Users have expressed a desire for the company to focus on fixing existing issues rather than prioritizing AI integration. Additionally, users are frustrated with the presence of advertisements in the operating system, seeking a more streamlined interface free from excessive promotional content.

AppWizard

December 19, 2025

Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1 quietly upgrades Pixel phones where it counts

Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1 has been released, likely serving as the final refinement before Android 17. Users can disable the "At a Glance" widget on their home screens. The Quick Settings tile now includes a slider for beam intensity control. Users can rearrange the back and recent keys in the three-button navigation bar. The beta version is available for Pixel devices from the Pixel 6 onward, with a stable version expected around March 2026. The update introduces an expandable location indicator in the status bar for app location access. It also includes support for over 160 new emoji from Unicode 17.0. Users should be aware of potential bugs and performance issues while using the beta software.

Winsage

December 2, 2025

Gamers confirm frame drops after Windows 11 update that Microsoft won’t acknowledge, but Nvidia has fixed it

Windows 11's October update (KB5066835) has caused significant performance issues for gamers, particularly those using Nvidia GPUs, leading to a drop in frame rates from 120–140 FPS to 40–70 FPS. The update has primarily affected systems running Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, while users on Windows 10 and those using Linux or Steam Deck reported no issues. Affected Nvidia models include the RTX 5000 series and RTX 4080 and 4090. In contrast, AMD graphics card users maintained normal performance levels. The cause of the frame rate drops is unclear, but it may involve conflicts between Windows updates, Nvidia drivers, and game engine interactions. Nvidia released a hotfix driver on November 19, which reportedly restored and even improved performance for some users.

AppWizard

November 12, 2025

If you’re lucky, you could get Dragon’s Dogma 2 and five other games for just $13

Dragon's Dogma 2 is an action role-playing game that has gained a loyal following despite initial performance issues. It features fast-paced combat against large monsters and offers a rich fantasy narrative where players can customize their character, known as the Arisen. The game includes various mythical creatures and challenges, encouraging players to continue despite the risk of death. Currently, Dragon's Dogma 2 is available as part of the Fanatical Mystery Showcase Bundle for £12.99, which includes a random assortment of Steam keys, guaranteeing at least one triple-A title. Other notable games in the bundle may include Dead Island 2, Monster Hunter Stories 2, and DOOM Eternal. The duration of this offer is unknown.

AppWizard

November 5, 2025

Football Manager 26’s Steam score makes Mindseye’s look good, and it’s really sad to see

Football Manager 26 was released on November 4 and has quickly become one of the lowest-rated titles of the year on Steam, with a user score of just 22% based on over 2,000 reviews. The game peaked at approximately 85,000 players at launch, but currently has over 50,000 active players. Key issues reported by fans include bugs, crashes, performance problems, and the absence of features like heat maps and international management. The game's user interface overhaul has also been criticized, contributing to a negative reception. Football Manager 26 ranks as the second-worst among newly released games in 2025 that have received at least 50 user reviews.

Winsage

September 28, 2025

Microsoft’s Advanced Shader Delivery aims for a ‘console-quality’ experience on Windows

Microsoft has announced the launch of their Advanced Shader Delivery feature, set to debut on October 16th, coinciding with the release of the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds. This feature aims to deliver a console-quality experience on Windows by distributing precompiled shaders during game downloads, eliminating in-game shader compilation stutter and long load times. Gamers who own the ROG Xbox Ally devices will receive precompiled shaders at download time for select titles, allowing them to start gaming faster. The feature is expected to enable players to enter games up to ten times faster, enjoy smoother gameplay, and benefit from improved battery life. Precompiled shaders will be updated whenever players download games or install new drivers.

AppWizard

September 13, 2025

Borderlands 4 is bringing me joy, but one bizarre design choice is making no-one happy

The player has enjoyed their experience with Borderlands 4, despite some performance issues related to Unreal Engine 5. The game has peaked at over a quarter of a million concurrent users on Steam. Players have noted frustrations with world bosses disappearing when they step outside designated boundaries during battles. Community feedback includes suggestions for a cooldown period for re-entering the zone and the idea of a Thunderdome-style arena for boss encounters. The game incorporates elements from previous titles, enhancing gameplay.

AppWizard

August 22, 2025

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater review

Metal Gear Solid Delta is a ground-up remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, developed and published by Konami, priced at £70. The game is reviewed on Windows 11 with an Intel i5-12400, RTX 4060, and 16GB RAM. Multiplayer will be available as a post-launch update. The narrative focuses on the relationship between Snake and the Boss, with an emphasis on exploration and environmental interaction. The game features refined controls, an improved user interface, and a simple camouflage activation system. Some mechanics, like the wound treatment system, remain unchanged. Players experience a balanced challenge on normal difficulty, with engaging boss fights enhanced by modern graphics. Despite occasional performance issues, the overall experience is captivating, honoring the original while offering a fresh take.