peripherals Archives

Winsage

September 24, 2026

86Box Setup Guide 2026: Emulate a Windows 98 PC in 13 Steps

86Box is an emulator that meticulously reconstructs vintage PCs, allowing users to boot operating systems like MS-DOS, Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows XP. The latest version, 6.0, was released on May 31, 2026, featuring a native Windows ARM64 build and discontinuing support for macOS 10.13 High Sierra. It has approximately 2,400 monthly searches in the U.S., indicating a demand for setup guides among enthusiasts. Unlike DOSBox, which creates a generic DOS environment, 86Box emulates specific hardware components for authentic execution of various operating systems. Originally a fork of PCem, 86Box has expanded its supported motherboards and developed a community of contributors. Version 6.0 has established it as the preferred choice for retro-PC builders in 2026. Before installation, users need a minimum of a 64-bit Intel Core 2, AMD Athlon 64, or ARMv8 CPU, 4 GB of RAM, and a compatible host operating system. The installation process involves downloading the appropriate build, sourcing a legal ROM set, and configuring the virtual machine using the 86Box Manager. Users can select specific graphics cards and sound hardware to replicate the original systems accurately. The setup requires installation media for the guest operating system, which must be sourced legally. Common pitfalls during setup include ensuring the BIOS ROM is available, matching CPU speed to software era, and installing the correct drivers. A properly configured virtual machine should display a BIOS POST screen and boot the selected operating system. Troubleshooting common issues often involves checking for missing ROMs, uninstalled drivers, or performance settings. 86Box is open-source and legal to use, but users must ensure they have legitimate licenses for any software used within the emulator.

Winsage

September 18, 2026

Microsoft explains why restarting Windows can shut it down more completely than actually shutting it down

The Fast Startup feature in Windows, enabled by default, allows the kernel session to remain hibernated during shutdown, which results in quicker boot times by restoring a saved state. In contrast, selecting Restart clears the kernel session entirely, performing a complete boot of Windows. The process of shutting down with Fast Startup involves closing applications, logging off, keeping the kernel loaded in memory, saving the kernel and drivers to hiberfil.sys, and powering off, while Restart closes applications, logs off, ends the kernel session, and reboots immediately without saving a kernel snapshot. Fast Startup can lead to persistent issues from previous sessions, making Restart a better option for troubleshooting. To perform a full shutdown bypassing Fast Startup, users can execute the command "shutdown /s /t 0." Microsoft advises against permanently disabling Fast Startup, as it enhances shutdown-to-boot transitions.

AppWizard

September 16, 2026

Android 17 QPR1 Drops: Top New Features, Customization & UI Changes Explained

Google has begun the rollout of Android 17 QPR1, which includes user interface enhancements, multitasking capabilities, and digital wellbeing features. Key features include: - Pause Point: Introduces a delay before opening distracting apps, encouraging users to engage in calming activities. - Material 3 Blur Expansion: Adds background blur effects to various system surfaces, including the volume panel and power menu. - Multi-Screensaver Support: Allows users to select and switch between multiple screensavers. - Custom Ringtone Vibrations: Users can assign unique vibration patterns for individual ringtones. - Taskbar Recent Apps: Displays actual recent apps on large-screen devices. - HID Access: New APIs enable applications to interact with connected USB and Bluetooth peripherals. - Health Connect Tracking: Natively tracks distance and calories through a built-in step counter. - Media Player Tweaks: Enhancements to the media player carousel and screen recorder functionality. Android 17 QPR1 is initially available for eligible Google Pixel devices, with other manufacturers to follow based on their release schedules.

Winsage

September 14, 2026

Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 update breaks audio on some PCs, but there is a workaround

Microsoft's September security update for Windows 11, KB5124008, is causing audio issues with USB audio devices, including unresponsive sound controls and lack of audio output. The problems are linked to USB Audio Class 1.0 devices and do not affect built-in motherboard audio codecs or wireless headsets. Users may see an error message “This device cannot start (Code 10)” in Device Manager logs. Microsoft is working on a fix, and users can temporarily switch to stereo settings for relief. Additionally, the update is causing gameplay disruptions, crashes, and other bugs, prompting users to report issues to Microsoft and consider pausing updates.

Winsage

September 14, 2026

Windows 11 September Update Kills Audio Output on Some PCs

Microsoft has acknowledged an issue with audio output for some Windows 11 users following the September security update KB5124008, which has affected USB audio devices. Users may encounter error messages like "This device cannot start (Code 10)" in the device manager, with symptoms including unresponsive volume controls, absence of audio output, and devices not appearing in the device manager. The issue is limited to USB Audio Class 1.0 devices. A workaround involves reverting to a 2-channel audio mode, which may restore functionality for some devices. Microsoft is working on a permanent fix. Previous updates have also caused issues, such as resetting custom cursors and impacting gameplay with crashes and freezes. A poll indicated that many users believe the quality of Windows 11 is deteriorating.

Winsage

September 11, 2026

Microsoft fixes Teams, Outlook launch failures on ARM Windows PCs

Microsoft addressed a significant bug that affected the launch of Teams and Outlook on ARM-based Windows devices after updates from the August 2026 Patch Tuesday. The issue primarily impacted users of devices like the Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 running Windows 11 24H2 or later, who had not installed necessary updates from the Microsoft Store. The bug caused Teams and Outlook to fail to launch or close unexpectedly following the installation of security updates released on or after August 11, 2026 (KB5121003). Classic versions of Outlook and other applications were not affected. A temporary workaround was suggested, involving updating the Auto Super Resolution Package. The bug was resolved through cumulative updates released on September 8, 2026 (KB5124012), and users were urged to install the latest updates for improvements and issue resolutions. Additionally, Microsoft acknowledged other issues related to updates from August, including disruptions in printing and PDF exporting due to .NET Framework updates, gaming problems from peripherals with RGB lighting, and alerts regarding Microsoft Defender Antivirus being disabled. They also fixed issues related to the loss of custom mouse settings and desktop configurations following the installation of the KB5120998 August 2026 preview update.

Winsage

September 10, 2026

Majority of TPU Users Don’t See Microsoft’s Promised Windows 11 Improvements

Microsoft committed to overhauling Windows 11 to improve performance and stability. A poll with nearly 33,000 responses showed that 43.4% of users noticed no improvements, while 38.1% reported a worsened experience. Issues included bugs from updates, such as the August update resetting custom cursors and gameplay problems linked to RGB peripherals. Only 12.6% of participants reported minor improvements, and 6.3% experienced significant enhancements. Windows 11 runs on about half a billion PCs, leading to varied user experiences. At IFA 2026, Microsoft emphasized its commitment to user feedback and announced plans to improve performance through the Low Latency Profile, but the effectiveness of these changes remains uncertain.

BetaBeacon

September 5, 2026

Saints Row The Third Remastered Arrives on iOS and Android

Feral Interactive has announced that Saints Row The Third Remastered will be released on iOS and Android devices. The mobile version will include all graphical upgrades from the console remaster, custom touch controls, and support for gamepads and desktop peripherals. The game will also feature expansion content with 14 bonus story missions and over 30 unlockable items. Pre-orders are available on the iOS App Store and pre-registration is open on Google Play. The game is priced at .99 in the United States, £12.99 in the United Kingdom, and €15.99 across Europe.

Winsage

September 3, 2026

Microsoft Teams, Outlook fail to launch on ARM-based Windows PCs

Microsoft is addressing an issue affecting users of Microsoft Teams and the new Outlook on ARM-based Windows devices, specifically the Surface Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 11, following updates released since the August 2026 Patch Tuesday. Users may experience crashes and launch failures after installing security updates from August 11, 2026, particularly update KB5121003. This issue primarily affects newly set up or freshly imaged PCs that lack the latest Microsoft Store updates, while classic Outlook, Word, Excel, and other applications remain unaffected. Microsoft recommends updating the Auto Super Resolution Package as a temporary workaround. A permanent fix is being developed and will be included in a future Windows update. Additionally, Microsoft has acknowledged other issues stemming from the August updates, including problems with printing and PDF exports in certain applications, and has been rolling out fixes for system crashes and gaming problems linked to peripherals with built-in RGB lighting. Customers are also advised to disregard alerts about Microsoft Defender Antivirus being disabled after the latest updates.

Winsage

September 3, 2026

Windows 11: Memory Integrity enabled automatically from October

Microsoft plans to automatically activate Memory Integrity on a broader range of eligible systems starting October 2026, rolling it out through standard Windows quality updates. Prior to activation, Windows will assess hardware, drivers, and performance to ensure compatibility. Memory Integrity, part of Virtualization-based Security (VBS), uses the Windows hypervisor to create a secure environment for integrity checks on kernel code. Compatibility with drivers is crucial, as many older applications may not meet the stricter standards required for HVCI. Potential compatibility issues may arise with anti-cheat solutions, third-party input methods, and banking protection programs, which could lead to software malfunctions or boot failures. A readiness check will evaluate hardware compatibility, with eligible systems including Intel processors from the 8th generation, AMD processors from Zen 2, and Qualcomm Snapdragon 8180 or newer, along with specific RAM and storage requirements. The rollout will be gradual, and users who previously disabled HVCI will not face unexpected reactivation. Microsoft recommends updating affected applications or drivers in case of compatibility issues.