program Archives

AppWizard

July 29, 2026

Microsoft Starts Offering Free PC Versions of Your Ubisoft Games on Xbox

Microsoft and Ubisoft have launched a "console-to-PC" promotion that allows digital owners of select Ubisoft titles on Xbox to transition their gaming experience to PC. Eligible games include Assassin's Creed Mirage, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Far Cry 6, Immortals Fenyx Rising, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Riders Republic, Skull and Bones, The Crew 2, The Crew Motorfest, Rainbow Six Extraction, Rainbow Six Siege, and Watch Dogs Legion. Players need to link their Ubisoft and Xbox accounts to access the promotion, and new purchases on Xbox will be available on PC via Ubisoft Connect. Downloadable content (DLC) is included, but purchased consumables are restricted to the original platform. Only selected games that support cross-progression allow save file transfers. The promotion does not include the latest Assassin's Creed entries, Shadows and Black Flag Resynced, and it operates in one direction, meaning purchases on Ubisoft Connect do not unlock games in the Xbox store.

AppWizard

July 28, 2026

2 Star Ocean games go DRM-free on GOG as the storefront promises it’s working on embracing the Linux faithful

Select titles from the Star Ocean series, specifically Star Ocean: The Divine Force and Star Ocean: The Second Story R, are now available on GOG, marking their premiere on the platform. Both games have been included in the GOG Preservation Program to ensure compatibility with modern operating systems. GOG is also working on making the GOG Galaxy launcher compatible with Linux systems, acknowledging the growing number of gamers migrating from Windows to Linux.

AppWizard

July 28, 2026

Xbox players can soon access 13 Ubisoft PC games without buying them again

Microsoft and Ubisoft are enhancing their collaboration with a console-to-PC entitlement program, allowing players who own eligible Ubisoft games on Xbox to access the corresponding PC versions through Ubisoft Connect at no extra cost. This feature will be gradually rolled out, with access expected by August 4. The initial wave includes 13 games such as Assassin's Creed Valhalla and Far Cry 6. Ubisoft has also expanded its catalog in the Xbox PC app, offering more premium editions and downloadable content. However, the program only works one way; PC owners will not receive Xbox versions of games, and consumable items typically do not transfer unless the game supports cross-progression. Players need to update their Ubisoft Connect client to ensure the entitlement is detected.

AppWizard

July 28, 2026

Owners of Ubisoft console games on Xbox will be able to get the PC versions for free.

Microsoft has expanded its partnership with Ubisoft to enhance the gaming experience through two main initiatives. The Xbox app for PC will include premium editions and additional content for popular titles such as Assassin's Creed Shadows, Star Wars Outlaws, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege, Skull and Bones, and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, among others. Additionally, gamers who own digital copies of Xbox console games will gain access to free PC versions through Ubisoft Connect, with the transfer available only from console to PC. Eligible titles for this program include Assassin's Creed Mirage, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Far Cry 6, Immortals Fenyx Rising, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Riders Republic, Skull and Bones, The Crew 2, The Crew Motorfest, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Extraction, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege, and Watch Dogs Legion. Consumables and in-game currency will not be included in the transfer.

Winsage

July 28, 2026

Windows Insiders Get More Windows 11 In-Box App Updates

Microsoft has begun documenting updates to its in-box applications for Windows 11 through the Windows Insider Program. As of the end of July, updates have been rolled out for the following applications: - Calculator: Three fixes addressing issues in Scientific mode, an access key conflict, and improved screen reader support. - Clock: Two fixes targeting a bug in Focus Sessions and enhancing the accuracy of sunrise and sunset times for users at high latitudes. - Media Player: Three fixes for problems with local album art, disabled libraries, and track list rendering. - Notepad: Several fixes improving functionality with Markdown files, copying and pasting of indented and nested lists, concurrent print jobs, launch performance, and rendering of underscore characters. These updates are being distributed through various channels and are expected to be available during next month’s Patch Tuesday.

AppWizard

July 27, 2026

13 Ubisoft games go free on PC if you own them on Xbox

Ubisoft has launched an "Xbox console-to-PC" program that allows players to access PC versions of select games they own on Xbox. The eligible titles include: - Assassin’s Creed Mirage - Assassin’s Creed Valhalla - Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora - Far Cry 6 - Immortals Fenyx Rising - Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown - Riders Republic - Skull and Bones - The Crew 2 - The Crew Motorfest - Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Extraction - Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege - Watch Dogs Legion

AppWizard

July 27, 2026

Xbox Gamers Purchasing Select Ubisoft Games Will Now Get the PC Version for Free

Ubisoft is offering Xbox gamers a new initiative where players who own or purchase select Ubisoft games through the Microsoft Store will receive a complimentary PC version via the Ubisoft Connect launcher. This offer includes 13 titles: Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Far Cry 6, Immortals Fenyx Rising, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Riders Republic, Skull and Bones, The Crew 2, The Crew Motorfest, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Extraction, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, and Watch Dogs Legion. Starting July 21, customers who purchase a digital version of any of these titles will gain immediate access to both the Xbox console and Xbox on PC digital versions. Existing owners of the digital versions on Xbox will receive the PC counterpart between July 21 and August 4. This offer is distinct from Microsoft's Xbox Play Anywhere program, as it does not provide cross-save or cross-progression capabilities. Season Passes and add-on content purchased on Xbox are expected to transfer to the PC version, but in-game currencies and consumables will not be included. Additionally, Ubisoft is expanding the availability of its games through the Xbox app on PC, with new additions likely accessible via the Ubisoft Connect app.

AppWizard

July 27, 2026

Ubisoft Just Gave Away 13 PC Games for “Free” to Xbox Users, But It Comes With a Huge Downside

Ubisoft is offering a giveaway of 13 games for Xbox users who have previously purchased digital versions on Xbox consoles, allowing them to play these titles on PC at no additional cost. The games included are: - Assassin’s Creed Mirage - Assassin’s Creed Valhalla - Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora - Far Cry 6 - Immortals Fenyx Rising - Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown - Riders Republic - Skull and Bones - The Crew 2 - The Crew Motorfest - Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Extraction - Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege - Watch Dogs Legion Players must download these games via Ubisoft Connect, as they are not accessible through the Xbox App for PC. Additionally, owning a game on PC does not grant access to the Xbox console version. Critics have expressed disappointment that the games are not compatible with the Xbox Play Anywhere initiative, which would have allowed for cross-buy functionality.

AppWizard

July 27, 2026

Ubisoft is giving out free PC copies of Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Prince of Persia, and Tom Clancy games to people who own them on Xbox

Xbox has launched the "Xbox Console-to-PC Offer," allowing players to access 13 Ubisoft titles on PC at no extra cost if they already own the games on Xbox. The included games are: - Assassin’s Creed Mirage - Assassin’s Creed Valhalla - Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora - Far Cry 6 - Immortals Fenyx Rising - Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown - Riders Republic - Skull and Bones - The Crew 2 - The Crew Motorfest - Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Extraction - Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege - Watch Dogs Legion Players can access these titles through the Ubisoft Connect app. The initiative does not support physical game transfers, highlighting challenges for disc-based gaming fans. Additionally, Xbox has faced service disruptions following a recent outage affecting game access.

Tech Optimizer

July 27, 2026

What to look for in antivirus software without the jargon

Shopping for antivirus software can be overwhelming due to technical jargon and extensive feature lists. Key considerations for effective antivirus software include: - Real-time protection: The software should continuously monitor activities and provide automatic protection against threats. - Malware and ransomware blocking: It should defend against various online threats, including malware, spyware, and ransomware. - Firewall protection: A firewall should monitor and block suspicious connections to enhance security. - Performance: The software should operate quietly in the background without interrupting daily tasks. - Frequent updates: Regular updates are essential to combat evolving online threats. - Scam protection: The software should flag suspicious links and messages to prevent cyberattacks before they reach the device. When choosing antivirus software, prioritize these features to ensure effective protection without complicating your life.