Reddit Archives

Winsage

September 9, 2026

Windows 11 set to gain upgraded sound settings, cross-device improvements, and new family safety features as Microsoft begins testing

Microsoft has released new Windows 11 preview builds for testing, featuring several enhancements. Key updates include: - Enhanced sound settings with redesigned volume sliders that provide real-time audio feedback and the migration of more Control Panel sound settings to Windows Settings. This includes options to set default audio devices, enable hardware acceleration, configure exclusive mode, and adjust adaptive communication sound levels. The All sound devices page has also been improved for easier management of audio devices. - Improved cross-device functionality allowing users to download the Windows app for a phone directly from the Taskbar via Phone Link, facilitating easier task resumption across devices.

Winsage

September 8, 2026

Patch Tuesday is here — Windows 11 is expected to set yet another record for security updates in a month

Windows 11's latest Patch Tuesday delivered over 650 security fixes, a six-fold increase compared to typical monthly updates. This surge is linked to advancements in artificial intelligence, which have accelerated vulnerability discovery and the urgency to address them. AI aids Microsoft's engineers in the patching process but is also exploited by malicious actors, creating an ongoing cybersecurity arms race.

AppWizard

September 8, 2026

Sick of Sony killing physical games? Relive the glory days with a PlayStation 3 emulator that can play discs through your PC

The RPCS3 team has expanded their PlayStation 3 emulator to allow users to play PS3 discs on macOS, Linux, and FreeBSD, in addition to Windows. This update enables users to enjoy titles dating back to 2006 on modern hardware. Minimum specifications for a suitable PC include an Nvidia GTX 400 series or newer GPU. To set up the emulator, users need to install the RPCS3 software, download the PS3 system software, and acquire a decryption key from a community-maintained database. A Quickstart guide is available for installation, and additional resources can be found in forums and Reddit threads for troubleshooting.

Winsage

September 8, 2026

Microsoft is now using your Windows 11 wallpaper as ad space

The Bing Wallpaper app is popular for its beautiful images that enhance desktop backgrounds, but users have reported unwanted changes where their backgrounds are replaced by fullscreen ads promoting Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films. This has led to frustration among users, who have expressed their concerns on platforms like Reddit. The controversy extends to the definition of advertisements within Windows 11, with some users viewing prompts for OneDrive as ads. The recent promotional content in the Bing Wallpaper app has upset many, as it alters the user experience by combining beloved imagery with marketing messages. While users are generally open to learning more about images, intrusive promotional content on personal desktops is seen as unacceptable. Despite being an optional app, the introduction of ads could jeopardize the positive reputation of Bing Wallpaper.

Winsage

September 8, 2026

Microsoft is testing Bing promos on the one part of Windows 11 you see constantly

The Bing Wallpaper app has faced criticism after users reported that their desktop backgrounds were unexpectedly replaced with a fullscreen advertisement for the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts film collection. This promotional content has sparked frustration among users, who feel that it detracts from the app's aesthetic appeal. While the app has previously featured images related to popular movies and games, the explicit promotional messaging in the recent wallpaper has been particularly controversial. Users expressed a preference for non-promotional imagery that celebrates beloved franchises without overt advertising. The inclusion of such ads raises concerns about the app's future and its relationship with its user base.

Winsage

September 7, 2026

Want your PC to be a bit more like a Mac? The ‘Dynamic Island for Windows’ just got a big update.

Notchify, a Windows application emulating macOS's Dynamic Island feature, has received a significant update that improves performance and adds new functionalities. Key enhancements include optional GPU rendering for smoother animations, reduced CPU and memory usage, resolution of keyboard lag, improved fullscreen detection, and selectable frame rates. The app now features an integrated Clipboard history, drag-and-drop file tray functionality, an in-app notifications panel, to-do and notes sections with a calendar date picker, quick system actions, app shortcuts, and a connected device card for BLE devices. Additionally, a media player with various options has been included, along with quality of life enhancements like a hover-to-reveal feature, a redesigned settings interface, support for 10 languages, and improvements for multi-monitor setups. Notchify is priced at .99, with a free trial available.

AppWizard

September 7, 2026

Xbox Cloud Gaming Caps Hours: 15 for Ultimate [2026]

On September 3, 2026, Microsoft announced that Xbox Game Pass subscribers will see a shift in cloud gaming access. Starting November 2026, unlimited cloud streaming will be replaced by a tiered hour bank system: 15 hours for Ultimate, 10 for Premium, and 5 for Essential subscribers. Once a subscriber exhausts their allotted hours, they must wait for the next billing cycle or purchase additional time. This change is the most significant since the beta launch of Xbox Cloud Gaming in 2019. The announcement was made on Xbox Wire, and the new structure is reflected on Xbox’s product pages. The new tiered system introduces a scarcity model, with every paid tier now having its own cloud gaming quota. Essential subscribers, who previously had no cloud access, will now receive 5 hours per month. The pricing for the Game Pass tiers is as follows: Ultimate at .99 for 15 hours, Premium at .99 for 10 hours, and Essential at .99 for 5 hours. The free ad-supported tier remains unchanged at 5 hours per month. Microsoft's rationale for the change is based on usage data indicating that most subscribers do not heavily utilize cloud streaming, coupled with the rising costs of operating cloud gaming services. The company has stated that additional hours can be purchased once a subscriber's monthly allotment is used up, although pricing details for these add-ons have not yet been disclosed. The new hour caps will take effect in November 2026, following a shorter notice period compared to NVIDIA's GeForce NOW service, which implemented a 100-hour monthly cap earlier in 2026. The response from gaming communities has been largely negative, with concerns about the limits falling short of typical usage patterns and conflicting with the marketing of Game Pass as offering unlimited access. The introduction of hour caps could impact Game Pass's subscriber base, particularly among those who rely on cloud gaming as their primary access point. Microsoft's internal usage data will determine the extent of this impact, as the company aims to control costs without raising subscription prices.

AppWizard

September 7, 2026

Steam Week in Review: 54 idle games released on Steam last week, and many look eerily similar

In 2013, Cookie Clicker and Candy Box emerged as popular games, with Cookie Clicker gaining significant attention and leading to widespread addiction among players on social media. Cookie Clicker, inspired by Cow Clicker, features simple gameplay where players click to generate cookies and enhance production. New games like Next Reign: Kingdom and We Need More Humans! have been released, competing with established titles such as Bongo Cat and Task Bar Hero. The number of games tagged as idlers has increased from 100 in 2020 to 1,811 in 2024, with 1,119 more in development. The Blood of Dawnwalker sold a million units in three days, while the Elden Ring Tarnished Pack received mixed reviews.

Winsage

September 5, 2026

Firefox has added official support for GeForce NOW on Windows

Mozilla and NVIDIA have integrated GeForce NOW support for Firefox on Windows, allowing users to stream games without separate applications or local installations. This feature provides access to over 2,000 titles from platforms like Steam and the Epic Games Store. NVIDIA is not compensating Mozilla for this integration, and Mozilla addressed challenges such as the keyboard lock issue. Hardware acceleration enhances the streaming experience, although it is not required. Users can choose to play via the native app or stream in Firefox. Currently, official support is limited to Windows, with plans for expansion. GeForce NOW Ultimate members can access up to 1440p resolution and 120 FPS. There are known issues with capture and fullscreen mouse functionality, and a bug affecting video colors on macOS is being addressed.

AppWizard

September 5, 2026

Nvidia: DLSS 5 Is Coming to RTX 4000 GPUs, Too

Nvidia has announced that DLSS 5 technology will be available for RTX 4000 GPUs, previously exclusive to RTX 5000 GPUs. The official rollout will follow Nvidia's schedule for local stockists in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the Middle East, with performance tuning dependent on software updates later this year. Currently, DLSS 5 is only available in NBA 2K27, and while it enhances graphics, it can significantly reduce frame rates by 50% to 60%. Nvidia plans to optimize DLSS 5 for both RTX 5000 and RTX 4000 series. The gaming community has found unofficial ways to run DLSS 5 on RTX 4000 GPUs, but this also results in a substantial drop in FPS. Gamers in the Middle East won't need to upgrade their hardware to access DLSS 5, but they should monitor local hardware availability and updates for improved performance.