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PC Gamers Can Claim Over $40 Of Free Games, Yours to Keep
AppWizard
March 21, 2026

PC Gamers Can Claim Over $40 Of Free Games, Yours to Keep

The Epic Games Store is offering two free titles for PC users until March 26 at 3 PM GMT: Electrician Simulator and World of Warships - Epic Anniversary Tachibana Pack. Electrician Simulator, typically priced at .99, allows players to perform tasks like installing sockets and repairing equipment, and has received Mostly Positive reviews on Steam. The World of Warships pack, priced at .99, includes the Japanese Premium destroyer Tachibana and five exclusive Epic permanent camouflages. Next week, new titles Havendock and Hyper Echelon will be available.
Freak Steam game naming coincidence unintentionally results in some of the best indie marketing I've seen
AppWizard
March 17, 2026

Freak Steam game naming coincidence unintentionally results in some of the best indie marketing I’ve seen

Neon Polygons and Gamkat both released games titled "Piece by Piece," with Neon Polygons launching on March 13 and Gamkat on March 11. Dev Land Marketing's Gajda Andreea proposed a collaboration to combine both games into a "Piece by Piece Double Bundle," which is available on Steam for .57 / £15.60. This collaboration has gained significant attention, with a Reddit thread discussing it receiving over 2,000 upvotes, highlighting the effectiveness of adaptability and collaboration in marketing.
Windows 10/11 Patch Day March: Microsoft delivers the big security update, but as usual, the real message is in the fine print
Winsage
March 12, 2026

Windows 10/11 Patch Day March: Microsoft delivers the big security update, but as usual, the real message is in the fine print

In March, Microsoft released cumulative security updates for Windows 10 and Windows 11, with support for certain versions continuing until March 2026. The updates include KB5079466 for Windows 11 version 26H1, KB5079473 for versions 24H2 and 25H2, KB5078883 for version 23H2, and KB5078885 for Windows 10 version 22H2. These updates will be distributed via Windows Update, the Microsoft Update Catalog, and WSUS for enterprise environments. This month, Microsoft combined the Servicing Stack Update (SSU) with the Latest Cumulative Update, simplifying the update process. Key enhancements include improvements to Secure Boot, with expanded device target data for new certificates, and security enhancements for Explorer’s search functionality in Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. A fix for Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) was also implemented, addressing issues with COM objects under certain policy configurations. The Windows System Image Manager received a new warning dialog for confirming the trustworthiness of catalog files, which is important for enterprise environments. Updates for Windows 10 22H2, despite its end-of-life status, included fixes for secure boot issues and improvements for file version history in the Control Panel. An SSU for Windows 11 (KB5077869) was also released to maintain update stability. Microsoft's updates scheduled for March 2026 will address vulnerabilities in components like the Windows App Installer, SQL Server, and Microsoft Office. The Security Update Guide provides detailed information on specific vulnerabilities and affected components.
12 Free PC Games to Play in March 2026, Thank You Steam
AppWizard
March 2, 2026

12 Free PC Games to Play in March 2026, Thank You Steam

In March 2026, a selection of free PC games includes: - Novel Haven: A management simulation where players transform a lighthouse into a bookshop and engage with villagers. - DJ Bunny: A 2D music-puzzle adventure where players craft tunes to help DJ Bunny perform at a music festival. - Metal Goose: A retro first-person shooter where players battle robotic birds as the MG-1 super soldier. - Vampire’s Fall 2: A 2D RPG where players rise as a vampire amid a civil war between humans and vampires. - Snowbot: A third-person adventure featuring a robot navigating snowy mountains and solving puzzles. - Witch You Want: A game where players create a witch character, engage in potion-making, and explore romance. - Another Day With You: An adventure game filled with mini-games set in a quaint city corner. - Where Winds Meet: A game that launched in November, returning with a free expansion titled Hexi, adding new maps, enemies, and quests. - D1AL-ogue: A cyberpunk game where players repair androids using a circular puzzle mechanic. - Hackinal: A browser-based hacking game with various difficulty levels for cracking passcodes. - Faehnor Online: An MMORPG developed by a solo creator, encouraging exploration with real paper maps. - A Date With Chester 2: A standalone story reflecting on memories while celebrating an anniversary with Chester.
This week in PC games: Marathon, Slay The Spire 2, a promising Disco-like RPG and a monastic garden mystery
AppWizard
March 2, 2026

This week in PC games: Marathon, Slay The Spire 2, a promising Disco-like RPG and a monastic garden mystery

This week features a variety of new PC game releases, including: - The Abbess' Garden: A life simulation game set in the 17th century where players restore a botanical sanctuary. - Sad God: A game where players navigate a shaft filled with threats to reach the surface before lava engulfs them. - The Legend of Khiimori: An open-world courier game set in 13th-century Mongolia, now in early access. - Esoteric Ebb: A single-player CRPG where players investigate an explosion at a teashop during an election. - Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered: A remaster of the classic title focusing on narrative and choice. - Humanica: A city-building game where players can edit the landscape of their prehistoric city. - Luxman Moonlit Market: A night market simulation game with a unique art style. - Scott Pilgrim EX: A side-scrolling brawler based on the Canadian comic book series. - Slay the Spire 2: The sequel to the roguelite deckbuilder, now in early access. - Card Cultivation: A game combining elements of Cultist Simulator with Chinese mythology. - Planet of Lana II: A puzzle-platformer where players save a cyborg world alongside a kid and their pet. - Age of Barbarians Chronicles: An action game with a sword-and-sorcery theme. - Here Comes The Swarm: An early access survival RTS where players fend off gigabeetles. - Marathon: Bungie's reboot of the classic FPS set in a rich lore universe. - Ratcheter DX: An adventure game challenging players to escape a sunken ice base. - Mr. Peregrino: A game set in the 19th century where players manage food supplies while escorting pilgrims. - Over The Top: WW1: A game where players experience the frontlines of World War I. - Aethus: A game where players investigate a lost science expedition on a desert world. - Post-Apocalyptic Technician: Players repair Stroggs as an underground technician. - Frog Abundance: An exploration game centered around frogs in various time periods. Team members at RPS express interest in different titles, with Ollie favoring Marathon, James interested in Planet of Lana, Mark leaning towards automotive adventures, and Julian considering writing about Slay the Spire 2.
Windows Server finally gets ReFS boot support
Winsage
February 27, 2026

Windows Server finally gets ReFS boot support

Microsoft has introduced boot support for the Resilient File System (ReFS) in Windows Server, allowing insiders to boot the server operating system directly from a ReFS volume. This feature has been made available in the latest Windows Server Insider Preview build after a fourteen-year wait since ReFS was launched in 2012. ReFS can detect corruption early and address issues online, eliminating the need for chkdsk, and supports volumes up to 35 petabytes. It also includes block cloning and sparse provisioning technologies for efficient file management. To use ReFS boot, organizations must install the latest Windows Server vNext Insider Preview with a minimum build number of 29531.1000.260206-1841, format the system partition as ReFS, and ensure UEFI firmware is used.
Windows Update KB5077241 February 2026 Issues Nvidia GPU Bugs Task Manager Errors and ViVeTool Guide
Winsage
February 26, 2026

Windows Update KB5077241 February 2026 Issues Nvidia GPU Bugs Task Manager Errors and ViVeTool Guide

Windows Update KB5077241, released in February 2026, is a 4.5GB feature update for the 24H2 and 25H2 versions. It poses significant performance risks for older hardware, particularly laptops and desktops without a Neural Processing Unit (NPU). Users with outdated Nvidia graphics cards, specifically the 900 Series (Maxwell) and 1000 Series (Pascal), report issues such as game stuttering, screen flickering, and system boot failures. The update also contains a flaw that inaccurately displays CPU usage in Task Manager, showing 0% utilization even under load. Many users face installation issues, encountering Error 0x800F0983, requiring them to delete update cache files and run repair tools. The update introduces features like a Taskbar Speed Test, Sysmon Security, improved Sleep/Wake functionality, and WebP wallpaper support, but many remain locked. Users can enable these features using ViVeTool with specific commands. Overall, the update is advised against for those with older Nvidia GPUs due to potential conflicts and performance issues.
silver Android smartphone
Tech Optimizer
February 25, 2026

Fix “kernel security check failure”: Step-by-step guide

The "kernel security check failure" error on Windows indicates corruption in critical system memory or internal data structures, triggering a bug check to prevent further damage. It is marked by the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) displaying the message “KERNELSECURITYCHECK_FAILURE” and stop code 0x139. Causes include outdated or incompatible drivers, corrupted system files, faulty RAM, disk errors, third-party software conflicts, faulty Windows updates, overclocking, and malware threats. Common fixes involve updating Windows and drivers, scanning for corrupted files, using Check Disk (CHKDSK), running Windows Memory Diagnostic, and performing System Restore. If unresolved, a clean installation of Windows may be necessary. Regular updates and avoiding unnecessary software installations can help prevent future occurrences.
Fake Huorong Site Delivers ValleyRAT Backdoor in Targeted Malware Campaign
Tech Optimizer
February 24, 2026

Fake Huorong Site Delivers ValleyRAT Backdoor in Targeted Malware Campaign

A cyber operation is targeting users of Huorong Security antivirus software through a typosquatted domain, huoronga[.]com, which mimics the legitimate site huorong.cn. Users who mistakenly visit the counterfeit site may download a file named BR火绒445[.]zip, which contains a trojanized installer that leads to the installation of ValleyRAT, a remote access trojan. The malware employs various techniques to evade detection, including using an intermediary domain for downloads, creating Windows Defender exclusions, and establishing a scheduled task for persistence. The backdoor facilitates activities such as keylogging and credential access while disguising its operations within legitimate processes like rundll32.exe. Attribution points to the Silver Fox APT group, and there has been a significant increase in ValleyRAT samples documented in recent months. Security measures include ensuring software downloads are from the official site and monitoring for specific malicious activities.
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