resistance Archives

AppWizard

March 26, 2026

That Hunter: The Reckoning game that was accidentally leaked on Steam is now officially revealed as a new FPS RPG

Hunter: The Reckoning - Deathwish was revealed during the Xbox Partner Preview showcase, set in New York City. Players will take on the role of a hunter in a game that incorporates more RPG elements than previous titles from developer Teyon. The game features a diverse cast of NPCs to enhance storytelling. However, the publisher Nacon has filed for insolvency, which may affect the game's development timeline and could lead to delays or a change in publisher.

Winsage

March 24, 2026

Microsoft VP Wants to End Windows 11 Microsoft Account Mandate

Microsoft Vice President Scott Hanselman expressed a desire to eliminate the mandatory Microsoft account requirement for Windows 11 users during setup, acknowledging user frustration. A coalition of employees and senior engineers at Microsoft is advocating for this change to create a more user-friendly experience that does not require an internet connection or a Microsoft account. Despite growing support for the removal of the account requirement, internal resistance exists due to the interests of business units that benefit from mandatory sign-ins. The technical feasibility of removing the requirement is acknowledged, but organizational politics complicate the process. The Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE) setup process has faced criticism for being promotional and coercive. Other improvements to Windows 11 are being implemented in response to user feedback, but they do not directly address the account requirement issue.

AppWizard

March 23, 2026

The Mess With Max, Telegram, And More: Russians’ Patience Tested By Online Troubles

In Moscow, messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram are facing increasing restrictions due to regulatory actions by the state tech regulator, Roskomnadzor, aimed at promoting the state-backed app, Max. Mobile internet access is being intermittently disabled, causing significant disruptions for residents who rely on connectivity for services like taxis and food delivery. The Kremlin spokesperson suggested using landlines as a solution. Reports indicate that Telegram may face a complete ban by April 1. Authorities have mandated the installation of Max on new mobile devices and enforced its use in universities, with students required to install the app to receive diplomas. The throttling of Telegram has raised concerns among military personnel and their families about communication. Mobile internet outages have affected millions, prompting public outrage, especially on International Women's Day, and leading to significant economic losses for businesses in Moscow. Similar issues have been reported in other cities across Russia.

AppWizard

March 22, 2026

Russia is killing Telegram, its most popular messaging app, despite fears of pushback

The Kremlin is increasing its control over Telegram, Russia's most popular messaging app, leading to resistance from citizens and regime supporters. Telegram serves as an essential communication tool for many Russians, including pro-Kremlin activists like Grigory Korolyov, who uses it for military fundraising, and Olga Krygina, who organizes humanitarian aid. The government frames Telegram as a platform for terrorism, justifying restrictions by claiming it does not comply with Russian laws. Pavel Durov, Telegram's founder, is under investigation for allegedly assisting terrorism, which he denies, suggesting the crackdown is a government attempt to suppress dissent. The promotion of a state-backed alternative, MAX, has faced skepticism and connectivity issues. Military bloggers express concern that a potential ban on Telegram could harm battlefield communication, with reports indicating soldiers are being told to remove the app. Despite assurances from the Kremlin about alternative communication systems, experts argue that Telegram is vital for military operations, raising doubts about the effectiveness of MAX in this context.

Winsage

March 21, 2026

Microsoft will no longer auto-install M365 Copilot app on Windows PCs

Microsoft has temporarily suspended the automatic installation of the Microsoft 365 Copilot app on Windows PCs equipped with M365 applications due to user resistance. The rollout, which began in December, was intended to integrate AI functionalities across tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Users in the European Economic Area were excluded by default, and IT administrators had the option to opt out. Existing installations of the app will not be removed, and users can choose to uninstall it if desired. Microsoft plans to provide further updates before any future rollout.

AppWizard

March 19, 2026

RUSSIA Mammut virus hits Russia’s patriotic messaging app

A virus known as Mamont is targeting users of the messaging platform Max, which has 100 million registered profiles. Mamont infiltrates online banking applications and spreads primarily through family and parental chat groups, allowing cybercriminals to steal payment information. The virus often begins with a deceptive message prompting users to click, leading to the silent download of a Trojan that siphons off data. Despite claims from the Max press service that the virus's spread is exaggerated, concerns remain about the security of user data, particularly given that all communications on Max are monitored by the state. Many users resort to using a second device, referred to as Maxofon, to comply with the platform's requirements while keeping their primary device for other applications.

Winsage

March 19, 2026

Microsoft Won’t Auto-Install Microsoft 365 Copilot App on Windows 11 Anymore After Backlash

Microsoft has decided against the automatic installation of the Microsoft 365 Copilot App on Windows 11 by default, influenced by user feedback. The automatic installation, planned for December 2025, is temporarily disabled, while existing installations remain unaffected. Admins can still deploy the app through other methods. The Microsoft 365 Copilot App is a rebranded version of the Microsoft 365 / Office Hub, which was initially intended to be automatically installed alongside the regular Copilot App. This decision faced backlash from users who preferred an opt-in option rather than automatic installations. In response, Microsoft is focusing on resolving existing bugs and enhancing core features in Windows 11, indicating a shift from its previous "AI-everywhere" strategy.

AppWizard

March 17, 2026

Russian Officials Use Burner Phones to Avoid State Messaging App Surveillance

Russian officials are increasingly using separate phones and SIM cards to install the state-backed messaging app, Max, due to growing distrust of the platform among government employees and state enterprise managers. Reports indicate that many officials prefer not to install Max on personal devices, often acquiring additional smartphones specifically for this purpose. Some officials register for the app using their regular numbers but continue to use separate devices for communication, and the most cautious avoid syncing contacts with their work phones. The pressure to adopt Max extends to the education sector, where students at Moscow Pedagogical State University are compelled to register for the app, with threats to their diploma access if they refuse. The university has started moving academic communication to the state messenger, with messages from the dean's office stressing the importance of registration. Additionally, a document from the Ministry of Education instructs institute directors to hold meetings with students regarding Max. Resistance is also seen in the military, with reports of servicemen in the Donetsk region refusing to comply with orders to install the app.

AppWizard

March 17, 2026

Moscow’s Digital Lockdown: Mobile Internet Outages Hit Russia’s Capital

Widespread mobile Internet outages have affected Moscow for over a week, disrupting daily life for its 12 million residents and impacting services like online payments and navigation. Since March 7, offline solutions such as pagers and paper maps have seen increased demand. The Kremlin attributes the disruptions to heightened security measures amid ongoing tensions with Ukraine. Critics argue that the government uses security as a pretext to control citizens' lives. Mobile Internet disruptions have been present in Russia since June 2025 but have only recently intensified in Moscow. Freelancers report negative impacts on their work due to the outages. The Russian government has been managing Internet usage by targeting Western tech companies and promoting domestic alternatives. Access issues have also affected popular apps like Telegram. A law signed by Putin on February 20 allows the Federal Security Service (FSB) to request service suspensions from telecommunications operators, exempting them from liability for compliance. The government has a history of censoring online content and tightening control over civil liberties since Putin's return to power in 2012, with measures intensifying since the invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.

AppWizard

March 16, 2026

Russians losing Telegram access as Kremlin moves to block popular messenger

Reports indicate a significant disruption in access to Telegram in Russia, with 7,826 complaints about outages on March 16, according to Sboy.RF. The Russian government has begun efforts to cut off Telegram access as it promotes a state-sponsored messaging alternative, Max, which also faced over 1,000 outage reports on the same day. Telegram, founded by Pavel Durov, has over a billion active users and is known for its censorship resistance, making it critical for information access in Russia and Ukraine. The Russian communications authority, Ruskomnadzor, announced plans to block Telegram in February 2023, escalating tensions. Durov reported that Russia has opened a criminal case against him for "aiding terrorism," highlighting the government's attempts to restrict access to the platform.