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Winsage

March 5, 2026

Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 updates are “deleting the internet” for many: Possible fixes explored

A critical bug in Windows 11 builds 24H2 and 25H2 is causing users with Ethernet connections to lose internet access after installing updates KB5066835 and KB5065789. Users have reported issues on Microsoft’s Q&A forums, and rolling back the operating system is recommended. Possible fixes include performing a full network reset, flushing DNS and resetting TCP/IP via Command Prompt, editing the registry, and using hardware bypass solutions like USB-to-Ethernet or USB-to-WiFi adapters.

Winsage

March 5, 2026

Windows 10: WinRE Update KB5075039 fixes issue from Oct. 2025

On March 3, 2026, Microsoft re-released update KB5075039 to restore functionality to the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) for Windows 10, which officially fell out of support in October 2025. This update followed a bug caused by dynamic security update KB5067039, released in October 2025, which introduced a problematic USBHUB3.SYS driver version that disabled USB keyboards and mice in WinRE. Microsoft acknowledged this issue on October 17, 2025. In mid-January 2026, Microsoft released recovery updates for Windows 10 and Windows 11, including KB5075039 on January 15, 2026, targeting Windows 10 versions 21H2 and 22H2, but it did not resolve the issue. The re-release of update KB5073933 on March 3, 2026, addressed a critical bug preventing WinRE from starting when the previous update KB5068164 was installed. The installation of KB5073933 is recommended for Windows 10 22H2 users with ESU support to ensure a functional recovery environment.

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.

AppWizard

February 24, 2026

Star Trek Voyager: Across the Unknown is a fairly dull curiosity that I’m really enjoying

Tuvix, a character in Star Trek Voyager, is created from a transporter accident that fuses two crew members into one. The decision to separate Tuvix back into his original forms involves sacrificing the unique entity he has become. Retaining Tuvix would provide a powerful asset on missions but would cost the distinct personalities of the original characters. Ultimately, the choice is made to separate Tuvix, restoring the original crew members. The game "Across the Unknown" features a mix of missions inspired by Voyager episodes, with gameplay centered around resource gathering and ship reconstruction. The narrative includes choices, such as dealing with the character Seska, and presents the option to abandon missions, which conflicts with Starfleet principles. The game is described as enjoyable but may not appeal to those unfamiliar with Voyager.

AppWizard

February 23, 2026

This bloody medieval carve-’em-up has me praying the devs deliver a holy gaming experience

The game "1348 Ex Voto" features a female knight named Aeta, who is trained in swordplay and accompanied by her companion Bianca. The combat system requires players to carefully judge enemy attacks, creating a tense experience. The game world is designed to be desolate and cinematic, focusing on a predetermined path rather than open-world exploration. Players can find items to enhance gameplay, such as health-restoring food and skill books. The visuals, powered by Unreal Engine 5, depict detailed medieval Italian settings. The game is set to launch on March 12, 2026, and aims for authenticity in storytelling and character development, with a completion time of under 20 hours.

Winsage

February 22, 2026

Opinion: Windows 11 isn’t the disaster some claim – and it’s time to say so

Windows 11 has faced challenges, including a comprehensive list of top issues identified in 2025, but it is not uniquely unstable compared to earlier versions like Windows 95, 98, XP, 7, and 10. Recent headlines have highlighted various problems such as printer malfunctions and performance issues, but these are often exaggerated due to increased visibility. Historically, Windows has experienced similar cycles of instability, and the perception of widespread failure today is amplified by rapid documentation of minor issues. User trust in Windows has eroded, with skepticism about performance stemming from cumulative updates and the personal impact of issues on over a billion users. The focus should shift to improving predictability and transparency regarding updates rather than solely counting bugs. Windows 11's frequency of out-of-band updates is comparable to that of Windows 7 and 10, with improved mechanisms for addressing problems quickly. Gamers continue to adopt Windows 11 due to enhanced CPU scheduling, improved GPU performance, and features like Auto HDR and DirectStorage. Microsoft is committed to further improving the gaming experience. The scale of Windows operations, with over a billion users and multiple concurrent releases, contributes to occasional anomalies. Despite criticisms, most Windows 11 systems operate without significant issues, performing adequately for daily tasks and gaming. Microsoft has announced plans for enhancements, including bug fixes, performance improvements, and security upgrades, indicating that Windows 11 remains a solid choice for users.

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

Messenger Website Shutting Down Worldwide

Meta has retired its standalone Messenger website, redirecting users to Facebook’s integrated Messages interface. Users can no longer send or receive messages through the Messenger site and must use facebook.com/messages instead. The mobile Messenger app remains unaffected. Those who used Messenger without a Facebook account will find their desktop access eliminated, requiring them to use the mobile app. Users with end-to-end encrypted chats must manage their secure storage PIN for restoring messages. Meta encourages users to export their data before the transition, aiming to streamline Messenger functionalities and reduce support costs. The closure was first reported by reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi and further covered by TechCrunch, with Meta notifying users of the change.

Winsage

February 18, 2026

Ex-Microsoft executive says he fought against the removal of the vertical taskbar in Windows 11

Microsoft is reportedly planning to reintroduce the ability to relocate and resize the Windows 11 taskbar, a feature that was removed and led to user dissatisfaction. Former Microsoft executive Mikhail Parakhin criticized the removal of the vertical taskbar, stating it enhances productivity. Other former employees, including Andy Young, have also expressed dissatisfaction with Windows 11's design, particularly the Start Menu's performance issues. Microsoft is acknowledging the need to address user concerns and "pain points" within Windows 11 as it considers restoring customization options.

AppWizard

February 18, 2026

PC Gamers Can Grab 9 Games For Just $12 In Huge Bundle Deal

Humble Bundle is offering the 'Love You to Death' bundle, which includes nine horror-themed games for a minimum payment of £10.53, with a total estimated value of nearly £100. The games included are: 1. Have a Nice Death - A 2D action roguelike where players control Death in a whimsical world. 2. Ghost Watchers - An online co-op horror game focused on ghost hunting in abandoned houses. 3. Devour - A co-op game where players must stop possessed cultists. 4. Iron Lung - A short horror experience set in a submarine adrift in an ocean of blood. 5. Lunacid - A dark fantasy dungeon crawler with retro aesthetics. 6. Faith: The Unholy Trinity - A pixelated horror game where players confront demons and cultists. 7. The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication - A first-person survival horror game based on Taiwanese folklore. 8. Life Eater - A controversial horror fantasy kidnapping simulator. 9. Without a Dawn - A visual novel horror about a woman in a remote cabin. The bundle is available exclusively on PC and supports charitable causes.

AppWizard

February 17, 2026

App ‘handoff’ will be one of the biggest features of Android 17

Android 17 is introducing a feature called Handoff that enhances cross-device continuity, allowing users to start an app activity on one device and continue it on another without losing progress. Handoff enables users to transition tasks between smartphones, tablets, and foldable devices seamlessly. It operates as a background system feature and a developer-facing API, detecting available activities on nearby devices. If the same app is installed on the receiving device, it uses deep linking to restore the session. If the app is not available, there is an app-to-web Handoff fallback, allowing users to continue in a browser. Handoff is not yet active in Android 17 Beta 1, and Google has not released detailed documentation on supported devices. The feature may be particularly beneficial for larger-screen devices and could extend to desktop-style experiences. Historically, Android has struggled with cross-device continuity compared to Apple, and Handoff could help bridge that gap if adopted by developers.