review Archives

Winsage

February 11, 2026

Microsoft Announces Windows Baseline Security Mode and User Transparency and Consent

Microsoft has introduced two initiatives to enhance user trust in the Windows operating system: Windows Baseline Security Mode and User Transparency and Consent. These initiatives focus on transparency in app and AI agent behaviors, allowing users to reverse decisions and limiting access to defined capabilities. Windows Baseline Security Mode will enforce runtime integrity safeguards, permitting only properly signed apps, services, and drivers to run, while allowing users and IT administrators to override these safeguards if necessary. User Transparency and Consent will prompt users when apps attempt to access sensitive resources or install additional software, providing clear and actionable options for users to review and modify their choices. The rollout will occur in Windows 11 through a phased approach, with potential implementation in the Windows Insider Program by mid-year, possibly aligning with a future Windows 11 version or Windows 12 release.

Winsage

February 11, 2026

Microsoft dials up the nagging in Windows, calls it security

Microsoft is introducing new security features for its Windows operating system, including "Windows Baseline Security Mode" and "User Transparency and Consent." The Baseline Security Mode will enforce runtime integrity safeguards by default, allowing only properly signed applications, services, and drivers to operate, with options for users to override these safeguards for legacy applications. The User Transparency and Consent feature will require explicit user consent for applications accessing sensitive resources, moving away from the current User Account Control prompts. Microsoft aims to enhance user security and privacy while providing clear and actionable notifications. CrowdStrike's Chief Technology Innovation Officer expressed support for this initiative, emphasizing the importance of user consent settings for security software effectiveness. Microsoft has a history of security initiatives, including the Secure Future Initiative, and plans to hold applications and AI tools to higher transparency standards. The rollout of these updates will occur in phases, although no specific timeline has been provided.

Winsage

February 11, 2026

Microsoft tightens Windows security with app transparency and user consent

Microsoft is enhancing the security of its Windows operating system through two initiatives: User Transparency and Consent, and Windows Baseline Security Mode. The User Transparency and Consent initiative will notify users when applications request access to sensitive resources and log every permission granted, allowing users to review and modify their choices. Applications and AI agents will adhere to higher transparency standards. Windows Baseline Security Mode will enable runtime integrity safeguards by default, allowing only properly signed applications, services, and drivers to run. Users and IT administrators can approve exceptions for specific applications. These updates are part of Microsoft’s Secure Future Initiative, which aims to help organizations prevent, manage, and recover from security incidents. The rollout will occur in phases, with collaboration from developers, enterprises, and partners to ensure a smooth transition.

AppWizard

February 10, 2026

Newly Released Tactical RPG Is an Instant Hit on PC (And It Could Be a Game of the Year Contender)

Mewgenics, a tactical cat RPG created by Edmund McMillen and Tyler Glaiel, launched on Steam on February 12th and quickly attracted over 58,900 concurrent players. The game has received overwhelmingly positive initial reviews, achieving a Metacritic score of 89, making it the highest-rated game of the year so far. Players engage in building a cat army and face strategic decisions through a tactical breeding system. The main campaign offers over 200 hours of gameplay with a roguelite progression system. Mewgenics is currently available exclusively on Steam for PC and Steam Deck, priced at .99 with a 10% introductory discount until February 24th.

AppWizard

February 10, 2026

Your Android phone feeling slow? My 4-step refresh routine works wonders every time

To enhance the performance of an aging Android device without rooting, follow these steps: 1. Delete unused apps by navigating to Settings > Storage > Apps. 2. Clear additional storage by offloading photos to an external drive or cloud storage and clearing app cache via Settings > Storage > App > Clear Cache. 3. Check for updates by going to Settings > General > System Update and updating apps through the Google Play Store. 4. Adjust animation speed by enabling Developer options (Settings > About phone > Tap on Software information > Tap Build number seven times) and modifying the Window animation scale to 0.5x, along with Transition animation scale and Animator duration scale for improved responsiveness.

AppWizard

February 1, 2026

4 Free Android Launchers That Users Swear By

Square Home offers grid-based menus for mobile customization, allowing users to organize essential apps and widgets conveniently. It enables quick transitions between apps like WhatsApp and social networks without scrolling through screens. Total Launcher provides extensive customization options, allowing users to reposition icons and widgets, modify fonts, and create unique interfaces, though it has a steeper learning curve. It includes a backup tool for saving and sharing custom setups. Kvaesitso focuses on search functionality, enabling users to access apps via a global search feature, streamlining interactions, and is available as an open-source project on GitHub. Niagara Launcher features a minimalist interface designed for one-handed operation, with an alphabetical scroll bar for easy app access and organization.

AppWizard

February 1, 2026

Skyrim’s design lead says if you play Morrowind today, you will ‘cringe’: ‘The reality of playing Morrowind would not stand the test of time’

The 2002 review of Morrowind by PC Gamer awarded the game a score of 83, the lowest for a mainline Elder Scrolls title by the UK publication. Bruce Nesmith, the design lead for Skyrim, suggested that calls for a Morrowind remake are driven by nostalgia rather than gameplay quality, stating that revisiting the game may lead to discomfort due to its outdated design. He expressed a preference for remaking titles like Battlespire or Redguard, which he believes never reached their full potential, rather than Morrowind. Nesmith indicated that Morrowind is the furthest back the franchise could realistically go for a remake, reflecting the balance between honoring past games and embracing modern design advancements.

AppWizard

January 31, 2026

New Free Steam Horror Game Releases to a 100% User Review Score

Terminal Lucidity is a free horror puzzle game on Steam with a perfect user review score, although this may be inflated due to its recent release and limited reviews. Developed by Happy Accident Studios, it features intricate puzzles that elicit mixed reactions from players. The game casts players as a technician maintaining supercomputers underground, requiring them to decipher terminal languages to uncover hidden truths. User feedback is positive, with players enjoying the problem-solving aspects, though the game lacks a save feature, leading to varied completion times. Compatibility with the Steam Deck is currently unknown.

AppWizard

January 31, 2026

The best Elder Scrolls game that isn’t an Elder Scrolls game is getting a big patch in February and free DLC in March

Questline, the developer of Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon, achieved significant financial success in 2025, selling over one million copies of the game. The release coincided with a fifteen-year gap since the last major Elder Scrolls RPG, creating strong demand for expansive, open-world experiences. Throughout 2025, Questline provided regular patches to enhance the game and announced plans for a significant update in February and a free DLC in March. The latest patch, version 1.16, improved framerate performance, added new alchemy recipes, and fixed various bugs. Critics have praised the game, noting that its strengths outweigh its weaknesses.

AppWizard

January 30, 2026

Cairn review

Cairn is a limb-by-limb climbing simulation game set for release on January 30, 2026, developed by The Game Bakers. Players take on the role of Aava, a renowned mountain climber, as she attempts to conquer Mount Kami. The game features a 15-hour journey focused on the careful placement of limbs on rock faces, with mechanics that initially seem unrefined but encourage players to adapt. Aava faces challenges such as narrow ledges and a diegetic stamina system indicated by her physical state. Players can place pitons as temporary safe zones during climbs, which require strategic placement due to their limited availability. The game incorporates survival mechanics, emphasizing Aava's need to eat, drink, and rest. Aava's character is developed through her struggles and interactions with other climbers, with a focus on realism and emotional stakes. The game features stunning art and atmospheric weather dynamics, drawing comparisons to titles like Death Stranding and Baby Steps while establishing its own identity.