Software

Winsage
April 12, 2026
Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission from purchases made through links in their articles. Recent reviews of the ASUS Zenbook A16 have raised discussions about Windows 11 on Arm, particularly regarding the performance of Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 processors. Devices with Snapdragon X chips run Windows 11 on Arm, and Microsoft has improved compatibility significantly, with users spending 90% of their time on apps that run natively on Arm. While some reviews exaggerate app compatibility issues, many users cannot specify which apps do not work. The "Works on Windows on Arm" initiative lists compatible applications, including Google Chrome and Adobe Creative Suite. The ASUS Zenbook A16, featuring the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme and 48GB of RAM, now starts at ,699.99 after a price adjustment due to a listing error.
Winsage
April 12, 2026
The original Windows Task Manager was 80 KB in size, while its current version is 4 MB. Dave Plummer designed it to remain operational during system freezes, emphasizing that every line of code has a cost. The Task Manager could manage multiple instances by sending private messages to existing ones and launching new instances if the original was unresponsive. It utilized global strings and direct access to the kernel’s process table for speed and efficiency. Users have noted that modern systems consume more resources for similar tasks compared to older versions like Windows 7.
AppWizard
April 12, 2026
Dean Hall, the founder of RocketWerkz, began his gaming journey with a Commodore 64 and developed a passion for computers after a challenging five-hour gaming session. He is currently developing Icarus, a space survival game that has recently become profitable after a difficult launch. Hall has logged 1,400 hours in RimWorld, where he has released two popular mods. He enjoys playing Ostranauts, accumulating at least 150 hours per playthrough, and is looking forward to its upcoming update. Hall has also played the original XCOM for around 600 hours over the past year. He has nearly 5,000 hours in Stationeers, a game developed by his studio, and over 2,000 hours in Kerbal Space Program. His favorite game is Space Station 13, where he plays a character named Colton Murphy. For non-gaming software, he relies on Rider for programming development. Hall maintains a very clean desktop, regularly organizing it for security and efficiency in his game development process.
Tech Optimizer
April 12, 2026
Support for OrientDB in Sonatype Nexus Repository has been discontinued, and older versions of Nexus Repository (prior to 3.70.5) are built on an outdated architecture that presents high-severity vulnerabilities and cannot be fully patched. The recommended database for Nexus Repository is now PostgreSQL, which offers better performance and support for modern architectures. Users have two migration options: transition to Sonatype Nexus Repository Cloud, which is fully managed and eliminates database management, or migrate to PostgreSQL while maintaining a self-hosted environment, which requires ongoing maintenance and infrastructure ownership.
AppWizard
April 12, 2026
Activision Blizzard won a copyright infringement lawsuit against the private gaming server Turtle WoW, which was filed in August 2025. The court ordered Turtle WoW to cease all activities related to private servers and modded client software. The ruling prohibits the defendants from transferring any Turtle WoW client software, source code, or promotional materials to third parties. A settlement has been reached between Blizzard and the Turtle WoW defendants, with plans for Blizzard to file for a dismissal of the case by June 8, 2026. Donations on the Turtle WoW website have been suspended, and the community is reacting to the court's decision.
AppWizard
April 12, 2026
Denuvo's DRM has been successfully bypassed for Resident Evil: Requiem, which was released over 40 days ago, by the cracker voices38. The cracked version improves performance by approximately 5% in frames per second (FPS) and reduces resource consumption, with a decrease of 1.5 to 2 GB in VRAM usage and nearly 1 GB in system memory requirements. Initial tests on a high-end system show fewer CPU usage spikes and improved frametimes. Additionally, a new version of the hypervisor-based bypass (HV) is being developed to allow use without disabling Windows security features. Irdeto, Denuvo's parent company, is facing challenges as it promises enhancements to its software.
AppWizard
April 11, 2026
Rockstar Games is facing a security breach involving the hacking group ShinyHunters, which has issued a ransom demand for sensitive data. A Rockstar spokesperson confirmed that a limited amount of non-material company information was accessed due to a third-party data breach, stating it has no impact on the organization or its players. This incident follows a similar breach in 2022 when a 17-year-old hacker infiltrated Rockstar's systems. ShinyHunters has targeted various high-profile companies in the past, including Microsoft and AT&T. The breach highlights that many security incidents can result from simple human errors rather than sophisticated hacking techniques.
Tech Optimizer
April 11, 2026
Windows 11 includes Microsoft Defender Antivirus, which is active from the moment the device is powered on and integrated into the operating system. It continuously updates to protect against various threats, including malicious files and unsafe links. Microsoft Defender SmartScreen evaluates the safety of websites and downloads, providing warnings for dubious content. Smart App Control prevents untrusted applications from executing, while Controlled folder access protects personal files from unauthorized modifications. Users can verify the operational status of Microsoft Defender Antivirus through Windows Security settings. Best practices for maintaining security include keeping the antivirus updated, using a single real-time antivirus engine, and enhancing security habits. Microsoft Defender Antivirus is generally sufficient for everyday risks, but additional third-party antivirus solutions may be considered based on individual needs.
Winsage
April 10, 2026
France has announced its intention to transition some of its government systems from Windows to Linux to reduce reliance on American technology. The initial phase will involve machines used by the Interministerial Directorate for Digital Affairs (DINUM), although a timeline for the transition has not been established. French Minister David Amiel stated that this move is part of a broader effort to regain control of digital sovereignty. Earlier this year, France banned public officials from using American videoconferencing platforms such as Google Meet, Zoom, and Teams. The European Commission is drafting legislation to promote tech sovereignty, but there are concerns about the security implications of moving away from American technology. Transitioning to Linux will require French government employees to adapt to open-source software, potentially replacing Microsoft Office 365 with alternatives like LibreOffice.
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