support Archives

Winsage

April 27, 2026

Linux 7.1-rc1 brings faster, safer file transfers between Windows and Linux partitions with a brand new NTFS driver

Linus Torvalds has announced the closure of the merge window for Linux version 7.1, allowing public testing to begin with the first release candidate now available. This version includes a significant rewrite of the NTFS code aimed at improving dual-boot experiences between Windows and Linux. Additionally, Linux 7.1 will gradually phase out support for the i486 Intel processor and some older networking technologies and SoC configurations. Users can find the release candidate in Linus' Linux Git repository and are encouraged to report any bugs.

AppWizard

April 27, 2026

New Survival Game Beats Crimson Desert and Pragmata to #1 Best-Selling Steam Game

Steam's best-selling game is now Windrose, an indie title that has displaced Crimson Desert. Developed by Kraken Express, Windrose is a pirate-themed PvE survival adventure that launched in Early Access and has received an 89% approval rating from over 13,000 user reviews. The game features classic survival gameplay elements, including building, crafting, and naval combat, and has a peak concurrent player count of 222,134. While not Steam Deck Verified, it is classified as "Playable" on the device.

AppWizard

April 27, 2026

For Return to Castle Wolfenstein’s 25th anniversary, modders are bringing its console-exclusive levels to PC at last

The developers of Redneck Rampage have transitioned to creating Return to Castle Wolfenstein, marking a revival of id Software's franchise. The RealRTCW mod enhances the 2001 game with modern graphics, widescreen support, and gameplay rebalancing. The creators of RealRTCW plan to release a previously console-exclusive prologue as free DLC, which will deepen the narrative and gameplay experience. This DLC will be available on platforms like Steam and GOG, enriching the Return to Castle Wolfenstein experience.

AppWizard

April 27, 2026

Signal isn’t broken — so how are hackers targeting the world’s ‘most secure’ chat app?

On April 26, hackers allegedly linked to Russian groups targeted the Signal messaging app with phishing attacks aimed at senior politicians. These attacks did not compromise Signal's end-to-end encryption; rather, they deceived users into providing access to their accounts through fake messages. Signal is operated by the non-profit Signal Foundation, founded in 2012 by Moxie Marlinspike with funding from Brian Acton, a co-founder of WhatsApp. Signal distinguishes itself by rendering metadata invisible to its operators, unlike WhatsApp, which shares user data with its parent company. Signal's president, Meredith Whittaker, advocates for data privacy.

AppWizard

April 26, 2026

“Average Steam Deck framerate” graph shows PC game developers how their Verified titles really run on Valve’s handheld — Will users ever see this data

Valve has introduced new beta Steamworks tools for game developers as part of its Steam Deck Verified Games initiative. These tools allow developers to monitor average framerates over the past 30 days and access user survey results regarding the Verified status of their games. Participation in data collection is opt-in, ensuring user privacy. The user survey appears after at least ten minutes of gameplay, allowing users to agree or disagree with a game's Verified status and provide feedback on various criteria. The Steam Deck Verified program assesses game compatibility based on four criteria: Controller input, Display, Seamlessness, and System support. Games are rated as Verified, Playable, Unsupported, or Unknown, with these ratings displayed in the Steam store. Valve may potentially make the collected data accessible to the public in the future.

AppWizard

April 26, 2026

Trump shooting suspect’s Steam game sees review bomb, spike in activity

Cole Thomas Allen, the suspect in the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting, has developed an independent game called Bohrdom, available on Steam. The game, described as an "asymmetrical fighting game," allows players to take on roles of electrons or nuclei in an exploration of atomic chemistry. It has received a mixed reception, holding a "Mixed" status with 107 user reviews, and supports multiplayer sessions for up to 13 players. On the night of the incident, Allen allegedly breached a Secret Service checkpoint at 8:30 PM Eastern. By 11:30 PM, there was a surge of activity on Bohrdom's forums, where players engaged in political discussions and memes related to the shooting. Many reviews reflected a political slant, with some users humorously suggesting the incident was "guerilla marketing." The juxtaposition of the game's whimsical nature against the serious political act raises questions about online discourse.

Winsage

April 26, 2026

Go straight to sell! Windows second-chance setup hawks Microsoft services at IT’s expense

Months after acquiring a laptop, users may encounter a prompt from Windows 11 stating, “You’re almost done setting up your PC.” This leads to a series of inquiries about adopting Microsoft’s recommended browser settings, linking a phone for SMS notifications, and acknowledging Office installation. Users may feel compelled to click through these prompts, which can include advertisements, such as for Xbox Game Pass Premium at .99 per month. This series of prompts is referred to as the Second Chance Out of Box Experience (SCOOBE), which can resurface due to Windows updates and may lead to unnecessary support calls and potential unauthorized subscriptions in organizational settings. Users can disable SCOOBE by adjusting settings in Windows or Group Policy, but ongoing vigilance is required due to the evolving nature of Microsoft’s software.

Winsage

April 26, 2026

Microsoft Replaces Copilot in Windows 11 Notepad With Writing Tools Update

Microsoft has updated the Notepad application in Windows 11, renaming the Copilot feature to "Writing tools." The Copilot button has been removed and replaced with a small pen icon that accesses the Writing tools menu. This update is being gradually rolled out to users, aiming to enhance the interface while retaining existing AI capabilities for writing tasks.

AppWizard

April 26, 2026

LEGO Minecraft book exclusive minifigure revealed

LEGO Minecraft: Craft Your Quest will be released on October 8, 2026, with pre-orders currently open on Amazon. The book includes over 40 LEGO elements, a play scene, a poster, and stickers, and features an Ori minifigure resembling the one on the cover. The hardcover edition is priced at £19.99, and pre-order customers will benefit from a price guarantee. A list of book-exclusive LEGO minifigures for 2026 will also be available, featuring themes like Marvel, DC, and NINJAGO.

AppWizard

April 26, 2026

NVIDIA Neural Texture Compression: AI-powered compression aims to alleviate VRAM pressure in PC games

NVIDIA's Neural Texture Compression (NTC) improves memory efficiency in PC gaming by using small neural networks to compress texture data, achieving up to eight times better memory efficiency compared to traditional methods. In a technical demo, NTC reduced a scene's VRAM requirement from 6.5 GB to approximately 970 MB, an 85 percent reduction. The RTX Neural Texture Compression SDK has seen enhancements, including a 20 to 40 percent increase in inference speed. NTC is compatible with RTX hardware and Tensor Cores, but its real-world performance impact is yet to be determined. Microsoft is developing Cooperative Vectors and DirectX methodologies to support machine learning in graphics, which may facilitate broader adoption of NTC. The successful integration of NTC will depend on its stability, documentation, and economic viability for developers.