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Windows 11 Secure Boot certificates have expired, and Microsoft says what to do next
Winsage
July 18, 2026

Windows 11 Secure Boot certificates have expired, and Microsoft says what to do next

Microsoft held its OEM Secure Boot Office Hours event on July 15, where engineers collaborated with OEM representatives from companies like Acer, Asus, Cisco, Dell, and HP. IT administrators were able to ask live questions about the Secure Boot 2023 rollout. The discussion thread became a detailed technical record, especially following the expiration of the first certificates three weeks prior. Concerns raised by IT admins included BitLocker recovery loops, stuck confidence ratings, and unhelpful Intune error codes. Key facts include: - Devices offline for long periods will still receive the 2023 certificates upon reconnecting to Windows Update. - Devices with existing 2023 certificates in firmware will switch to the new boot manager after the latest Windows patches are installed. - A new script, Detect-SecureBootCertUpdateStatus.ps1, is available in Windows for checking certificate status. - BIOS updates may reset a device’s confidence rating to unrated, which is normal and does not indicate certificate failure. - Admins should edit the AvailableUpdates registry key, not the AvailableUpdatesPolicy, which is managed by Intune and Group Policy. - A licensing bug affecting AvailableUpdatesPolicy on devices upgraded from Pro to Enterprise was resolved by Microsoft in 2026. - BitLocker recovery is not typically linked to the certificate update process but may relate to firmware or PCR issues. - Dell and HP provided guidance on which BIOS versions include the 2023 certificates for their newer models. - Older HP EliteBook 840 G5 units require a manual update package for the new certificates. - Eligible devices can still receive the 2023 certificates in the future, and Surface devices released from 2024 onward come pre-equipped with them. - Microsoft confirmed that devices running 2011 certificates will not lose the ability to receive the 2023 chain. - The Microsoft Corporation KEK CA 2011 and Microsoft UEFI CA 2011 certificates have expired, with the Microsoft Windows Production PCA 2011 set to expire on October 19, 2026.
As Google sits back and watches, terrible ads are ruining Android's free app ecosystem
AppWizard
July 18, 2026

As Google sits back and watches, terrible ads are ruining Android’s free app ecosystem

The mobile advertising landscape has shifted from simple banner ads to aggressive monetization tactics that often manipulate users. Common intrusive ad experiences include unclosable interstitial ads, interactive playable ads that mislead users, and unsolicited notifications promoting unrelated games. This shift has negatively impacted independent developers, who struggle to compete against large ad networks and feel pressured to adopt disruptive ad practices. Google, which controls the Play Store and ad services, benefits financially from these intrusive ads but has not effectively addressed the issue, allowing low-quality ads to proliferate. The current state of advertising is eroding user trust in free applications, threatening the integrity of the Android ecosystem.
silver Android smartphone
Winsage
July 18, 2026

Recent patches for Windows 11 could have been created by Microsoft’s new Mythos rival

Microsoft is developing a security tool called Project Perception, aimed at helping organizations identify and fix software vulnerabilities using artificial intelligence. Set to launch this month, it will utilize AI models from Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic to offer extensive coverage while being cost-effective. The tool features a model router to select the best AI model for specific tasks, optimizing performance and reducing operational costs. Led by Hayete Gallot, Microsoft is shifting towards AI-focused products, recognizing the potential for substantial returns from enterprise investments in AI. Project Perception aims to compete in the AI-driven vulnerability detection market, although its availability may be limited due to concerns about misuse. Microsoft recently addressed around 570 vulnerabilities using an AI tool called MDASH, suggesting a growing role for AI in cybersecurity.
Survival Horror RPG GRAFT Debuts Story Trailer During Convergence Games Showcase 2026
AppWizard
July 18, 2026

Survival Horror RPG GRAFT Debuts Story Trailer During Convergence Games Showcase 2026

GRAFT is a survival horror RPG set in a deteriorating megastructure called the Arc. The game features a haunting world filled with challenges, where players must master forgotten technologies and navigate through various environments. Players will engage in a dark RPG story, forming alliances that can lead to danger. Combat involves facing ancient experiments and a deranged AI, requiring strategic resource management. The player's body can be transformed into a weapon through Grafts, enhancing abilities and presenting moral choices linked to fragmented memories. GRAFT is available for wishlisting on Steam and the Epic Games Store.
Retiring Valve programmer says 'at least one' of the studio's beloved game modes was made in secret to avoid pushback from peers
AppWizard
July 18, 2026

Retiring Valve programmer says ‘at least one’ of the studio’s beloved game modes was made in secret to avoid pushback from peers

Programmer Christopher Green has had a long career in the gaming industry, working on titles such as Amiga's Flight Simulators, Ultima Underworld, and Magic: The Gathering Online. He has worked at Valve for a total of 16 years, during which he contributed to projects like both Source engines, Day of Defeat: Source, The Orange Box, and both Portal games. Green retired from Valve for the second time recently, having returned in 2023 after a six-year hiatus. He shared insights from his career in a blog post and hosted AMAs on Reddit. Green previously worked at Leaping Lizard Software, where he helped develop Magic: The Gathering Online. He noted that Valve's work culture allows for personal projects, but newcomers may face challenges if their ideas deviate from mainstream expectations. His retirement announcement included details about his home office setup, which features advanced technology, and he expressed enthusiasm for pursuing personal projects, likely to be shared on GitHub.
Fallout 5: Everything Todd Howard Has Said About Bethesda's New Game
AppWizard
July 17, 2026

Fallout 5: Everything Todd Howard Has Said About Bethesda’s New Game

Bethesda Game Studios has confirmed that Fallout 5 has officially entered pre-production. Todd Howard, the director of Bethesda, hinted at the game's existence in 2021 and stated that Fallout 5 will be released after The Elder Scrolls 6. The Fallout show on Prime Video's crew is aware of Fallout 5's development, and Howard has ensured that the show's narrative will not interfere with the game's storyline. The game is expected to remain set in the United States, in line with the franchise's tradition. Howard has expressed a desire not to rush the development of Fallout 5, emphasizing the importance of creating a meaningful single-player experience. He reassured fans that Bethesda is actively developing new content, even as the timeline for Fallout 5 remains uncertain. The events of the Fallout show will influence the game's narrative. Fallout 5 is being developed on the Creation Engine 3, and it is too early to determine if it will be an Xbox exclusive.
The Phocus Mobile app for Hasselblad cameras has finally arrived on Android
AppWizard
July 17, 2026

The Phocus Mobile app for Hasselblad cameras has finally arrived on Android

Phocus Mobile has launched on Android, allowing users to process, view, and export RAW photographs from smartphones and tablets. The app is compatible with Hasselblad cameras such as the X2D II 100C, X2D 100C, and 907X & CFV 100C. It features the Hasselblad Natural Colour Solution (HNCS), AI-powered noise reduction, editing tools, and a photo management system. For HDR-capable devices, it processes images with full dynamic range and fine-tunes HDR highlights. The app includes Hasselblad Natural Noise Reduction (HNNR) for low-light photography, reducing noise in 100MP RAW images in about 15 to 20 seconds. Phocus Mobile offers two processing modes: Purity Mode for noise reduction and Detail Mode for capturing microtextures and fine details.
Major Price Drop: Microsoft Office and Windows 11 down to $26
Winsage
July 17, 2026

Major Price Drop: Microsoft Office and Windows 11 down to $26

Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 and Windows 11 Pro are available for a one-time fee of .99, regularly priced at 9. This bundle includes a lifetime license for both products without any recurring fees. Microsoft 365 Personal costs .99 annually for only the Office suite, totaling nearly 0 over five years without an OS license. The Office 2019 suite includes core apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access, featuring enhanced tools and capabilities. Windows 11 Pro offers a sleek interface, robust security features, and productivity tools. Both licenses are perpetual, eliminating subscription management.
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