transition Archives

Winsage

May 6, 2026

Microsoft confirms Windows 11’s File Explorer is sluggish, and preloading isn’t the only fix coming

Microsoft has increased its public relations efforts to highlight enhancements in Windows 11, announcing performance and reliability fixes following an update from Marcus Ash, the Windows Insider lead. Tali Roth, Microsoft’s Head of Product for Windows Shell, addressed user dissatisfaction with the preloading of File Explorer, which is seen as a resource-intensive solution that does not resolve underlying performance issues. Critics argue that while preloading improves initial launch times, it consumes an additional ~35MB of RAM and does not eliminate delays in folder navigation and other functions. In response to the criticism, Roth explained that Microsoft employs a multi-faceted strategy for improving File Explorer, which includes targeted optimizations to the launch sequence, removing unnecessary processes, and addressing deeper foundational issues. These improvements are being rolled out incrementally, with recent Insider builds showcasing enhancements like reduced visual glitches and a modernized Properties dialog.

AppWizard

May 6, 2026

Dying Light boss Tymon Smektała is stepping down, but “can’t wait to experience its next chapter”

Tymon Smektała, the director of the Dying Light franchise, has announced his departure from developer Techland to pursue new opportunities. He has been instrumental as a producer for both Dying Light and its sequel, Dying Light 2. In a message shared on social media, he expressed gratitude to the community and his colleagues, emphasizing their role in shaping the franchise. The latest installment, Dying Light: The Beast, has received positive feedback, with 87% of Steam users rating it favorably. Techland is currently seeking a Lead Online Game Designer to develop new experiences in the Dying Light universe, and there is potential for future installments despite no official announcement regarding Dying Light 3.

Winsage

May 6, 2026

Windows 11’s new Run box is what happens when Microsoft actually cares: Replaces legacy Windows 95-era dialog with something new and better

Microsoft has introduced a redesigned Run dialog box for Windows 11, utilizing the modern UI framework WinUI 3. The new interface features improved speed, quick access to the home directory via the ~ command, and icons for frequently used programs. The browse button has been removed, a change that affects only 0.0038% of users based on data from a sample of 35 million. The new Run box is optional, allowing users to revert to the legacy interface if desired. This update is part of Microsoft's Windows K2 initiative aimed at enhancing performance and reliability for various users.

Winsage

May 6, 2026

For $26, you can get lifetime licenses to Microsoft Office and Windows 11 Pro

A bundle is available for .99 that includes Windows 11 Pro and a lifetime license for Microsoft Office 2019, significantly reduced from the regular price of 8. This package allows users to upgrade their older PCs from Windows 10 to a supported operating system while eliminating subscription fees for Office applications. Windows 11 Pro offers advanced security features and improved usability, while Office 2019 can be installed on a single device without ongoing costs. Both licenses are tied to one device, making it suitable for enhancing a single machine.

Tech Optimizer

May 6, 2026

How Aurora Blue-Green Upgrades Cut Our Postgres Downtime by 50X

Paxos has implemented Blue-Green upgrades to improve database maintenance for asset trading, achieving a 50-fold reduction in downtime from 30-120 minutes to approximately one minute. This upgrade strategy allows for real-time synchronization between a blue cluster handling production traffic and a new green cluster with the updated version. Challenges included issues with CREATE ROLE statements disrupting upgrades due to temporary roles and the necessity to drop replication slots before PostgreSQL 17, which could lead to data loss. Additionally, upon the green cluster becoming primary, it acquires a new cluster ID, requiring updates for clients using RDS IAM authentication. The transition to PostgreSQL 17 is anticipated to resolve the need to drop logical replication slots, preserving Change Data Capture (CDC) continuity.

AppWizard

May 6, 2026

Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Forza Horizon 6, Mixtape, Subnautica 2, and More

Final Fantasy V is available on May 5 for Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. Forza Horizon 6 will be available on May 19 for Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC, with early access starting on May 15. Ben 10 Power Trip is set for May 6 on Cloud, Console, and PC. Descenders Next (Game Preview) will also be available on May 6 for Cloud, Console, and PC. Wheel World, Wildgate, and Wuchang: Fallen Feathers will be released on May 6 for Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Mixtape will be available on May 7 for Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC. Outbound is scheduled for May 11 on Cloud, Console, and PC. Black Jacket and Call of the Elder Gods will be available on May 12 for Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC. Elite Dangerous will be available on May 12 for Cloud and Console. DOOM: The Dark Ages will be released on May 14 for Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC. Subnautica 2 (Game Preview) will also be available on May 14 for Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC. InKonbini: One Store. Many Stories was released on April 30 for Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC. Dead by Daylight’s Bloodbound Release Update is available now for Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Sea of Thieves: Last Ship Standing Act 3 is part of Season 19. World of Warships: Legends is available now for Cloud, Console, and PC. Titles leaving Game Pass on May 15 include Galacticare, Go Mecha Ball, Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo, Paw Patrol Rescue Wheels: Championship, and Planet of Lana.

Winsage

May 6, 2026

I saw the Windows 10 users holding out in Steam and wondered: Is this by choice, or are you priced out of PC gaming upgrades?

The April 2026 Steam survey results show that the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 with 8GB of VRAM remains the most common discrete graphics card among users. Approximately 25% of Windows users are utilizing Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program as Windows 10 nears its End-of-Life phase. The usage of Linux and macOS has slightly decreased, with Arch Linux identified as the leading distribution for Valve's SteamOS. Despite Microsoft's recommendation for 32GB of RAM, 16GB is still the most prevalent configuration among users.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

Fitbit’s Public Preview app is missing data for some users

The Fitbit app is experiencing issues for some users, particularly with the new timeline-style Today tab, which is largely blank and only shows minimal information. The updated Public Preview version of the app is malfunctioning, failing to provide the expected insights and AI-generated text summaries, which is problematic for users transitioning their legacy accounts to Google. The app relies on AI technology, specifically Gemini, for generating personalized guidance, but without these features, the interface appears empty. While some users have not faced these issues, others are concerned about potential data loss during the transition to Google accounts. A Fitbit moderator noted that some data may have been moved to the Fitness tab, and restarting the tracker and app may help resolve perceived data loss.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

Recent Arc Raiders Steam reviews hit ‘mixed’ for the first time since launch, and I can see why

Arc Raiders received over 41,000 positive reviews on Steam between October 30 and November 6 of last year, indicating early success and player enthusiasm. However, as of May 2026, the game has shifted to a mixed reception, particularly following the Riven Tides update, which failed to meet player expectations. Concerns include unsatisfactory game balance and accelerated weapon degradation, making gameplay frustrating. The development team is considering balancing adjustments in response to player feedback.

Winsage

May 5, 2026

Microsoft is finally ditching the junk MSN feed in Windows widgets

Microsoft will eliminate the MSN news feed from the widgets panel in Windows 11, shifting to a "quiet by default" experience. This change includes disabling the automatic opening of the widgets panel when hovering over its taskbar icon and turning off distracting taskbar badges by default. Users will now see a more personalized set of information in the widgets panel instead of notifications related to stocks, weather, or news. These updates aim to create a less distracting interface and improve the overall user experience in Windows 11, with further enhancements expected throughout 2026.