transparent Archives

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

‘Off the wishlist it comes’: 007 First Light fans are requesting refunds after learning about Denuvo DRM addition ahead of launch

IO Interactive has decided to implement Denuvo Digital Rights Management (DRM) into the game 007 First Light just days before its launch, leading to significant discontent among potential players who have expressed their frustrations on Steam and initiated refund requests. Players criticize Denuvo for its impact on game performance and restrictions on PC users, with many stating they will not purchase the game at launch as a result. Denuvo has faced scrutiny for its effectiveness, as many games have been cracked despite its use. The likelihood of IO Interactive reversing its decision to include Denuvo seems low, reflecting a trend among game publishers prioritizing anti-piracy measures over consumer satisfaction.

Winsage

May 22, 2026

Microsoft brings back personalization to Windows 11

Microsoft is addressing user feedback on Windows 11 by enhancing taskbar and Start menu customization. Users will soon be able to reposition the taskbar to the top or sides of the screen and choose icon alignment. This feature aims to provide more flexibility and improve user experience, particularly for those needing additional vertical screen space. The updates are currently available to Windows Insider Preview participants and can be adjusted in the settings. Additionally, the Start menu will see changes, allowing users to disable sections like Recommended and Pinned, rename the Recommended section to Recent, and choose between small and large sizes for the menu. These enhancements are expected to roll out to all Windows 11 users soon.

Winsage

May 21, 2026

The 13 biggest Windows 11 changes from early May — and why they matter for 2026

Microsoft has released several preview builds of Windows 11 as part of the Windows Insider Program in early May 2026, focusing on refining existing functionalities. Key updates include: 1. Taskbar position settings: Users can now reposition the Taskbar to the top, left, or right edges of the screen with build 26300.8493. 2. Modern Run dialog: A redesigned Run dialog was introduced in build 26300.8346, featuring a modern aesthetic and support for light and dark modes. 3. Share interface with suggestions: App suggestions for Azure Active Directory users have been added to the Windows Share interface. 4. File Explorer improvements: Enhancements have been made to address loading issues and improve the "Favorites" section and thumbnail displays. 5. Widgets changes: Default settings for Widgets have been adjusted to minimize distractions, including disabling hover opening and Taskbar badges. 6. Windows Search box with improved results: The search interface will prioritize local apps and files over web results starting with build 26300.8493. 7. New spinner design for core experiences: A unified donut-style spinner animation has been introduced for various core experiences. 8. Touchpad gesture controls: New precision touchpad gestures have been added to adjust scroll and zoom speeds. 9. Home to Pro Education free upgrade: Eligible K-12 organizations can upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Pro Education at no cost. 10. Task Manager with new NPU visibility: The Task Manager now includes columns for "NPU" and "NPU Engine" in relevant tabs. 11. Voice Typing on the touch keyboard: The touch keyboard's Voice Typing feature has been updated with a new button and animations. 12. Windows Update overhaul: Users can skip updates during setup and pause updates indefinitely in 35-day blocks starting with build 28020.2134. 13. Shared Audio feature: The new "Shared Audio" feature allows two users to listen to the same audio stream from one computer using Bluetooth LE Audio technology.

Winsage

May 17, 2026

I got tired of hunting through Windows for every setting, so I built my own control center

The utility created simplifies Windows management by consolidating various settings and diagnostics into a single interface. It provides an overview of system metrics such as DNS latency, system uptime, and temporary file accumulation. The application includes dedicated pages for health checks, network insights, services, scheduled tasks, drives, drivers, power plans, gaming toggles, privacy settings, and taskbar configuration. Each diagnostic is executed through PowerShell scripts, with results displayed in a user-friendly format. The utility maintains transparency by creating .reg backups before modifying the registry and allows users to revert changes easily. It is open-source, lightweight, and designed for personal use rather than debloating. The program's structure enables users to inspect and modify scripts, ensuring clarity and control over system adjustments.

Tech Optimizer

May 15, 2026

From commit to cloud: Powering what’s next for PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL is widely used across various industries, supported by Microsoft through significant investments, including 345 commits to the latest release and a dedicated team of contributors. It is recognized for its ability to handle complex production challenges, such as transactional integrity and concurrency management. Microsoft operates PostgreSQL globally, informing upstream contributions based on real-world deployment experiences. The database is increasingly integrated into AI applications, with Azure Database for PostgreSQL and Azure HorizonDB focusing on AI functionalities. Microsoft offers multiple deployment models to accommodate different workload needs, including Azure Database for PostgreSQL for open-source workloads and Azure HorizonDB for cloud-native systems. Recent contributions from Microsoft include enhancements in asynchronous I/O, vacuum behavior, and query planning. Azure HorizonDB is designed for high-throughput, low-latency systems requiring horizontal scaling. Microsoft also invests in developer tools, such as a Visual Studio Code extension for PostgreSQL, and sponsors PostgreSQL conferences and user groups globally.

Winsage

May 13, 2026

Windows BitLocker zero-day gives access to protected drives, PoC released

A cybersecurity researcher known as Chaotic Eclipse has released proof-of-concept exploits for two unpatched vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows: YellowKey, a BitLocker bypass, and GreenPlasma, a privilege-escalation flaw. The YellowKey vulnerability affects Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022/2025, allowing unauthorized access to BitLocker-protected volumes by exploiting the Windows Recovery Environment. The exploit can be executed using specially crafted 'FsTx' files on a USB drive or directly on the EFI partition. Independent researcher Kevin Beaumont has validated the exploit, which can bypass BitLocker protections even in a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) environment. The GreenPlasma vulnerability allows unprivileged users to create arbitrary memory-section objects, potentially leading to privilege escalation. Chaotic Eclipse has expressed dissatisfaction with Microsoft's handling of bug reports, prompting the public disclosure of these vulnerabilities. Microsoft has stated its commitment to investigating security issues and updating affected devices.

Tech Optimizer

May 13, 2026

Nine Enterprise Security Solutions Certified in AV-Comparatives 2026 EDR Detection Validation Test

AV-Comparatives conducted the 2026 EDR Detection Validation Test, certifying nine enterprise solutions for their detection capabilities. The certified products include Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security Enterprise, ESET PROTECT Elite, Fortinet FortiEDR, G DATA 365 | MXDR, Genian Insight E, Kaspersky EDR Expert (on-premises), ManageEngine Endpoint Central with EDR, Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR Pro, and Sangfor Athena AI-Native EPP. The evaluation focused on the effectiveness, consistency, and usability of detection capabilities, providing a clear overview of each product's performance in a realistic 14-stage Advanced Persistent Threat scenario. The assessment ensured that results were not influenced by prevention mechanisms and highlighted the role of AI in improving detection result readability and SOC efficiency.

AppWizard

May 12, 2026

Mixtape is at the center of another tedious culture war discourse, and I think I know why

Harvey Randall recently reviewed the game Mixtape from Annapurna Interactive, rating it a 74. The game received mixed reviews, with IGN giving it a perfect 10, VGC a five-star rating, and GameSpot and Nintendo Life scoring it nine, while GamesRadar+ rated it four stars. Discussions have arisen regarding the game's ties to the Israeli Defense Forces, leading some to reconsider their support for Annapurna, although Randall finds claims of astroturfing unfounded. He argues that the developer, Beethoven & Dinosaur, is transparent about its partnership with a publisher. The game features themes of nostalgia and explores a fantastical version of '90s suburban America, with character dynamics that hint at deeper themes without overtly pushing social agendas. Randall describes Mixtape as a charming character drama that elicits laughter and warmth, despite differing personal experiences. He acknowledges the subjective nature of gaming experiences and the range of opinions surrounding the game.

BetaBeacon

May 11, 2026

How to play Steam PC games on Android phones and tablets (for real)

Valve released Proton in 2018, a fork of Wine that improves Linux compatibility with Windows games. By 2024, it became possible to run full-blown PC games from 1997 to 2005 on phones with Snapdragon processors. In 2025, GameSir released GameHub, allowing users to play Steam games on Android devices. Other open-source projects like GameNative and GameHub Lite have since improved the gaming experience on Android devices.

Winsage

May 11, 2026

Rustinel: Open-source endpoint detection for Windows and Linux

Open-source endpoint detection tools have typically been divided between Windows and Linux, with Windows solutions focused on Sysmon and Linux solutions on eBPF or auditd. Rustinel is a Rust-based endpoint agent that consolidates these efforts by gathering telemetry from both operating systems using ETW on Windows and eBPF on Linux, normalizing the data into a unified model. It evaluates the information against Sigma rules, YARA signatures, and atomic indicators of compromise, storing alerts in ECS-compatible NDJSON format for integration with SIEM or log-analysis platforms. Rustinel supports a range of events on Windows, including process creation, network activity, and PowerShell executions, while Linux support currently includes process, network, file, and DNS telemetry. It operates in user mode on both platforms, requiring specific conditions for installation. Unlike commercial EDR solutions that use kernel drivers, Rustinel's user-mode design prioritizes simplicity and stability, although it acknowledges limitations in tamper resistance and visibility. The agent utilizes three detection engines: Sigma for behavioral matching, YARA for scanning executables, and an IOC engine for deterministic checks. While it leverages existing content familiar to defenders, it has coverage gaps for certain advanced threats. Rustinel is available on GitHub under the Apache 2.0 license.