Unfortunately Archives

Winsage

September 22, 2026

Microsoft admits Windows 11’s emergency update still breaks audio, and a fix may not arrive until October

Windows 11 is facing ongoing challenges with audio functionality following recent updates, particularly with the emergency update KB5129195 released on September 14. This update aimed to fix issues from the September Patch Tuesday update (KB5124008) but has led to new problems, including compromised audio output on some devices and disruptions in secure trust relationships for enterprise systems. Users have reported error messages like “This device cannot start (Code 10)” in Device Manager, and issues with USB audio devices. Microsoft is investigating these audio problems but has not provided a timeline for resolution. Additionally, there are reports of GPU issues on AMD systems, including driver timeouts and black screens, affecting various Radeon models such as RX 6600, RX 7700 XT, RX 7800 XT, RX 7900 GRE, RX 7900 XTX, and RX 9070 XT. Some users found that uninstalling the September update alleviated these problems, but the emergency update KB5129195 does not address the GPU errors.

AppWizard

September 22, 2026

RatHat is a new Android malware that records your screen touches to steal passwords

Cybersecurity researchers at Zimperium have identified a new strain of malware called RatHat, targeting Android devices and linked to threat actors from China. RatHat uses generative AI to maintain persistence and control over infected devices. The malware is typically spread through social engineering, tricking users into downloading counterfeit applications that appear legitimate. Once installed, RatHat requests accessibility permissions, activates Wireless Debugging, and can capture text messages, create overlays, and steal passwords and multi-factor authentication codes. Its AI capabilities allow it to navigate the device interface in real-time, making detection by security software more difficult. To protect against RatHat, users should avoid downloading apps from untrustworthy sources, and removal requires a factory reset of the device.

BetaBeacon

September 21, 2026

Gaming on the Pixel 11 is a mess, and I traced it to one hidden setting

ANGLE is a compatibility layer that implements OpenGL ES on top of Vulkan, allowing OpenGL ES games to make OpenGL calls while ANGLE translates them into Vulkan commands for the GPU driver. The Pixel 11 has transitioned to an OpenGL ES-on-Vulkan architecture as part of a broader Android graphics strategy, but this change may not be completely transparent across all workloads, leading to microstuttering or jank in some games. Users can change ANGLE preferences on a per-app basis to try the native OpenGL option and potentially reduce frame-time spikes.

AppWizard

September 20, 2026

This simple Duolingo trick brings back hearts and gets rid of the annoying ads

The Duolingo app has undergone significant changes, particularly affecting free users who now experience increased ads for Super Duolingo and third-party games, as well as a new energy bar system that limits practice sessions based on energy rather than mistakes. A workaround exists that allows users to create a web app version of Duolingo, which restores the previous heart system, eliminates ads, and reduces distractions, providing a more streamlined learning experience. This web app resembles earlier versions of Duolingo, allowing users to focus on learning without the interruptions of gamification elements. However, it lacks some features like answer explanations and may feel less visually appealing and slightly clunkier.

Winsage

September 20, 2026

The hidden Windows feature quietly filling up your SSD—and how to rein it in

Microsoft introduced a feature called point-in-time restore in Windows 11, which creates snapshots of the system every 24 hours to enhance recovery options. This feature began rolling out in late June 2026 and is typically enabled by default for boot drives of 200GB or larger. It uses the Volume Shadow Copy Service to generate restore points that are available for 72 hours before being purged. The feature can consume significant storage space, initially occupying 3.9GB and potentially increasing to over 18GB within two months, reaching a maximum of 2% of the total disk space. Users can adjust the storage usage settings or disable the feature entirely to reclaim space. The default maximum usage can be modified to as low as 0.2%. There are concerns that this feature should have been opt-in rather than opt-out due to its storage implications.

BetaBeacon

September 20, 2026

This cheap handheld can emulate games, but also plays your physical GBA cartridges

The GAMEMT MTX is a new handheld gaming device that allows you to play physical Game Boy Advance cartridges via emulation, as well as emulate other consoles using ROM files. It also supports software emulation of platforms such as SNES, Genesis, PS1, and PSP. The device features a 4-inch IPS LCD screen, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of expandable storage, and a 3,000mAh battery. It does not have analog sticks but includes four face buttons and four shoulder keys. The handheld can be purchased for a promotional price of .99.

BetaBeacon

September 19, 2026

Dave the Diver mobile port makes a splash on Android and iOS

Dave the Diver, an indie hit originally launched in 2023, is now available on Android and iOS for .99 on the Google Play Store. The game offers a vast amount of content to explore and includes the Dredge DLC crossover for free. The mobile version features adjustable touchscreen layouts, gyro tilt controls, and a fast-travel feature for quicker progression.

Winsage

September 18, 2026

How to measure and shrink the Windows search index

The initial storage cost of the search index on a fresh installation of Windows 11 is minimal, only a few megabytes. When a sizable work folder is added, the index expands, but it does not revert to its original size after the folder is removed. The search index is stored in Windows.db for Windows 11 and Windows.edb for Windows 10. Windows 11 has two indexing modes: Classic (default) and Enhanced, with Classic indexing Documents, Pictures, Music folders, and the Desktop, while Enhanced scans the entire PC. The index includes file names and content, allowing keyword searches. Users can measure their index items through Settings without special permissions, while file size requires administrative access via PowerShell. An index under 30,000 items is acceptable for average users, while performance issues may arise beyond 400,000 items, with a technical ceiling of one million items. In an experiment, the index grew from 462 items and 6.71 MB to 3,466 items and 18.66 MB after adding 3,000 text files, but remained at 16.81 MB after deleting those files. To reclaim disk space, users can exclude specific folders from indexing and rebuild the index, which can significantly reduce its size while retaining the same number of items.

Winsage

September 17, 2026

Windows Search’s default indexing mode could be writing gigabytes to your SSD every day for a feature almost nobody uses

The search index on Windows 11 can contribute to storage bloat, with reported sizes varying significantly among users. The search index database, named Windows.db, is crucial for delivering quick search results and can grow dramatically, with some users experiencing sizes exceeding 200GB. A PowerShell script can be used to check the size of the Windows.db file. If the file size is unusually large, users can rebuild the search index through the Indexing Options in the Control Panel. Windows 11 has two indexing modes: Classic and Enhanced, which affect the size and number of indexed items. Classic mode indexes specific folders, while Enhanced mode indexes the entire PC. Excluding certain directories can help manage index size. Performance issues may arise on PCs with over 400,000 indexed items.

BetaBeacon

September 17, 2026

Dave the Diver mobile port makes a splash on Android and iOS

Dave the Diver, originally launched in 2023 on PC and consoles, is now available on Android and iOS for .99 on the Google Play Store. The game offers a discounted price in the Philippines until Oct. 1 and includes the Dredge DLC crossover for free. The mobile version does not include certain DLCs from the PC and console versions. The game features adjustable touchscreen layouts, gyro tilt controls, and a fast-travel feature for quicker progression. It can run at 60 frames per second for better visuals.