Upgrade Archives

AppWizard

August 13, 2026

GeForce NOW comes to Linux, as Nvidia’s game streaming service exits beta

The prices of graphics cards and RAM have increased significantly, making building new PCs expensive for gamers. Cloud-streaming services like Nvidia's GeForce NOW provide an alternative by allowing access to existing game libraries from platforms such as Steam and Epic Games. The highest tier membership offers 5K streaming and up to 360 FPS for .99 per month. Nvidia's GeForce NOW has launched a native Linux application, moving out of beta, which allows Linux users to stream games at graphical fidelity comparable to RTX 5080 levels, with official support for Ubuntu 24.04 and later. The service has added nine new games, bringing the total to over 4,500 compatible titles. Since early 2026, a 100-hour monthly streaming cap has been implemented for all users to manage demand.

Winsage

August 13, 2026

Windows 10 users are getting locked out of new Microsoft 365 features in a bid to push for Windows 11

Microsoft will stop providing new features for Microsoft 365 to users on Windows 10 once stable version 2608 is released. After that, Windows 10 users will only receive security updates until October 10, 2028, which is the end of extended security support for Windows 10. Devices on Windows 10 will remain on version 2608 and will not receive new features, except for the OneDrive desktop app, which will continue to receive updates until October 2028 for users on Windows 10 version 22H2. The current stable version of Microsoft 365 is 2607, and version 2608 is in the release preview channel.

Winsage

August 12, 2026

Microsoft fixes 421 bugs and a Windows zero-day in August Patch Tuesday

Microsoft's August Patch Tuesday update addressed 421 vulnerabilities across various products, including multiple versions of Windows (11 25H2/24H2, 11 23H2, and 10). A critical zero-day flaw, the "Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability," allows attackers with lower-level access to gain system privileges without user interaction. Additionally, the update addresses two other zero-day flaws, including the "Windows User Profile Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability," which has not yet been exploited but was publicly disclosed. The update is mandatory and should automatically install on supported PCs, with users encouraged to verify its application. The update also includes minor improvements to Windows features, such as enhancements to File Explorer, Windows Hello, Voice Access, and touchpad controls.

Winsage

August 12, 2026

Windows 11 Gets Dynamic File Sizes in File Explorer, Low Latency Profile for Apps, and More

Microsoft's August update, KB5121003, includes several enhancements: - The File Explorer now displays file sizes in kilobytes (KB), megabytes (MB), or gigabytes (GB) dynamically, simplifying file management. - The Low Latency Profile is expanded to more applications, improving launch speeds for Microsoft apps like Edge and Outlook by up to 40%, and other system components by up to 70%. - Windows Search has been improved to better handle typos and incomplete queries, prioritizing relevant results and indexing files across the operating system. - The Start Menu now more effectively respects user preferences, ensuring consistent settings.

Winsage

August 12, 2026

Smart PC users are upgrading to Windows 11 Pro while it’s only $10

Windows 11 Pro is available for .97, reduced from its regular price of 9, until August 20. The operating system features a modern user interface, enhanced multitasking, improved security with BitLocker, virtualization capabilities with Hyper-V, integration with Azure AD, and an AI-powered Copilot.

Tech Optimizer

August 11, 2026

Best Free Antivirus Software 2026: Tested and Ranked

Avast Free Antivirus is recognized as the best free antivirus software for 2026, having undergone rigorous testing and achieved a perfect score of 6/6/6 from AV-TEST in June 2026. It offers extensive features including real-time malware blocking, a Ransomware Shield, and Wi-Fi network scanning, all at no cost. The installation process takes approximately 2 minutes and 35 seconds, and it allows for unlimited installations across multiple platforms. Avast generates revenue through upsells and bundled software during installation. In testing, it achieved a 99.97% online protection rate with only 9 false alarms, with a quick scan taking just over a minute and a full scan taking about 14 minutes and 38 seconds. The application opens automatically at every Windows startup, which may be inconvenient for some users. Other notable free antivirus options include Bitdefender Antivirus Free, AVG AntiVirus Free, Microsoft Defender, Avira Free Security, and Malwarebytes Free, each with their own strengths and limitations.

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

Star Wars: Galactic Racer’s singleplayer is a clever roguelike gauntlet I could easily sink hours into

Players will soon have the opportunity to play Star Wars: Galactic Racer, a racing game featuring vehicles like Landspeeders, skim speeders, and speeder-bikes, as well as podracing. Each vehicle has a unique handling style, with Landspeeders offering smooth drifting, skim speeders allowing sideways navigation, and speeder-bikes providing high speed with less control. The game includes galactic tours with branching paths and upgrade choices, emphasizing mechanics like drifting, boosting, and aggressive speed bursts. Players can engage in takedowns and use abilities such as shields and flamethrowers. Races require players to place in the top ranks, with elimination races disqualifying the slowest pilots. Players earn credits and tokens for upgrades and cosmetics, even in defeat. The game features a captivating atmosphere with interactions among a colorful cast of rival racers and includes both multiplayer and a single-player roguelike mode. Further details on multiplayer features will be revealed closer to the release.

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

Brand new PC bundle gives you 14 games with a short playtime for just $12

PC gamers can purchase the Short Games Showcase Bundle curated by Humble Bundle until August 28, 2026. The bundle includes a standard 14-item collection priced at .00 and a 7-item selection available for .00. Notable games in the bundle include: - Fill Up The Hole: Released on July 17, 2025, with a Steam rating of 90% positive. - Old Man's Journey: Released on May 18, 2017, with a Steam rating of 87% positive. - Teacup: Released on September 23, 2021, with a Steam rating of 96% positive. - A Juggler's Tale: Released on September 29, 2021, with a Steam rating of 93% positive. - Scanner Sombre: Released on April 26, 2017, with a Steam rating of 91% positive. - Astro Prospector: Released on July 14, 2025, with a Steam rating of 92% positive. - A Tiny Sticker Tale: Released on October 4, 2023, with a Steam rating of 97% positive. - Botany Manor: Released on April 9, 2024, with a Steam rating of 94% positive. - Biped: Released on March 26, 2020, with a Steam rating of 85% positive. - Monster Prom 2: Monster Camp: Released on October 23, 2020, with a Steam rating of 97% positive. - Anomaly Agent: Released on January 24, 2024, with a Steam rating of 94% positive. - NanoApostle: Released on September 12, 2024, with a Steam rating of 95% positive. - Knightica: Released on August 21, 2025, with a Steam rating of 74% positive. - The Dark Queen of Mortholme: Released on August 15, 2025, with a Steam rating of 83% positive.

Winsage

August 11, 2026

5 years later, Windows 10 refuses to die, and Microsoft just can’t push holdouts to Windows 11

Windows 11 was released in 2021, but Windows 10 remains a significant presence, with approximately 17% market share among enterprise PCs as of 2026. Lansweeper reports that Windows 10 has lost users, dropping from nearly 50% in early 2025 to around 40% by October 2025, and settling at 16.9% a year later. Key sectors using Windows 10 include healthcare (23%), consumer retail (22.7%), small and medium businesses (21.4%), manufacturing (18%), and enterprises (16.6%). Windows 10 has 1,903 active CVEs compared to 652 on Windows 11, indicating a 2.9 times higher vulnerability. About 14% of Windows 10 users receive Extended Security Updates, leaving 2% on unsupported versions. HP reports that 30% of its installed base still uses Windows 10, reflecting a core group resistant to upgrading. Microsoft states that Windows is active on 1.6 billion PCs globally, with a noted 7% decrease in Windows OEM revenue attributed to lower PC demand and the end-of-support effects for Windows 10.

Winsage

August 10, 2026

Windows 11 26H2 Ships as an Enablement Package With Movable Taskbar, Local Search, and Default Cloud Recovery

Windows 11 version 26H2 is expected to launch around October 2026 as a small enablement package using the same Germanium platform as versions 24H2 and 25H2. Key enhancements include a movable taskbar, expanded Start menu controls, deeper Copilot integration, and new default cloud recovery settings for managed PCs. Users on versions 24H2 or 25H2 will experience a quick upgrade process requiring only one reboot. The taskbar will allow repositioning and smaller icon sizes, and the Start menu will have new configuration options and privacy settings. Search functionality will prioritize local content, with an option to disable web results. The update will enhance cloud-assisted setup and recovery for eligible Microsoft Entra devices, enabling automatic backup of settings and app lists. Copilot will be integrated into Search and File Explorer, and Windows Security will improve Administrator Protection. The support timeline for 26H2 will reset, offering 24 months for Home and Pro editions and 36 months for Enterprise and Education editions. Hardware requirements remain unchanged, and Arm devices on Windows 11 26H1 will not receive the 26H2 update.