user experience Archives

Winsage

July 8, 2026

Windows 11’s new Cloud Rebuild can fix your PC even when it won’t boot

Microsoft has introduced a new recovery feature for Windows 11 called Cloud Rebuild, aimed at simplifying the restoration of non-booting PCs without the need for physical recovery drives. Announced at the Ignite 2025 conference, it is available in the Windows 11 Insider Experimental Preview Build 26300.8772. Cloud Rebuild allows users to restore their PCs to a clean state by performing a full OS reinstall, downloading the necessary Windows image and drivers directly from Windows Update. This feature is designed for recovery scenarios and can be accessed even when the system is unresponsive. It may first attempt a Quick Machine Recovery, and if that fails, it will transition to a cloud-based reinstallation. To use Cloud Rebuild, users must navigate to Troubleshoot → Recovery and Uninstallation → Cloud Rebuild within the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), and it will erase all existing files on the computer. Currently, it is primarily aimed at system administrators, and users of Windows 11 Home may consider upgrading to Windows 11 Pro to utilize its features.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

Cracked version of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced leaked days prior to official release despite Denuvo DRM protection — Denuvo unable to stop crackers, with some finding ways to completely remove it from other titles

The Denuvo anti-tamper technology has been bypassed in pre-release versions of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, allowing unauthorized copies to circulate since June 7, 2026, ahead of its official launch on July 9, 2026. This incident follows similar leaks of major titles earlier in the year, including Forza Horizon 6, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, and Subnautica 2. Critics argue that Denuvo causes performance issues and intrusive online checks, raising doubts about its effectiveness and necessity in protecting single-player titles.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

This fan-favorite Android Auto video app is calling it quits, but with a sweet goodbye update

Fermata Xtream, a popular app for streaming videos and live television on Android Auto, is ceasing further development as announced by its developer, Malebuffy. A final update, version 2.3.1, has been released, which includes enhancements such as fixed main menu item reordering, a main menu color change option, simplified mirroring functionality, the addition of a Plex client in an experimental phase, and various bug fixes. Fermata Xtream is a paid application, with a free version available on GitHub, but users need to purchase a paid “Enabler” app to access all features. There are no plans for future updates from the developer.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

LineageOS announces browser flashing, Android 17 plans, and new supported devices

LineageOS has released its "Summertime updates," introducing a new browser-based flashing tool for installing LineageOS directly from web browsers, supporting Fastboot, ADB, and Samsung’s Odin protocol. The Updater app has been redesigned with a Material 3 aesthetic and now displays the Android Security Bulletin (ASB) level for each update. The update process has been optimized to stream A/B OTA packages by default. LineageOS has adapted to Google’s Android 16 security patching model, focusing on quarterly releases while continuing to test and integrate monthly security patches. Development on LineageOS 24 has begun following the release of Android 17. The default Gallery app has been enhanced with features like Motion Photos and improved video playback, while other applications such as Seedvault, Etar Calendar, and the Twelve music player have also been updated. The update expands LineageOS support to new devices from Samsung, Motorola, Sony, and Xiaomi, with a full compatibility list available in the official announcement.

Winsage

July 8, 2026

You can soon restore Windows 11 from scratch even if it can’t boot up

Microsoft is previewing a recovery tool called Cloud rebuild for Windows 11, which allows for a clean reinstallation of the operating system even if it fails to boot. This tool automatically downloads the latest updates and drivers, eliminating the need for manual installations after recovery. Unlike the existing "Reset this PC" feature, Cloud rebuild does not retain personal files, settings, or applications, requiring users to restore these independently. To use Cloud rebuild, users need the latest Windows 11 insider build (Preview Build 26300.8772 or higher) and must follow specific steps in the Windows Recovery Environment. The timeline for broader availability of Cloud rebuild is uncertain, depending on ongoing testing and feedback. Other recovery options in Windows 11 include recovery drives, reset functions, Quick Machine Recovery, and a testing feature called Point-in-Time restore.

Winsage

July 8, 2026

This 3KB notepad app shows exactly why modern Windows is so bloated

Dave Plummer, known for creating the Windows Task Manager, discusses software bloat in a recent video, highlighting his compact notepad application, Tiny Retro Pad, which is only 2,686 bytes. He notes that while modern applications require higher specifications due to increased complexity, the lack of optimization in code has led to performance degradation. For example, Windows 10 required 1GB of RAM for its 32-bit version, while Windows 11 requires a minimum of 4GB. Plummer emphasizes the importance of efficient coding practices and critiques the tendency of modern software to include unnecessary components, suggesting that prioritizing efficiency could improve user experience on platforms like Windows 11.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Minecraft Preview 26.40.30

Players can find abandoned camps in the Pale Garden and Flower Forest biomes, which include a one-time use Straw Bed crafted from three hay bales. Cushions, available in 16 colors and crafted from three wool slabs, allow players to sit comfortably but are not currently spawning in abandoned camps. Various gameplay and graphical improvements have been made, including fixes for crafting recipes, ambient sounds, and rendering issues. Additionally, there are updates to the user interface, technical features, and stability enhancements, such as improved server self-repair capabilities and bug fixes related to commands and entity behavior.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Minecraft 26.3 Snapshot 3

In version 26.3, two new features have been introduced: the Cushion and the Straw Bed. The Cushion allows players to sit around a campfire and is available in 16 colors, crafted from three wool slabs of the same color. It can be placed on any flat surface, aligns horizontally to the grid, and overlaps with most objects. The Straw Bed enables players to sleep without setting a spawn point, can be used only once, and is destroyed after a single night's sleep. It is crafted from three hay bales, yielding four beds, and a new statistic tracks how many times players have slept in a Straw Bed. Additionally, the Data Pack version is now 110.0, and the Resource Pack version is 91.0. New commands for post effects have been added, and various gameplay mechanics have been updated, including changes to bed rules and loot tables. New block textures and sound events for the Straw Bed and Cushion have also been introduced, along with numerous bug fixes.

Winsage

July 7, 2026

Companies are now using automatic Windows installers to display Adware through the Microsoft Store when you install new hardware — customer immediately gets McAfee ads on their PC after connecting new LG monitor; here’s how to block the new ads

LG monitors are displaying unsolicited advertisements for McAfee, which users find intrusive and frustrating. This issue arose when the LG Monitor App Installer was automatically added to users' PCs, similar to how some motherboard software integrates during Windows reinstallation. Reports indicate that this is not an isolated incident, as other users have experienced the same problem. Additionally, other manufacturers like Alienware and Samsung may be engaging in similar practices, facilitated by a Microsoft policy that allows automatic downloads of related monitor software. This trend raises concerns about user consent and the prevalence of unwanted software installations.

Winsage

July 7, 2026

Windows 11 rejuvenation list just got longer, with more legacy dialogs headed to WinUI 3

Marcus Ash, head of Design and Research for Windows and Devices at Microsoft, confirmed that the outdated "Switch to a local account" dialog in Windows 11, which references the obsolete Windows 8 "Search charm," is set for an update. This dialog instructs users to use the Search charm, a feature removed since Windows 8.1. Microsoft is actively working on refreshing various classic dialogs within the Windows 11 ecosystem as part of their "rejuvenation" process, which aims to modernize outdated user interface elements. The Run dialog is also being updated, with a hidden modern version prepared for rollout. Additionally, improvements have been made to file operation dialogs, and the File Explorer Properties dialog is next in line for modernization. Microsoft is also addressing other outdated UI elements, including the input method switcher on the login screen. The sound designer for Windows 11 has rejoined the team, suggesting potential updates to system sounds.