Users Archives

AppWizard

April 24, 2026

Valve is giving Steam Deck game devs real player performance data

Valve is providing developers with 30 days of average frame rate data for games that have achieved Steam Deck Verified status to help optimize performance for handheld gaming. This data allows developers to monitor performance, especially after updates, and addresses discrepancies between Verified ratings and user experiences. Valve plans to extend this feature to Steam Deck Playable games, potentially allowing developers to display performance metrics on store pages. The timeline view will help track performance impacts from updates, and developers may highlight impressive statistics on their store pages.

AppWizard

April 24, 2026

‘We don’t have to fire 1000 people to keep it working’: Facepunch Studios says paying s&box game developers is sustainable, with ‘$500,000 paid out to date’

Facepunch Studios will launch its game creation platform, s&box, on April 28, available on Steam. It is built on the Source Engine 2 and is considered a "spiritual successor to Garry's Mod." The platform features a unique monetization model allowing developers to receive payments directly for their creations without Facepunch taking a cut. Developers maintain complete ownership of their games and can export them as standalone titles on Steam. There are no royalties or hidden fees involved. Garry Newman, CEO of Facepunch Studios, emphasizes a community-centric approach, aiming to uplift the community through the platform.

AppWizard

April 24, 2026

WhatsApp working on Android notification bubble support instead of Facebook’s wonky ‘Chat Heads’

WhatsApp is reportedly working on incorporating support for notification bubbles, a feature that allows conversations to be displayed in a floating format, enabling users to switch between chats and other applications easily. This feature is currently in early beta versions and is not yet available to the general public. Unlike Facebook Messenger, which uses a semi-custom solution for bubbles on non-Pixel devices, WhatsApp aims for a more cohesive implementation that aligns with Android's native bubble functionality. There is no official timeline for the rollout of this feature to all users.

Winsage

April 24, 2026

Your Windows update experience just got updated

Windows Insiders are receiving enhancements to the Windows Update experience based on user feedback, focusing on providing more control and reducing disruptions. Key features include: 1. The ability to skip updates during the out-of-box experience (OOBE). 2. Extended options for pausing updates for up to 35 days, with the ability to re-pause as needed. 3. Separation of power actions from update actions, allowing users to shut down or restart without triggering updates. 4. Enhanced insights on available updates, including device class information for driver updates. Additionally, the update process will be unified to minimize reboots, with a single restart expected per month for most users. Updates will download in the background and can be manually initiated by users. Improvements also focus on reducing update times and implementing automatic recovery measures for update failures.

Winsage

April 24, 2026

Microsoft to roll out Entra passkeys on Windows in late April

Microsoft will introduce passkey support for phishing-resistant passwordless authentication on Microsoft Entra-protected resources starting in late April, with broader availability expected by mid-June 2026. This feature will allow passwordless sign-in on unmanaged Windows devices and will support various device types, including corporate, personal, and shared options. Administrators can manage passkeys through Conditional Access and Authentication Methods policies. Users can create device-bound passkeys stored securely within the Windows Hello container, using methods like facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, or a PIN. The passkeys will adhere to FIDO2 standards and will be securely bound to individual devices, preventing transmission over the network to enhance security against phishing and malware attacks. Microsoft has also announced plans for mandatory multifactor authentication registration for Entra tenants by October 2024 and that all new accounts will be passwordless by default starting in May 2025.

Tech Optimizer

April 24, 2026

Fileless Malware and Email Authentication Gaps

Fileless malware operates stealthily within networks, utilizing legitimate system tools like PowerShell and Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) to execute malicious code in memory without leaving traces on disk. Traditional antivirus solutions struggle to detect these threats due to their reliance on file signatures. The primary vector for fileless malware is email, where attackers use spoofed messages to trick users into activating malicious scripts. Misconfigurations in Sender Policy Framework (SPF) and DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) records create vulnerabilities that attackers exploit to deliver spoofed emails. Traditional endpoint protection mechanisms are inadequate against fileless attacks, necessitating a shift towards behavioral analysis for detection. Organizations must assess their preparedness by ensuring proper email authentication configurations and enhancing endpoint security capabilities. Integration among security teams and updated employee security awareness programs are also essential. Sendmarc helps organizations mitigate vulnerabilities by providing visibility into SPF, DKIM, and DMARC configurations and enforcing DMARC to block unauthenticated messages.

AppWizard

April 24, 2026

GOG Giving Away PC Game For Free for Limited Time

GOG is offering a free download of the 2022 point-and-click horror game, The Whispering Valley, until April 28, after which it will return to its regular price of .99. This is the first time the game has been available for free on any PC platform. Developed by Studio Chien d’Or, the game has a rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars on GOG and an 89% approval rating on Steam, where it is rated as "Very Positive." The game is set in the village of Sainte-Monique-Des-Monts, Quebec, in 1896, featuring a haunting narrative and atmospheric gameplay. User reviews praise its atmosphere and story but mention long loading times and simplistic gameplay mechanics. The game has a playtime of approximately two to three hours.

AppWizard

April 24, 2026

20 tricks for more efficient Android messaging

The Google Messages app for Android has introduced a feature that allows users to locate and restore deleted messages. Users can personalize notification icons by transforming their face into an icon. The app includes a Priority conversation setting that lets users assign special sounds to individual messages. A snooze option allows users to temporarily dismiss messages without missing them, and timestamps in messages link to the user's calendar. Event creation has been simplified with a new button next to text suggestions, and users can send messages at any time. The search functionality is enhanced for finding conversations, and each conversation can be assigned a distinctive color for better organization. In-line video expansion and enriched web links improve content viewing, and customizable swipe actions streamline navigation within the app.

Winsage

April 24, 2026

Microsoft Throws IT Admins a Bone With Ability to Remove Copilot From Windows

Microsoft is adjusting its rollout strategy for Copilot AI in Windows 11 in response to user concerns by slowing down the introduction and visibility of AI features. IT administrators can now completely remove Copilot from their systems with the new setting called RemoveMicrosoftCopilotApp, introduced in Windows 11, version 25H2 (KB5083769). This feature allows for non-disruptive uninstallation of Copilot for organizations using Pro, Enterprise, Education, or IoT Enterprise editions. Specific criteria must be met for effective removal: both Microsoft 365 Copilot and Microsoft Copilot must be installed, the app should not have been installed by the user, and it must not have been launched in the past 28 days. The change is reversible, allowing for reinstallation if needed.

Winsage

April 24, 2026

I got an inside look at the plan to bring the soul back to Windows 11 — Microsoft’s bet on quality, community, and making the OS feel human again

Microsoft is implementing significant changes to the Windows Insider Program and Windows 11 to enhance user engagement and address feedback from the community. Key changes include: - A simplified channel strategy with clearer purpose-driven channels: an Experimental track for early feature flags and a Beta track for a more predictable experience. - Introduction of a feature-flags page in Experimental builds, allowing testers to opt into visible features. - Easier transitions between channels without the need for complete reinstalls. - The appointment of Directly Responsible Individuals (DRIs) for each priority area to synthesize feedback and telemetry for improvements. Upcoming enhancements for Windows 11 include new taskbar positioning options, improved integration of Copilot, updates to File Explorer, and better user control over updates and widgets. A redesigned Feedback Hub will streamline the feedback submission process. Microsoft acknowledges the need for accountability and aims to rebuild trust within the community by ensuring quality in Beta builds and publicly recognizing community contributions. The focus will remain on refining Windows 11 rather than launching a new version like Windows 12. The company is committed to reengineering the Windows experience to provide users with more control and flexibility.