Users Archives

AppWizard

July 16, 2026

GOG gently reminds us that it’s the leading PC gaming platform to offer full DRM-free games — yes, you can keep them forever

Sony is phasing out physical game discs and has removed 500 movies from its platform without compensation. Microsoft has laid off 3,200 Xbox game developers and suspended gamer accounts for reasons beyond users' control. GOG.com offers games without Digital Rights Management (DRM), allowing users to download standalone, offline installers and gain permanent ownership of their games. GOG's "Preservation Program" aims to keep games free from DRM.

AppWizard

July 16, 2026

PC gamer finds a creative way to convert their Steam games into physical cartridges

Sony announced it will cease production of physical PlayStation game discs by 2028. A PC gamer has created a system using individual SSDs as "game cartridges," each containing a dedicated game. These SSDs are housed in custom cases with game cover art and connect to a PC via a SATA dock. When an SSD is inserted, a script automatically directs Steam to the corresponding game page and launches it. The SSDs used are 128GB drives purchased for approximately €7 each, though costs may vary now. The setup requires games to be launched through Steam, and updates must be managed via the platform.

AppWizard

July 16, 2026

Amnesia: What If a Messenger Was Designed to Forget?

In digital communication, traditional messaging platforms act as persistent archives of user data, including accounts, devices, contacts, and interactions, which can hinder the essence of communication. While end-to-end encryption enhances privacy, it does not eliminate data retention. Amnesia is a concept that proposes a messaging platform emphasizing temporary communication with no permanent accounts or conversation histories. The initial prototype allows users to create one-time sessions using QR codes, ensuring that all data is destroyed once the session ends. Each session generates unique identity keys, preventing credential reuse and session token theft. The system does not retain any conversation history, reinforcing the principle that once a session is terminated, the data is irretrievable. Amnesia's relay facilitates communication without retaining user accounts or histories, and its design minimizes durable information to reduce risks. The project is currently an architectural concept and an early prototype, not ready for production or sensitive communications.

AppWizard

July 16, 2026

VK Sells RuStore to Developer’s CEO Following EU Sanctions

VK has announced its decision to sell 100% of RuStore to Dmitry Pankrushev, the CEO of Mnogo Prilozheniy. This announcement coincided with recent European Union sanctions against VK. RuStore was established as a domestic alternative for Android users in response to restrictions imposed by Apple and Google after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The platform currently features over 110,000 applications and games, attracting 68 million monthly users. VK did not disclose the financial details of the sale or the reasons behind the divestment, while assuring users that operations would continue seamlessly. On the same day, Russian media reported that VK-related applications were removed from Google Play and Huawei's AppGallery, following previous removals from Apple's App Store. RuStore has faced allegations of user tracking and unauthorized access to data, which it denies, stating that its practices are standard for major app storefronts.

AppWizard

July 16, 2026

Russia’s Max Messenger Removed From Google Play

Max, a messaging application launched by VK in 2025 and endorsed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, was removed from Google’s Play marketplace on July 16, 2023. The app does not provide end-to-end encryption, raising concerns about government access to user communications. This removal is part of a trend affecting other VK-owned applications, coinciding with recent EU sanctions targeting VK Company and its subsidiary Communication Platform LLC, which oversees the Max app. The EU characterized Max as having extensive surveillance features used against critics of Russia's military actions in Ukraine. Apple also removed Max from its App Store in June without explanation. Max aims to be an all-encompassing platform for messaging, social media, digital identification, payments, banking, and government services, which critics say could enhance government monitoring of citizens. The Russian government has implemented strict measures against foreign social media platforms and previously enacted a ban on Telegram in 2026, which faced public backlash.

Winsage

July 16, 2026

Microsoft’s July patches fix over 600 flaws, shattering last month’s record

Microsoft has released its July 2026 Patch Tuesday updates, addressing 570 new security vulnerabilities, bringing the total for the month to over 620. The cumulative count of vulnerabilities patched this year has reached 1,380, exceeding the total of 1,250 for the entire year of 2020. Over 400 vulnerabilities are related to various versions of Windows, and the Windows 10 Extended Security Update program has been extended until October 12, 2027. Notable vulnerabilities include CVE-2026-56155 in Active Directory Federation Services, which allows attackers to gain administrator rights, and several critical Remote Code Execution vulnerabilities, including CVE-2026-57092 in Hyper-V and CVE-2026-56190 in Remote Desktop Protocol. Microsoft has also patched 97 vulnerabilities in Office products, with 17 classified as critical RCE vulnerabilities, and four vulnerabilities in Exchange Server, including CVE-2026-55008. The latest Microsoft Edge update addresses 27 vulnerabilities related to Chromium, and a vulnerability in Minecraft Bedrock servers has been patched.

Winsage

July 16, 2026

Steam Machine Running Windows With Performance On-Par With SteamOS

Valve has released new Windows drivers for its Steam Machine console, improving user experience. Benchmark results from ETA Prime indicate that after installing Windows 11, the Steam Machine operates smoothly with all hardware components functioning well. The GPU is an AMD Radeon RX 7600, and the machine has been upgraded to 64 GB of memory. In performance comparisons, Windows outperforms SteamOS in the Geekbench 6 multi-thread benchmark by 22%, while single-core results are similar. In Cinebench 2024, the Steam Machine scores 99 points in single-core and 554 points in multi-core, trailing behind Apple's M1 Max and AMD Ryzen 5800X in multi-thread performance. Gaming performance shows a competitive edge between the two operating systems. Windows has a slight advantage in Shadow of the Tomb Raider at 4K and 1080p, while SteamOS leads at 1440p. In Cyberpunk 2077, SteamOS outperforms Windows by 8.8% at 4K and 4.7% at 1440p. At 4K, both struggle, with SteamOS averaging 18 FPS and Windows 20 FPS. In Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, Windows has a 7.1% advantage, while SteamOS is faster at 1440p and Windows leads at 1080p. Running Windows on the Steam Machine is a viable option, supporting Valve's claim that it functions as a standard PC, though there are other factors to consider beyond gaming performance.

Winsage

July 16, 2026

Microsoft makes Windows SSO prompts easier to manage

Microsoft is introducing a registry-based policy to improve the management of Single Sign-On (SSO) permissions for devices running Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, specifically for those managed through Microsoft Entra ID. This policy allows IT administrators to automatically accept SSO permissions, enhancing the user experience in corporate environments. Users with personal Microsoft accounts or unmanaged devices will still receive prompts for SSO permissions. The change aims to provide users, particularly in the European Economic Area (EEA), with more control over their account usage across Microsoft applications. Deployment options for IT administrators include Group Policy, Microsoft Intune, other mobile device management solutions, Microsoft Configuration Manager, and any management tool that supports registry policy deployment. Administrators are advised to validate SSO behavior after deployment.

Winsage

July 16, 2026

Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro reach end of support in 90 days

Microsoft announced that Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016 and Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro editions will stop receiving updates on October 13, 2026. The Enterprise and Education editions will continue to receive mainstream support until October 12, 2027. Users are encouraged to upgrade to Windows 11 25H2, which became available in September 2024. For unmanaged Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro users, the transition to 25H2 will occur automatically, although they can postpone the update. Microsoft has also extended the free Windows 10 Extended Security Updates program for consumers until October 12, 2027.

AppWizard

July 16, 2026

Hasselblad’s signature photo editing app, Phocus Mobile finally comes to Android

The Hasselblad Phocus Mobile app has been released for Android users after being exclusive to iPhones and iPads. The app integrates with Hasselblad's medium format cameras, including the X2D II 100C and X2D 100C, and offers a suite of editing tools. It supports Hasselblad's Natural Colour Solution for accurate color representation and allows image exports in various formats. The editing toolkit includes features like exposure adjustment, curves, white balance, and noise reduction. Users can connect via Wi-Fi or USB-C, and the app is available for download on the Google Play Store and Hasselblad's website.