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I've Been Gaming On Linux For Five Years - Is It Ready To Replace Windows?
AppWizard
September 6, 2026

I’ve Been Gaming On Linux For Five Years – Is It Ready To Replace Windows?

Steam Deck debuted in early 2022 with SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system that uses the Wine-based Proton compatibility layer to run Windows games. This development has significantly advanced Linux gaming, with approximately 95% of games functioning well on Linux. Steam's Verified program lists nearly 9,000 Verified games, and around 30,000 playable titles, with only about 1% of popular games failing to run entirely. Anti-cheat systems remain a major limitation, preventing popular titles like "Fortnite" and "League of Legends" from being playable on Linux. Game streaming services like NVIDIA GeForce NOW offer alternatives for playing anti-cheat games on Linux. Linux distributions provide better controller support compared to Windows, particularly for handhelds and living room PCs. Accessing non-Steam games can be cumbersome, though tools like Heroic Launcher help. Compatibility issues with proprietary standards, such as HDMI 2.1 support, persist in Linux gaming.
Nvidia & Microsoft push local AI agents on Windows
Winsage
September 5, 2026

Nvidia & Microsoft push local AI agents on Windows

NVIDIA has enhanced the capability to run AI agents locally on its hardware in collaboration with Microsoft and software partners, coinciding with the launch of new RTX Spark Windows PCs. The installation process for local agent software has been simplified, with improved inference speeds and the introduction of NVIDIA PAIR, which distributes inference tasks across multiple PCs on a local network. Three applications benefiting from these enhancements are Hermes Agent, OpenClaw, and Perplexity Portable Computer, all designed to minimize manual configuration. Hermes Agent offers a one-click local setup for RTX and DGX systems, automatically detecting the GPU and optimizing model selection. OpenClaw simplifies local model setups for RTX GPUs with at least 24GB of VRAM, backed by an open-source community. Perplexity Portable Computer, already available on Linux, is extending support to NVIDIA RTX GPUs and Windows. NVIDIA is also improving performance in the open-source inference stack, achieving throughput increases of up to 1.9 times on GeForce RTX 5090 and up to 1.4 times on DGX Spark clusters. The PAIR software identifies compatible PCs on the same network to optimize computing resources, supporting various hardware configurations. The upcoming RTX Spark Windows PCs, set to launch in October, will include compact desktop and laptop designs featuring Blackwell GPU and Grace CPU architecture. Game publishers like Electronic Arts and Ubisoft are developing titles for these systems. Additionally, CyberLink's PhotoDirector AI PC Mode will integrate local AI processing for creative tasks, emphasizing the trend of migrating generative AI workloads from cloud to local devices. NVIDIA notes that over half of U.S. households have two or more PCs, indicating potential for maximizing computing power.
Microsoft Teams, Outlook fail to launch on ARM-based Windows PCs
Winsage
September 3, 2026

Microsoft Teams, Outlook fail to launch on ARM-based Windows PCs

Microsoft is addressing an issue affecting users of Microsoft Teams and the new Outlook on ARM-based Windows devices, specifically the Surface Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 11, following updates released since the August 2026 Patch Tuesday. Users may experience crashes and launch failures after installing security updates from August 11, 2026, particularly update KB5121003. This issue primarily affects newly set up or freshly imaged PCs that lack the latest Microsoft Store updates, while classic Outlook, Word, Excel, and other applications remain unaffected. Microsoft recommends updating the Auto Super Resolution Package as a temporary workaround. A permanent fix is being developed and will be included in a future Windows update. Additionally, Microsoft has acknowledged other issues stemming from the August updates, including problems with printing and PDF exports in certain applications, and has been rolling out fixes for system crashes and gaming problems linked to peripherals with built-in RGB lighting. Customers are also advised to disregard alerts about Microsoft Defender Antivirus being disabled after the latest updates.
Microsoft will expand Windows 11 Memory Integrity feature to more PCs starting in October — security feature reduces gaming performance on some systems
Winsage
September 2, 2026

Microsoft will expand Windows 11 Memory Integrity feature to more PCs starting in October — security feature reduces gaming performance on some systems

Microsoft will automatically enable its Memory Integrity feature on more eligible Windows PCs starting in October 2026, enhancing kernel-level protection. PCs with Memory Integrity currently disabled will retain their settings. Windows will also activate Virtualization-based Security (VBS) where necessary, which supports Memory Integrity. An automatic assessment will determine device eligibility based on hardware capabilities and compatibility. The rollout applies to Windows 11 installations meeting specific hardware specifications, including an 8th Generation or newer Intel processor or AMD Zen 2 or newer processor, at least 8GB of RAM, an SSD with a minimum of 64GB, compatible drivers, and enabled hardware virtualization. Memory Integrity, also known as Hypervisor-Protected Code Integrity (HVCI), has been part of Windows since the Windows 10 era and is now more integral to Windows 11 security for new installations. However, it may impact gaming performance, leading some gamers to disable it, which Microsoft has acknowledged in its recommendations.
Microsoft promises to make more Windows 11 PCs secure by default next month: Announces automatic memory integrity protection enablement on more devices
Winsage
September 2, 2026

Microsoft promises to make more Windows 11 PCs secure by default next month: Announces automatic memory integrity protection enablement on more devices

Microsoft plans to enhance security measures across eligible devices by activating "Memory Integrity Protection" starting in October 2026. This feature operates at the kernel level to defend against cyber threats and requires minimal configuration. It is built on Virtualization-based Security (VBS) and aims to protect critical components of the Windows operating system from tampering.
TerminalFix Attacks Use Fake CAPTCHAs To Secretly Hack Windows PCs
Winsage
September 1, 2026

TerminalFix Attacks Use Fake CAPTCHAs To Secretly Hack Windows PCs

Microsoft Threat Intelligence has identified a new variant of the ClickFix malware campaign called "TerminalFix." This variant uses deceptive CAPTCHAs that mimic trusted services like Cloudflare and directs users to PowerShell or a command prompt, allowing for the execution of complex scripts. TerminalFix aims to orchestrate a multi-stage attack that provides attackers with persistent, network-level proxy access through the compromised host, potentially leading to significant data theft and malware propagation within unsecured enterprise networks. Recommendations for defense against TerminalFix include restricting access to PowerShell and Windows Run dialogs, monitoring for DLL sideloading indicators, blocking Flash plugins, and enabling cloud-delivered protection in Microsoft Defender Antivirus. The attacks primarily target enterprise environments rather than individual consumers.
I test Windows laptops for a living, and these are the 7 features I can't pass up
Winsage
August 29, 2026

I test Windows laptops for a living, and these are the 7 features I can’t pass up

The author has spent five years testing laptops and has identified seven essential features for selecting a Windows laptop based on their experience and travel needs: 1. An OLED display for better contrast and deeper blacks. 2. A 14-inch chassis that is lightweight, ideal for travel. 3. At least 512GB of storage to accommodate large files. 4. At least one USB-A port for compatibility with older hardware. 5. All-day battery life, enhanced by Intel's "Lunar Lake" processors. 6. A backlit keyboard for usability in low-light environments. 7. No proprietary chargers, favoring USB-C for flexibility and convenience. The author notes that while many brands offer these features, pricing has been affected by the ongoing memory crisis, pushing preferred models into a higher price range.
Windows 11 shut down controls for your PC may soon be available on your smartphone
Winsage
August 29, 2026

Windows 11 shut down controls for your PC may soon be available on your smartphone

The Link to Windows smartphone app may introduce remote shutdown capabilities for PCs, as indicated by recent data mining of its Android APK. A component called ‘RemoteControlManager’ has been found in the app's debug log, suggesting potential functions like restart, sleep, and shutdown options. The app is also expected to monitor system updates. However, warnings about potential data loss during shutdowns or restarts are present, and the current build lacks detailed notifications for affected applications. Users can choose to put their systems to sleep to avoid data loss, but this limits smartphone interaction until the PC is awakened. It is unclear when Microsoft will activate these features.
This antivirus blocks viruses and ransomware without slowing your PC down
Tech Optimizer
August 27, 2026

This antivirus blocks viruses and ransomware without slowing your PC down

ESET NOD32 Antivirus is an antivirus solution designed to protect Windows PCs from various threats, including viruses, spyware, rootkits, and zero-day exploits, while maintaining system performance. It offers a one-year license for a competitive price and is recognized for its effective threat detection and minimal impact on system resources. Key features include real-time scanning, a Ransomware Shield that blocks file-locking attempts, advanced artificial intelligence for identifying new threats, and an anti-phishing feature that prevents access to fraudulent websites.
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