Microsoft has acknowledged that its optional KB5120998 preview update, released August 27, 2026, is causing custom mouse cursor personalizations to revert to default settings on Windows 11. Affected users report high-DPI cursors being swapped for standard white ones and custom animations disappearing, with no way to restore prior settings. The company says it is investigating and is asking impacted users to submit reports through the Feedback Hub.
bleepingcomputer.com
· 2026-08-31
Microsoft confirmed a bug causing the Windows Security app to falsely display 'Microsoft Defender Antivirus is turned off' notifications after recent Defender updates, even though protection remains active. The issue, which has quietly affected Windows Insiders since June, now impacts all supported Windows client and server versions, including Windows 11 26H1 and Windows Server 2025. Microsoft says a fix is in development and will roll out in a future Defender update.
bleepingcomputer.com
· 2026-08-31
Citrix's Desktop as a Service now includes UniconOS, a lightweight, write-protected Linux environment installed alongside Windows on a separate partition. If Windows is disabled by ransomware or a bad update, employees can boot into UniconOS instead and reach their virtual apps and desktops through Citrix DaaS and SecurAccess, while Windows itself remains untouched and unrepaired.
it.slashdot.org
· 2026-08-30
A developer has published free, GPL-licensed source code for three old Windows 3.1x-era programs: a limited implementation of Conway's Game of Life, a GDI object-cleanup utility called GDI Rescuer, and a Mastermind-style game called Code Breaker. The Game of Life program notably demonstrates mixing 16-bit C with 32-bit assembly via winmem32.dll and handling palette and DIB color translation quirks of the era.
muppetlabs.com
· 2026-08-30
A joint project by the Italian Linux Society and the Free Software Foundation Europe, called Refund4Freedom, has launched a website offering forms and guidance for consumers seeking refunds on Windows 11 licenses bundled with new PCs. The site reports that Acer and Lenovo have functioning refund processes, Asus offers one only through an obscure Italian channel, while Dell and HP currently provide no such option. It also warns buyers to keep proof of an untouched system before attempting a refund claim.
tomshardware.com
· 2026-08-29
The developer credited with building the original Windows Task Manager has released TMOG, a new system monitoring app for macOS. The tool offers a detailed summary view covering CPU, clock speed, thermals, GPU, memory, storage, network, and energy usage, alongside deeper inspection features like per-core stats, process trees, service controls, and a native expandable version of the Mac's System Report.
tmog.org
· 2026-08-28
EasyEffects is a Linux application that taps into the PipeWire audio system to apply real-time sound processing—equalization, compression, bass enhancement, limiting and more—to a laptop's built-in speakers. Because it works directly with the audio streams entering and leaving the system, users can noticeably improve the thin, tinny sound typical of laptop speakers without buying external hardware. The tool bundles plugins from projects like Calf Studio Gear, MDA.LV2 and GStreamer with adjustable presets, all managed through one interface instead of separate mixers or command-line scripts.
osnews.com
· 2026-08-28
Paperwork is a free, open-source document management tool available for both Linux and Windows that lets users import, tag, label, and search files locally without uploading them to third-party servers. It supports formats like PDF, DOCX, and ODT, and includes features such as OCR, scanner support, automatic label suggestions, and keyword-based search.
zdnet.com
· 2026-08-28
An advocacy campaign is calling on laptop buyers to request refunds for the Microsoft Windows license bundled with their device, arguing that most laptops are sold exclusively with Windows pre-installed even if the buyer intends to use another operating system. The campaign frames this as an unfair practice and provides guidance for consumers to formally request reimbursement from vendors.
en.refund4freedom.org
· 2026-08-28
Nvidia has confirmed that October 2026 will bring the last Game Ready driver built for Windows 10, with the following November release skipping the OS entirely. After that, Nvidia will only issue quarterly security patches for Windows 10 systems through October 2029, rather than the frequent performance and compatibility updates tied to new game launches.
techspot.com
· 2026-08-28
Microsoft has released the KB5120998 preview cumulative update for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2, bundling 35 changes centered on taskbar positioning, a compact taskbar mode, and new Start menu size and layout options. The optional update also begins rolling out Administrator Protection, a feature using just-in-time privileges to limit elevation-of-privilege attacks, though it remains off by default and needs Intune or Group Policy to enable.
bleepingcomputer.com
· 2026-08-28
ZDNET published a curated list of Linux distributions suited for people switching from Windows in 2026, deliberately excluding Linux Mint. Zorin OS tops the list for its Windows-like interface options and a feature that detects when a user tries to install a .exe or .msi file and suggests an open-source alternative from its app store.
zdnet.com
· 2026-08-27
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