Windows 11
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Windows 11.
Latest coverage
The Witcher 3 reveals new system requirements and it's now Windows 11 or nothing
CD Projekt Red has updated the minimum system requirements for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, mandating 64-bit Windows 11 and dropping support for Windows 10, DirectX 11, and HDDs. These changes are being implemented to ensure compatibility and performance for the upcoming 'Songs of the Past' expansion, expected in 2027.
New Windows 11 update will actually make your PC faster
A new Windows 11 update, KB5089573, is designed to improve PC performance by optimizing application launches and core system experiences. Microsoft is implementing 'Low Latency Profiles' to boost CPU frequency during app opens, potentially making them up to 40% faster. The update also includes reliability improvements and aims to bring Windows 11 performance closer to that of SteamOS.
CD Projekt Red Announces Songs of the Past Expansion for The Witcher 3 - GameHaunt
CD Projekt Red announced The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past expansion, set to launch in 2027 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. This marks Geralt of Rivia's return in the first major add-on since Blood and Wine. The expansion will require Windows 11 and updated PC hardware specifications, with older Windows versions supported via a rollback option.
It's official, The Witcher 3 is getting new DLC, and it's a full-sized Geralt story
CD Projekt Red has officially announced "The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past," a new full-fledged expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, developed in partnership with Fool's Theory. This expansion will allow players to once again control Geralt of Rivia in a new adventure before the events of The Witcher 4. The DLC is slated for release in 2027 and will require an update to the game's system requirements, including a move to Windows 11.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is Raising its Minimum PC Requirements to Prepare for Songs of the Past
CD Projekt RED is increasing the minimum PC requirements for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt in preparation for the upcoming 'Songs of the Past' expansion. These changes, which include updated CPU, GPU, RAM, and SSD requirements, will also necessitate Windows 11 and DirectX 12, impacting Cyberpunk 2077 as well. Players unable to meet the new specifications will be able to roll back to a previous version but will not be able to play the new expansion.
Saturday Tech Bits
Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Experimental Preview Build 26300.8497 and Preview Build 29595.1000. These builds are part of the ongoing development and testing for future versions of the Windows 11 operating system.
Microsoft says it's going to 'fundamentally raise the bar' on driver quality, reliability and security…
Microsoft has announced the Driver Quality Initiative (DQI) for Windows 11, a comprehensive effort to improve driver quality, reliability, and security. This initiative includes expanding quality measures, improving lifecycle management, and hardening kernel mode drivers. President of Windows and devices Pavan Davuluri stated that 2026 will focus on addressing customer pain points like system performance and reliability.
Zero Parades is a beautiful Disco Elysium follow-up, but not a very good spy game
Zero Parades, the follow-up to Disco Elysium from developer ZA/UM, is a text-heavy isometric RPG that struggles to commit to its espionage theme. While it features a beautiful world, upgraded UI, and interesting mechanics like fatigue and conditioning, its narrative approach often undermines the spy gameplay. The game's protagonist, Hershel Wilk, is more interested in personal angst than covert operations, leading to a disconnect between the game's mechanics and its stated genre.
If Subnautica 2 won't let you select 4K resolution, there's a remarkably easy fix
Subnautica 2, currently in early access, has a simple fix for players unable to select 4K resolution. The issue can be resolved by setting the game to fullscreen in graphics settings, applying the change, and restarting. Alternative solutions involve adjusting Windows 11 display settings or modifying the game's configuration files.
Evening Safety Dance
A zero-day exploit has been discovered that completely bypasses Windows 11's default BitLocker encryption. Separately, security experts are skeptical of claims made by "Canvas" attackers that they deleted stolen student data.
If you're wondering why Microsoft's Xbox mode is still missing after installing the latest Windows 11 update,…
Microsoft's new Xbox mode for Windows 11 is not yet available to all users due to a phased rollout and regional restrictions. The feature, which provides a console-like UI, is being enabled server-side via Controlled Feature Rollout to monitor for bugs. Users can check their settings to see if the 'Full Screen Experience' is active, offering navigation similar to the ASUS ROG Ally X.
'Apple does this and y’all love it': Microsoft defends new Low Latency feature in Windows 11
Microsoft's Scott Hanselman defended the new Low Latency Profile feature in Windows 11, comparing it to similar implementations in macOS and Linux. The feature temporarily boosts CPU speed for high-priority tasks to improve responsiveness, with early testing showing significant speed increases for app launches and the Start menu. This update is currently in early testing for Windows Insiders and aims to enhance performance, particularly on budget hardware.
Sunday Tech Bits
Windows 11 is reportedly receiving performance enhancements through a less intensive update method. The article references a Neowin report, attributing the information to Neutronbeam.
The Seagate FireCuda X Vault hard drive is a welcome sight in a post-inflated SSD world, but only for content-creating gamers
The Seagate FireCuda X Vault is an 8TB or 20TB external hard drive that offers substantial storage for PC games and content creation, featuring RGB lighting and Seagate's Rescue Data Recovery Services. While it's a more affordable alternative to SSDs for large backups, its size, power requirements, and slower speeds make it less ideal for running modern AAA games directly.
Windows 11 rumored to get new mode that instantly boosts game and app performance by up to 70%, but there's a catch
Windows 11 is reportedly developing a new 'Low Latency Profile' feature that could boost app and game performance by temporarily increasing CPU frequency. This rumored mode aims to improve responsiveness for interface elements and application loading times, potentially offering significant speed increases, though it may come at the cost of minor increases in power consumption and heat.
Microsoft exec. confirms Windows 11 is just as full of old code as you suspected: 'We were thinking flying cars and moon stations by the year 2026, not Win32'
Microsoft executive Mark Russinovich confirmed that Windows 11 heavily relies on the Win32 API, which dates back to Windows 95. Despite attempts to introduce newer APIs like WinRT, the legacy Win32 framework remains essential due to the vast ecosystem built upon it. Russinovich noted that the original vision for 2026 was far more futuristic than the continued reliance on 1990s code.
6 months after Windows 10 was put to pasture, over a quarter of Steam users are still on the dying OS
Despite Windows 10 reaching its end of life six months ago, over a quarter of Steam users are still running the older operating system. Windows 11 adoption on Steam is also lagging, with only 67.74% of users on the newer OS. Linux usage saw a slight dip in the latest Steam Hardware Survey.
Morning Tech Bits
Valve's latest Steam hardware survey indicates that 67.74% of users are now running Windows 11. The report also notes the appearance of the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 9965X3D processor on Passmark benchmarks.
Xbox Mode Starts Rolling Out For Windows 11 PCs Today
Microsoft has begun rolling out "Xbox Mode" for Windows 11 PCs, offering a console-inspired interface that prioritizes game libraries and controller navigation. This feature, previously seen on the ASUS ROG Ally X, aims to provide a streamlined gaming experience by aggregating titles from Xbox Game Pass and other PC storefronts. Microsoft plans to continue refining Xbox Mode based on user feedback.
Finally, Windows 11 desktop PC users can enjoy Xbox Mode — and Microsoft has a new gift for Ally X users
Microsoft has begun rolling out "Xbox Mode" for Windows 11 desktop PCs, a feature previously available to Xbox Insiders, which aims to streamline the gaming experience by launching games in a dedicated menu and disabling background processes. Additionally, Auto SR upscaling technology is now available for Asus ROG Xbox Ally X users via the Game Bar, offering improved frame rates and image quality.
