Startup Disk Cleaner
The latest Startup Disk Cleaner coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
The No-Fluff Guide to Resetting Microsoft Word: What to Touch First, What to Leave Alone
A structured, no‑nonsense guide to resetting Microsoft Word on Windows and Mac draws on the latest 2026 methods to cure crashes, formatting glitches, and missing commands. By working from the least destructive fix (renaming Normal.dotm) to the most aggressive (Registry edits and Office Repair), users can restore Word’s defaults without losing documents or customizations.
Asus ProArt PZ14 packs 18-core Snapdragon X2 and 144Hz OLED, but 16GB RAM locks out creators outside Canada
Asus has globally launched the ProArt PZ14, a Windows 11 detachable with an 18-core Snapdragon X2 Elite, 14-inch 144 Hz OLED, 75 Wh battery, and creator-focused features, priced at $2,499. However, most regions are limited to 16 GB of soldered RAM, weakening its appeal to professional users who need more memory. The device delivers strong hardware credentials but demands careful evaluation of Windows on ARM software compatibility and the RAM constraint.
DHD's Free Discovery App Finds Audio Gear on Windows, Mac, and Linux
DHD's new free utility, DHD Discovery, lets broadcast engineers instantly find network-connected audio devices on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Using mDNS, it displays IP addresses, firmware, and status, then opens the device's web management interface with a single click—eliminating the common headache of IP hunting during installation and troubleshooting.
Orexin Ransomware Disables Windows Recovery Before Encrypting Files, While VeilStealer Harvests Browser Credentials
CYFIRMA's July 2026 weekly intelligence report reveals Orexin ransomware, which deletes Windows Volume Shadows Copies and disables recovery tools before encrypting files, and VeilStealer, an information stealer that harvests browser credentials and session cookies. The article explains the technical details, the risk to home users and enterprises, and provides actionable steps for data recovery, service monitoring, credential protection, and defense against emerging ClickFix social engineering attacks.
Original Xbox Games Are Finally Playable on Windows PC: Microsoft’s New Backward Compatibility Push Explained
Microsoft is bringing original Xbox games to Windows PCs through a new backward compatibility initiative. Launching in late July 2026 with a small initial catalog, the emulation layer lets you play classic titles natively on desktops and handhelds via the Xbox app. The move strengthens game preservation, boosts the value of Xbox purchases across devices, and signals a deeper integration of the Xbox ecosystem with Windows.
Windows 11's WhatsApp Resume Feature Lands for Android, but a Slow Desktop Client Holds It Back
Windows 11 is rolling out cross-device Resume for WhatsApp, letting Android users continue a chat from their PC's taskbar. While the handoff concept is practical, the desktop WhatsApp client's slow load times and high memory usage often negate the convenience. Users can disable the feature without affecting notifications, and broader improvements from both Microsoft and Meta are needed for a seamless experience.
Microsoft Adds Permanent Delete Option for People Skills – A Nuclear Option for Tenant Data
Microsoft 365 admins can now permanently delete all People Skills data—including the skills library and user profiles—under a new Roadmap ID 565905 feature. The action is irreversible and requires careful planning, but it gives organizations a definitive way to retire the service and comply with data minimization policies.
Windows Still Won’t Show Your SSD’s Lifeline; Here’s How to See It Yourself
Windows 11 still reduces SSD health to a single “Healthy” label, hiding the detailed SMART counters that reveal real drive condition. This guide explains which attributes matter most—total writes, spare capacity, media errors—and how to use free tools like CrystalDiskInfo and smartctl to build an early-warning routine. Regular checkups and a solid backup strategy transform drive failure from a catastrophe into a minor inconvenience.
John C. Dvorak, Tech's Ultimate Contrarian, Dies at 74—Early Reports Got His Age Wrong
John C. Dvorak, the famously wrong-headed tech pundit, died at 74, not 80 as initially reported. His legacy of confident mispredictions—from the iPhone to Microsoft stores—provides a valuable lens for Windows users navigating today’s AI and device hype. By learning to verify facts and judge potential over perfection, we can avoid falling for the next round of loud but hollow certainties.
The Incident at Galley House Turns a 1936 Tragedy into a Tactile Detective Game
The Incident at Galley House is a new deduction game on Steam that uses a custom-built machine interface to let players reconstruct a 1936 mass death. While the mid-game can become methodical, its tactile puzzle design and trust in player reasoning make it a standout for fans of detective mysteries.
With DDR5 Prices Tripling in 2026, Manual RAM Overclocking Is No Longer Just for Enthusiasts
A 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30 kit that cost $80 in mid-2025 now sells for over $400, making manual RAM overclocking a compelling, wallet-friendly alternative to upgrading. This service piece explains why the price surge happened, what it means for gamers and power users, and provides a safety-first approach to extracting more speed from existing memory without risking instability or data corruption.
Why Microsoft Edge Dark Mode Is Confusing—and How to Get It Right
Microsoft Edge dark mode is actually four separate settings that control the browser frame, system integration, website appearance, and accessibility tools. This guide explains each one, when to use it, and how to solve common problems like websites staying bright after turning on dark mode.
Beyond the Passkey Hype: A Windows 11 User’s Reality Check and Setup Guide
Passkeys promise password-free security, but Windows 11 users face confusing prompts, unreliable QR code flows, and a lingering fear of being locked out. This guide explains why adoption has stalled and delivers practical steps for home users and IT admins to make passkeys work today — without the frustration.