A UPS [Uninterruptible Power Supply] uses one or more batteries that supply electricity to a PC or other electrical/electronic device(s) if/when there's a power outage. The basic idea with a PC is it gives you time to save your work and shut down gracefully, and they're also handy for brief power interruptions, e.g., when the lights flicker, so the PC keeps running rather than shuts down.

One problem however is that there's no great way to judge if the battery [or batteries] in a UPS are still good. In my case I use the CyberPower app on this PC, and checking the app after a couple of very brief outages -- 6 & 3 seconds per the in-app log -- the batteries were down to 40%! Based on the measured load the app estimated that I'd have ~45 minutes if the batteries were fully charged & in good shape. It was a lucky power outage BTW, since the extended warranty was up next month. The app's self test Did Not show anything wrong, so it's obviously useless in this case.

So, rather than wait for an outage, &/or if you don't have/use a monitoring app like CyberPower's PowerPanel Personal, it might be a good idea to, with the PC [or whatever] running, unplug the UPS from the wall and see how long it lasts, making sure the battery's still good. If you don't want to risk running Windows when it does shut off, boot to a USB stick for backup software or similar.

On a quick note, the latest PowerPanel Personal download is here -- checking for updates in-app did not show there was a newer version, and it had to be uninstalled first before the newer version would install.

cyberpowersystems[.]com/products/software/power-panel-personal/

Tell Me Why
Free to keep when you get it before Jul 1 @ 1:00pm.

store.steampowered.com/app/1180660/Tell_Me_Why/

About This Game

Tell Me Why is the latest narrative adventure game from DONTNOD Entertainment, the studio behind the beloved franchise, Life is Strange. In this intimate mystery, reunited twins Tyler and Alyson Ronan use their supernatural bond to unravel the memories of their loving but troubled childhood. Set in beautiful small-town Alaska, Tell Me Why features true-to-life characters, mature themes and gripping choices.

As you conjure up memories of the past, your choices will affect the twins’ relationship, determine the strength of their bond, and shape the course of their lives.

Revisit your past, discover the truth, and shape your future

• Uncover the truth – Use the twins’ supernatural bond to relive and explore their conflicting childhood memories.

• Shape your Story – Influence the relationship between Tyler and Alyson with choices that will determine their future.

• Unlock even more secrets – Match wits with puzzles that deepen the story and open a window into the twins’ fantasy world, “The Book of Goblins.”

Experience true-to-life setting and characters

• Unique characters – Build relationships and solve mysteries through the eyes of compelling and realistic characters.

• Alaskan splendor – Explore locations set in beautiful, highly detailed small-town Alaska in stunning 4K and HDR.

Storytelling with purpose – DONTNOD Entertainment and Xbox Game Studios conducted on-the-ground research and partnered closely with cultural, mental health and gender advocates to craft a thoughtful, true-to-life experience.
Mature Content Description

The developers describe the content like this:

Drug Reference
Mild Blood
Strong Language
Violence

EPIC Games

Songs of Conquest

store.epicgames.com/p/songs-of-conquest

Songs of Conquest is a turn-based strategy game inspired by 90s classics. Lead powerful magicians called Wielders and venture to lands unknown. Wage battles against armies that dare oppose you, hunt for powerful artifacts and expand your territory. The world is ripe for the taking – seize it!
Adventure Awaits

Explore a wide variety of maps with diverse enemies and valuable loot. Delve into contrasting biomes with unique factions, environments and battlefields.
Build an Empire

Manage resources, research new advancements and expand your kingdom. Plan your towns to match your playstyle – Will you enlist every archer you can to rain death from their bows, or will the eternal legions of Aurelia march to war beneath your banners?
Wage War

Dive into a deep combat system using troop abilities and powerful magic. Combine troops to maximize available spells and damage potential. March into epic siege battles and determine which faction matches your playstyle and strategy. There are many ways to conquer!
Play Your Way

Handcrafted maps for the curious adventurer, or randomized maps for endless replayability. Conquest maps allow head-to-head battles, while Challenge maps offer strategic puzzles to hone your tactical thinking. Find a plethora of maps created by the Lavapotion team as well as our mod community.
Alone or Together

Venture into the world of Aerbor on your own, team up with a friend, or enlist AI allies and enemies - the choice is yours. The majority of maps are playable in single player, co-op, or multiplayer through local hotseat or online.
Four Factions

Four factions are locked in an epic conflict. Arleon, knights of old battling each other for dominance. Rana, ancient tribes fighting for survival in the swamp. Loth, necromancers raising the dead to create a glorious future. Barya, bold mercenaries and inventors dedicated to coin, gunpowder and independence.
Four Choral Campaigns

Listen to the bards as they celebrate your path to victory. Each campaign comes with a unique song that tells the tale of your rise and ruin. Unlock new verses as you complete missions, enjoying the full track at the end of the journey.
In-game Map Editor

The in-game map editor allows you to create your own adventures using the same tools the developers use to create campaign and skirmish maps. Script in-game events, control the soundtrack, write dialogue and share your creations with others!

EPIC Games

Rogue Waters

store.epicgames.com/p/rogue-waters-9764d6

BECOME THE PIRATE CAPTAIN

Set sail as Captain Cutter, a pirate caught in a deadly struggle for power and vengeance. Navigate dangerous waters, unleash mythical sea creatures, and outwit enemies as you chase legendary treasure and confront dark secrets.

Embark on a journey of loyalty, betrayal, and revenge, as you unravel the mysteries of the Sea Shepherd prophecy and face the immortal Captain Blackbone.

Use your Pirate Cave (HUB) to equip ship upgrades & crew members before each run.

Each run generates new encounters, requiring careful navigation as you work your way toward Captain Blackbone.

Enjoy a rich, story-driven adventure across 3 acts, with endless replayability.

ASSEMBLE YOUR CREW

Recruit and grow your pirate crew, discovering their hidden potential as you lead them into battle. It's your responsibility to mold them into the legendary pirates they were destined to be.

Recruit from 6 unique classes, each with distinct abilities and playstyles for your ship’s crew.

After each run, upgrade your crew’s skills to increase their effectiveness.

Damage persists across runs, requiring you to swap out crew members to allow them time to heal.

EVER-CHANGING LAND AND SEA

Face new challenges as the game world shifts procedurally with each run, offering fresh secrets, combat scenarios, and treasures to discover.

Encounters feature diverse pirate factions and enemy types—choose your battles wisely.

Your crew will engage enemies on ships and land alike.

Visit shops to heal, upgrade crew, buy cannons, and repair your ship.

You can extort shops for loot, but it’ll lead to a fight.

TURN THE TIDES

Customize your naval encounters with cannons and ship artillery. Unleash powerful shots during naval combat to destroy enemy ship modules and gain the upper hand in boarding fights.

Encounters begin with Sea Battles where you can use cannons to target key areas of enemy ships.

Both your ship and the enemy's have distinct buffs that can be destroyed.

Crew members can be targeted and killed during battle, so defend your ship and crew before boarding.

TACTICS EN GARDE!

Experience a fresh take on turn-based tactical combat that replicates the visceral intensity of cloak-and-dagger duels. Use the environment to gain the upper hand like never before.

The boarding phase involves hand-to-hand combat where your crew faces off against enemies.

Use your crew's unique abilities to maneuver and pin enemies against obstacles for fatal damage.

Leverage the environment by pushing enemies into spikes, grabbing one-time weapons, or swinging into position with ropes.

SUMMON CREATURES FROM THE DEEP

Legendary sea creatures, once thought to be myths, roam the oceans of Rogue Waters. Free them from captivity and gain their trust to summon them in battle.

Summon 3 sea monsters to assist in the boarding phase:

The Kraken crushes nearby enemies.

The Mermaid disrupts and pushes enemies in any direction.

The Giant Snail drops a deadly spiked obstacle on the deck.

THESE WATERS ARE ROGUE-LITE

Each run resets your equipment and items, but unlocks permanent upgrades for your crew, ship, and Captain Cutter, allowing you to grow stronger with every battle.

Items and upgrades reset between each run:

Personal items (character equipment): additional weapons, attack modifiers, and side upgrades for abilities.

Shipboard weapons (cannons and similar items): each new run begins with a usable, basic starter set.

Ship modules reset as well.

Each run permanently increases your progress:

Unlock skill trees for crew members and Captain Cutter.

Acquire ship and port facility upgrades in the Pirate Cave (HUB).

Free Steam Game
Moonrise Fall
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1035110/Moonrise_Fall/

Drift86
Free to keep when you get it before Jun 3 @ 9:00am.

store.steampowered.com/app/1070580/Drift86/

Get in your favorite car and set records alone or with friends in this unique arcade game!

In Drift86 you will have to master the art of Drift. Try to make the biggest combo on music that will make you want to press the accelerator.

A large number of cars and maps available for maximum fun. Launches a single-player or multiplayer race. Chat live with other players.

“Driving technique is not something you can obtain in a few days”

Features :

■ The mythical 86 car!
■ More than 30 different maps!
■ More than 40 different cars!
■ Multiplayer!
■ Addictive drift system!
■ Eurobeat!
■ Compatible xbox controller!
■ Steam trading cards!

EPIC Games

Calico

store.epicgames.com/p/calico

All About Calico...

Calico is a day-in-the-life community sim game where you are given an important and adorable task: rebuild the town’s cat café and fill it with cute and cuddly creatures! You will journey to a small village filled with magical girls and other fantastical friends, where you are placed in charge of a run down cat café. Build up your café by filling it with cute furniture, fun decorations, yummy pastries, and get it bustling with animals again!
Character Creator

The Calico character creator will allow players to create their own magical person to experience the world through. There will also be plenty of clothing to choose from and collect throughout the game!
All animals are interactive!

The player will encounter many animals in the world of Calico. Once befriended, you can name them, add them to your party, or send them to their new home at the café. Animals in your party will follow you everywhere you go and listen to your commands. The animals in your cafe will relax and play with any customers that pop in for a visit.

Along with adding animals to your party, Interact with cats and other animals by petting and playing! Some of the animal interactions in Calico include playing with toys, dancing, cuddling, petting, carrying, lounging with, and pampering.
Cafe Decoration

Your task in Calico is to bring the town's café back to life again. This isn’t just achieved by bringing in cats and animals alone, however – you can also decorate your café with furniture and toys! We will have a full system that allows you to collect and arrange furniture, decorations, and toys. Some furniture is for the café’s human visitors, while other furniture is meant for your animal friends (like cat trees, scratching posts, and dog beds, to name a few options!).
Cookin' Minigame

Create a wonderful café by making yummy bakes goods and drinks for the townspeople! We will have a system in which you can create and display pastries for sale in the café display cases, as well as create a drink menu. Some of the pastries and drinks will be customizable. For instance, the macaroons will have a surface on which you can paint designs~
Magic of Calico

We wanted there to be no limits to how you could find happiness in Calico. Magic potions are a system that allow us to break the rules of what is possible and to find what would be most fun. Example: the More-to-pet Potion allows the player to magically turn a single animal giant-sized! You can hang out with a giant animal, or even ride a giant cat!

EPIC Games

LONESTAR

store.epicgames.com/p/lonestar-83f143

Unique Shockwave Battle

Both sides accumulate Power for their own spaceship and compete in a fair shockwave battle to determine who the winner is! This is the recognized way of battle in the LONESTAR Universe, without any surprise attacks!
Free Spaceships

All hunters who join the Association will receive a free spaceship!

Currently, the Association has two different spaceships to choose from, and the third spaceship is under urgent development and will be deployed soon!

Each spaceship has its own expertise and possesses nearly a hundred exclusive units! (Note: The Association only provides initial units; other units need to be obtained by hunters during their journey.)
Numerous Pilots

As the largest Bounty Hunter organization in the LONESTAR Universe, the Association has dozens of spaceship pilots!

The Association guarantees that each pilot has undergone repeated tests, with unique exclusive skills and a vast array of random talents, ensuring that each hunting experience is unique.

Furthermore, the Association's recruitment work is ongoing, and there will be a continuous influx of new pilots in the future.
Generous Vacation Time

The Association strictly adheres to the LONESTAR Universe Labor Protection Act and provides generous vacations for all Bounty Hunters.

Every time you complete a Bounty Mission, the Association will offer a period of paid leave.

During your vacation, you will encounter various unique events, make choices, and obtain resources. So, please enjoy your vacation time!
Massive Unit and Treasures

In the LONESTAR Universe, there are hundreds of different treasures, each with a unique function. Coupled with various exclusive units and different spaceships, such a wide variety of combinations may have left you overwhelmed.

No worries! The Association's Information Center has collected data on most of the units and Treasures in the universe and compiled them into an encyclopedia for your reference! It will undoubtedly assist you in creating a unique build!
Know the Enemy and Know Yourself

The Association's Intelligence Center has gathered information on nearly a hundred wanted criminals in the LONESTAR Universe, including 15 extremely dangerous boss-level felons! You can access the criminal information before each mission and adjust your combat strategies accordingly. The Association's Intelligence Center will help you secure victory!

zdnet[.]com/article/easy-way-to-exclude-ai-from-search-results-in-every-browser/

The article walks you through adding a new option to search using Google minus any AI overviews etc.

windowscentral[.]com/microsoft/windows-11/hp-laptop-bios-bug-leaving-windows-11-pcs-stuck-in-bitlocker-recovery-loop

If you own an HP laptop — particularly a high-end model, including HP EliteBooks, ProBooks, and ZBook workstations — there’s a strong chance you may encounter a buggy BIOS firmware update delivered through automatic Windows Update.

The flaw can cause your PC to freeze during boot or display the Blue Screen of Death, rendering it unusable until a fix is applied.

Some users have reported that their devices boot directly to the BitLocker recovery screen as early as April 2026. Even after entering the correct recovery key to access the desktop, Windows 11 fails to recognize the change, triggering the same BitLocker recovery loop.

While speaking to The Register earlier this week, HP indicated it's "aware of purported BIOS issues and is looking into the matter." And now, in a new support document — spotted by Windows Latest — HP indicated that:

"Microsoft’s 2023 certificates may fail to properly apply on the computer when this BitLocker issue occurs. To verify the status of this process, check the UEFICA2023Status and UEFICA2023Error registry values. If the UEFICA2023Status registry value remains in an "In Progress" state over time and the UEFICA2023Error registry value shows any number higher than 0, then the update process has failed."

tomshardware[.]com/pc-components/gpus/we-tested-advanced-shader-delivery-on-the-rx-9070-xt

From the looks of it for some folks this might make it worth using Xbox Gaming Services from the store if you've got AMD graphics. In a nutshell it precompiles the game's shaders offline, delivering them as a download when you download the game. The result is faster game load times and smoother game play.

support.microsoft[.]com/en-us/topic/may-26-2026-kb5089573-os-builds-26200-8524-and-26100-8524-preview-f378c8ae-0170-47c9-a1e9-dfef978c8e17#id0ebdl=gradual_rollout

With May's optional patch, KB5089573, Microsoft has included the code for their new low latency profile, which will be turned on using their rolling release schedule, meaning you could see it months from now or tomorrow. I'm still skeptical... If as Microsoft claimed, it's a no-brainer used by Linux & Android for years, why hasn't Microsoft already added it in the 34 years since Win3.1 was released? The 2 obvious choices IMHO are 1) there was some underlying tech issue so Microsoft's developers stayed away from it, or 2) Microsoft's developers have long been incompetent idgits. Either way, this has a rushed feel to it that has me very cautious.

Because of that, I installed the optional patch in a VM, then used the ViVeTool to activate the low latency profile, recording what changed, finding 2 new registry keys. It's Not guaranteed that Microsoft will use those same keys to turn the profile on, but that's all I could do for now, since it hasn't been turned on yet by Microsoft. Likewise there's no guarantee that deleting these keys or changing their values will turn the profile off. Maybe knowing what those keys are will be useful, maybe not, and maybe I'm worrying for nothing.

neowin[.]net/news/microsoft-is-giving-windows-11-major-performance-upgrade-by-making-cpus-work-harder/

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FeatureManagement\Overrides\8\2783555215]
"EnabledState"=dword:00000002
"EnabledStateOptions"=dword:00000000
"Variant"=dword:00000000
"VariantPayload"=dword:00000000
"VariantPayloadKind"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FeatureManagement\Overrides\8\3632644751]
"EnabledState"=dword:00000002
"EnabledStateOptions"=dword:00000000
"Variant"=dword:00000000
"VariantPayload"=dword:00000000
"VariantPayloadKind"=dword:00000000

amd[.]com/en/support/download/drivers.html

I don't normally post about these because it's usually a ho hum affair -- having the latest drivers means you'll usually see no difference in anything at all. BUT, I believe the last AMD chipset drivers were/are buggy, because I was getting random CPU spikes in usage & corresponding temps. And those temp spikes were high enough that I think some people would have experienced CPU throttling, where the power was reduced to prevent damage to the CPU. I have not seen that with these latest drivers.

Ashampoo UnInstaller 15 is on GOTD today, so I thought this might be a good time for a reminder -- often the Only way to put Windows back the way it was before installing whatever app is by restoring an image backup. That's why some folks use VMs [Virtual Machines] and Sandbox software, e.g., Sandboxie. That's Not to say there's anything wrong with Ashampoo's Uninstaller apps, or Revo for that matter. They *may* *sometimes* go a bit further than an apps own uninstaller, and if you let them search &/or clean Windows registry you may get rid of a bit more junk, though at the same time you may also break something, including Windows. Some changes are not easily reversible, while others may be near impossible to undo. Deleting some files and/or registry keys or entries may not always be 100% safe, so an uninstaller app will not even give you that option.

Sometimes an app will use Windows Installer [.msi file] and use that same file for uninstall, but since that file controls the uninstallation process, it's left behind. A 3rd party uninstaller may or may not find that file. Sometimes files are added and registered with Windows, so that afterwards they're effectively a part of Windows. And sometimes files are added that take over whatever functions were previously performed by files that came with Windows. Complicating matters further, software you installed afterwards may now depend on that, so reversing those changes would cause it to also break. The same sort of thing applies to Windows registry, since a software installation routine can rewrite portions of it -- to undo an installation would require restoring registry keys &/or entries that no longer exist.

There really is no perfect [or near perfect] solution. Adding software, even if it's *supposed* to be portable, means accepting some risk, though you can mitigate it by using a VM or Sandbox to at least check out an app before committing your regular copy of Windows. You can accept the fact that installing software changes Windows itself in ways that may well be irreversible, and that the hype used to market uninstalling software is just that, hype, and some of it will be false. You can set a restore point beforehand, though restoration may or may not work. You can perform an image backup, which will work, with the caveat that restoring that backup will reverse Every change made since that backup, so everything from recent emails to any software or updates added later will be gone.

Myself, I use an old app that barely works anymore called InstallWatch Pro in a VM to monitor file changes made during installation. At the same time I use another old app called Regshot2 to record every change made to the registry. That allows me to see if an apps impact on Windows IMHO exceeds its utility -- if it's worth it -- and if I go ahead and add it to may regular copy of Windows, what I'll need to do to fully remove it. But that's admitted overkill.

Bunny Guys!
Free to keep when you get it before May 29 @ 10:00am.

store.steampowered.com/app/2218460/Bunny_Guys/

About This Game

Climb, tumble, and rage — the ruthless obstacle race for bunnies with nerves of steel.

Play alone or online against up to 8 players: whoever reaches the top wins. Everyone else… falls down in spectacular fashion.

Master dangerous parkour routes, dodge nasty traps, and jump with the precision of a bunny on espresso. One wrong step, one jump too early and boom, back to the start.

Challenge your friends, chase each other through chaotic levels, and fight for a spot on the global leaderboard. Only the fastest earn the title “Golden Bunny” complete with an epic fireworks show.
Features

Challenging climbing and parkour levels with fair checkpoints

Online multiplayer for up to 8 players

Global leaderboard with time comparison

Traps, checkpoints, and wonderfully frustrating “One more try!” moments included

Average playtime: 60–120 minutes… or hours? (highly dependent on fall rate)

How far will YOU get — and how many times will you have to start all over again?

msrc.microsoft[.]com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-45585

Microsoft has released a script to mitigate the vulnerability by removing autofstx.exe from WinRE, the recovery environment stored on the Recovery partition.

This script is an interim security fix that helps to reduce the risk of exploitation of the vulnerability.

The script is for WinRE and removes autofstx.exe from the BootExecute registry value. Since BootExecute runs programs very early in boot (even in recovery mode), removing this entry prevents that executable from running in a high‑privilege environment, reducing risk.

It works by mounting the WinRE image, editing its offline SYSTEM registry to remove the entry if present, then safely committing changes and re‑sealing WinRE so BitLocker trust remains intact.

It’s designed to be safe—if the autofstx.exe entry isn’t there, it exits without making changes.

neowin[.]net/news/mozilla-explains-firefox-crashes-on-intel-13th-14th-gen-raptor-lake-systems/

Mozilla's engineers have been trying to figure out the problem with Firefox crashing on Intel Raptor Lake 13th & 14th gen. CPUs for about a year.

Mozilla engineers traced them down to failures in a zlib-rs compression routine where a 16-bit dist value appeared incorrect which consequently led to index out-of-bounds crashes. However, the team suspected the underlying cause involved Intel Raptor Lake CPU bugs specifically the RPL050 and RPL060 issues related to incorrect load behavior. Mozilla noted however that Intel’s newer 0x12c microcode appeared to reduce the crashes greatly.

Car Mechanic Simulator 2018
Free to keep when you get it before May 27 @ 10:00am.

store.steampowered.com/app/645630/Car_Mechanic_Simulator_2018/

About This Game

The Bestselling Car Mechanic Simulator series goes to a new level!

Car Mechanic Simulator 2018 challenges players to repair, paint, tune and drive cars.

Find classic, unique cars in the new Barn Find module and Junkyard module. You can even add your self-made car in the Car Editor.

Build and expand your repair service empire in this incredibly detailed and highly realistic simulation game, where attention to car detail is astonishing.

All this with new, photorealistic graphics. Featuring more cars (40+), more tools (10+), more options and more parts (1000+) than ever before. It’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work!

Car Mechanic Simulator 2018 also includes car auctions where old cars are available for resale or purchased for your collection. With the inclusion of photo-mode, you can take stunning before and after photos, and the game’s infinite number of randomly generated missions will keep you more than busy (and dirty).

Each mission offers its own unique challenge of varying difficulty and time constraints to meet. Additional tools are available for purchase if needed. You can eventually upgrade your garage to include specific equipment such as lacquer sprayer or a parts warehouse.

Features of Car Mechanic Simulator 2018:

photorealistic graphics

40+ cars to get your hands dirty with

10+ tools to help you check out cars

1000+ parts waiting for you

start from a small workshop and upgrade it to a full sized 3-lifter gem

mix of randomly generated jobs to fulfill

endless gameplay

multilevel car parking in which you can store you cars

Advanced Upgrades System (level up and spend your points to upgrades)

Path Test to test car suspension

Test Track to test car condition (or just fool around)

Race Track to test car performance

Car Auctions where you can compete with other bidders and try to outbid them

Car Paint Shop with different paint types and car liveries (or you can just paint one part to save money)

Barn Finds, where you search for abandoned cars in barns - make sure to look there for parts

Junkyard (scavenge for parts and rusty cars)

Car Editor for modders (add your cars to the game!)

New Features since CMS 2015:

seats, steering wheels and benches are exchangeable

car windows are now parts too

new repair system (smarter way to repair parts)

parts warehouse (you can store your parts in a warehouse now)

sheds (Barn Find module)

separated tires and rims (you can place any tire and rim you want)

new working shock absorber tool

new working battery charger

new working wheel balancer and changer

race track (next to test track, there is a race track with a timer)

new physics system (much more complex)

car liveries (you can apply liveries to your car)

redone paint system (you can paint each part separately, choose the paint type: matt, metallic, pearl)

modding support from day 1 (place your own cars in the game)

customizable license plates (with modding support)

customizable game music (with user music)

engine crane (tired of lifting your car up and down to disassemble engine)

creating new engines on the crane (starting from scratch)

leveling system (XP with upgrades)

new car salon (you can buy brand new cars)

liquids in car

story orders (pregenerated like in CMS 2014) next to generated orders (like in CMS 2015)

all new UI and easier controls (with rebind)

pad support

... and much, much more

Official licensed brands coming up in DLC's:

Mercedes

Maserati

DeLorean

Pagani

Bentley

Dodge

Plymouth

Chrysler

Jeep

Ram

Lotus

Mazda

... and more

Free from EGS Down in Bermuda and Tomb Raider I-III PC Game Downloads
https://store.epicgames.com/p/down-in-bermuda
https://store.epicgames.com/p/tomb-raider-iiii-remastered-538640

Well, my *guess* appears to be wrong. One of my tablets, that does Not use secure boot, seems to have suffered from the bug in this month's patch, restarting with a brief error message on a black screen after Win11 shut down at 99%+ installation. The message was too brief to read more than something about Windows had a problem, then it displayed a message that Windows is being updated, eventually winding back up in Win11. Once in Win11, Windows Update was already in the process of downloading the patch [again], so as fast as I could I entered the command in my earlier post to add the key to the registry [huge fun on a minuscule touch screen keyboard]. Installing the patch the 2nd time took a small fraction of the time it took originally, and that 2nd try worked.

They Should have included a check in the update, and added the key as part of that update when necessary, but the fact they didn't points to a larger problem with Microsoft. Every mid to large sized company has employees who are lazy, incompetent, could care less etc., and it's management's job to catch their goof-ups, but it seems Microsoft's management suffers from the same problems.

*To me* it seems like Microsoft's actively trying to destroy what little trust anyone still has in the company. When I read people that *should* know better write that Defender is good enough, I have to ask: "For What?" And I generally ignore the fanboys when they buy into Microsoft's claims that they're gonna fix Windows. Windows is a HUGE collection of old code, some dating back to Windows 3.1. Every time they could have modernized some of the core parts over the years, they said nah, we'll make something look different and that'll be good enough. So now they've still got a HUGE amount of old code from the days of 286/386 processors, plus a HUGE amount of slightly less old code patching things on top of it, and then the newer Win10 & 11 stuff that was slapped on haphazardly... Every time Microsoft comes out with a new design language they say they're going to implement it across Windows, but they never have. Long story short, when you use Win11, you're also using Win3.1, Win95, Win98, Win98SE, WinME, XP, Vista, Win7, Win8, Win8.1, Win10, & Win11. Parts of each and every one of those versions is still there. Fixing Windows would be a monumental exercise, *IF* you didn't persist in laying off several thousands of people at a time to pay for AI.

bleepingcomputer[.]com/news/microsoft/microsoft-may-2026-patch-tuesday-fixes-120-flaws-no-zero-days/

bleepingcomputer[.]com/news/microsoft/windows-11-kb5089549-and-kb5087420-cumulative-updates-released/

bleepingcomputer[.]com/news/microsoft/microsoft-releases-windows-10-kb5087544-extended-security-update/

This update may fail to install -- per Microsoft: "This issue occurs on devices that have limited free space on the EFI System Partition (ESP), especially if it has 10 MB or less available." They post that the workaround is either to use Known Issue Rollback, or enter the following command at the Command Prompt running as Admin. and restart: reg add “HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Bfsvc /v EspPaddingPercent /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f”​​​​​​​

That's certainly easier than enlarging the boot partition or creating a new one that's larger, though I can't help but speculate that those effected may wind up doing just that at some time in the future. My *guess* is that Microsoft is adding stuff related to the newer Secure Boot certificate to that partition.

neowin[.]net/news/windows-11-kb5089549-reportedly-failing-to-install-slowing-internet-down-on-certain-systems/

support.microsoft[.]com/en-us/topic/may-12-2026-kb5089549-os-builds-26200-8457-and-26100-8457-28ec2a99-4bbe-481d-a340-5c6cf18d9acb

Today is Microsoft's May 2026 Patch Tuesday, with security updates for 120 flaws and no zero-days disclosed.

This Patch Tuesday addresses 17 "Critical" vulnerabilities, 14 of which are remote code execution, 2 are elevation of privilege, and 1 is an information disclosure flaw.

The number of bugs in each vulnerability category is listed below:

61 Elevation of Privilege Vulnerabilities
6 Security Feature Bypass Vulnerabilities
31 Remote Code Execution Vulnerabilities
14 Information Disclosure Vulnerabilities
8 Denial of Service Vulnerabilities
13 Spoofing Vulnerabilities

Terrors to Unveil - Day Off
Free to keep when you get it before May 19 @ 10:00am.

store.steampowered.com/app/3587490/Terrors_to_Unveil__Day_Off/

Episode 2: Terrors to Unveil - Day Off

You're Jack Williams, a 26-year-old hard worker who after several days of work managed to get a day off. Without thinking about it, you decide to spend your weekend at your cottage in the woods with your dog as your sole companion. But you didn't know what your stay there would involve.
The Gameplay

This game is primarily a first-person narrative walking simulator with exploration, and conversation mechanics.
Key Features

Atmospheric environment and photo-realistic graphics.

2 Endings

VHS film aesthetic.

Interact with NPCs.

Player voice activity.

Minibin Lite consists of 2 files, one at 10KB & a 110MB .txt file in a folder under Program Files (x86). What are likely sponsored icons & URL shortcuts are also added both to the Program Files (x86) folder and the desktop. Installation adds an uninstall key to the registry, but nothing else and no other files are added, so the app should run portably, e.g., from a USB stick after copying the Minibin Lite folder to that USB stick. It is not a portable app though in the strictest sense since when it's run a registry entry is created for the tooltip.

bleepingcomputer[.]com/news/software/dell-confirms-its-supportassist-software-causes-windows-bsod-crashes/

Dell has confirmed the problem and is working on a fix.

tomshardware[.]com/tech-industry/cyber-security/microsoft-bitlocker-protected-drives-can-now-be-opened-with-just-some-files-on-a-usb-stick-yellowkey-zero-day-exploit-demonstrates-an-apparent-backdoor

bleepingcomputer[.]com/news/security/windows-bitlocker-zero-day-gives-access-to-protected-drives-poc-released/

I say *possible* because *to me* it does not seem it would be immediately useful to cyber criminals, though they might be able to build on it, taking the exploit further. To perform the exploit as published you copy the FsTx folder to the System Volume Information on a USB stick, cause the system to reboot into the Recovery Environment, then hold down the Control key until it reboots. When it restarts you'll be at the Command Prompt with full access to the encrypted drive.

Of course, if you are in the running copy of Windows, which is necessary to pull this off, you already have access to the files on the BitLocker encrypted system disk, so while I may be missing something here, what is the point?

EPIC Games

Sunderfolk - Standard Edition

store.epicgames.com/p/sunderfolk-standard-edition-83c05e

Sunderfolk - Standard Edition
Rediscover game night.

Rediscover game night with Sunderfolk, a tactical co-op RPG built to bring people together. Whether teaming up across the globe via online multiplayer with a mouse and keyboard or playing couch co-op with phones as controllers, Sunderfolk adapts to your group. It’s your party, your plan, and your story to tell.

Playing with phone controls? Only the host needs to own the game! Friends join for free using the free Sunderfolk Controller app as their hand of cards, guidebook, and controller. Just scan a QR code on a shared screen to jump right in.

If you prefer a traditional PC experience you can team up with friends seamlessly through native online multiplayer. Control your heroes directly using full mouse and keyboard support, with your skill cards and stats integrated right on your screen (online multiplayer requires each player to own a copy of the game).

Start your campaign and take on challenging missions together. Use powerful skill cards, choose your turn order, and plan every move. Outsmart enemies, adapt your tactics, and face down epic bosses.

Between battles, unwind in the charming village of Arden. Upgrade shops, discover gear, share hearty meals, and connect with locals—some of whom may spark something more than friendship.

The magic of gathering around the table, without the setup. Whether you're passing around snacks on the couch or strategizing over voice chat online, Sunderfolk brings friends and families together through thoughtful strategy and shared laughs. It’s game night exactly the way it should be.

EPIC Games

The Telltale Batman Shadows Edition

store.epicgames.com/p/the-telltale-batman

The Telltale Batman Shadows Edition

Step into the shadows and experience the twisted world of Telltale’s Batman in a way that brings the fractured persona of the Dark Knight and the City of Gotham to life in a sinister, new way.

Enhanced with hand recolored game play and remastered textures, the Telltale Batman Shadows Edition brings all ten Telltale Batman episodes across two seasons into one, complete game while staying true to the spirit of the Dark Knight’s rich, visual history.
Includes:

• Batman: The Telltale Series (Episodes 1-5)
• Batman: The Enemy Within (Episodes 1-5)
• Batman Shadows Mode

neowin[.]net/news/dell-pcs-are-running-into-constant-bsod-reboot-loops-and-windows-11-isnt-the-culprit/

... affected users are finding themselves faced with a PC that constantly reboots after hitting a blue screen of death (BSOD). The problem has been experienced by several people including one of Neowin's long-time forum members, polo69, who says they have been hitting BSODs every 30 mins or so after a new Dell software update.

neowin[.]net/news/google-unveils-googlebook-a-new-gemini-first-laptop-category-powered-by-a-new-modern-os/

Google just announced their new Googlebook, a higher end notebook that will be sold alongside their cheaper Chromebooks.

There is apparently a big enough backlash against apps like those you mention that there are now several apps that promise to remove at least some of that bloat. For new or fresh copies of Windows, the Rufus developer is starting to add options to remove some of those apps from Windows setup, along with removing Win11's hardware requirements.

Otherwise Microsoft is starting to try and clean up some of the sloppy programming in Windows -- this month they claim to have improved File Explorer processes so that they actually stop when File Explorer is closed -- but I don't know whether it will ever be enough that apps like Process Lasso are no longer needed or useful.

To Ceri:

I've managed to get back to my main email i.e. whiterabbit-uk@hotmail.co.uk, so use that to email me. but also as a back up send the same message to Whiterabbit-moonrising@hotmail.co.uk as I think someone is trying to hack my shorter email.

For the past several weeks if I try to access it in the afternoon, it nearly always says I've tried my password too many times and locks me out, even though I haven't been trying to log in. My password is nearly 80 Alphanumeric numbers & special characters, so whoever's been trying for a couple of months thankfully hasn't gained access. I think it's because of my Steam account, which has a lot of unredeemed games in my inventory that could be stolen if they gained access. I used to have thousands of pounds worth, but over the last year have managed to sell quite a few, but there's still a lot left that I'm sure scammers are trying to steal.

I also keep changing my password, in the hope that whoever it is, will give up.

:)

My favourite for this is Process Lasso Pro. Is has been a giveaway a long time ago, but I bought a personal licence that allows me to use it on all my Windows machines. I also use it to block software I cannot remove. Such as phoneexpiriencehost.exe and onedrive.exe. Also, bluestacksappplayer.exe is blocked on this laptop.

See https[:]//bitsum.com/processlasso-docs/#processmatch

Opinions like the one I quoted from Neowin got some folks at Microsoft teed off... Microsoft VP Scott Hanselman posted:

"All modern operating systems do this, including macOS and Linux. It's not "cheating"; this is how modern systems make apps feel fast: they temporarily boost the CPU speed and prioritize interactive tasks to reduce latency."

OK, so I did what I normally do when someone makes claims I'm not sure are accurate, I went to Google search. When I didn't get any relevant results, this is what I asked Google's Gemini AI:

"does linux have something similar to windows 11 Low Latency Profile"

Its response:

The Windows 11 **Low Latency Profile (LLP)**—currently in testing as of 2026—is a feature that briefly spikes CPU clock speeds when it detects user interaction (like clicking the Start menu or opening an app) to make the UI feel snappier.

Linux does not have a single "toggle" named exactly like this because it has handled latency and responsiveness differently for years. In Linux, this behavior is usually baked into the **CPU Frequency Governor** and the **Kernel Scheduler**...

### Summary

Linux doesn't need a "Low Latency Profile" for its UI in the same way Windows does because Linux desktop environments (like XFCE, Sway, or even modern GNOME) are generally lighter and don't suffer from the same "web-app style" bloat that causes the Start menu lag LLP is designed to hide.

However, if you feel your system is sluggish, switching to the **Performance governor** or using a **Zen-tuned kernel** will give you the same—if not better—result.

The day after posting this Chrome's AI model was still there, so I deleted it. *So far* it hasn't come back, but I should add that I don't regularly use the Chrome browser, so mileage may vary.

neowin[.]net/software/killerpdf-130/

KillerPDF is a cute, 6MB .exe file that runs portably allowing you to do some basic editing of PDF files. When you run it a screen appears with options to add a shortcut and/or install, or you can uncheck the shortcut and just click run.