Marcus Ash, Microsoft's design and research lead for Windows and Devices, has hinted that more of Windows 11's old dialogs and admin tools could get a modern makeover. Under Jen Gentleman's post about the new option to silence the Sticky Keys prompt, a user asked Microsoft to "winui-fy" the legacy Win32 dialogs and MMC apps, and to fully move Control Panel into Settings. Ash replied with a short "Noted and working on that too." He didn't give a timeline or name any tools, so it's more like a nod than a roadmap.

There's plenty to work with, as Windows 11 still ships more than 20 tools with older interfaces, including Defragment and Optimize Drives, Disk Cleanup, Device Manager, Event Viewer, and the DirectX Diagnostic Tool. Folder Options and the Sticky Keys prompt still have no dark mode, and some links in Settings, such as the extra sound and mouse options, open the old Control Panel windows. Microsoft's recent dark mode update for Hyper-V Manager, another legacy tool, also came out incomplete.

Epic Games recently promised expanded Linux support for Easy Anti-Cheat, outlining a new set of standards and native Linux security features that would need to be adopted by Linux distribution developers who wanted gamers to be able to access EAC Linux v2 games. As is par for the course for the distribution, CachyOS has come out swinging as one of the first, if not the first, Linux distribution to explicitly announce support for EAC Linux v2.

The announcement comes by way of a discussion on CachyOS's GitHub. Although its developers have yet to fully implement the new features, CachyOS's maintainers and developers are quick to note that the linux-cachyos-eac kernel will be a fully optional feature for the desktop environment, and that it will be opt-in. That's an important point, because some of the features required for EAC Linux v2 have been quite controversial in Linux gaming circles.

If readers recall, Microsoft was preparing a "Low Latency Profile" feature as part of the Windows K2 effort, which boosts the system's CPU to its maximum frequency for 1-3 seconds to ensure smoother app launches. Today, Microsoft is gradually rolling out this feature as part of the KB5089573 update for Windows 11. This update is delivered as an optional package that introduces the long-anticipated LLP. The LLP is designed to make core Windows applications, rather than general applications, launch noticeably faster, providing significant speed improvements. When launching Microsoft applications like Edge and Outlook, known as "in-box" apps, users can expect about a 40% faster application launch. Other features, such as the Start Menu and context menus across the operating system, may see speed improvements of up to 70%. Non-native Windows applications, such as your favorite AAA games, will rely on their own optimizations.

To take advantage of this performance boost, go to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates, and install the KB5089573 (Build 26200.8524) for your Windows 11 system. However, it's important to note that if you don't notice an immediate difference, there's no need to worry, as the change may not be applied right away. Microsoft uses a Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR) method, which involves downloading an update but only activating it once the system is ready. The underlying change is present, but the OS will monitor the system before fully implementing it.

Toshiba Electronics Europe GmbH (Toshiba) has unveiled a metallic blue casing for its Canvio Flex 2.5-inch portable hard disk drive (HDD). The new color adds a fresh look to the range, alongside the original warm silver option. The new metallic blue model will be available exclusively across EMEA.

Available in 1 TB, 2 TB, and 4 TB capacities, the Canvio Flex is designed for easy storage across multiple devices. Pre-formatted with exFAT, it works seamlessly with Windows PCs and Macs, as well as with compatible Android and iOS tablets and smartphones, without requiring reformatting.

SteamOS recently made its way to third-party gaming handhelds, with a surprising level of hardware support, and, since then, Valve has seemingly been working non-stop to add features to those third-party gaming handhelds with new SteamOS updates. On June 30, Valve announced the latest stable SteamOS and Steam Deck client update would bring new features for the Lenovo Legion Go S and a wealth of other third-party devices.

The latest SteamOS and Steam Deck update adds support for a SteamOS compatibility indicator in the Steam Library on the Lenovo Legion Go S, making it easier for gamers to know what games are known to run on the Legion Go S. Third-party SteamOS devices, like the Lenovo Legion Go S, will now also display controller compatibility icons alongside the SteamOS compatibility indicator. There are also a number of bug fixes directed at the Legion Go S's controller remapping UI for Ratchet and Clank, The Last Of Us: Part 2, and Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered. New handheld accessibility options for the Steam Deck and other SteamOS devices include UI scaling, high contrast mode, and reduced motion options, and there are new screen reader and color filter settings for SteamOS devices.

Ride like a lord, not a common stable hand. Join PROS and claim the Lord of Skalitz Caparison as your welcome reward. What is PROS? PROS is our optional account system, allowing us to create a community program which you can sign up to in order to get the latest news and rewards from Deep Silver.

What can I get for signing up to PROS for Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?
As a welcome reward for joining the program, all players will receive the Lord of Skalitz caparison. There will be additional rewards and Twitch drops over the next few months, so keep an eye on the in-game message of the day, follow us on social, and/or sign up to our community emails for more info.

Where can I access my PROS items?
PROS rewards can be found in your shared stash after completing the mission "Laboratores." These shared stashed can be found when purchasing lodging that includes shared stash in selected taverns; or by following the main quest line, where they can be found in your shared stash, which is in the room the local miller and blacksmith let you use after you complete the first part of their quests.

Razer has announced that they will be offering two different color schemes for some of their peripherals, deviating from the black and green color scheme the company has made its hallmark. The new colors will be mercury white or gunmetal grey, as the company puts them (just white or grey wouldn't do, as you surely understand.) The new color schemes will be available at first on their Blackwidow X Chroma mechanical keyboard, Kraken 7.1 headset, Lancehead TE mouse, and Invicta mousepad. The sleeved cables for each peripheral will also sport the appropriate color change.

This difference will be purely cosmetic, in no way impacting the MSRP of the differently-colored peripherals. The Invicta mousepad, however, might offer some decreased performance in its new mercury white color scheme, since mice sensors typically work best on dark surfaces. The Razer Blackwidow X Chroma gunmetal grey and mercury white color schemes are only available for the US layout so far.

GIGABYTE today announced its latest generation of servers based on Intel's Skylake Purley architecture. This new generation brings a wealth of new options in scalability - across compute, network and storage - to deliver solutions for any application, from the enterprise to the data center to HPC. (Jump ahead to system introductions).

This server series adopts Intel's new product family - officially named the 'Intel Xeon Scalable family' and utilizes its ability to meet the increasingly diverse requirements of the industry, from entry-level HPC to large scale clusters.. The major development in this platform is around the improved features and functionality at both the host and fabric levels. These enable performance improvements - both natively on chip and for future extensibility through compute, network and storage peripherals. In practical terms, these new CPUs will offer up to 28 cores, and 48 PCIe lanes per socket.

StarTech, a leading manufacturer of hard-to-find connectivity parts has announced the release of a rugged new 7-Port USB 3.0 Hub (ST7300USBM), which enables users to add multiple external USB 3.0 connection ports to a PC, server or thin client located within server rooms or industrial operating environments. The industrial-grade hub can be mounted to a wall or DIN rail, and features 350W surge protection on each port as well as a solid metal chassis designed to withstand harsh conditions.

"This addition to our extensive USB 3.0 Hub product line provides more USB 3.0 connectivity and flexibility to areas that require the most modern device connectivity" said Carey Cline, Senior Product Manager for StarTech.com's Industrial I/O product line. "The hub not only delivers the convenient option of wall or DIN rail mounted installation, but also an impact-resistant metal casing that is durable enough for industrial applications."

Option, a global leader in wireless connectivity, security and experience, establishes its credentials as an LTE provider with the launch of Beemo, its new, ultrafast, quad-band 4G LTE USB modem.

Beemo brings best-in-class 4G. It sets itself apart through its stylish design, high quality and great performance. It has proven superior heat dissipation and delivers exceptionally fast quad-band (800/900/1800/2600 MHz) connectivity. Beemo comes with an external antenna connector that enables users to improve the signal in areas with low signal strength.

Option, a global leader in wireless connectivity, security and experience, today launches XYFI - the world's smallest hotspot with integrated 3G, WiFi and hotspot connectivity.

Option's XYFI, the world's smallest 3G WiFi hotspot, enables up to eight simultaneous connections, so users can connect their WiFi devices and invite others to share their broadband connection easily and securely. In addition to connecting to cellular networks to share WiFi, XYFI also connects to WiFi presenting the user as a hub to connectivity and providing carriers with significant WiFi offload benefits.