Energy Data
The latest Energy Data coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
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.
Stuck in a Windows 11 Update Loop? Clear This Cache (Not the Other One)
A corrupted SoftwareDistribution cache is behind most looping Windows 11 updates, yet outdated advice often leads users to clear the wrong folder. Here's how to safely reset the update cache and avoid common pitfalls.
Windows 11 Update KB5086672 Causing ERR_CONNECTION_RESET in Chrome and Edge—Here’s the Fix
Windows 11 KB5086672 update triggers ERR_CONNECTION_RESET in Chrome and Edge by conflicting with network adapter TCP Offload Engine. Disabling TOE fixes the issue for most users; a step-by-step guide covers that and other common causes of the error.
Chrome’s Red Underlines Disappeared? Here’s How to Restore Spell Check on Windows, Mac, and Mobile
Chrome’s missing red spell-check underlines are usually caused by settings, language selections, extensions, or workplace policies rather than browser bugs. Users can typically restore the feature in under two minutes by adjusting Chrome’s spell-check settings without reinstalling or resetting the browser.