Windows Archives

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October 1, 2026

Windows 10 Users Face a $30 Choice as Microsoft Quietly Extends Security Support to 2027

Microsoft has extended the support cutoff for Windows 10 from October 13, 2026, to October 12, 2027, due to a one-year extension of the consumer security program. Devices enrolled in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program will continue to receive updates automatically. Unenrolled devices can still enroll until October 12, 2027, to receive critical updates released since their support ended on October 14, 2025. Users in the European Economic Area can access ESU at no extra cost but must maintain a Microsoft account to avoid losing access to updates after 60 days. To qualify for ESU, devices must run Windows 10 version 22H2 in supported editions, have the latest updates, and meet specific criteria. Microsoft 365 Apps and OneDrive on Windows 10 will receive updates beyond ESU, but the operating system itself remains unprotected without ESU. As of August 2026, 25.15 percent of Windows desktops in Germany were still using Windows 10. Users can check their ESU status under Settings, Update & Security, Windows Update.

Winsage

October 1, 2026

At last: I can build a home out of raw Windows Vista-era nostalgia

In 2007, software aesthetics featured glossy, rounded plastics and serene landscapes, creating a tranquil atmosphere. A new home-building simulator called Frutiger Home has been released on Steam, allowing players to create personal sanctuaries inspired by the optimistic design elements of the past. The term Frutiger Aero aesthetic describes the polished visual language prevalent in tech and UI design from the mid-2000s to early 2010s. The game invites players to decorate homes with nostalgic imagery, such as clownfish and dandelions, reminiscent of earlier technology like the Zune. Frutiger Home is available on Steam for a low price.

Winsage

October 1, 2026

Windows XP had a hidden database of broken apps, and Microsoft used it to trick them into working

Windows XP, released in 2001, was designed with a hidden compatibility database to support legacy software. This database, located in the C:WINDOWSAppPatch folder, contained approximately 200 compatibility fixes at launch and utilized a sophisticated matching system based on file size, checksum, version, and date. Windows XP could modify its behavior for specific applications through the use of shims, which acted as intermediaries to adjust application calls to the Windows API. Notable shims included Win98VersionLie, which faked the Windows version for compatibility, and EmulateHeap, which replicated the Windows 95 memory management style. Microsoft recognized that blocking applications relying on undocumented features could hinder user upgrades, as many organizations depended on legacy software. The compatibility fixes were managed through DLLs in the AppPatch folder, allowing the core operating system files to remain unchanged. Microsoft continued to enhance XP's compatibility with updates even years after its release.

Winsage

October 1, 2026

Microsoft Enables Windows Settings Backup by Default

Microsoft has announced that Windows settings backup will now be enabled by default on eligible Windows 11 version 26H2 devices. This feature, previously known as Windows Backup for Organizations, automatically preserves users’ Windows settings and Microsoft Store app lists, facilitating restoration after device resets, replacements, or reimages. The change aims to minimize disruptions during device recovery and ensures more devices have recovery data readily available. Administrators will still control the restore process, which requires explicit configuration. The default-on behavior applies only to Windows 11 version 26H2 or later, devices with the backup policy in a “Not Configured” state, and excludes certain environments. Administrators can disable the backup feature if necessary.

Winsage

October 1, 2026

Microsoft to drop support for Snapdragon 850 powered PCs with the next version of Windows

Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 11 version 26H2 will be the last version to support devices with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 850 processors. The Snapdragon 850, introduced in 2018, was the first chip specifically designed for Windows. While devices with the Snapdragon 850 can still install the current update, they will not be eligible for the upcoming version 27H2. Windows 11 version 26H2 will receive support for 24 months, after which devices using the Snapdragon 850 will no longer have official support, posing potential security risks.

Winsage

October 1, 2026

Microsoft Windows and Surface Event: What We Expect to See on Oct. 7

Microsoft will host its first dedicated laptop event in two years on Wednesday in San Francisco, focusing on innovations in Windows and Surface devices. Windows 12 will not be unveiled at the event. The event will discuss how local AI will influence the future of PCs, aligning with Microsoft's AI initiatives and partnerships with chip manufacturers like Qualcomm. Key figures, including CEO Satya Nadella and Pavan Davuluri, will speak. The potential launch of the Surface Laptop Ultra, a 15-inch model powered by Nvidia’s RTX Spark chip, is anticipated, with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang also attending. Earlier this month, Microsoft introduced new Surface laptops with Snapdragon Elite X2 chips at Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit. The computer hardware industry is experiencing rising prices due to increased manufacturing costs and demand for advanced chips, compounded by recent Windows licensing fee hikes. The event will begin at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET and can be watched via livestream on YouTube.

Winsage

October 1, 2026

Microsoft enables Windows settings backup by default for orgs

Microsoft has updated its Windows settings backup and restore functionality, now automatically enabled for all enterprise systems joined to Microsoft Entra or operating in a hybrid environment after upgrading to Windows 11 version 26H2. The backup tool, previously known as Windows Backup for Organizations, is designed to facilitate the backup and restoration of essential Windows settings for enterprise users during device resets, replacements, upgrades, or reimaging. Originally introduced in November 2024, it became generally available by August 2025. The backup policy will be activated by default for eligible devices following the release of Windows 11, version 26H2 on September 29, 2025, unless administrators have previously configured the policy. The automatic backup feature applies to devices running Windows 11 26H2 in regions not governed by the EU Digital Markets Act and does not require explicit admin configuration for restoring Windows devices. IT administrators can control the backup policy through mobile device management solutions like Microsoft Intune or Group Policy.

Winsage

October 1, 2026

Upgrade Your Work PC With Office and Windows 11 Pro for $33

The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows lifetime license and Windows 11 Pro Bundle is available for .97, reduced from an MSRP of 9.99, until October 4. The bundle includes a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional 2021, which features applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Teams, Access, and Publisher. Windows 11 Pro offers multitasking capabilities, enhanced voice typing, a robust search experience, and advanced cybersecurity measures. Prices are subject to change.

Winsage

October 1, 2026

Windows 11 26H2 update arrives: What’s inside and who should install it ASAP

Microsoft has unveiled Windows 11 26H2, an "enablement package" designed for quicker installation. There is no direct upgrade from Windows 11 26H1, which was only for Snapdragon X2 Arm devices, but users with versions 25H2 or 24H2 can upgrade easily. The rollout is gradual, and users can check eligibility via Settings > Windows Update. The update can also be accessed through Microsoft's Download Windows 11 website. Version 26H2 compiles feature and security updates from the past year, including enhancements like a customizable Start menu, improved Windows Search, and better support for fingerprint readers. Support for version 23H2 has ended, 24H2 will end on October 13, 2026, and 25H2 will end on October 12, 2027. Version 26H2 will receive support until October 10, 2028.

Winsage

October 1, 2026

One Of Qualcomm’s Earliest SoCs To Support Windows And Help The Company Set Up The Snapdragon X Family Will No Longer Be Compatible With Microsoft’s Next Update

Qualcomm's Snapdragon 850 will no longer be compatible with Windows 11 following the upcoming update to version 27H2. The last supported update for the Snapdragon 850 will be Windows 11 version 26H2, which promises 24 months of support, including essential security updates. After this period, devices powered by the Snapdragon 850 will not receive further patches. Microsoft has previously ceased support for the older Snapdragon 835, and while there is no official explanation for the Snapdragon 850's discontinuation, there is a possibility that it may still function with future updates despite lack of support.