Windows Archives

Winsage

April 11, 2026

Microsoft terminated accounts tied to VeraCrypt, WireGuard, and Windscribe

Several prominent security and privacy developers, including those behind VeraCrypt, WireGuard, and Windscribe, had their Microsoft developer accounts terminated, preventing them from accessing essential publishing and verification tools. Microsoft acknowledged the terminations but did not provide a detailed explanation. The lead developer of VeraCrypt, Mounir Idrassi, expressed frustration over the inability to sign drivers and ship updates for WireGuard due to the account suspension. Windscribe reported similar issues and difficulties in reaching Microsoft support. The situation gained attention on social media, prompting Microsoft’s EVP for Windows and Devices, Pavan Davuluri, to assure that the company was working to resolve the issue and had reached out to VeraCrypt and WireGuard to reinstate their accounts. The terminations were attributed to a new mandatory account verification process that took effect on October 16, 2025, requiring partners to verify their identities with government-issued IDs. Microsoft acknowledged the need to improve communication regarding such changes.

Winsage

April 11, 2026

“We have discontinued SaRA”: Microsoft replaces its Windows 11 Recovery Assistant — here’s how to transition to Microsoft’s modern command-line replacement.

Microsoft has phased out the Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) utility with the March 2026 Security Update for Windows 11, replacing it with the new "Get Help" command-line tool. The SaRA was designed to troubleshoot and resolve common issues affecting Windows 11 and Microsoft 365 applications. Users are now encouraged to use the Get Help command-line tool, which offers enhanced functionality and security. To use the Get Help tool, users must download the files, extract them, and run specific commands in the Command Prompt. The tool addresses various issues, including Microsoft 365 activation challenges and Outlook profile errors.

Winsage

April 11, 2026

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build for Canary Channel 29565.1000

Windows Insider Preview Build 29565.1000 has been released in the Windows 11 Insider Canary Channel. Key updates include improved performance for the Bubbles screensaver on high refresh rate monitors, refinements to the drag tray based on user feedback, and enhancements to the Windows Security app, which now features color-coded icon badges for Secure Boot status. The Feedback Hub has also received updates, including a new default window size that remembers dimensions, mouse back button navigation, and improved visibility for community feedback. Canary Channel builds may be unstable and are subject to change. Users can enable a toggle in Settings to access new features gradually. A clean installation of Windows 11 is required to exit the Canary Channel.

Winsage

April 11, 2026

Big changes coming with Windows 11. Microsoft might be bidding goodbye to the Control Panel

Microsoft is set to launch a significant update for Windows 11 in April 2026, focusing on enhancing both functionality and aesthetics. The update will streamline the Settings interface, align dialog boxes with dark mode, and aim for a more intuitive user experience. Under design director March Rogers, the initiative seeks to address historical criticisms of Microsoft's design approach, emphasizing the alignment of form and function. Key features of the update include a clearer Settings layout, dark mode for legacy dialog boxes, the ability to move the Taskbar, voice input for File Explorer, and AI integration with Narrator. Additionally, the update will adapt to evolving hardware needs with improved stylus configuration for 2-in-1 devices. User feedback is being prioritized in design decisions to create a cleaner, more cohesive system.

Winsage

April 11, 2026

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.8165 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.8165 (KB 5083635) has been released to the Beta Channel, featuring several updates: - The FAT32 volume formatting size limit has increased from 32GB to 2TB. - Performance improvements for navigating large volumes in Storage settings. - Reduced frequency of UAC prompts on the Storage page. - Resolution of unrealistic data usage values in Network settings. - Enhancements to the Windows Security app's Secure Boot experience, including color-coded icon badges and updated certificates. - A revamped Feedback Hub with a modernized experience, simpler feedback submission, easier navigation, a new compliment feedback type, and improved screenshot capture tools. - Updates are based on Windows 11, version 25H2, and features are gradually rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology. - A desktop watermark appears in Insider pre-release builds. - Features may not be released beyond Windows Insiders and may evolve or be removed.

Winsage

April 11, 2026

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.8170 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.8170 (KB 5083632) has been released to the Dev Channel. Key changes include: - The FAT32 volume formatting size limit has increased from 32GB to 2TB. - Performance improvements for navigating large storage volumes in Settings. - A UAC prompt for accessing temporary files is now only shown when entering that specific section. - An issue with unrealistic data usage values in the Network settings has been fixed. - Enhancements to the Windows Security app include color-coded icon badges and updated text in the Secure Boot section, with updates to Secure Boot certificates being rolled out. - Feedback Hub version 2.2604.101.0 is being rolled out, featuring design improvements, improved default window size, mouse back button navigation, and corrected upvote buttons for Chinese display language users. Updates are based on Windows 11, version 25H2, and features are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology. The desktop watermark is present in Insider pre-release builds. Features may not be released to the public and could evolve or be removed based on feedback.

Winsage

April 11, 2026

Microsoft Issues Four Insider Builds Across Canary, Dev, and Beta Channels

Microsoft has released four new preview builds of Windows 11 for the Windows Insider Program across its Canary, Dev, and Beta channels. In the Canary channel, the latest update KB5083824 upgrades systems to Windows 11 build 28020.1812, introducing improvements such as customizable touchpad right-click zone sizes, a smaller peek view for the Drag tray, visibility into Secure Boot certificate status in Windows Security, and design updates in the Feedback Hub. For those in the Canary channel who opted for the 29xxx build series, build 29565.1000 includes underlying platform changes, enhancements to the bubble screensaver for high refresh rate displays, and the same Drag tray, Windows Security, and Feedback Hub improvements. In the Dev channel, users can upgrade to Windows 11 25H2 build 26300.8170 with update KB5083632, while the Beta channel receives update KB5083635, upgrading to Windows 11 25H2 build 26220.8165. Both updates feature storage improvements allowing FAT32 drive formatting up to 2 TB from the command line, corrected Data usage views in Network settings, and the same Windows Security and Feedback Hub enhancements.

Winsage

April 10, 2026

France to Ditch Microsoft Windows as Europe’s War on American Tech Rages On

France has announced its intention to transition some of its government systems from Windows to Linux to reduce reliance on American technology. The initial phase will involve machines used by the Interministerial Directorate for Digital Affairs (DINUM), although a timeline for the transition has not been established. French Minister David Amiel stated that this move is part of a broader effort to regain control of digital sovereignty. Earlier this year, France banned public officials from using American videoconferencing platforms such as Google Meet, Zoom, and Teams. The European Commission is drafting legislation to promote tech sovereignty, but there are concerns about the security implications of moving away from American technology. Transitioning to Linux will require French government employees to adapt to open-source software, potentially replacing Microsoft Office 365 with alternatives like LibreOffice.

Winsage

April 10, 2026

Lilbits: Lenovo teases a larger gaming tablet, OpenBSD ported to the Pomera DM250, Microsoft simplifies Windows Insider channels

Lenovo introduced its Legion brand for gaming tablets in 2022 and has consistently maintained an 8.8-inch screen size across its devices. The company is preparing to launch a new gaming tablet with a larger display and potentially dual rear cameras. So far, Lenovo has released five versions of the Legion Y700 gaming tablet exclusively in China, with only two models available in the United States, and a third model expected soon.

Winsage

April 10, 2026

French government says au revoir Windows, bienvenue Linux

France announced its intention to migrate its workstations from Microsoft Windows to the open-source Linux operating system as part of a broader initiative across Europe aimed at achieving digital sovereignty and reducing reliance on foreign technology. The French government also plans to replace its videoconferencing tools with the domestically developed Visio and migrate its health data to a new platform by the end of 2026. European leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen, have emphasized the importance of maintaining digital sovereignty despite pressures from the Trump administration, which has criticized European regulations on American tech companies. Christian Kroll, CEO of Ecosia, and Giorgos Verdi, a policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, have highlighted the need for Europe to assert its independence and strengthen its innovation landscape to avoid external pressures.