Windows Archives

Winsage

June 28, 2026

Microsoft Caught Between Windows 10 Stagnation and AI Infrastructure Splurge as Macro Data Looms

Microsoft shares rose 5.71% to close at €327.90 on Friday, recovering from a 52-week low of €307.10 earlier that day. The company reported revenue of €82.9 billion in its latest quarterly earnings, an 18% year-on-year increase, driven by cloud and AI services. On June 22, Chevron announced a 20-year power purchase agreement with Microsoft for approximately 2.67 gigawatts of capacity for a data center, with the first power delivery expected in 2028. Microsoft extended its Extended Security Updates program for Windows 10 home users by another year, pushing the final security patch deadline to October 2027. The stock's closing price is only 6.77% above its 52-week low, with a 50-day moving average at €352.96 and a 200-day average at €383.98. The relative strength index is at 43, indicating no strong momentum.

Winsage

June 28, 2026

Microsoft begins rolling out a faster File Explorer on Windows 11, and no, it’s not preloading

Microsoft is rolling out an enhanced File Explorer for Windows 11 as part of the June 2026 optional update (KB5095093 / Build 26200.8737), which will also be included in the cumulative update scheduled for July 2026. This update improves File Explorer performance, particularly by streamlining the "Home" tab and enhancing the speed of launching File Explorer. Users will experience a more responsive interface, with improvements in the address bar and fixes for issues related to unresponsiveness when mounting disk images. Enhancements also include refinements in file and folder renaming, allowing for better text selection and case-only name changes. Users can navigate between folders using double backslashes and quotation marks in the address bar. Microsoft is also testing a faster, configurable right-click menu to improve usability. The preloading feature for File Explorer is still in development, with no guarantee it will match the speed of Windows 10.

Winsage

June 27, 2026

Whew! Windows 10 Users Get a Year’s Extension for Security Updates

Microsoft has extended its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10 until October 14, 2027, after the original end-of-life date was set for October 13, 2023. The ESU program is the only way for users to receive security patches after Microsoft ceased support for Windows 10 in October 2025. Users must be running at least version 22H2 and have a Microsoft account to enroll in the ESU program. The extension aims to provide customers more time to transition to new hardware, which requires a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) for upgrading to Windows 11. Additionally, the prices of laptops and desktop PCs have increased due to demand from artificial intelligence and data centers, although budget-friendly laptops have started to emerge in the market.

Winsage

June 27, 2026

Critics on Microsoft extending Windows 10 support for free through 2027: “Are they admitting Windows 11 isn’t good enough 5 years later?”

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft ceased support for Windows 10, affecting nearly 400 million PCs. In response to user concerns, Microsoft extended the operating system's life through the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, allowing continued access to essential patches until October 14, 2027, at no cost for users with a Microsoft account. Critics, including The Restart Project, expressed skepticism about this extension, viewing it as a temporary fix. Protests occurred in France against Microsoft's planned obsolescence strategy. Some users are considering alternatives like Linux due to hardware limitations and dissatisfaction with Windows 11. Recent surveys indicate that about 30% of HP PCs still run Windows 10, suggesting a gradual transition to Windows 11, which became the dominant desktop OS in July 2025.

Winsage

June 27, 2026

Windows 10 support extended to 2027 for free — Is this Microsoft admitting Windows 11 isn’t enough?

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft ended support for Windows 10, prompting concerns among users. In response, the company extended support through the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, allowing continued access to essential patches until October 14, 2027, at no cost for users with a Microsoft account. The Restart Project criticized this late intervention, while users expressed mixed reactions, with some considering a switch to Linux due to rising hardware costs and dissatisfaction with Windows 11. A recent HP survey indicated that 30% of HP PCs were still running Windows 10, down from 50% in September 2025. Microsoft's decision to extend support for Windows 10 has raised questions about the adequacy of Windows 11, which surpassed Windows 10 as the leading desktop operating system globally in July 2025.

Winsage

June 27, 2026

I refuse to upgrade to Windows 11, here’s what I’m doing instead

A user reflects on their decade-old PC, which still functions for web browsing and media streaming, but faces a dilemma with the end-of-life for Windows 10 in October. They express dissatisfaction with Windows 11, feeling it lacks features and customization options. Recognizing that staying with Windows 10 post-support is not a long-term solution, the user discovers Linux Mint, which meets their needs and allows for greater customization. The transition to Linux Mint is smooth, and the user appreciates the supportive community and the adaptability of the new operating system.

Winsage

June 27, 2026

I refuse to upgrade to Windows 11, here’s what I’m doing instead

An old PC's motherboard has recently marked a decade of service, and while it performs well for web browsing and media streaming, the end of support for Windows 10 is approaching in October. Microsoft encourages users to upgrade to a new Copilot+ PC. The user contemplates several options: continuing to use the PC after the end-of-life date, switching to a Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) version of Windows, or attempting to install Windows 11. The user expresses dissatisfaction with Windows 11, feeling it lacks essential features and customization options. They also find staying with Windows 10 impractical due to the eventual phasing out of support. The user identifies Linux Mint as a compelling alternative, having found it compatible and customizable, and expresses hope that other Windows 10 users will consider transitioning to Linux Mint as well.

Winsage

June 27, 2026

RAM crisis provokes enthusiast to try Windows 11 on DDR1-era hardware — other key vintage components included the Core 2 Q6600 and ATI Radeon HD 4650 AGP

Omores has successfully demonstrated running Windows 11 on a Core 2 Quad Q6600 with a DDR1 motherboard and an ATI Radeon HD 4650 AGP graphics card. The system is stable and capable of running modern browsers, games, and 3D benchmarks, including the demanding game Crysis. Compatibility was achieved by integrating ATI’s Windows 7 64-bit drivers from 2012. Windows 11 operates on older systems without UEFI and only ACPI 1.1, and it officially supports BIOS systems through Windows 11 IoT.

Winsage

June 27, 2026

How to get free Windows 10 security patches until October 2027 – and avoid the $30 fee

Microsoft has officially ended support for Windows 10, but users can receive critical security updates until October 12, 2027, through the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program at no cost. To qualify, users must have a Windows 10 PC running version 22H2 or later and sign in with a Microsoft account, excluding Enterprise and Education editions. In the European Economic Area, customers automatically qualify for free ESU subscriptions without needing a Microsoft account. Enrollment can be done through Settings > Windows Update, and users may need to back up their settings or redeem Microsoft Rewards points. Business customers must purchase ESU subscriptions at a higher cost. Users should be cautious of potential issues, such as cloud storage consumption during backup.

Winsage

June 27, 2026

Microsoft now lets you pause Windows updates indefinitely and cuts restarts down to one a month

The Windows team at Microsoft has introduced a calendar-based option for pausing updates, allowing users to select a specific end date for their pause, extending up to 35 days. Users can set this by navigating to Settings > Windows Update and choosing their end date from a calendar. The calendar pause is not permanent; once the pause period ends, Windows will automatically check for and install updates. Users can manually reset the pause to extend it further by another 35 days. Additionally, Microsoft is consolidating driver, .NET, and firmware updates into a single monthly restart to enhance user experience. The "Update and shut down" feature has been improved, allowing users to shut down their PCs without installing pending updates. The calendar pause feature is available in the June optional update KB5095093, while the other changes are accessible to Windows Insiders in the Experimental and Beta channels.