alternative operating systems Archives

Winsage

March 25, 2026

Windows 11 give less AI and more control over in Taskbar

Microsoft is set to release a significant update for Windows 11, incorporating user feedback. The update will reduce access points to Copilot in applications like Snipping Tool, Photos, Widgets, and Notepad, focusing on AI features that provide genuine utility. The taskbar will be customizable, allowing users to position it at the top or sides of their screens, and mandatory installations of system updates before restarting will be eliminated. Enhancements to File Explorer will improve launch speed and reliability. The update aims to optimize overall performance by reducing memory usage and enhancing system stability, driver quality, and USB/Bluetooth connections. This response addresses previous user issues, including shutdown problems and Outlook instability, which have led some to consider alternative operating systems. The update aims to offer less intrusive AI, more customization options, and improved system performance.

Winsage

January 16, 2026

TechPowerUp Readers Willing to Move Away from Windows after Windows 10 EOL: Frontpage Poll

In the final quarter of 2025, a poll conducted among over 34,000 participants revealed that 55.4% (18,981 individuals) were interested in transitioning from Windows to Linux. Only 4.5% (1,538 readers) expressed a willingness to migrate to macOS, and 1.9% showed interest in switching to gaming consoles. Overall, 61.8% of respondents indicated disillusionment with the Windows platform, while 38.2% (13,105 participants) remained committed to Windows. Many comments reflected dissatisfaction with Windows 11, particularly regarding its interface and the integration of other Microsoft products.

Winsage

January 16, 2026

Owner of big gaming platform can’t believe how bad Windows 11 is – and hints are dropped about big things for Linux gamers this year

Michał Kiciński, the new owner of GOG, expressed surprise at the longevity of Windows, criticizing it as poor-quality software. Maciej Gołębiewski, managing director of GOG, noted the company's strategic shift towards Linux, driven by increasing game compatibility and the success of SteamOS. This pivot is part of a broader industry trend as developers recognize the value of alternative operating systems. GOG plans to embrace Linux more fully by 2026. Meanwhile, Microsoft has focused on integrating AI into Windows 11, which has faced criticism for not addressing foundational issues, particularly in performance and functionality.

Winsage

January 16, 2026

Still on Windows 10? 0patch may be your best defense in the ‘End of Support era’

In early 2023, Microsoft announced that official support for Windows 10 would end in 2025, with regular updates and security patches ceasing on October 14, 2025. Users have a little over two years to transition to Windows 11 or other operating systems. Some users have enrolled in Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which will also end in October 2026. A third-party service called 0patch offers ongoing protection for Windows 10 by providing micropatches for vulnerabilities. 0patch releases two to three micropatches each month, prioritizing vulnerabilities that are publicly known, actively exploited, and lack an official Microsoft fix. 0patch has a free version that provides critical zero-day patches and a paid Pro plan that includes legacy patches. The Pro plan costs €25 per year, while an Enterprise plan is available for €35 annually. 0patch plans to support Windows 10 until at least October 2030, depending on user demand. Users have reported some performance issues with 0patch, but the updates are lightweight and do not significantly affect system performance.

Winsage

January 12, 2026

Windows 11 Faces Backlash as Slowest OS in 25 Years, Benchmarks Show

Microsoft's Windows 11, launched in 2021, has been criticized for significant performance issues, making it potentially the least performant version of Windows in over two decades. Independent benchmarks reveal that Windows 11 is slower than its predecessors in areas such as boot times, application launches, and overall system responsiveness. Users with high-end hardware, including 13th-generation Intel Core processors, have reported noticeable slowdowns compared to Windows 10. Performance assessments indicate that Windows 11 struggles in various categories, including file operations, multitasking, and gaming, with longer boot speeds reminiscent of older systems. Gamers have experienced stuttering and frame rate drops, and Microsoft has acknowledged these issues in updates since 2022. The operating system is criticized for being a "resource hog," with preloaded features consuming resources even when idle. Users have reported lagging File Explorer and freezing processes, leading some to consider alternative operating systems. IT departments have noted increased support tickets related to performance issues, prompting some to delay upgrades from Windows 10. Microsoft has offered optimization advice, but critics argue these are temporary fixes for deeper architectural problems. The performance issues have implications for software developers and hardware manufacturers, increasing development costs and complicating hardware optimizations. Analysts warn that without prompt action, Microsoft's market dominance could be at risk, as users advocate for a leaner, faster Windows.

Winsage

December 4, 2025

Windows 10 Market Share Dips Below 30% as Gamers Migrate to Windows 11

Windows 10 reached its end of life on October 14, leading to a migration towards Windows 11, which gained 2.02% market share, while Windows 10's share fell below 30%, a decrease of 2.08%. Linux also increased its market share by 0.15% to 3.20%. Approximately 500 million PCs were unable to upgrade to Windows 11 by the end of Windows 10's life, and users face hardware upgrade challenges. Microsoft offers Extended Security Updates as a temporary measure, and Dell's COO indicated that around 500 million additional PCs could transition to Windows 11 without hardware updates.

Winsage

December 3, 2025

Windows 10’s demise fuels Linux hype again — but will Bazzite finally break the “forever up‑and‑comer” curse? There’s a chance.

Microsoft has discontinued support for Windows 10, leading to around 500 million PCs being eligible for an upgrade to Windows 11, though many users remain on the unsupported platform. Zorin OS has gained approximately 780,000 users migrating from Windows within a month of this decision. Bazzite, a Linux-based gaming distribution, surpassed one petabyte of ISO downloads in a month, serving around 150,000 ISOs and attracting 730,000 visitors. Bazzite offers better hardware compatibility and pre-installed drivers for NVIDIA and AMD GPUs, making it a strong alternative to SteamOS. The improved compatibility of Windows games on Linux, aided by Valve's Proton, is contributing to the trend of users exploring alternatives to Windows.

Winsage

November 28, 2025

Is Windows 11 fighting a losing battle? Dell underlines how unpopular the OS is after support ended compared to Windows 10

Dell's Chief Operating Officer, Jeffrey Clarke, reported a 10% to 12% lag in the migration from Windows 10 to Windows 11 compared to previous adoption rates. Approximately 500 million PCs are incompatible with Windows 11 due to its stringent system requirements. Dell has seen an increase in PC sales for 2025 but anticipates flat sales in 2026 due to rising component costs and supply chain issues. The slow uptake of Windows 11 may lead consumers to retain their Windows 10 machines or consider alternatives like Linux or macOS. Microsoft is providing extended support for Windows 10 until October 2026, allowing users more time to decide on upgrades. The future pace of migration to Windows 11 may be influenced by Microsoft's integration of AI functionalities.

Winsage

November 25, 2025

This Linux OS has got a million downloads since Windows 10 support ended – should Microsoft start worrying now?

Zorin OS achieved one million downloads within the past month, coinciding with the release of Zorin OS 18 and the end of support for Windows 10. The new version received 100,000 downloads in the first two days after its launch. The surge in interest may be attributed to users seeking alternatives to Windows 11, especially those with hardware that does not meet its requirements. The 'Lite' version of Zorin OS is particularly suited for older PCs. Despite the end of support for Windows 10, Microsoft will continue offering extended support until October 2026.

Winsage

November 23, 2025

Windows Users Furious at Microsoft’s Plan to Turn It Into an “Agentic OS”

Microsoft is encouraging users to transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11, emphasizing its integration of artificial intelligence (AI) throughout the platform. The company aims to transform Windows into a “canvas for AI” with AI agents accessible from the taskbar to assist with tasks like background research and file management. However, user reception has been negative, with many expressing concerns about the new features on platforms like Reddit, suggesting alternatives like Linux. Despite the backlash, Microsoft continues to promote significant design changes, including the central placement of the Copilot AI assistant on the taskbar and enhancements to Windows File Explorer. The push for voice interaction aims to allow more natural communication with PCs, but raises privacy concerns regarding third-party access to personal files. Early reviews of the AI features have been mixed, with some users reporting ineffective experiences.