Azure Archives

Winsage

July 7, 2026

Windows 11 Pro Has Dropped to Just $10 Through July 19

Windows 11 Pro is available for .97 until July 19, reduced from its standard retail price of 9. This offer is suitable for PCs that meet Microsoft's hardware requirements for Windows 11. Users should verify compatibility with Microsoft's PC Health Check tool. The operating system includes features such as BitLocker, Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, and Azure AD Support, along with productivity enhancements like Snap Layouts, Biometric Sign-in, DirectX 12 Ultimate, and Copilot Integration. The license is perpetual and tied to a single compatible PC, delivered digitally after purchase.

Winsage

July 5, 2026

Get Office 2021 + Windows 11 Pro lifetime access for just $39.19 today only

Consumers can purchase lifetime licenses for Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and Windows 11 Pro for .19, reduced from 9.99, using the promotional code JULY30 until July 5 at 11:59 p.m. PT. The bundle allows installation on a single compatible Windows PC without ongoing subscription fees. Microsoft Office Professional 2021 includes applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Access, Publisher, and Teams. Windows 11 Pro features include BitLocker, Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, Azure AD support, and Copilot.

Winsage

July 5, 2026

Windows 11 Pro has entered “too good to ignore” territory at just $10.49 through today only

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is available for .49 (regular price 9) through today only. This is a lifetime license with no recurring subscription fees. Key features include BitLocker, Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, Azure AD support, Snap Layouts, DirectX 12 Ultimate, biometric sign-in, and an AI Assistant Copilot. The offer ends today at 11:59 p.m. PT using the code JULY30.

Winsage

July 2, 2026

Microsoft’s new Azure Linux 4.0 is here, and it could replace Windows Server in the enterprise

Microsoft has released Azure Linux 4.0, transitioning it from an internal tool to a server operating system that users can install on their own servers and virtual machines. Azure Linux 4.0 is built on Fedora Linux, allowing the use of RPMs and ensuring compatibility with Azure's cloud platform. The beta version features a hardened Linux kernel 6.18, optimized for performance on Hyper-V and Azure virtual machines, and incorporates SELinux-based security measures without a graphical user interface. In the Azure Marketplace, it is marketed as a "Microsoft-built Linux distribution for Azure," with formal support available for deployments on Azure but not for standalone hardware. The Azure Linux GitHub repository provides transparency into the distribution, encouraging community engagement while Microsoft retains control over the base image's contents. Azure Linux is positioned as a free, Azure-optimized server operating system for hybrid environments, potentially signaling a shift away from Windows Server.

Winsage

July 1, 2026

🚨 Windows users, don’t let a $9.97 Pro upgrade pass you by

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is available for .97, down from 9, as part of the Extended Deal Days event, valid until 11:59 p.m. PT today. Key features include BitLocker, Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, and Azure AD Support. User experience enhancements include Snap Layouts, Copilot, DirectX 12 Ultimate, and Biometric Sign-In. The purchase is a one-time fee, and users should verify compatibility with Microsoft's PC Health Check app.

Winsage

July 1, 2026

Steve Ballmer once trashed Linux as “a cancer” — now it’s saving Windows 10 holdouts

In 2001, Steve Ballmer, then CEO of Microsoft, referred to Linux as a "cancer" threatening Microsoft's intellectual property and likened its users to "communist thieves." By 2016, after Microsoft ported SQL Server to Linux, Ballmer expressed enthusiasm for the change and acknowledged that the conflict with open-source had benefited Microsoft's financial success. In 2020, Microsoft President Brad Smith admitted the company had been on the wrong side of history regarding open source and noted the need for change. Microsoft has since embraced open-source technologies, introducing products like Azure Linux 4.0, built on Fedora. As Windows 11's transition becomes difficult for users, advocacy groups have criticized Microsoft for ending support for Windows 10, which could lead to millions of discarded computers. Microsoft extended Windows 10's life through an Extended Security Updates program until October 14, 2026, with a recent announcement pushing it to 2027. Rising hardware costs and design flaws in Windows 11 have led some users to consider alternatives like Linux. A survey revealed that 30% of PCs are still running Windows 10, and a poll showed that 68% of respondents plan to stick with Windows 10 through 2027.

Winsage

June 30, 2026

Steve Ballmer once called Linux a “cancer” — it’s funny Windows 10 holdouts may now see it as the cure for Windows 11’s hardware rules and the RAM crisis

Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer initially described Linux as a "cancer" in 2001 but changed his perspective by 2016, supporting Microsoft's decision to port SQL Server to Linux. Microsoft President Brad Smith acknowledged the company's past underestimation of the open-source movement in 2020. Microsoft has integrated open-source solutions into its products, including PowerShell and Visual Studio Code, and launched Azure Linux 4.0. As Microsoft phases out support for Windows 10, critics argue this leads to programmed obsolescence, affecting up to 400 million PCs. Microsoft extended support for Windows 10 through its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program until October 14, 2026, with an additional extension through 2027. Rising hardware costs and stringent requirements for Windows 11 hinder many users' transitions. Advocacy groups are encouraging users to consider Linux, highlighting its advantages. Recent surveys show that 30% of HP PCs still run Windows 10, and a poll indicated that 68% of participants plan to stay with Windows 10 through 2027. There is a growing awareness among consumers regarding the potential shift to open-source alternatives like Linux.

Winsage

June 30, 2026

The smartest Windows OS upgrade costs just $10 through July 1

Windows 11 Pro is available for .97, down from its regular price of 9. This limited-time promotion runs until July 1 at 11:59 p.m. PT. The upgrade includes features such as a modern user interface, improved multitasking, advanced security features, Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, BitLocker encryption, Azure AD integration, and Microsoft’s AI-powered assistant, Copilot.

Winsage

June 30, 2026

Microsoft reveals why Windows 11 keeps saying a file is in use after you close the app, plus the fix

The 'file in use' error in Windows indicates that a file is currently being accessed by a program, preventing deletion or renaming to avoid data corruption. This error can persist even after closing an application due to reasons such as antivirus software scanning the file, network references from other devices, or files loaded as Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs) that remain in memory. To identify the process causing the error, Mark Russinovich developed the command-line tool Handle, which shows all open file handles, and Process Explorer, which provides a graphical interface to find and manage these handles. Microsoft is integrating Sysinternals tools into PowerToys for easier access, including the File Locksmith tool that allows users to unlock files directly. A recommended workaround for the error is to rename the file instead of deleting it, as Windows permits renaming even when a file is open.

Winsage

June 29, 2026

Microsoft keeps Windows Server 2022 hotpatching alive into 2027

Microsoft has extended the availability of Windows Server 2022 hotpatching until 2027, specifically for the Windows Server 2022 Datacenter: Azure Edition. Mainstream support for Windows Server 2022 will end on October 13, 2026, while extended support will last until October 14, 2031. Hotpatching allows administrators to apply security updates without server downtime, although quarterly cumulative updates requiring a reboot will still occur. This feature is exclusive to Azure Edition users, with no similar support for on-premises users of Windows Server 2022. Additionally, hotpatch updates are being introduced for Windows 11 24H2 Enterprise clients and are now the default for Windows Autopatch.