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Why Windows 11 still won't let you name a file CON, and Microsoft's explanation goes back to MS-DOS
Winsage
October 19, 2026

Why Windows 11 still won’t let you name a file CON, and Microsoft’s explanation goes back to MS-DOS

In Windows 11, certain names such as CON, PRN, AUX, and NUL are reserved as they correspond to specific devices, preventing users from naming folders with these terms. These reserved names date back to DOS 1.0, where folders did not exist. The names have specific functions: CON refers to the console, PRN to the printer, AUX to an auxiliary device, and NUL to a null device that discards output. Attempts to rename a folder to any of these names result in an error message indicating the device name is invalid. Adding extensions to these names does not bypass the restriction, as names like NUL.txt are still treated as equivalent to NUL. Despite some changes in Windows 11, the prohibition against using these reserved names for files or folders remains in place due to legacy compatibility concerns.
Microsoft shares details of a clever old Windows trick it no longer needs
Winsage
August 12, 2026

Microsoft shares details of a clever old Windows trick it no longer needs

Microsoft's WINSTART.BAT file is a batch file that predates Windows 95 and was documented in the Windows 3.1 Resource Kit. Its primary function is to load terminate-and-stay-resident (TSR) programs for use by Windows applications, while these TSRs are not accessible to individual MS-DOS virtual machines. WINSTART.BAT is executed after the virtual machine manager (VMM) initializes, giving it an advantage over AUTOEXEC.BAT, which runs during the MS-DOS startup phase. TSRs loaded via AUTOEXEC.BAT are available to both Windows and MS-DOS environments, while those loaded through WINSTART.BAT are limited to Windows applications only.
Windows 95 used a very basic "trick" to detect setup files
Winsage
July 8, 2026

Windows 95 used a very basic “trick” to detect setup files

Microsoft developed Windows 95 with innovative detection mechanisms to prevent external installers from downgrading essential system components. The team used a heuristics-based approach to identify installer files by analyzing their names for keywords like "setup," "installer," or "inst," and also considered variations in other languages. If these keywords were not present, the system would check the file path for "setup." File checks were delayed until the next start to catch improperly modified files, as some setup programs would exit Windows to run batch files. Additionally, live file checks were conducted for multimedia driver installations via INF files, which was a special exception.
How to quickly launch multiple apps with a single action in Windows 11
Winsage
July 6, 2026

How to quickly launch multiple apps with a single action in Windows 11

Windows includes a Task Scheduler for automating tasks and batch files for streamlining operations. Batch files, with a .bat extension, are plaintext scripts that execute a series of commands in sequence, useful for automating repetitive tasks. A common use is launching multiple applications simultaneously, such as Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Google Chrome, Excel, and File Explorer, to enhance productivity. To create a batch file, users should identify the executable locations of the desired applications, create a text file named Launch Apps.bat, and input a specific script to launch the applications. The batch file can be executed by double-clicking it, and users can add echo commands for execution status or automate it with Task Scheduler. Some applications may require administrator privileges, and paths may need adjustments based on installation locations.
“Xbox mode is easily the headline feature”: In May’s Windows 11 update, I walk through the 11 upgrades that change how we use the OS, and why some of them surprised me
Winsage
May 2, 2026

“Xbox mode is easily the headline feature”: In May’s Windows 11 update, I walk through the 11 upgrades that change how we use the OS, and why some of them surprised me

Microsoft will begin rolling out the May 2026 Security Update for Windows 11 on May 12, 2026. Key features of this update include: 1. Xbox Mode: Transforms PCs into a console-like experience, prioritizing system resources for gaming and freeing up to 2GB of memory. 2. Voice Typing Improvements: Redesign of Voice Typing elements on the touch keyboard. 3. New Arabic 101 Legacy Keyboard Layout: Available for addition from the Region page in Settings. 4. Drop Tray Changes: Renamed from Drag Tray and can be disabled in Settings > System > Multitasking. 5. Taskbar AI Agents Support: Allows monitoring of AI agents directly from the Taskbar, starting with the Microsoft 365 Copilot app. 6. Debloat Policy with Dynamic List Support: Enables administrators to specify additional apps for removal beyond the default list. 7. Windows Driver Policy Update: Changes how the kernel manages trust for third-party drivers, eliminating default trust for cross-signed drivers. 8. Batch File Security Changes: Enhances security for batch files and Command Prompt scripts, with an option for a hardened processing mode. 9. Format FAT32 up to 2TB: The format command-line tool now supports formatting volumes up to 2TB using FAT32.
Microsoft releases first big update after Nadella's vow to 'win back fans'
Winsage
May 1, 2026

Microsoft releases first big update after Nadella’s vow to ‘win back fans’

Microsoft released a non-security update on April 30 aimed at enhancing Windows stability and performance, particularly improving Windows Explorer functionality. The update improves the reliability of explorer.exe processes, enhances sign-in processes, interactions with taskbar menus, and unpinning items from Quick Access. It optimizes startup application performance and storage performance, raising the maximum FAT32 format size limit from 32GB to 2TB. Additional reliability improvements were made to Windows Hello, the Microsoft Store, and the taskbar system tray. The update also introduces Enterprise State Roaming (ESR) for device transitions, policy-based removal of preinstalled Microsoft applications, and enhanced security for batch files.
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