boot times Archives

Winsage

December 2, 2025

5 reasons your PC can feel slow after a Windows update, and how to fix each one

Large Windows updates involve reconfiguring system files, installing components, updating drivers, and initiating post-update tasks, which can temporarily slow down performance, especially on older hardware. The Windows Module Installer (TiWorker.exe) finalizes updates and may trigger cleanup and maintenance tasks, consuming CPU and disk resources. Outdated or incompatible drivers can hinder performance, leading to sluggish boot times and reduced gaming frame rates. The indexing feature may intensify after a major update, increasing CPU and disk usage. Major updates can reset user-defined settings and reintroduce background processes and applications, causing additional resource consumption. Cumulative updates may lead to performance issues due to memory leaks or driver conflicts, and Microsoft provides a "Windows release health" dashboard for tracking known issues. Slowdowns after updates are typically temporary, lasting from a few minutes to several hours, but persistent issues may require further investigation.

Winsage

November 25, 2025

I forced myself to run Windows 11, and to be honest, I don’t miss much about Windows 10

Windows 10 reached the end of its support, prompting an upgrade to Windows 11. Windows 11 is faster, with performance improvements claimed to be up to 2.3 times quicker than Windows 10, particularly on modern hardware. Boot times improved from 40 seconds to under 20 seconds. Battery life enhancements are reported, especially for modern devices. The Microsoft Store has been redesigned for a better user experience, allowing app uninstallation directly from the Store. The Start menu and Taskbar have been redesigned, with a more organized layout that enhances usability. The new context menu includes dedicated icons for frequently used functions. The classic Control Panel is missed, as its functionality has largely moved to the Settings app, which some find less simple. Overall, the upgrade to Windows 11 is considered worthwhile despite some areas needing refinement.

Tech Optimizer

November 24, 2025

Ditching Antivirus: Why One Tech Writer’s PC Got Safer Without It

A writer from MakeUseOf uninstalled all third-party antivirus programs from his Windows PC and found that the system performed better and appeared more secure with Microsoft’s built-in Windows Defender. The experiment highlighted Defender's effectiveness, showing fewer false positives, improved performance, and no noticeable decline in protection. Independent tests ranked Defender highly in real-world protection, and it achieved perfect scores in recent AV-TEST evaluations. The removal of third-party antivirus software led to a significant decrease in CPU and RAM usage, with idle consumption dropping from 15-20% to under 5%. Despite 121 million Americans still using third-party tools, there is growing consideration for Defender due to its free and efficient nature. While Defender excels in many areas, experts caution that it may not fully protect against zero-day vulnerabilities, and layered defenses are still recommended. The antivirus market may face disruption as integrated protection becomes more common, and user feedback indicates a preference for free alternatives that match or exceed the performance of paid solutions.

Winsage

November 16, 2025

Windows 11 Pro upgrade plummets under $10

Prices for a Windows 11 Pro license have dropped below , making it affordable to upgrade older PCs into capable daily drivers. The upgrade offers a streamlined interface, enhanced multitasking with snap layouts, improved search functionality, and integrated Microsoft Teams. It also includes advanced security features like virtualization-based security, Smart App Control, and BitLocker device encryption. Windows Update packages are reported to be up to 40% smaller, allowing older hardware to operate more efficiently. To ensure compatibility, a machine must have a 64-bit CPU, at least 4GB of RAM, a minimum of 64GB storage, support for Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0. Microsoft's PC Health Check app can verify these requirements. A smooth setup requires a discounted Windows 11 Pro license, an 8–16GB USB drive for installation, and access to free online installation media and drivers. The clean installation process involves backing up files, creating a bootable USB installer, installing Windows 11 Pro, and running Windows Update for patches. Users can optimize their setup by enabling Storage Sense, Core Isolation, and uninstalling unnecessary applications. StatCounter reports that Windows 11 powers about one-third of the world’s PCs, improving performance for browsers and office applications. A clean install can significantly reduce boot times and enhance overall system responsiveness. Security features like Secure Boot and Credential Guard help reduce vulnerabilities. When purchasing a Windows license, it's important to buy from reputable sellers to ensure the key is legitimate. Students and employees may have access to free or low-cost licenses through educational or corporate programs. For machines that cannot run Windows 11, modern Linux distributions like Mint and Ubuntu offer practical, cost-free alternatives with user-friendly installers and built-in drivers.

Winsage

November 14, 2025

Microsoft’s President for Windows is getting cancelled on social media

Pavan Davuluri's announcement about Windows evolving into an "agentic OS" led to significant backlash from users who feel Microsoft is deviating from their expectations. The term "agentic OS" triggered criticism related to concerns over AI reliance, cloud dependency, invasive data collection, software bloat, instability, and lack of user control. Many users expressed frustration, with some migrating to Linux or macOS, and the majority of responses were hostile. Users desire a stable operating system with fast boot times, predictable updates, minimal background processes, and fewer advertisements. Recent shifts within Microsoft towards AI-driven features have intensified user reactions, highlighting a lack of trust and a disconnect between Microsoft's vision and user expectations. After receiving numerous negative comments, the post's comments were locked.

Winsage

November 13, 2025

New ChromeOS update makes leaving Windows easier than ever: Here’s why many users might switch

Google's November 2025 update to ChromeOS introduces enterprise-grade virtualization, allowing Chromebooks to stream and run legacy Windows applications through Cameyo. This update enables users to access full-featured desktop applications without traditional Windows installations. Enhancements in generative AI, including Gemini and intelligent file suggestions, are also part of this update. ChromeOS now features AI-generated recaps, personalized activity suggestions, and a Focus mode to minimize distractions. The operating system can be installed on older Windows PCs or Macs for free through ChromeOS Flex, offering quick boot times and automatic security patches. While ChromeOS excels in speed and efficiency for general tasks, it does not natively support resource-intensive software, which remains a strength for Windows.

Winsage

November 10, 2025

9 data-driven ways to finalize your post‑Windows 10 strategy

Approximately 17% of Windows devices within enterprises are still utilizing Windows 10. Organizations can use hardware and firmware data to assess upgrade readiness, map application usage to target extended support investment, assess device health and digital experience, track performance degradation over time, analyze software dependencies, validate pilots with comparable data, investigate post-upgrade failures with diagnostics, automate fixes for common migration blockers, and weigh Windows 11 performance trade-offs. Upgrading to Windows 11 resulted in approximately 7% better disk throughput and lower latency, but also led to a 5% increase in CPU usage and a 7% rise in memory demand.

Winsage

October 19, 2025

Get Windows 11 Pro and learn how to use it, all for under $20

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is available for .97, a 91% discount from its regular price of 9. This bundle includes The Essential Windows 11 Pro Course, which features 150 lessons and 10 hours of content on essential Microsoft applications. Windows 11 introduces improved boot times, enhanced security features, and an AI-powered Copilot assistant. Users must ensure their PCs meet specific installation requirements to upgrade. The course is accessible 24/7 for flexible learning.

Winsage

October 15, 2025

Leaving Windows 10 today? How to clear your new Windows 11 PC cache (and start fresh)

If your computer is experiencing performance issues, it may be time for a cleanup. Keeping your system updated with the latest version of Windows is essential, as many users lag behind on updates. Windows includes utilities to help reclaim disk space, which can improve efficiency by removing unnecessary files. To access Windows 11's cleanup recommendations, go to Settings > System > Storage and scroll to "Cleanup recommendations." This will show temporary files in your Downloads folder and Recycle Bin, which can free up gigabytes of space. Additional recommendations for large or unused files will also be displayed, along with applications that are rarely used. The Disk Cleanup utility can be accessed by searching for "Disk Cleanup" in the search bar. It identifies temporary internet files and cache files that can be deleted to recover storage space. To clear your PC's location cache, go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Location history and click "Clear." To flush the DNS cache, open the Run command window with Windows key + R, type ipconfig/flushdns, and press Enter. Regular file management and monitoring can significantly enhance your system's performance over time.

Winsage

October 12, 2025

Support for Windows 10 ends this week, but you can upgrade to Windows 11 now for just $10

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, after which users must choose between continuing without technical assistance or upgrading to Windows 11. A lifetime subscription to Windows 11 Pro is currently available for .97, a 94% discount from the standard price of 9. Windows 11 features a modern interface, improved multitasking capabilities, faster boot times, enhanced security with biometric login and BitLocker encryption, and includes the Microsoft Copilot AI assistant for productivity tasks. The upgrade is only available for compatible devices that meet specific installation requirements.