Boot Archives

Winsage

April 22, 2025

More Americans are on Windows 11 than Windows 10: the older OS is getting abandoned en masse

Microsoft will officially cease support for Windows 10 on October 14, compelling users to transition to Windows 11, which has more demanding hardware requirements. Users with older systems may struggle to meet these requirements, and Microsoft will not guarantee updates for installations on unsupported hardware. Windows 10 will continue to receive support until October 2025, after which paid updates will be available. The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is emphasized in Windows 11 for enhanced security, providing encryption and verifying software integrity. Recent statistics show that Windows 11 has surpassed Windows 10 in market share in the U.S., with 54% of users on Windows 11 compared to 44% on Windows 10. However, Windows 10 still holds a 55% market share in Europe and over 60% in Asia.

Winsage

April 22, 2025

These 7 WSL programs changed how I use Windows

Windows users previously faced challenges using Linux tools via virtual machines until the introduction of the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), which was further improved with WSL2. WSL2 integrates a lightweight virtual machine into Windows, allowing users to run Linux applications seamlessly. Runtipi and CasaOS can be easily set up on WSL2 to host self-service applications without complex configurations. Visual Studio Code (VS Code) offers a WSL extension that enables code execution directly in Linux distributions from Windows, enhancing the coding experience. Gigolo is a frontend for managing network shares, which can also be integrated into Windows 11 through WSL2. Ansible can automate the provisioning of virtual machines and containers on WSL2, making it easier for users engaged in DIY projects. Rsync can be installed via WSL2 for efficient file synchronization and backups on Windows. Podman Desktop allows Windows users to explore container runtimes using WSL2, providing a GUI for managing containers. Lastly, WSL2 enables users to access the Linux terminal and run various Linux distributions directly within Windows 11.

Winsage

April 22, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5562 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5562 (KB5055642) has been released to the Dev Channel, introducing new features and improvements. Key updates include: - New Text Actions in Click to Do: - "Practice in Reading Coach" allows users to enhance reading fluency and pronunciation. - "Read with Immersive Reader" offers a distraction-free reading environment with customizable text options. - Finding Photos Saved in the Cloud via Windows Search: Users in the European Economic Area can search for cloud-stored photos directly from the taskbar by describing them. - Improvements for Voice Access: Users can add custom words to the voice access dictionary and discover new features through an immersive experience. - Improved Windows Search: Users can disable cloud content searching via settings. - File Explorer Changes: Folders opened from outside File Explorer will default to opening in a new tab if an existing window is open. - Widgets Improvements: Notification settings can be controlled per feed or dashboard. - Windows Security Update: Additional details for Pluton TPM chips will be displayed in the Windows Security app. - Settings Update: The printer renaming dialog has been updated to align with Windows 11 visuals. - Fixes: Resolved issues include Start menu crashes, color display issues in snap layouts, slow loading times for search, and voice typing issues in the Chinese layout. - Known Issues: Some apps may not install from the Microsoft Store, and Windows Recovery Environment may not function properly after the update. - Reminders: Users can remove Recall at any time, and updates in the Dev Channel are based on Windows 11, version 24H2.

Winsage

April 21, 2025

How to keep using Windows 10 in a virtual machine after support ends

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Users can run Windows 10 in a virtual machine (VM) to continue using it safely. The tool Disk2Vhd can convert a physical Windows 10 installation into a virtual hard drive (VHD or VHDX) for use in virtualization software like VirtualBox or Hyper-V. To use Disk2Vhd, download and extract it, launch the appropriate executable, select partitions for conversion, and choose between VHD and VHDX formats based on the virtualization software. After conversion, transfer the VHD file to the target computer and set up a new VM, integrating the backup file instead of creating a new virtual hard drive. Users can also reinstall Windows 10 in a VM using an installation medium and the Media Creation Tool to download the ISO file. When creating a VM, allocate at least 4GB of virtual memory and install necessary programs and guest extensions afterward. Creating a backup point after installation is recommended for stability.

Winsage

April 20, 2025

Microsoft’s Free Upgrade Offer—Bad News For 240 Million Windows Users

Microsoft is encouraging approximately 240 million PC owners to recycle outdated devices, as they will not qualify for a free upgrade to Windows 11 without new hardware. The company emphasizes the importance of the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, a security chip that determines eligibility for the upgrade and protects sensitive data. TPM 2.0 offers several security benefits, including data encryption, verification of trusted software, detection of physical tampering, and support for advanced security features in Windows 11. Currently, around 240 million PCs are estimated to be ineligible for the upgrade, which may hinder the adoption of Windows 11 and leave many devices vulnerable to cyber threats.

Winsage

April 20, 2025

Microsoft is trying to convince Windows 10 users that TPM 2.0 is worth the upgrade

Windows 10 has a user base of 54.2%, while Windows 11 has 42.69%. The requirement for TPM 2.0 in Windows 11 poses a barrier for users considering an upgrade. Microsoft highlights the benefits of TPM 2.0, including data protection, software integrity, physical tamper resistance, and support for advanced security features. Microsoft encourages users to transition to Windows 11 for enhanced security, improved user experience, and future readiness. However, the adoption of TPM 2.0-compatible CPUs has not met expectations, and the end of support for Windows 10 may prompt more users to upgrade to Windows 11.

Winsage

April 18, 2025

Your Windows 10 PC isn’t dead yet – this OS from Google can revive it

On October 14, 2025, Windows 10 will reach its end of life, affecting users with older PCs that cannot upgrade to Windows 11. ChromeOS Flex is a free operating system by Google designed to modernize older Windows PCs and Macs, offering a fast and secure alternative built on Chromium OS. It does not support standalone Windows applications but allows access to Microsoft 365 and other SaaS applications via web portals. ChromeOS Flex focuses on security with features like automatic updates and data encryption, and it has never experienced a reported ransomware attack. The minimum system requirements include an Intel or AMD x86-64-bit compatible device, 4 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal storage, and the ability to boot from a USB drive. To install ChromeOS Flex, users must back up their files, create a USB installation drive using the Chromebook Recovery Utility, and boot from the USB drive to test compatibility before proceeding with a full installation.

Winsage

April 18, 2025

Windows 11 24H2 Update Bug Triggers BSOD Error

Microsoft has acknowledged a significant bug in its Windows 11 24H2 updates, causing Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) crashes with the error code “SECUREKERNELERROR” (0x18B). This issue has escalated since the April 2025 Patch Tuesday update, affecting thousands of users globally. The bug leads to system crashes after installing the updates, resulting in persistent crash-restart loops or unbootable systems. Initially reported in March 2025, the problem gained traction following the April update, prompting Microsoft to confirm the bug and investigate its cause. Other issues include failures with Windows Hello and compatibility problems with games and software, particularly on ARM-based devices. To address the crisis, Microsoft has implemented a Known Issue Rollback (KIR) to disable the problematic code, which is being automatically pushed to affected devices, although users may experience a delay of up to 24 hours. Users are advised to keep their devices connected to the internet and restart their PCs multiple times to expedite the fix. For enterprise environments, IT administrators must manually deploy a specific Group Policy update. Microsoft is working on a permanent solution, expected in a future update, while also acknowledging related issues and committing to further fixes in the upcoming May 2025 update.

Winsage

April 17, 2025

New Windows Server emergency updates fix container launch issue

Microsoft released emergency updates for Windows Server to address startup failures in containers operating under Hyper-V isolation mode, caused by compatibility issues with the 2025.04 B container images. The updates enhance access to essential system files from the Windows Server host, improving compatibility and reliability. These out-of-band updates for Windows Server 2019, 2022, and 2025 must be manually downloaded from the Microsoft Update Catalog, as they will not be delivered through Windows Update. This update follows previous challenges, including authentication issues and boot problems caused by earlier security updates for Windows Server 2019 and 2022.

Winsage

April 15, 2025

How to upgrade your ‘incompatible’ Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 now

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will stop providing security updates for Windows 10 PCs unless users enroll in the Extended Security Updates program. Upgrading to Windows 11 on machines older than five years may result in an error message about CPU compatibility, as Microsoft will not change the requirement for a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. While automatic upgrades may be hindered, there are workarounds for most PCs designed for Windows 10. To upgrade, the computer must boot using UEFI, support Secure Boot, and have an enabled TPM (version 1.2 is acceptable). Users can check their system's BIOS mode and TPM status using the System Information utility and the Trusted Platform Module Management tool, respectively. If UEFI is not an option or if the PC lacks a TPM, an undocumented hack can be used to bypass compatibility checks. A new restriction with the Windows 11 version 24H2 update requires CPUs to support SSE4.2 and PopCnt instructions, making upgrades impossible for PCs built in 2008 or earlier. Most Intel CPUs from 2009 and AMD CPUs from 2013 should meet this requirement. Users can bypass CPU checks and accept any TPM version through a registry edit, which requires running the Setup program from the current Windows installation. The process involves creating a registry key and modifying its value. Alternatively, the Rufus utility can be used to create a bootable USB drive that circumvents compatibility checks, but it cannot bypass the restrictions for very old CPUs lacking support for SSE4.2 and PopCnt instructions.