business users Archives

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

June 27, 2026

How to get free Windows 10 security patches until October 2027 – and avoid the $30 fee

Microsoft has officially ended support for Windows 10, but users can receive critical security updates until October 12, 2027, through the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program at no cost. To qualify, users must have a Windows 10 PC running version 22H2 or later and sign in with a Microsoft account, excluding Enterprise and Education editions. In the European Economic Area, customers automatically qualify for free ESU subscriptions without needing a Microsoft account. Enrollment can be done through Settings > Windows Update, and users may need to back up their settings or redeem Microsoft Rewards points. Business customers must purchase ESU subscriptions at a higher cost. Users should be cautious of potential issues, such as cloud storage consumption during backup.

Winsage

June 27, 2026

CMA probes Microsoft business software over browser choice

The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is seeking comments on Microsoft's business software ecosystem, with responses from various stakeholders, including the Browser Choice Alliance (BCA). The BCA expresses concerns that Microsoft uses its dominance in operating systems and productivity software to promote its own browser, hindering competition. They argue that Microsoft's distribution strategies and design decisions limit user choice and innovation. The transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is highlighted as a critical factor, as it allows Microsoft to influence browser choices during upgrades. The BCA links browser competition to the adoption of AI tools, warning that competitive issues in the browser space could affect the AI domain if Microsoft employs similar tactics. They advocate for independent selection of AI tools to prevent distortion of competition and user choice. The BCA concludes that Microsoft's practices negatively impact user experience and productivity for businesses in the UK, damaging innovative browser developers.

Winsage

June 26, 2026

Microsoft extends extended updates for Windows 10 in the most muted way imaginable

Microsoft has extended its offer of extended security updates for consumer users of Windows 10 until October 12, 2027, following the official end of support for the operating system on October 14, 2025. Users can acquire an extra year of patches for a modest fee, while business users have the option for an additional three years of support until 2028. Approximately 30 percent of HP's customers and 26 percent of all Windows users are still operating on Windows 10, which translates to hundreds of millions of PCs globally. The minimum requirements for running Windows 11 include a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage.

Winsage

June 22, 2026

Microsoft buried its best Surface hardware in years through a quiet series of press releases

Microsoft has launched the Surface Laptop 8 and Surface Pro 12, but the announcement lacked a dedicated event or live stream, leaving many potential customers unaware of the new features. The new devices are priced at least 0 higher than their predecessors, though Microsoft is including a complimentary keyboard with the purchase. The business models of Surface PCs include enterprise features for productivity and security, while the consumer version is powered by the Snapdragon X2 Elite. The Surface Laptop Ultra features NVIDIA's RTX Spark superchip and runs on Windows on Arm. Microsoft has introduced six new Surface devices this year, including a clamshell workstation and a mini PC, with significant innovations from Intel, NVIDIA, and Qualcomm. The Surface Pro 12 and Surface Laptop 8 are considered expensive, prompting some consumers to look for alternatives like the Dell XPS 13 with a Snapdragon X Elite and 32GB of RAM.

Winsage

June 17, 2026

Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office: Yours for Life for $35

The annual fee for Microsoft 365 starts at .99, and Windows 10 has not received security updates since 2025. A current offer allows the purchase of Windows 11 Pro and a lifetime license for Microsoft Office for .97, down from 8.99, but this offer expires on June 28 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Windows 11 Pro includes features like remote desktop access, BitLocker encryption, and an AI assistant called Copilot. The Microsoft Office Professional 2021 package includes applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access.

AppWizard

June 13, 2026

Meta services hit by global outage; Facebook, Instagram, Messenger users report access issues

Meta's platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp, faced significant service disruptions on Friday, starting around 7 PM IST, affecting users globally. Thousands reported issues like failed logins, "session expired" notifications, app malfunctions, and account lockouts. Facebook Ads Manager also experienced challenges. The disruptions were noted by outage-tracking website Downdetector, which recorded a surge in complaints, especially from India and the United States. During the peak in the U.S., Facebook had over 109,000 user reports. Meta's business systems dashboard indicated disruptions in Facebook Ads Manager, Messenger API, and the WhatsApp Business Platform. A spokesperson acknowledged the issues and stated that recovery efforts were underway, although the cause of the outage was not disclosed. Signs of recovery were observed as reports of disruptions began to decline, though some users still faced issues.

Winsage

June 10, 2026

Microsoft to Allow Users to Disable Web Search in Windows 11

Microsoft is introducing new controls for Windows 11 that will allow users to disable web search and remove Microsoft Store suggestions from their search results. The update, demonstrated on June 2, 2026, will include two toggles in the Windows 11 Settings app under Privacy and Security → Search Permissions. The first toggle will turn off Bing-powered web results in the taskbar search and Start menu, while the second will control the appearance of Microsoft Store app suggestions. This change replaces the previous method of disabling web search, which required complex registry edits. The new settings aim to enhance user experience by prioritizing local search results and addressing privacy concerns, as user queries will no longer be transmitted to Microsoft’s servers. The toggles are expected to roll out through the Windows Insider program before becoming available to all users.

Tech Optimizer

May 24, 2026

Malwarebytes review: One of the most user-friendly and comprehensive antivirus software suites

Malwarebytes is an antivirus software that offers various plans for consumers and businesses. The consumer plans include: - Standard Plan: Priced at /£29 for essential protection on a single device. - Plus Plan: Available for /£49 annually, includes high-speed VPN and anonymous browsing. - Ultimate/Total Plan: Priced at in the U.S. and £129 in the U.K., includes advanced features like social media monitoring and identity insurance up to million. - Family Plans: Starting from 9/£109 per year for multiple users. For businesses, plans start at for Sole Proprietors covering three devices, with the Small Office plan for 20 devices costing 2. Malwarebytes lacks cloud backup and parental controls, which some competitors offer. Independent testing rated Malwarebytes as "Certified" with high usability scores, but its malware detection was less impressive compared to Bitdefender and Norton 360. The software can be resource-intensive, impacting system performance, particularly during gaming. It offers three scanning modes: Threat Scan, Deep Scan, and Custom Scan, with the Threat Scan completing in 22 seconds and the Deep Scan taking over 14 minutes. Advanced features include a Digital Footprint tool, Scam Guard, a File Shredder, and a VPN. The interface is user-friendly, and 24/7 support is available via email and chat. Malwarebytes has a 60-day money-back guarantee.

AppWizard

May 21, 2026

Slack Messenger helps teams centralize work, chat, and alerts

Slack Messenger is a team communication and collaboration software used primarily for workplace messaging, channels, app integrations, and internal alerts. It is produced by Slack, which is owned by Salesforce. As of May 21, 2026, Salesforce is actively hiring for proactive monitoring roles to ensure ongoing maintenance and reliability for Slack's operations. Slack organizes workplace communication into distinct channels and direct messages, featuring a searchable history, which is crucial for teams in various industries, particularly in the United States. The platform is designed for enterprise use, emphasizing structured communication over casual messaging, and it plays a significant role in customer support, software development, and project management.