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Windows Server 2025 Native NVMe: Storage Stack Overhaul and Benchmark Results
Winsage
March 6, 2026

Windows Server 2025 Native NVMe: Storage Stack Overhaul and Benchmark Results

On December 15, 2025, Microsoft announced native NVMe support in Windows Server 2025, marking a significant evolution in data management and access. The new architecture replaces Disk.sys with NVMeDisk.sys, allowing direct communication from the filesystem to hardware via StorMQ, eliminating latency and enhancing performance. Testing revealed increased read speeds, particularly in random 4K and 64K benchmarks, with significant reductions in average read latency and lower CPU usage during sequential operations. Write operations showed modest improvements. A registry modification is required to enable this feature, and caution is advised due to potential complications with NVMe drives when deduplication is enabled.
Windows 12 Forecast Six Expert Predictions
Winsage
February 22, 2026

Windows 12 Forecast Six Expert Predictions

Microsoft is preparing for the release of Windows 12, which is expected to feature an AI-native experience with deep integration of Copilot, showcasing capabilities like on-screen comprehension, voice activation, and task automation. The hardware requirements will be elevated, necessitating 16GB of RAM, rapid NVMe storage, and a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for advanced features. Windows on Arm is gaining momentum, with improvements in app compatibility and battery life, while a modular architecture called CorePC is being developed to facilitate faster updates and enhance security. Licensing for Windows 12 is expected to remain unchanged for consumers, with optional cloud-enhanced services available. The update cadence will increase, allowing for faster feature drops independent of major OS releases, with the Windows Insider Program continuing to test new features. Upon its release, Windows 12 will integrate Copilot, provide a more cohesive OS core, and support both x86 and Arm architectures.
These games made us all upgrade our PCs
AppWizard
February 19, 2026

These games made us all upgrade our PCs

PC enthusiasts often delay hardware upgrades until necessary, but certain games can compel upgrades due to their advanced technology and demanding graphics. Half-Life 2, released in 2004, introduced real-time physics and advanced graphics, leading to a surge in demand for GeForce 6600 and Radeon X800 graphics cards as players sought smoother performance. Grand Theft Auto IV, released in 2008, required robust quad-core processors for optimal performance due to its CPU-intensive simulations, prompting players to upgrade their CPUs. Crysis, launched in 2007, set a new standard for graphical fidelity with its advanced features, becoming a benchmark for PC performance and prompting gamers to upgrade their systems. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, released in 2015, utilized cutting-edge technologies that made midrange builds struggle, leading players to upgrade for better performance and visuals. Cyberpunk 2077, released in 2020, created a surge in demand for NVIDIA's RTX 20-series GPUs as players sought to experience its high graphical fidelity, prompting many gamers to upgrade their systems.
Microsoft details Windows 11 26H1 support cycle, CPU requirements (just Snapdragon X2 for now), and more
Winsage
February 18, 2026

Microsoft details Windows 11 26H1 support cycle, CPU requirements (just Snapdragon X2 for now), and more

Microsoft announced that Windows 11 26H1 will be supported for consumers until March 2028, with rollout starting for PCs with eligible CPUs, specifically the Snapdragon X2 family, which includes Snapdragon X2 Plus, Snapdragon X2 Elite, and Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme. The official launch occurred on February 10, 2026, alongside its first cumulative update. Users with first-generation Snapdragon Copilot+ PCs cannot upgrade to this version. Windows 11 26H1 is described as a "hardware-optimized release" aimed at enhancing performance and efficiency for Arm-based chips, though it does not promise significant enhancements over version 25H2 or the upcoming 26H2. Enterprise and Education editions will be supported until March 13, 2029, while Home and Pro editions will be supported until March 14, 2028. Windows 11 SE is not supported in 26H1. A new release, Windows 11 26H2, is expected to be available for all users, including those with first-generation Arm-based PCs, and will be the recommended update for broader deployment. Upgrades from version 25H1 to 26H1 are not possible, and all upgrade paths are currently closed, with plans to transition to version 27H2 in the latter half of 2027.
The Crimson Desert system requirements don't ask much of your graphics card, but download size is another matter
AppWizard
February 14, 2026

The Crimson Desert system requirements don’t ask much of your graphics card, but download size is another matter

The system requirements for Crimson Desert on PC are as follows: Minimum Requirements: - OS: Windows 10 64-bit - GPU: AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT or Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 - CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600X or Intel Core i5 8500 - RAM: 16GB - Storage: 135GB SSD required - Notes: Windows compatible sound card required, DirectX 12 GPU required Recommended Requirements: - OS: Windows 10 64-bit - GPU: AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT or Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 - CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600 or Intel Core i5 11600K - RAM: 16GB - Storage: 135GB SSD required - Notes: Windows compatible sound card required, DirectX 12 GPU required The game requires a minimum of 16GB of RAM and 135GB of SSD storage. The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 is sufficient for minimum settings, while the recommended setup requires more powerful GPUs. Compatibility with Intel Arc GPUs is assumed but not specified. The game may potentially run on the Steam Deck, but official confirmation is pending.
Users Solve Windows 11 Issues With Four Settings Checks
Winsage
February 11, 2026

Users Solve Windows 11 Issues With Four Settings Checks

To address slowdowns and glitches in Windows 11, users should verify several settings before considering a complete reinstallation. Key actions include: 1. Check for Windows Updates: Navigate to Settings > Windows Update to install patches and update device drivers. Uninstall problematic updates if necessary. 2. Manage Startup Applications: Use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) or Settings > Apps > Startup to disable unnecessary auto-starting applications to improve boot speed. 3. Pause OneDrive Syncing: Temporarily pause OneDrive syncing during resource-intensive tasks to prevent performance degradation. 4. Adjust Visual Effects: Disable Transparency effects and Animation effects in Settings > Personalization > Colors and Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects, respectively, to reduce GPU strain. 5. Limit Notifications: Turn off notifications in Settings > System > Notifications to minimize interruptions. 6. Restrict Background Activity: Set background app permissions to "Never" for infrequently used applications to conserve memory and disk usage. 7. Run Security Scans: Use Windows Security to perform a Quick scan and ensure that real-time protection features are enabled to detect malware and adware. 8. Browser Maintenance: Reset browser settings, remove unknown extensions, and enable tracking protection to improve resource management. If issues persist, further steps include running System File Checker, testing memory, checking storage health, or performing a repair install of Windows.
This New Windows Smartphone Does Something Most Android Phones Can't
Winsage
January 27, 2026

This New Windows Smartphone Does Something Most Android Phones Can’t

NexPhone is a new smartphone from Nex Computer, marking the first Windows phone launch in a decade, with an official launch planned for 2026. It supports Android, Windows 11, and Linux, allowing users to connect it to any monitor and use it as a computer. The device runs Windows 11 on Arm, ensuring a smooth user experience. It features 256GB of expandable storage and aims to consolidate various digital tasks into one device. The last notable Windows phone was the Microsoft Lumia 650, released in 2016, and Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 Mobile in 2019.
Xbox App officially launches on ARM-based Windows 11 PCs from Microsoft
Winsage
January 26, 2026

Xbox App officially launches on ARM-based Windows 11 PCs from Microsoft

Microsoft has launched an ARM-compatible version of its Xbox App, enhancing the gaming ecosystem for ARM-based Windows 11 devices. Over 85% of the current Game Pass library is functional on ARM systems, although full compatibility remains exclusive to x86-based systems. Gamers can access unsupported titles through Xbox Cloud Gaming. Microsoft’s Prism emulation layer allows native x86 and x64 applications to run on ARM PCs, with recent updates improving Game Pass compatibility. Popular titles like Gears of War: Reloaded and Fortnite now support ARM. This development encourages innovation from companies like Nvidia and Qualcomm, while the gap in game compatibility between ARM and x86 architectures is closing. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is highlighted as a top choice for building or upgrading gaming PCs.
Microsoft veteran explains the one weird trick that made Windows 95 restart faster
Winsage
January 20, 2026

Microsoft veteran explains the one weird trick that made Windows 95 restart faster

Microsoft's Raymond Chen discussed the "Shift during Restart" trick in Windows 95, which allowed users to bypass a lengthy reboot process. This was achieved by sending the EW_RESTARTWINDOWS flag to the 16-bit ExitWindows function, leading to a series of shutdowns involving the 16-bit Windows kernel and the 32-bit virtual memory manager. The CPU would then revert to real mode, allowing win.com to take control and initiate protected-mode Windows. Chen explained that .com files are allocated all available conventional memory upon launch, which can be returned to the system. Win.com efficiently releases excess memory, but if another program occupies that space, memory fragmentation can occur, preventing win.com from restoring the system and resulting in a full reboot. This engineering solution provided a smoother user experience, contrasting with modern Windows users who face disruptive update notifications.
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