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2026 Shift: Professionals Ditch Windows 11 for Linux’s Speed and Savings
Winsage
January 12, 2026

2026 Shift: Professionals Ditch Windows 11 for Linux’s Speed and Savings

Professionals are increasingly moving away from Windows 11 to various Linux distributions due to dissatisfaction with performance issues and intrusive features in Windows. A 2025 analysis showed Linux distributions outperforming Windows by an average of 19.5% in everyday tasks. Performance tests indicated that SteamOS, a Linux-based platform, often matched or exceeded Windows 11 in gaming performance. Linux's lightweight nature and superior system administration tools appeal to those managing servers and virtual environments. Security concerns regarding Windows 11, including privacy issues and forced updates, have led users to prefer Linux's open-source model, which allows for greater transparency and customization. Economic factors also play a role, as Linux is free and open-source, eliminating licensing fees associated with Windows 11. User-friendly distributions like Linux Mint facilitate the transition for new users, and community support helps address common challenges. Large organizations are increasingly adopting Linux for its stability and responsiveness, while the Linux community fosters rapid improvements and adaptability. User feedback highlights privacy, performance, and customizability as key benefits of switching to Linux.
Google could soon bring the new Fitbit app experience to free users
AppWizard
January 8, 2026

Google could soon bring the new Fitbit app experience to free users

Google is enhancing the Fitbit app experience for free-tier users, expanding access to the redesigned app initially available only to Fitbit Premium subscribers and Public Preview participants. The latest version, v4.60, introduces features such as weekly cardio targets, new Fitness and Sleep tabs, and a Health tab for deeper health data analysis. Users will be able to switch between the standard and redesigned app versions. However, certain features, like the AI-powered "Ask Coach," will remain exclusive to Premium subscribers. The changes are part of Google's commitment to health and fitness technology and will soon include a broader audience in the Public Preview program.
Microsoft Bets on Windows as AI Agent Hub to Revive Dominance
Winsage
January 5, 2026

Microsoft Bets on Windows as AI Agent Hub to Revive Dominance

Microsoft Corp. is redefining its Windows operating system as a central hub for artificial intelligence agents, aiming to create an ecosystem where AI can autonomously manage tasks and integrate into user workflows. This strategy, announced in 2025, seeks to attract developers by providing tools like Agent 365 for proactive task management. However, challenges related to privacy, security, and user trust persist, as AI agents require extensive access to personal data. Microsoft is embedding AI agents at the OS level, allowing third-party developers to deploy agents that interact with Windows features. The company’s ecosystem includes Azure AI Foundry and Copilot Studio, which support agent development. Despite having 1.4 billion devices, Microsoft faces competition from Apple and Google, and must navigate privacy concerns and regulatory scrutiny. The success of this initiative depends on developer adoption and user acceptance, with potential risks of job displacement and over-reliance on automation.
Announcing the Microsoft Store Awards 2025 winners
Winsage
December 4, 2025

Announcing the Microsoft Store Awards 2025 winners

The Microsoft Store Awards recognized exceptional applications that enhance user experiences within the Windows ecosystem. AI Assistants category: - Winner: Perplexity by Perplexity AI - Features native voice dictation, multi-modal AI search, and deep desktop integration for rapid research. - Winner: ChatGPT by OpenAI - Provides instant answers, direct image and file uploads, and enterprise-level privacy controls. Business category: - Winner: Invoice Maker & Estimate Creator by Moon Technolabs Pvt. Ltd. - Streamlines finance tasks with customizable templates and real-time payment tracking. Computer-Using Agents (CUA) category: - Winner: Manus by Manus AI - Automates complex tasks within a secure sandbox and allows users to guide ongoing actions. Creativity category: - Winner: n-Track Studio by n-Track S.r.I. - Transforms devices into recording studios with support for unlimited tracks and advanced effects. Developer Tools category: - Winner: ngrok by ngrok - Facilitates secure tunneling and remote access with automatic updates and compatibility with Windows Defender. Education category: - Winner: Scratch 3 by Scratch Foundation - Empowers students in computational thinking through engaging projects and block coding. Game category: - Winner: Castle Craft by Clever Apps Pte Ltd - Offers an immersive gaming experience with dynamic resource merging and family-friendly design. Music category: - Winner: Moises Live by Moises Systems, Inc - Leverages real-time AI audio separation technology for remixing and practice. Productivity category: - Winner: Notion by Notion Labs Inc - Consolidates tasks and notes into a searchable workspace with automation features. Each winner will receive a Store Award Winner badge in the Microsoft Store.
Outgrew those free apps? A lifetime MS Office 2021 license is just $34.97.
Winsage
November 30, 2025

Outgrew those free apps? A lifetime MS Office 2021 license is just $34.97.

Microsoft Office Professional 2021 is being offered at a price of .97, reduced from 9.99. This lifetime license provides access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, Access, and a free version of Teams. The suite is designed for freelancers, business owners, remote workers, and students, allowing for advanced features like intricate formatting and comprehensive spreadsheets. The license is tied to the device, eliminating concerns about recurring fees or subscription expiration.
Microsoft Office for Windows Drops to Less Than $35 to Support Smoother Business Workflows
Winsage
November 28, 2025

Microsoft Office for Windows Drops to Less Than $35 to Support Smoother Business Workflows

Microsoft Office 2021 Professional for Windows is available as a lifetime license for .97, down from the regular price of 9.99. This suite includes applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher, Access, OneNote, and Teams. It requires Windows 10 or 11, 1GB of RAM, and approximately 4GB of storage space. Prices on StackSocial may change.
Quit battling ancient Office tools and install Microsoft Office 2019 for $19.97
Winsage
November 21, 2025

Quit battling ancient Office tools and install Microsoft Office 2019 for $19.97

Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 is currently available for .97, down from its regular price of 9. It is a one-time purchase that remains active for life on a single Windows machine and includes Word 2019, Excel 2019, PowerPoint 2019, Outlook 2019, OneNote 2019, Publisher 2019, and Access 2019. Key improvements include enhanced inking support in stylus use, new data analysis functions in Excel, additional presentation features in PowerPoint, and improved email and contact management in Outlook. The system requirements to run Office 2019 are Windows 10 or 11, at least 1GB of RAM, at least 4GB of available storage space, and a display resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels or higher. Upon purchase, users receive an instant license key and download link, with customer service available for installation assistance.
Windows 11 gets new Cloud Rebuild, Point-in-Time Restore tools
Winsage
November 19, 2025

Windows 11 gets new Cloud Rebuild, Point-in-Time Restore tools

Microsoft introduced two recovery features for Windows 11 at the Ignite developer conference: Cloud Rebuild and Point-in-Time Restore (PITR). PITR allows users to revert a Windows 11 system to a previous stable state in minutes by capturing comprehensive snapshots of the system, restoring the operating system, settings, and files. This feature will enter preview with an upcoming Windows 11 Insider preview build. Cloud Rebuild enables complete reinstallation of Windows 11 from the cloud for devices with persistent issues, using the Intune portal for selection of the Windows release and language. It employs Autopilot for zero-touch provisioning and streamlines user data restoration through OneDrive and Windows Backup for Organizations, reducing downtime significantly. Both features will be integrated into Microsoft Intune in the first half of 2026, allowing remote recovery actions and management of Windows Recovery Environment functionalities. Additionally, Microsoft is testing an updated version of Quick Machine Recovery (QMR), which helps resolve Windows boot failures without physical access. QMR engages the Windows Recovery Environment during boot failures, analyzes crash data, and allows Microsoft to implement remote fixes. The latest version improves the boot-repair process by conducting a single scan to resolve issues.
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