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I used Windows 11 exactly the way Microsoft wanted, and it drove me crazy
Winsage
June 21, 2026

I used Windows 11 exactly the way Microsoft wanted, and it drove me crazy

The author has customized Windows for years, resisting Microsoft's default settings by changing the default browser, decluttering the Start menu, and preventing OneDrive from managing files. Upon acquiring a new mini PC, the author decided to experience Windows 11 with the default settings, allowing OneDrive to manage files and using Windows Search without workarounds. This led to frustration as files saved locally were often stored in OneDrive-synced folders, making the Desktop feel cloud-based. The author also found Windows Search to be cluttered with mixed results and promotional content, which detracted from its utility. The overall experience felt less tailored to personal workflow and more aligned with Microsoft's ecosystem. After three days, the author reverted to their usual practices, adjusting defaults and decluttering the interface, leading to a more user-friendly environment that matched their preferences.
I spent an entire day with a fan-mod of North Korea's homegrown operating system, and I'm sorry to say it's not a Windows killer yet
Winsage
June 20, 2026

I spent an entire day with a fan-mod of North Korea’s homegrown operating system, and I’m sorry to say it’s not a Windows killer yet

RedStar OS 3.0 is a national Linux distribution from North Korea, designed primarily for the DPRK's intranet, Kwangmyong. The modified version, RedStar OS 3.5, claims to enhance the original by removing spyware and providing easier access to root privileges. The author faced challenges in accessing the system, implementing a 64-bit kernel, and connecting to the broader internet due to the OS's limitations. Attempts to run the game Tux Racer were unsuccessful due to compatibility issues, resulting in a system with only basic applications available. The overall experience highlighted the shortcomings of RedStar OS 3.5 in terms of practical usability, especially for gaming.
silver Android smartphone
Winsage
June 20, 2026

I used Windows 11 exactly the way Microsoft wanted, and it drove me crazy

The author customized their Windows experience by changing the default browser, decluttering the Start menu, and preventing OneDrive from managing their files. They recently set up Windows 11 on a new mini PC and initially allowed OneDrive to back up their files, which led to confusion about file locations. They found Windows Search frustrating, as it redirected them to Microsoft's web version despite choosing a different search provider. The author refrained from altering Microsoft's recommended defaults, which made the system feel more aligned with Microsoft's agenda rather than their own needs. After three days, they reverted to their usual practices to regain control over their Windows experience.
Users are complaining that the new Windows version of Outlook is running slowly.
Winsage
June 20, 2026

Users are complaining that the new Windows version of Outlook is running slowly.

Microsoft has introduced two versions of Outlook in Windows 11: Outlook Classic (a Win32 desktop application) and the New Outlook. Users have reported significant performance issues with the New Outlook, noting a lag of approximately 10 seconds for tasks that Outlook Classic performs instantly. The New Outlook operates on WebView2, which involves multiple processes and higher memory consumption, while Outlook Classic runs as a single process. Microsoft is aware of these performance challenges and is testing a new API called 'Delayed Message Timing' to address them. Users find Outlook Classic to be more reliable and faster, particularly for businesses that need efficient notification processing.
Grab no-subscription Microsoft Office apps for only $30, discounted for a limited time
Winsage
June 20, 2026

Grab no-subscription Microsoft Office apps for only $30, discounted for a limited time

Microsoft is offering a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows at a price of .97, an 86% discount from the regular price of 9.99, as part of their Deal Days event running until June 28. This one-time purchase provides permanent access to essential Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, without recurring fees. The software is tied to a single Windows PC and includes instant license delivery and complimentary customer support.
Microsoft's latest Windows bug belongs in the Recycle Bin
Winsage
June 19, 2026

Microsoft’s latest Windows bug belongs in the Recycle Bin

Microsoft's recent Windows update has introduced a cosmetic glitch where the confirmation dialog for permanently deleting a file from the Recycle Bin displays the internal naming convention (e.g., $Rxxxxx.ext) instead of the original file name. This issue is limited to the deletion confirmation dialog; the original file name is preserved in the Recycle Bin and displayed correctly upon restoration. Microsoft has acknowledged the problem but has not provided a public workaround, advising organizations to contact Microsoft Support for assistance. A resolution is in progress and will be included in a future update. The glitch affects desktop versions of Windows from Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016 to Windows 11 26H1, as well as Windows Server editions from 2012 to 2025.
Microsoft and Adobe team up and make Photoshop 20% faster on Windows
Winsage
June 19, 2026

Microsoft and Adobe team up and make Photoshop 20% faster on Windows

Microsoft is collaborating with Adobe to enhance the performance of Photoshop, a widely used image editing software. The partnership focuses on optimizing operations within Photoshop, which is primarily developed in C++ and compiled using Microsoft’s Visual C++ (MSVC) compiler. Microsoft aims to improve performance for CPU-intensive tasks, particularly those that are latency-sensitive, such as brush responsiveness and file-opening tasks. The engineering team activated MSVC’s "peak-performance" compilation mode and explored profile-guided optimization (PGO) to refine executables. However, due to the complexity PGO introduced, they shifted to Sample-based Profile Guided Optimizations (SPGO), which uses hardware performance samples from actual release binaries. This method allows for greater flexibility in data collection and typically yields performance improvements of 5% to 15%. By combining MSVC’s peak-performance mode with SPGO, the teams achieved a 20% performance boost on x64 Windows systems and a 13% enhancement on Arm architecture. These optimizations resulted in improved responsiveness for critical tasks in Photoshop, enhancing the user experience in professional creative workflows.
This $13 Windows 11 Pro offer is too good to ignore
Winsage
June 18, 2026

This $13 Windows 11 Pro offer is too good to ignore

Microsoft is currently offering Windows 11 Pro for .97, down from its regular price of 9.99, representing a discount of 0.03. Windows 11 Pro includes features such as BitLocker encryption, Hyper-V virtualization, Windows Sandbox, TPM 2.0 support, Snap Layouts, improved search functionality, multi-monitor support, and Copilot, Microsoft's AI assistant.
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