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The hidden Windows feature quietly filling up your SSD—and how to rein it in
Winsage
September 20, 2026

The hidden Windows feature quietly filling up your SSD—and how to rein it in

Microsoft introduced a feature called point-in-time restore in Windows 11, which creates snapshots of the system every 24 hours to enhance recovery options. This feature began rolling out in late June 2026 and is typically enabled by default for boot drives of 200GB or larger. It uses the Volume Shadow Copy Service to generate restore points that are available for 72 hours before being purged. The feature can consume significant storage space, initially occupying 3.9GB and potentially increasing to over 18GB within two months, reaching a maximum of 2% of the total disk space. Users can adjust the storage usage settings or disable the feature entirely to reclaim space. The default maximum usage can be modified to as low as 0.2%. There are concerns that this feature should have been opt-in rather than opt-out due to its storage implications.
Give your PC a Windows 11 Pro upgrade for less than $10
Winsage
September 19, 2026

Give your PC a Windows 11 Pro upgrade for less than $10

Windows 11 Pro is available for .97, reduced from its regular price of 9. This limited-time offer is valid until September 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT. The operating system includes features such as Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, BitLocker encryption, Azure AD integration, and Copilot, an AI-powered assistant.
Notebooks in Gemini arrive for Google Workspace and Education accounts
AppWizard
September 18, 2026

Notebooks in Gemini arrive for Google Workspace and Education accounts

Google has rolled out the "Notebooks in Gemini" feature to business and education accounts in Google Workspace, following its integration for regular users that began in April. The feature, previously known as NotebookLM, is now part of the main Gemini interface, allowing users to create interactive learning materials, reports, and slide decks. Workspace administrators can control access to the feature, which must be enabled at the organizational level. Users in the European Economic Area (EEA) do not have access to this feature due to regional restrictions on artificial intelligence applications.
Android apps can now check security patches down to individual device components
AppWizard
September 18, 2026

Android apps can now check security patches down to individual device components

The new AndroidX Security State libraries, with stable releases of Security State v1.1.0 and Security State Provider v1.0.0, allow developers to evaluate the security status of individual device components. They provide three levels of security patch information: Device Security Patch Level (DSPL), Published Security Patch Level (PSPL), and Available Security Patch Level (ASPL). These libraries enable checks on critical components of the Android operating system, including system modules and the Linux kernel, which are represented by version numbers rather than monthly patch dates. Applications that prioritize security can utilize this detailed patch information to assess vulnerabilities, particularly those tracked as Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs). The libraries also integrate with the Open Source Vulnerabilities (OSV) database for access to Android Security Bulletin data and device-specific vulnerability reports. Additionally, Android 17 allows manufacturers to declare individual security fixes beyond the stated security patch level, and Google is working with manufacturers to transition their OTA update clients to this new standardized system.
Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro reach end of support in October
Winsage
September 17, 2026

Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro reach end of support in October

Devices operating on Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro editions will stop receiving updates starting October 13, 2026. The Enterprise and Education editions of Windows 11 24H2 will continue to receive mainstream support until October 2027. Microsoft encourages users to upgrade to Windows 11 25H2, which became available in September 2024. Systems running Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro that are not managed by IT will automatically upgrade to Windows 11 25H2. Users can check for eligibility for the update by navigating to Settings > Windows Update. Windows Server 2022 will transition to extended support on October 13, 2026, lasting until October 14, 2031. Microsoft has extended the free Windows 10 Extended Security Updates program for home users until October 2027 and will halt security updates for Windows 11 Home and Pro 23H2 in November 2025.
Retired Microsoft Engineer details the story about the famous leaked FCKGW Windows XP key — copy protection used 10MB of encrypted Microsoft Bob for validation
Winsage
September 17, 2026

Retired Microsoft Engineer details the story about the famous leaked FCKGW Windows XP key — copy protection used 10MB of encrypted Microsoft Bob for validation

The most recognized Windows XP product key is FCKGW-RHQQ2-YXRKT-8TG6W-2B7Q8. Windows XP was released in two formats: Retail for consumers and Volume for Microsoft partners and OEMs. The Volume discs were not intended for the general public and were designed for mass installations without individual activation. The final CD version, Release to Manufacturing (RTM), was completed on August 24, 2001, two months before the official launch on October 25. A leak of the Volume image and its Volume License Key (VLK) is believed to have originated from a major OEM, possibly Dell or Intel, which was exploited by the pirate group Devils0wn, allowing broader access to Windows XP.
Hackers Disguise CHOSEN BRICK Malware as AI Apps, Antivirus Software and MRI Results
Tech Optimizer
September 16, 2026

Hackers Disguise CHOSEN BRICK Malware as AI Apps, Antivirus Software and MRI Results

Iranian state-affiliated cyber actors are targeting dissidents, activists, and journalists using fake AI applications, counterfeit antivirus tools, and fabricated MRI scan results, primarily through a spyware family known as CHOSEN BRICK, which is designed for Windows systems. This campaign has been active since at least 2025 and affects individuals globally, including in the UK, US, and Netherlands. The malware establishes persistence via the Windows Registry Run key and communicates through Telegram, utilizing unique Bot IDs for each victim. CHOSEN BRICK is capable of extensive data collection, including capturing screenshots, recording audio, and stealing email content. Personal information from victims has been found on pro-Iranian leak sites, increasing harassment risks. Security measures should include monitoring for suspicious Registry entries and unusual communications, while users are advised to avoid unsolicited software installations and keep their systems updated. The FBI refers to this malware family as HEAVYGRAM.
Microsoft Sets October 7 Event to Detail Local AI Push for Windows and Surface
Winsage
September 16, 2026

Microsoft Sets October 7 Event to Detail Local AI Push for Windows and Surface

Microsoft will unveil its vision for the future of personal computing at an event in San Francisco on October 7 at 10 a.m. Pacific time, focusing on the role of on-device artificial intelligence in Windows and Surface hardware. Key figures including CEO Satya Nadella and NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang will discuss innovations across Windows, NVIDIA RTX Spark, and the PC ecosystem. The RTX Spark platform, introduced earlier this year, features a system-on-a-chip with 128GB of memory, an NVIDIA GPU, and an Arm-based CPU for high-performance AI workloads. Microsoft has announced the Surface Laptop Ultra, built on the RTX Spark platform, but details on pricing and release dates are not yet available. The event will emphasize how local AI will shape the future of PCs, with a focus on hardware capable of running AI models directly on devices. Attendees can also expect enhancements to the Windows operating system, though a surprise announcement regarding Windows 12 is unlikely. The event will be streamed live, starting at 10 a.m. PT and 1 p.m. ET.
30 Days Until Windows 11 24H2 Support Ends; Excel Paste Glitch Surfaces Simultaneously
Winsage
September 15, 2026

30 Days Until Windows 11 24H2 Support Ends; Excel Paste Glitch Surfaces Simultaneously

Microsoft announced on September 14 that the Windows 11 24H2 edition, including Home and Pro versions, has only 30 days of support remaining, with a deadline for updates set for October 13, 2026. Users are encouraged to upgrade to version 25H2 or later to continue receiving security updates. The Enterprise and Education editions will have support until October 12, 2027. Users have reported issues from September's security updates, particularly with the Office patch KB5002914, which disrupts the copy-and-paste function in Excel across multiple versions. Microsoft has acknowledged the issue but has not yet released a fix. A temporary workaround involves manually removing the problematic patch, though this also removes the associated security fixes. Additionally, users have experienced connection drops and unresponsiveness in Remote Desktop Services (RDS) across various Windows versions, including Windows 11 26H1 and Windows Server 2012. Microsoft confirmed that related tools may also stop responding, and restarting virtual machines may temporarily restore functionality. USB audio issues have been reported on certain USB Audio Class 1.0 devices across Windows 11 versions, with users experiencing loss of audio output and corrupted sound settings. Switching to 2-channel mode has helped some users, but Microsoft has not provided a timeline for a comprehensive fix. As Windows Server 2012 nears the end of its Extended Security Updates period on October 13, 2026, the RDS issues add pressure on administrators. Users on 24H2 need to prioritize migration to 25H2, while those with the latest updates should be cautious regarding Excel and Remote Desktop functionalities.
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