enterprises Archives

Winsage

September 27, 2026

Google researcher explains why Windows NT “puts Linux to shame,” and imagines an alternate history where it won

Laurie Kirk, a Google researcher and former Microsoft reverse engineer, argues that the Windows NT kernel is superior to Linux in several aspects, particularly in its architecture for managing resources and access permissions. She emphasizes that her critique focuses on the system architecture rather than the user interface of Windows 11. Kirk raises concerns about Linux's suitability for AI agents due to its complex security model, while praising NT's object-based design and security framework. She speculates on an alternate history where Microsoft had created an "Open NT," allowing for customizable components, but acknowledges the challenges of maintaining forks in operating systems. Critics of NT highlight its performance and reliability issues, while Linux's open-source nature has contributed to its dominance in servers and cloud computing. Kirk suggests that future operating systems may need to balance the defined resource types of NT with the flexibility of Linux, especially as AI technology evolves.

AppWizard

September 25, 2026

Experimental RPG developer Summer Eternal: ‘We’re giving away 5% of our studio to you, the Players’ in order to ‘mend the trust broken in this industry a thousand times over’

Aleksandar Gavrilović has introduced a governance model at Summer Eternal that incorporates the interests of all stakeholders, including a player cooperative within a non-profit organization. Players will not profit personally but will have a say in how the organization’s income is allocated, aiming to rebuild trust in the gaming industry. Summer Eternal is pioneering a model that provides ownership stakes and profit-sharing to freelancers and customers, with players having a democratic influence supported by 5% of the profits. The studio will launch the Summer Eternal Anthology Vol. 1, featuring essays from notable contributors, available for preorder for one more day.

Winsage

September 21, 2026

Internet Explorer is finally, truly dying, and Microsoft wants you ready by 2029

Microsoft has announced the impending cessation of support for IE Mode in the Edge browser, urging organizations to begin their migration strategies. Initially set to be supported until the end of 2029, Microsoft is emphasizing proactive planning for transitioning away from legacy systems. A communication from Microsoft highlighted the importance of providing a year’s notice before the end of support for IE Mode, which is crucial for IT administrators managing legacy applications. IE Mode uses the Chromium engine while allowing access to web pages through Internet Explorer 11's Trident engine. Organizations still dependent on IE Mode need to evaluate their IT infrastructure and identify critical applications that require updates or replacements. Microsoft is offering its App Assure service to help eligible customers improve compatibility with modern Windows platforms. Early planning is essential to reduce migration risks and maintain operational efficiency.

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.

AppWizard

September 15, 2026

Steam Price-Fixing Lawsuit: Valve, 10 Publishers Sued [2026]

On August 27, 2026, a class action lawsuit was filed in San Mateo County Superior Court by three California gamers—Alexander Shimota, Ricardo Camargo, and John Elliott—against Valve Corporation and ten video game publishers, accusing them of colluding to maintain uniform pricing for PC games across digital storefronts. The lawsuit alleges that Valve requires publishers on its Steam platform to agree to a most-favored-nation clause, preventing them from offering lower prices on competing platforms, which stifles competition and limits consumer choice. The ten implicated publishers include Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, and Sony Interactive Entertainment. The lawsuit is filed under California's Cartwright Act and claims that the coordinated pricing strategy harms consumers by reducing product diversity and inflating prices. Valve's commission structure, which has largely remained unchanged, is central to the plaintiffs' argument. Valve's co-founder, Gabe Newell, has previously denied dictating prices to third-party developers. The lawsuit is distinct from a prior case, Wolfire Games v. Valve, which focuses on monopoly abuse against developers rather than consumer pricing. Additionally, Valve faces a parallel £2 billion class action in the UK regarding similar pricing allegations. The outcome of these cases could significantly impact the pricing landscape for PC games and the practices of digital storefronts.

Winsage

September 12, 2026

Microsoft admits Windows 11’s biggest September update is breaking multiple features, days after it warned users not to delay updates

Windows 11 KB5124008, released on September 8, has caused various issues, including disruptions to WSL-based applications and Remote Desktop sessions. Users have reported problems with File History backups and instability in Explorer.exe, leading to system and GPU crashes. Microsoft confirmed a bug affecting applications using HCS-managed Linux virtual machines, particularly Claude Cowork, which is experiencing connectivity issues. Remote Desktop Services (RDS) are malfunctioning, leading to connection failures and sign-in problems. Additionally, some users face black screens upon sign-in due to Explorer.exe crashes. Reports indicate that File History is not recognizing external backup drives, and serious GPU issues have been reported on AMD Radeon systems, including driver timeouts and system freezes.

Tech Optimizer

September 12, 2026

8 Antivirus (Endpoint Protection) Software for Business: Our Top Picks by Use Case (2026)

If you hold Microsoft 365 E5, you already have access to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, which provides enterprise-grade endpoint protection at no additional cost. For organizations without a dedicated security specialist, Sophos is recommended. CrowdStrike is suitable for those with a mature Security Operations Center (SOC) and sufficient budget. Other options include SentinelOne for mid-sized organizations needing automation, ESET for older hardware and virtual desktops, Avast Business for very small businesses without IT staff, VIPRE for budget-conscious organizations, and Expel for tool-agnostic managed detection and response. It is essential to assess your organization's current situation honestly when evaluating endpoint protection options. Antivirus and EDR are now essentially the same agent, and organizations should inquire about update staging processes and review independent tests for protection rates. Coverage for servers and Linux environments is often overlooked but crucial, as Linux servers are prime targets for ransomware. Key recommendations include: - Microsoft Defender for Endpoint for organizations already on Microsoft 365 E5. - Sophos for organizations with 25-500 staff relying on IT generalists. - CrowdStrike for enterprises with a well-funded security operations function. - SentinelOne for mid-sized organizations needing autonomous operation. - ESET for organizations with older hardware or virtual desktop infrastructure. - Avast Business for micro and small businesses. - VIPRE for budget-conscious organizations. - Expel for those seeking managed detection across various environments. During deployment, avoid running two real-time agents simultaneously, ensure prevention features are activated, and test on line-of-business applications first. Verify update staging and rollback procedures with vendors, and confirm whether Microsoft licensing covers your needs to avoid unnecessary purchases.

Tech Optimizer

September 10, 2026

8 Antivirus (Endpoint Protection) Software for Business: Our Top Picks by Use Case (2026)

If an organization holds Microsoft 365 E5, it already has access to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. For organizations without a dedicated security specialist, Sophos is recommended for its user-friendly management. CrowdStrike is preferred for those with a mature Security Operations Center (SOC) and sufficient budget. The choice of endpoint protection depends on specific organizational needs. Business endpoint protection integrates various technologies to defend against malware and attacks on devices. Organizations should assess their current situation before selecting a solution. Key recommendations include: - Microsoft Defender for Endpoint for organizations already using Microsoft 365 E5. - Sophos for organizations with 25-500 staff relying on IT generalists. - CrowdStrike for enterprises with a funded SOC. - SentinelOne for mid-sized organizations needing automation. - ESET for those with older hardware or virtual desktops. - Avast Business for very small businesses lacking IT staff. - VIPRE for budget-conscious organizations needing straightforward coverage. - Expel for organizations wanting managed detection across diverse environments. Organizations should avoid running multiple real-time agents simultaneously and ensure prevention features are activated. Testing should prioritize line-of-business applications, and rollout procedures should be defined before going live. It’s essential to verify update staging and rollback procedures with vendors and confirm existing licenses to avoid unnecessary purchases.

Tech Optimizer

September 10, 2026

8 Antivirus (Endpoint Protection) Software for Business: Our Top Picks by Use Case (2026)

If you hold Microsoft 365 E5, you have access to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, which provides enterprise-grade endpoint protection at no additional cost. For organizations without a dedicated security specialist, Sophos is recommended for its user-friendly platform. CrowdStrike is suggested for those with a mature Security Operations Center (SOC) and sufficient budget. Other options include SentinelOne for mid-sized organizations needing automation, ESET for older hardware and virtual desktops, Avast Business for very small businesses, VIPRE for budget-conscious mixed estates, and Expel for tool-agnostic managed detection and response. Antivirus and EDR are now unified under a single agent, and organizations should inquire about update staging processes to avoid issues like those experienced in July 2024 with a major vendor's faulty content update. Independent tests from organizations like AV-Comparatives and AV-TEST are crucial for evaluating protection rates and false positives. Linux servers require attention as they are often targeted by ransomware. When deploying endpoint protection, avoid running two real-time agents simultaneously, activate prevention features promptly, and test deployments on critical applications first. Organizations should confirm their Microsoft licensing covers necessary features and ensure there is a plan for responding to alerts. Common pitfalls include neglecting identity management and failing to test response workflows before incidents occur.

Winsage

September 9, 2026

Critical Windows BitLocker Flaw Sparks Urgent Patch

On September 8, 2026, Microsoft disclosed a security vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-69449, related to a heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows BitLocker component, allowing authorized attackers to execute code on compromised machines. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-122, and is assessed as “Exploitation Less Likely.” It affects Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server versions from 2012 to 2025. The fixes are included in cumulative updates KB5124008, KB5124012, KB5122878, and KB5122871. No public disclosure or observed exploitation occurred before the patch's release. The flaw allows for remote code execution through in-network attacks, primarily posing a risk to insiders. Affected systems include various versions of Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server, applicable to both x64 and ARM64 architectures. Administrators should verify installed build numbers to ensure updates have been applied. The advisory does not specify which BitLocker code path is affected or the nature of the input that reaches the vulnerable buffer.