Future of Windows Archives

Winsage

April 19, 2025

Microsoft is deprecating a ‘revolutionary’ virtualization-based security feature for older versions of Windows 11

Microsoft has announced the deprecation of Virtualization-based Security (VBS) enclaves, a feature introduced in July 2024, in Windows 11 23H2 and earlier versions, as well as in Windows Server 2022 and its predecessors. Support for VBS enclaves will continue in Windows Server 2025 and future versions. VBS enclaves were designed to create secure memory spaces using Microsoft's Hyper-V hypervisor, enhancing security for specific application components. The decision to phase out VBS enclaves may be influenced by the rapid development cycle of Windows 11. Users are expected to transition to newer releases as support for Windows 11 23H2 ends in November. Enterprise customers relying on VBS enclaves may face disruptions if the feature is completely removed.

Winsage

April 14, 2025

Why the death of Windows 10 is a hacker’s wet dream

Microsoft is considering halting security updates for Windows 10, which could lead to increased cybersecurity risks and environmental issues due to the potential disposal of millions of functional computers. Security updates will remain available for an additional year at a cost, similar to extended support options previously offered to businesses. There is a call for Microsoft to provide free security updates for Windows 10 as long as it remains widely used, to promote sustainability and reduce the throwaway culture associated with technology.

Winsage

April 8, 2025

Microsoft listens to users and revises its WSUS driver synchronization deprecation plans

Microsoft has decided to postpone the removal of Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) driver synchronization, which was initially scheduled for April 18, 2025, due to user feedback. WSUS will continue to synchronize driver updates from the Windows Update service and import them from the Microsoft Update Catalog. Microsoft is encouraging administrators to consider alternative technologies such as Windows Autopatch, Microsoft Intune, and Azure Update Manager.

Winsage

April 8, 2025

Windows 11’s rumored Start menu redesign could mean it eats up a huge chunk of desktop space for some users – although it can be tamed

Microsoft is considering a significant redesign of the Start menu in Windows 11, which includes integrating the Phone Link side panel for enhanced interaction with Android smartphones. The Phone Link app allows users to connect their Android devices for functionalities like text messaging and notifications directly from the desktop. The proposed redesign could expand the Start menu to occupy up to 75% of the desktop, merging two sections into one interface. Users will have the option to toggle the visibility of the Phone Link panel, allowing for a customizable desktop experience. The redesign is still in early testing phases, and the final implementation may vary from current observations.

Winsage

March 24, 2025

Microsoft will intentionally slow OneNote for Windows 10, so you ditch it faster

Microsoft has announced the discontinuation of "OneNote for Windows 10," encouraging users to transition to the new OneNote app designed for Windows 11. The legacy app will have its sync speed throttled starting in June 2025, with end of support set for October 2025. Microsoft has removed the older app from the Microsoft Store and advised enterprise customers to switch to the new version available through the Microsoft Store or a Microsoft 365 subscription. Users of the legacy app will receive prompts to migrate to the modern OneNote by July 2025. The new version offers enhanced security, AI capabilities, and improved performance but lacks some features of the legacy app.

Winsage

March 16, 2025

Xbox Gaming Handheld details emerge as millions of soon-to-be stuck Windows 10 PCs get an unlikely savior in ChromeOS and Microsoft prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary

An upcoming Xbox gaming handheld, known as "Project Kennan," is being developed through a collaboration between ASUS and Microsoft. This device will run PC games but will not support exclusive Xbox console titles. Users will have access to a wide range of games through services like Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. As Windows 11 enforces strict hardware requirements, many PCs will remain on Windows 10, prompting Google to enhance ChromeOS for Microsoft 365 compatibility, potentially attracting users to Chromebooks or allowing them to convert their existing Windows PCs to ChromeOS. Microsoft has integrated Copilot into GroupMe to enhance the messaging experience, aiming to revitalize the app among college students. This announcement coincides with Microsoft's plans to phase out Skype. Microsoft's 50th anniversary event is scheduled for April 4, 2025, where new AI and Copilot announcements are expected, although significant product launches may be unlikely. Epic Games and Qualcomm are collaborating to enhance the Easy Anti-Cheat system for Snapdragon X PCs, improving gaming experiences on these devices. The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 has been reviewed and described as the "Surface Pro on steroids." Windows Central has identified deals, including a bundle with a free Meta Quest 3S and discounts on WWE 2K25 Deadman Edition.

Winsage

March 15, 2025

Windows Central Podcast: Could we see the future of Windows and Copilot next month?

The Windows Central Podcast episode features hosts Daniel and Zac discussing the upcoming Microsoft event on April 4, speculating on potential announcements. They cover developments related to Windows 11 and its Copilot feature, delays affecting Apple's Siri, and Xbox Project Kennan.

Winsage

February 5, 2025

AR OS 2 is everything we want Windows 12 to be — and more

Microsoft is enhancing Windows 11 with new AI functionalities but it still has a lower market share than Windows 10. There are no formal announcements about Windows 12, which is expected after Windows 10's retirement. AR OS 2 is a conceptual operating system designed by AR 4789, featuring an elegant design, extensive customization options, superior drag-and-drop capabilities, and an AI assistant called AR Interact. A video showcasing AR OS 2 is available for viewing.

Winsage

December 28, 2024

I’ve been a Windows on Arm user for years — Snapdragon X Elite has changed everything

The author has been using Arm-based computers, specifically an M1 Mac Mini and a Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered Windows two-in-one PC, and has found Apple's silicon consistently impressive while Microsoft's offerings have lagged. In April 2024, Microsoft introduced the Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus chipsets, enhancing the compatibility layer for applications on Windows on Arm through a new emulator called Prism, which matches the efficiency of Apple's Rosetta 2. Testing the Honor MagicBook 14 Art, powered by the Snapdragon X Elite, revealed significant improvements, including native support for previously struggling applications like Google Drive and ExpressVPN. The MagicBook features a 12-core Snapdragon X Elite, offering seamless application launch and multitasking without the random freezes seen in earlier models. Its thermal performance is commendable, achieving around ten hours of usage in "Balanced" mode. The device also includes a Neural Processing Unit for enhanced AI capabilities. Compatibility advancements allow mainstream applications to run natively, and upcoming Windows updates promise to expand this further. The MagicBook 14 Art is priced at approximately ,750, featuring 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a detachable webcam for privacy. Despite the progress, the market for Snapdragon X computers remains niche, and Qualcomm's disputes with Arm could impact future sales.

Winsage

December 20, 2024

Why Windows 11 requires a TPM – and how to get around it

Microsoft introduced a hardware compatibility requirement for Windows 11 in 2021, mandating the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 standard. A TPM is a secure cryptoprocessor designed to manage security-related tasks and encryption keys, enhancing system security by encrypting data, generating random numbers, and validating digital signatures. The TPM architecture is defined by the ISO/IEC 11889 standard. TPM can be integrated as a chip on a motherboard or within firmware, with major companies like Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm adopting this technology. TPM 2.0 is essential for Windows security features, working with Secure Boot to ensure only trusted code is executed at startup and facilitating biometric authentication through Windows Hello. It also secures BitLocker keys, making unauthorized data access difficult. Most PCs manufactured from 2016 onwards include TPM 2.0 by default, while older systems may have limited TPM capabilities or adhere to the unsupported TPM 1.2 standard. Users can check their TPM status using the System Information tool. TPM functionality is not exclusive to Windows; it is also utilized in Linux PCs and IoT devices, while Apple devices use a different architecture called Secure Enclave. Windows 10 and 11 automatically initialize the TPM during installation, and users can upgrade to Windows 11 with any version of TPM through a registry modification.