ISO Archives

Winsage

July 2, 2026

Microsoft’s new Azure Linux 4.0 is here, and it could replace Windows Server in the enterprise

Microsoft has released Azure Linux 4.0, transitioning it from an internal tool to a server operating system that users can install on their own servers and virtual machines. Azure Linux 4.0 is built on Fedora Linux, allowing the use of RPMs and ensuring compatibility with Azure's cloud platform. The beta version features a hardened Linux kernel 6.18, optimized for performance on Hyper-V and Azure virtual machines, and incorporates SELinux-based security measures without a graphical user interface. In the Azure Marketplace, it is marketed as a "Microsoft-built Linux distribution for Azure," with formal support available for deployments on Azure but not for standalone hardware. The Azure Linux GitHub repository provides transparency into the distribution, encouraging community engagement while Microsoft retains control over the base image's contents. Azure Linux is positioned as a free, Azure-optimized server operating system for hybrid environments, potentially signaling a shift away from Windows Server.

BetaBeacon

June 26, 2026

11 Essential Apps Every Retro Gamer Needs On Their Phone

RA Tracker is an unofficial companion app for RetroAchievements that allows users to track their progress, browse leaderboards, and look up achievement sets. It connects to your account via the public API and is free to download from the Google Play Store.

Winsage

June 24, 2026

Windows 11 24H2 EOL: Resolve Version Drift with TruRisk Eliminate

Windows 11 version 24H2 will reach the end of servicing on October 13, 2026. Enterprises often face version drift, requiring different upgrade strategies for various Windows 11 builds across endpoints. Upgrade methods include enablement packages, ISO-based feature updates, or direct upgrades from Windows 10. Enablement packages are the quickest and least disruptive option for compatible Windows 11 systems. Qualys TruRisk Eliminate can standardize upgrades and minimize version drift on a large scale. Endpoints should be assessed for readiness, categorized by eligibility and current OS status. Enablement packages are recommended for recent Windows 11 builds due to their minimal download size, faster installation, and reduced operational impact. If enablement packages are unavailable, ISO-based feature updates may be necessary. Direct upgrades from Windows 10 to Windows 11 25H2 can be executed without intermediate transitions. Qualys TruRisk Eliminate provides tools for managing these upgrade processes effectively.

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.

Winsage

June 17, 2026

I dug through the Windows 11 Insider builds for June 2026 and found 7 features worth paying attention to

Microsoft rolled out several preview builds of Windows 11 in early June 2026 as part of the Windows Insider Program, focusing on refining existing functionalities rather than introducing many new features. A new Beta channel for version 26H1 was launched, featuring: - Screen Tint: An accessibility feature that provides a system-wide color overlay to reduce eye strain, accessible through Settings > Accessibility > Vision > Screen Tint, offering six preset colors or custom hues. - Low Latency Profile: Temporarily boosts processor frequency for 1 to 3 seconds during interactive tasks, improving application launch times by up to 40% and interaction times by as much as 70%, operating automatically without manual toggles. - Widgets Experience Update: Widgets now open without hover activation, Taskbar badges are off by default, and alerts are limited until user interaction. The dashboard displays Widgets under "widgets," and badging aligns with the system accent color. - Magnifier Enhancements: Users can input specific zoom percentages directly and access additional zoom presets ranging from 5% to 400%. - File Explorer Changes: Improvements for compatibility, performance, and reliability, including support for paths with double backslashes and quotation marks, and middle-click support for opening folders in new tabs. - Windows Update: Unification of drivers, .NET, and firmware updates with monthly quality updates, reducing required restarts to one per month. - Windows Search Enhancements: Improved handling of typos, missing letters, and partial app names, prioritizing accurate search results even with input errors.

Winsage

June 16, 2026

Windows 11 KB5094126 BSODing, freezing, forcing BitLocker lockout, breaks OneDrive, and more

Microsoft rolled out Patch Tuesday updates for Windows 11, specifically KB5094126 and KB5093998, along with dynamic updates KB5094149, KB5095971, and KB5094156. Users have reported various issues post-update, including access difficulties with OneDrive and Dropbox, BitLocker recovery lockouts, and blue screens of death (BSOD), particularly the 0xc0430001 error on HP systems. This error may be linked to a previous bug affecting HP devices related to Secure Boot certificate updates. Users experiencing this error are advised to verify the presence of the boot.stl file on their installation media, as it is essential for Secure Boot. Microsoft recommends using the Update WinPE script to ensure the boot.stl file is included or manually transferring it from the WindowsBootEFI directory. Additionally, some Lenovo PC users have reported system freezes after the update. One user identified a conflict between KB5094126 and User Account Control (UAC) that affects OneDrive and Dropbox access in Explorer, noting that enabling UAC resolves the issue.

Winsage

June 12, 2026

Windows NT on the GameCube is Basically a Homebrew Project That Brings the Classic OS to Nintendo Hardware

GameCube enthusiasts are utilizing homebrew projects to enhance the console's capabilities, including region-free play and disc backups. A new initiative allows a full PowerPC build of Windows NT to run on the GameCube, leveraging its Gekko CPU's compatibility with early PowerPC-based PCs. The entii-for-workcubes project, led by Wack0, provides components for running Windows NT 3.51 or 4.0 on GameCube and Wii systems, featuring an ARC firmware bootloader for loading homebrew software. Users need to prepare an SD card with specific files and a Windows NT ISO to initiate the process. After installation, basic productivity tools are accessible, but limitations include only 24MB of RAM, slower access speeds, lack of sound support, and potential reboot stalls.

Winsage

June 11, 2026

ReactOS Runs Half-Life Natively: Open-Source Windows NT Clone Clears 3D Graphics Bar

ReactOS has successfully executed Valve's original Half-Life on consumer hardware, marking a significant milestone in open-source software development. This achievement was announced on June 10, 2026, after three decades of effort to reimplement Microsoft Windows. The game was run on a Dell OptiPlex desktop with an Intel Core i5 2400 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce 8400GS graphics card, demonstrating ReactOS's capability to handle real-time 3D applications without compatibility shims. ReactOS operates independently from Microsoft, sharing no code, and can execute a real-time 3D graphics workload natively. It has achieved approximately 90 percent GPU driver compatibility for Windows XP and Server 2003-era hardware through the implementation of the Kernel-Mode Driver Framework and Windows Display Driver Model subsystems. ReactOS is still in alpha stage, with limitations in application support and driver gaps for modern hardware. The project is working towards a new release, version 0.4.16, to enhance user experience.

Winsage

June 10, 2026

Mortgage Magic launches Secure Portal on Microsoft Windows Store – The Intermediary

Mortgage Magic has launched its Mortgage Magic Secure Portal on the Microsoft Windows Store, designed for intermediary firms and lenders. The portal features bank-grade security, a secure password vault, AI Lender Connect for enhanced collaboration, and an optimized performance architecture to improve broker workflows. It complies with FCA standards and has undergone certification processes for integrity and compliance with Microsoft security standards. Mortgage Magic also holds ISO 27001 certification for information security management and ISO 42001 certification for AI management systems.

Winsage

June 10, 2026

Microsoft Defender RoguePlanet Zero-Day Grants SYSTEM Access on Updated Windows

An anonymous researcher known as Chaotic Eclipse has released a proof-of-concept exploit called RoguePlanet, targeting a zero-day vulnerability in Microsoft Defender. The exploit, which is a race condition, has a variable success rate, achieving 100% success on some machines while being less effective on others. When successful, it grants attackers SYSTEM-level privileges on Windows 10 and 11 systems with the June 2026 Patch Tuesday updates. The exploit does not work on Windows Server due to restrictions on mounting ISO images. Chaotic Eclipse has criticized Microsoft's defenses against path redirection attacks and claims to have found multiple vulnerabilities within Defender and other Microsoft software components. The researcher has expressed dissatisfaction with Microsoft's handling of vulnerability disclosures, particularly after losing access to the Microsoft Security Response Center account. Microsoft has condemned the public disclosure of vulnerabilities as unjustifiable, stating it puts customers at unnecessary risk, and has removed Chaotic Eclipse's GitHub and GitLab accounts. Microsoft clarified that it does not intend to pursue legal action against individuals conducting security research but will collaborate with law enforcement against malicious activities.