legacy software Archives

Winsage

January 16, 2026

Microsoft Ends Windows Server 2008 Support on January 13, 2026

Microsoft has officially ceased all support for Windows Server 2008 as of January 13, 2026, including paid extended security updates. This end-of-life scenario poses significant security risks for organizations still using the outdated operating system, making them vulnerable to cyberattacks. The transition away from Windows Server 2008 requires careful planning, as many organizations face challenges in migrating legacy applications to modern systems. The lack of ongoing patches means that any new vulnerabilities will remain unaddressed, potentially leading to data breaches and compliance failures, particularly in regulated sectors like healthcare and finance. Microsoft has encouraged migration to Azure, offering incentives for early adopters, but the transition can be complex and costly. The end of support also affects global supply chains and compatibility with newer software applications. Organizations are advised to conduct audits of their software portfolios and consider hybrid environments to enhance flexibility and security.

Tech Optimizer

January 9, 2026

MacPaw Moonlock

Moonlock is a new antivirus solution for Mac developed by MacPaw, utilizing technology from CleanMyMac. It features a basic VPN, security configuration scan, and an elegant user interface, but some functionalities may not perform as expected. The annual subscription for a single Mac is priced higher than competitors like CleanMyMac and G Data Antivirus. Moonlock requires macOS 13 (Ventura) or later for compatibility. Setting up the app involves creating an account and granting permissions, with a full scan recommended post-installation. In independent lab tests, Moonlock scored 5.5 out of 6 in protection and 6 in usability, but its performance rating was 4.5 points, lower than competitors. The Security Advisor feature provides advice on enhancing security, while the System Protection feature identifies areas for improvement. Moonlock includes a basic VPN with 61 server cities in 50 countries. Its Network Inspector focuses on blocking traffic from specified countries, but its effectiveness is questionable. Flexible scan scheduling is available, but it does not guarantee the removal of Windows malware. The app includes informational panels and animated videos, but it currently lacks effective phishing protection, failing to block known fraudulent websites.

Winsage

January 5, 2026

New laptop? How to wipe your old Windows PC clean before getting rid of it

Many individuals and businesses upgrade their PCs as the new year approaches and face decisions about their old devices. Options include passing it down, reallocating it, donating, or selling. Essential steps for transitioning include migrating applications and files, securely erasing personal data, and resetting the operating system. To migrate apps and files, use the Windows Backup app to back up settings and installed apps, and transfer personal folders to OneDrive. For legacy software, ensure you have activation codes and installation files. Back up important files using cloud storage or create a full image backup to a removable hard drive. To wipe old data, enable BitLocker Disk Encryption on Windows 11 Pro or delete sensitive files and wipe disk space on Windows 11 Home using the command cipher /w:c:. To prepare the old PC for a new owner, options for installing a fresh copy of Windows 11 include resetting the PC, reinstalling a factory image, or performing a clean install using bootable media. Resetting involves navigating to Settings > System > Recovery and selecting "Remove everything." Reimaging uses a manufacturer-provided recovery image, while a clean install requires bootable media created with the Media Creation Tool.

Winsage

December 18, 2025

Microsoft Eases Windows 11 Smart App Control with Toggle Option

Microsoft's Smart App Control feature in Windows 11 is designed to evaluate and block potentially harmful applications by cross-referencing them against a database of known safe software. Initially, it required a clean installation to enable or disable, which hindered its adoption. Recent updates have removed this requirement, allowing users to toggle the feature on or off directly through the Windows Security app without a system reset. This change addresses user complaints and enhances usability, particularly for developers and IT professionals managing multiple devices. The feature employs artificial intelligence for real-time decisions on app safety and integrates with other Microsoft security tools. Feedback from the tech community has been positive, highlighting the update as a significant improvement in balancing security and user flexibility.

Winsage

December 3, 2025

Windows 10’s demise fuels Linux hype again — but will Bazzite finally break the “forever up‑and‑comer” curse? There’s a chance.

Microsoft has discontinued support for Windows 10, leading to around 500 million PCs being eligible for an upgrade to Windows 11, though many users remain on the unsupported platform. Zorin OS has gained approximately 780,000 users migrating from Windows within a month of this decision. Bazzite, a Linux-based gaming distribution, surpassed one petabyte of ISO downloads in a month, serving around 150,000 ISOs and attracting 730,000 visitors. Bazzite offers better hardware compatibility and pre-installed drivers for NVIDIA and AMD GPUs, making it a strong alternative to SteamOS. The improved compatibility of Windows games on Linux, aided by Valve's Proton, is contributing to the trend of users exploring alternatives to Windows.

Winsage

November 25, 2025

Are people still using Windows XP and Windows 7? Yes, and here’s why

Windows 10 reached the end of its support, prompting users to consider upgrading to Windows 11 or staying with their current operating system. Windows 7 has a market share of approximately 2.5%, and Windows XP holds 0.22%, translating to around 25 million machines running Windows 7 and 2.2 million on Windows XP. The primary reason users remain on these older systems is app compatibility, as many legacy applications do not run on newer operating systems. Upgrading involves significant costs and challenges, including data migration from legacy software. The decline in Windows 7 and XP usage is slow; in January 2023, Windows 7 had 9.55% market share, dropping to 3.05% by January 2024. Users often prioritize convenience and reliability, with many systems operating in isolation from the internet, reducing their vulnerability to threats.

Winsage

November 12, 2025

‘Cameyo by Google’ launches with Chrome Enterprise integration, Gemini AI support

Rob Beard, product manager at Google, discussed Cameyo, a platform that allows users to access web applications and legacy software seamlessly. It enables IT administrators to deliver applications to users' devices quickly, enhancing efficiency and simplifying application management. Google has integrated Cameyo with Chrome Enterprise Premium to streamline the deployment and management of virtual applications, allowing access controls to be managed through the Google Admin Console. The integration also introduces security features like URL filtering and data loss prevention to protect sensitive information.

Winsage

October 31, 2025

Windows 7 slimmed down to 69 MB

Windows 7 has been reduced to a size of 69 MB by a user known as @XenoPanther. This version is described as a "fun proof of concept" and can boot, but has significant limitations due to critical missing files, making it unable to run most applications. The project reflects a tradition among tech enthusiasts to minimize operating systems. Microsoft previously introduced a version of Windows Server called Nano Server with a disk footprint of 400 MB, later shifting to a base container image under 300 MB. Developers like NTDEV and the Tiny11 series have created slimmed-down versions of Windows 11. A 69 MB version of Windows 7 could still be useful for running legacy software without a full installation.

Winsage

October 30, 2025

What Windows 10 EOS Means for Security

Microsoft will cease support for most versions of Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, while offering temporary Extended Security Updates (ESU) for version 22H2. Approximately 40% to 45% of Windows users globally still rely on Windows 10. The end of support raises cybersecurity concerns as Microsoft will stop issuing updates for vulnerabilities and bugs. Organizations using Windows 10 need to devise migration plans to Windows 11, but the transition can be costly and time-consuming, especially for those dependent on legacy software. Delaying migration poses risks such as regulatory violations, increased IT burdens, escalating ESU costs, and exposure to cyber threats. Organizations should prioritize migrating critical systems, review application support, and evaluate ongoing costs for legacy systems. Bitdefender offers security solutions for Windows 10 environments, including risk management, application control, cloud security, and monitoring services.

Winsage

October 15, 2025

October 2025 Patch Tuesday: Holes in Windows Server Update Service and an ancient modem driver

CVE-2025-59287 is a critical vulnerability in the Windows Server Update Service (WSUS) with a CVSSv3 score of 9.8, allowing for remote code execution (RCE) through deserialization of untrusted data. It is the first RCE vulnerability in WSUS and has been classified as ‘Exploitation More Likely’ by Microsoft. Organizations are urged to prioritize patching and reassess their WSUS server exposure to prevent attackers from deploying malicious updates. Additionally, two RCE vulnerabilities, CVE-2025-59227 and CVE-2025-59234, have been identified in Microsoft Office, which can be exploited through social engineering via the Preview Pane feature, allowing attackers to execute code without the target opening the document. Critical vulnerabilities have also been reported in the Agere modem driver, which has been part of Windows operating systems for nearly two decades, highlighting issues with legacy software in cybersecurity.