license Archives

Winsage

July 27, 2026

You heard wrong, Microsoft isn’t ending pirated Windows 11 with TPM, and the new rule only affects enterprise KMS servers

On July 22, Microsoft announced the KMS Hardware-Secured requirement, linking Windows volume activation servers to a TPM chip. This initiative is aimed at organizations using Key Management Service (KMS) servers to enhance security by ensuring that KMS hosts verify their identity and integrity through the TPM before activating Windows machines. The motivation behind this requirement is to prevent unauthorized activation methods that exploit fake KMS servers. Organizations are advised to ensure their KMS hosts are certified and that TPM is enabled. The KMS Hardware-Secured measures do not target individual users with pirated copies of Windows, as most current piracy methods do not involve KMS servers. Microsoft has not pursued legal action against minor piracy instances, focusing instead on maintaining user engagement through subscriptions and services.

Winsage

July 26, 2026

Upgrade your PC with Windows 11 Pro and Office for $25.99

A bundle offering lifetime licenses for Windows 11 Pro and Office Professional Plus 2019 is available for .99, down from its original price of 9.99. The Office Professional Plus 2019 suite includes applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access. Windows 11 Pro features include Snap Layouts, BitLocker device encryption, Hyper-V virtualization, and Windows Sandbox. Support for Office 2019 will end in October 2025, and Publisher 2019 will reach its end of support in October 2026. The licenses are tied to a single PC and cannot be transferred.

BetaBeacon

July 22, 2026

Microsoft is bringing original XBOX games to your PC and handhelds

Microsoft has launched the XBOX Backward Compatibility program on PC, allowing users to play original XBOX games on PCs and handhelds.

Winsage

July 22, 2026

Xbox brings back compat to Windows: Microsoft pledges 4 games on PC for the first time, soon with achievements

Xbox Vice President Jason Ronald announced plans to expand the Xbox backward compatibility program to include PC, allowing Xbox games to run on Windows for the first time. This initiative involves new emulation technology and aims to enhance game preservation and accessibility. Currently, the program supports four games, with potential for future expansion. Xbox is also investing in dual-platform license entitlements through Xbox Play Anywhere to facilitate a seamless experience between console and PC users.

Winsage

July 22, 2026

This $10 Windows upgrade could save you from buying a new laptop

Windows 11 Pro is available for .97, reduced from its regular price of 9, valid until July 26. It is designed to enhance older PCs with features like a user-friendly interface, advanced search capabilities, innovative snap layouts for multitasking, and integration of Microsoft's AI-powered assistant, Copilot. The operating system also provides seamless access to Microsoft Teams and enhanced security measures, including biometric logins and encrypted authentication.

Winsage

July 21, 2026

Persistent Telemetry: Permanent Microsoft Windows Identifier

Discussions about consumer privacy in the Windows ecosystem have focused on optional diagnostic settings and telemetry controls. Recently, the Global Device Identifier (GDID), a permanent device-level token embedded in the Windows operating system, was revealed in a U.S. Department of Justice complaint related to a cybercriminal investigation. The GDID uniquely identifies a Windows installation and is used by Microsoft services. It is generated when a device is linked to a Microsoft account and resides in the Windows registry, being included in data sent to remote servers. There is no option to disable or delete the GDID, and attempts to do so can disrupt essential features. This has led privacy-conscious users to consider alternatives like Linux, which offers more control over data and does not require persistent identifiers. For Windows users, strategies to minimize data linked to the GDID include using local accounts, disabling optional diagnostics, and reviewing cloud app sync settings. Privacy advocates are calling for better user controls and opt-out mechanisms for hardware tracking tokens.

Winsage

July 21, 2026

This week, you can get Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office for life together for just $33

A lifetime license for Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office Pro is available for .97 until July 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT, significantly reduced from the regular price of 9.99. This bundle includes essential applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and allows installation on a single Windows PC without recurring fees. Windows 11 Pro offers features like BitLocker encryption, Hyper-V, and Windows Sandbox, along with core functionalities like Snap layouts and DirectX 12 Ultimate.

Winsage

July 21, 2026

Ditching Windows is the loudest feedback you can ever give Microsoft

Frustration with Microsoft's data collection practices has increased, particularly since the transition from Windows 7, where the amount of user data collected has significantly risen. Microsoft gathers extensive data points, including device IDs, user IDs, operating system information, and application usage data. Many users are turning to Linux as an alternative, as it respects user privacy and does not collect personal data without consent. Microsoft has also employed manipulative design tactics to influence user behavior, such as persistent prompts and misleading visuals. Additionally, the introduction of ads in Windows 11 has been viewed as disrespectful to paying customers, while Linux remains ad-free. Users are encouraged to switch to Linux to express dissatisfaction with Microsoft's practices and to reclaim their digital autonomy.

Winsage

July 20, 2026

Microsoft is moving another Outlook feature behind a Copilot paywall

Microsoft will retire the Meeting Insight feature for Outlook users by early September 2026, after which users will lose access to meeting insights, relevant files, and emails. The company is introducing a new feature called "Prepare for this meeting" to summarize content for upcoming meetings. Previously, Meeting Insight did not require a Microsoft 365 Copilot license, but Microsoft is now requiring this license for Copilot Chat across applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. Microsoft has expanded its Copilot initiative to nearly 80 products and is shifting towards a paid model for features that were once complimentary.

Winsage

July 20, 2026

Enable BitLocker on Windows 11: 11 Steps, 45 Min [2026]

A stolen laptop can lead to a significant data breach, particularly when taken from public places. Windows 11 has introduced BitLocker, a full-disk encryption feature that became mandatory for Australian businesses in 2026. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner reported 766 notifiable data breaches in the latter half of 2024, with unauthorized access to devices being a major cause. Full-disk encryption is crucial for compliance with the Essential Eight framework, which mandates data protection on portable devices. BitLocker ensures that data on an encrypted drive becomes unreadable if the drive is removed and connected to another computer. It aligns with the Essential Eight framework, requiring evidence of encryption rather than just claims of protection. There are three types of encryption on Windows 11: Device Encryption, BitLocker Drive Encryption, and File-Level Encryption. BitLocker is available only on Windows 11 Pro and higher editions. To use BitLocker, certain prerequisites must be met, including having Windows 11 Pro or higher, a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot enabled, and local administrator rights. The process to enable BitLocker involves confirming the edition, checking TPM status, enabling BitLocker through Windows Settings or PowerShell, and backing up the recovery key. Organizations can deploy BitLocker fleet-wide using Microsoft Intune, and additional security measures like TPM+PIN can be implemented for pre-boot authentication. Common pitfalls during BitLocker rollout include skipping recovery key backup and assuming that Home edition machines are covered. Troubleshooting common BitLocker issues involves identifying symptoms and applying appropriate fixes. Advanced tips for enhancing security include suspending BitLocker before maintenance and auditing compliance at the fleet level. BitLocker is integral to protecting data on portable devices, and compliance documentation is essential for proving that every device has an active recovery key.