Linux kernel Archives

Winsage

January 30, 2026

I found a Linux user who switched to Windows 11 after 8 years of distros — and he actually prefers it. Here’s why.

Windows 11 is often criticized for being overly restrictive, bloated, and focused on AI features, while Linux is praised for its control and transparency. A former Linux user who switched to Windows 11 after eight years found that Windows 11 improved workflows and offered better compatibility and hardware support, despite acknowledging its shortcomings like data harvesting and mandatory account creation. The user appreciated tools like Scoop and Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) for enhancing their experience. The narrative emphasizes that the choice between operating systems is personal, with Windows 11 appealing to users for its convenience and compatibility, while Linux remains valued for its flexibility and control.

Winsage

January 30, 2026

I found a Linux user who switched to Windows 11 after 8 years of distros — and he actually prefers it. Here’s why.

Critics describe Windows 11 as overly restrictive and bloated, with a focus on AI and Copilot features, while Linux is seen as an ideal alternative for developers prioritizing control and transparency. A former Linux user switched to Windows 11 after eight years with various distributions, finding that Windows embraced workflows that suited their needs. They discovered tools like Scoop, which functions as a package manager, and appreciated the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) for its integration without the challenges of desktop Linux. Despite acknowledging criticisms of Windows 11, such as data privacy concerns and unwanted interface changes, the user found Windows 11's compatibility and user-friendliness appealing. The narrative emphasizes that operating system choices are personal and depend on individual workflows and needs.

Winsage

January 29, 2026

Microsoft’s Quiet Exodus: Why Enterprise Developers Are Abandoning Windows for Linux Workstations

Microsoft developers and enterprise technology leaders are increasingly choosing Linux over Windows for development tasks, driven by performance concerns, workflow inefficiencies, and the rise of cloud-native development. The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) has facilitated this shift by allowing developers to work in a Linux environment while still using Windows. Tools like Docker, Kubernetes, and Terraform, which are primarily designed for Linux, have led to a reevaluation of desktop strategies across various industries. Linux provides direct access to the same kernel and toolchain used in production, reducing discrepancies that can lead to bugs. It typically requires less memory at idle compared to Windows, making it more efficient for developers managing multiple containers or virtual machines. Microsoft has responded by investing in platform-agnostic tools like Visual Studio Code and embracing Linux on its Azure cloud platform, where over 50% of virtual machines run Linux. The introduction of WSL2 has improved compatibility and performance, but it has also highlighted Windows' limitations, leading to frustrations among developers. Security considerations favor Linux due to its open-source nature, allowing for greater customization and auditing. Financially, Linux can be more economical for enterprises due to lower licensing costs and reduced hardware requirements. Organizations that have switched to Linux report significant improvements in build times and overall developer experience. Hybrid strategies are emerging to accommodate developer preferences while ensuring security, with cloud-based development environments gaining traction. The trend toward Linux workstations reflects broader industry movements toward open source and platform independence, as companies adapt to attract and retain technical talent.

Winsage

January 15, 2026

Wine 11 runs Windows apps in Linux and macOS better than ever

Wine 11.0 has been released, allowing users to run 16-bit, 32-bit, and 64-bit Windows x86 binaries on Unix-like operating systems without distinguishing between 32-bit and 64-bit commands. It introduces support for the Linux kernel's NT synchronization primitive, enhancing performance for Windows binaries. Wine 11 is compatible with older kernels, though with reduced performance. It supports x86-to-Arm translation on Arm64 Linux systems through FEX-Emu and works on Apple Silicon Macs via Rosetta 2. The version simplifies command usage to a single wine command and eliminates 32-bit support libraries. Enhancements include improved clipboard handling over Wayland, full-screen mode functionality, Direct3D support, native Vulkan video decoding for H.264, and better handling of SCSI devices and game controllers. Wine 11 downloads are available for Linux and macOS, with a FreeBSD port expected. Testing on Ubuntu 25.10 under GNOME using Wayland showed positive results for both 32-bit and 64-bit applications.

Winsage

January 8, 2026

Doubtful Linux can ever meaningfully challenge Windows 11? This new distro may change your mind

Loss32 is a new Linux distribution concept developed by Japanese developer Hikari no Yume, designed to provide a Windows-like desktop experience on the Linux kernel. It was introduced at the 39th Chaos Communication Congress in Germany. Loss32 integrates the Windows desktop experience using WINE, allowing Windows applications to run natively on Linux. Unlike ReactOS, which aims to reimplement the Windows NT kernel, Loss32 leverages the established Linux kernel and WINE for better reliability. The initial proof-of-concept for Loss32 is expected to be released in January 2026, although the timeline for a finished product remains uncertain. The project aims to create a user-friendly experience without common Microsoft-related issues, while also allowing the use of native Linux applications. The development of Loss32 may positively impact the WINE project, enhancing its functionality for all users.

Winsage

December 30, 2025

The great programming transformation: How AI and Rust are quietly dethroning C in Linux

Microsoft is focusing on AI development more than Linux, with 20% to 30% of its code now generated by AI. Galen Hunt aims to eliminate C and C++ from Microsoft's codebase by 2030, envisioning a transition to Rust, although not a complete rewrite of Windows. Microsoft is integrating Rust into security-critical areas, while Linux is also adopting Rust through initiatives like Rust-for-Linux and plans to write its apt package manager in Rust. Both companies are using AI to streamline development, with Microsoft allowing AI to autonomously handle coding issues, while Linux maintains human oversight in decision-making. Rust is seen as a safer alternative to C due to its memory-safe design, despite some challenges, including identified security bugs.

Winsage

December 26, 2025

New Runtime Standby ABI Proposed For Linux Akin To Microsoft Windows’ “Modern Standby”

A new runtime standby ABI has been proposed in the Linux kernel community through a post-Christmas patch series led by Antheas Kapenekakis. This initiative aims to implement a feature similar to Microsoft's "Modern Standby," allowing devices to maintain network connectivity while appearing to be in a sleep state. The patches provide a more robust solution than previous efforts, enabling user-space control over ACPI LPS0 display notifications. The series introduces a mechanism for firing Modern Standby firmware notifications without suspending the kernel, allowing the device to appear asleep while still performing basic computations. The first part of the series modifies the existing DSMs to be called at the beginning of the suspend sequence and exposes a transition function through /sys/power/standby for user-space interaction. The RFC patch series, including documentation on the proposed interface, is available for review.

Winsage

December 24, 2025

Microsoft engineer says Windows isn’t being rewritten to Rust with AI

Galen Hunt, a Distinguished Engineer at Microsoft, has proposed a plan to phase out all C and C++ code within the company, emphasizing that this initiative is focused on developing technologies for smoother transitions between programming languages rather than a complete rewrite of Windows in Rust. Microsoft aims to eliminate technical debt and address memory-related vulnerabilities, which account for about 70 percent of vulnerabilities in its products, by adopting Rust, a language known for its memory safety features. The company is leveraging advanced tooling and AI to facilitate the transition, and Hunt is seeking a Principal Software Engineer with Rust expertise to support these efforts. Microsoft’s commitment to Rust reflects a broader trend of increasing adoption of the language, with significant growth in enterprise settings. Major tech companies are also integrating Rust into their infrastructure, highlighting its importance for critical systems.

Winsage

December 24, 2025

Microsoft engineer says Windows isn’t being rewritten to Rust with AI

Galen Hunt, a Distinguished Engineer at Microsoft, has proposed to eliminate all C and C++ code within the company, focusing on transitioning to Rust. This initiative aims to address technical debt and improve memory safety, as C and C++ are responsible for approximately 70% of vulnerabilities in Microsoft products. Microsoft plans to leverage AI and modern tooling to facilitate this transition, which includes rewriting portions of the Windows kernel in Rust. Hunt is seeking a Principal Software Engineer with Rust expertise to support this effort. The adoption of Rust is growing globally, with a reported 2.3 million developers using it, and major tech companies are increasingly integrating it into their infrastructure.

Winsage

December 15, 2025

Microsoft: Recent Windows updates break VPN access for WSL users

Microsoft has acknowledged that recent security updates for Windows 11 are causing networking complications for enterprise users utilizing the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), particularly affecting those who installed the KB5067036 update from October 28, 2025, or subsequent updates like KB5072033. Users are experiencing difficulties with certain third-party VPN applications when the mirrored mode networking feature is enabled, leading to "No route to host" errors within WSL environments. This issue primarily impacts OpenVPN and Cisco Secure Client. The root cause is the failure of VPN applications' virtual network interfaces to respond to Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) requests. Home users on Windows Home or Pro editions are unlikely to be affected. Microsoft is investigating the issue but has not provided a timeline for a resolution or workarounds. WSL, launched in March 2018, allows users to run Linux distributions natively on Windows, with WSL 2 introduced in May 2019 featuring a real Linux kernel. Microsoft open-sourced WSL at Microsoft Build 2025, making its source code available on GitHub, except for some components that remain part of Windows.