Microsoft Archives

Winsage

January 16, 2026

TechPowerUp Readers Willing to Move Away from Windows after Windows 10 EOL: Frontpage Poll

In the final quarter of 2025, a poll conducted among over 34,000 participants revealed that 55.4% (18,981 individuals) were interested in transitioning from Windows to Linux. Only 4.5% (1,538 readers) expressed a willingness to migrate to macOS, and 1.9% showed interest in switching to gaming consoles. Overall, 61.8% of respondents indicated disillusionment with the Windows platform, while 38.2% (13,105 participants) remained committed to Windows. Many comments reflected dissatisfaction with Windows 11, particularly regarding its interface and the integration of other Microsoft products.

Winsage

January 16, 2026

‘Fail To Shut Down’—Microsoft Issues Windows Update Warning

Microsoft has raised concerns about the shutdown process of Windows PCs, indicating complications following the January 13, 2026, security update. PCs with Secure Launch may fail to shut down or hibernate, instead restarting unexpectedly. A temporary solution is to use the Command Prompt with the command shutdown /s /t 0 for shutting down, but there is no workaround for the hibernation issue. Microsoft recommends saving work and shutting down devices to avoid power loss. Additionally, some users are facing credential prompt failures during Remote Desktop connections, affecting services like Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365. Alternatives include using the Remote Desktop client for Windows or the Windows App Web Client. An emergency update is expected to resolve these issues.

Winsage

January 16, 2026

Paint: Your guide to drawing software

Windows 11 includes Microsoft Paint, which is easily accessible and offers a user-friendly environment for creativity. The updated interface features a sleek layout, making tools readily available for experimentation. Paint has refined brushes and inking tools that provide a smooth, responsive drawing experience, especially with stylus use, incorporating pressure sensitivity for more authentic strokes. It also offers advanced color tools, including support for RGB, hex, and HSV color options, allowing users to maintain consistency in their projects. Users can create a mini color palette on the canvas and utilize the eyedropper tool to extract colors from references or generated images.

Winsage

January 16, 2026

Owner of big gaming platform can’t believe how bad Windows 11 is – and hints are dropped about big things for Linux gamers this year

Michał Kiciński, the new owner of GOG, expressed surprise at the longevity of Windows, criticizing it as poor-quality software. Maciej Gołębiewski, managing director of GOG, noted the company's strategic shift towards Linux, driven by increasing game compatibility and the success of SteamOS. This pivot is part of a broader industry trend as developers recognize the value of alternative operating systems. GOG plans to embrace Linux more fully by 2026. Meanwhile, Microsoft has focused on integrating AI into Windows 11, which has faced criticism for not addressing foundational issues, particularly in performance and functionality.

Winsage

January 16, 2026

Windows Remote Assistance Vulnerability Allow Attacker to Bypass Security Features

Critical security updates have been released to address CVE-2026-20824, a vulnerability in Windows Remote Assistance that allows attackers to bypass the Mark of the Web (MOTW) defense system. This affects various Windows platforms, including Windows 10 and Windows Server 2025, and is rated with an Important severity level. The flaw enables unauthorized local attackers to circumvent MOTW defenses, posing risks to confidentiality. The vulnerability requires local access and user interaction for exploitation, often using social engineering tactics. Microsoft has issued security updates for 29 Windows configurations, including specific KB articles for affected versions of Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server. Users are advised to apply the necessary patches, which are classified as “Required” customer actions. The vulnerability remains unexploited in the wild and was not publicly disclosed before the patches were released. Microsoft’s assessment categorizes it as “Exploitation Less Likely.”

Winsage

January 16, 2026

Still on Windows 10? 0patch may be your best defense in the ‘End of Support era’

In early 2023, Microsoft announced that official support for Windows 10 would end in 2025, with regular updates and security patches ceasing on October 14, 2025. Users have a little over two years to transition to Windows 11 or other operating systems. Some users have enrolled in Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which will also end in October 2026. A third-party service called 0patch offers ongoing protection for Windows 10 by providing micropatches for vulnerabilities. 0patch releases two to three micropatches each month, prioritizing vulnerabilities that are publicly known, actively exploited, and lack an official Microsoft fix. 0patch has a free version that provides critical zero-day patches and a paid Pro plan that includes legacy patches. The Pro plan costs €25 per year, while an Enterprise plan is available for €35 annually. 0patch plans to support Windows 10 until at least October 2030, depending on user demand. Users have reported some performance issues with 0patch, but the updates are lightweight and do not significantly affect system performance.

AppWizard

January 16, 2026

Forza Horizon 6 release date may have leaked in Forza Horizon 5

The preorder pop-up linked to Forza Horizon 5 indicated a four-day early access period beginning on May 15, with the official release set for May 19, and offered an exclusive Ferrari J50 for preorders. However, attempts to replicate the pop-up experience have been unsuccessful, raising questions about its authenticity. The Xbox Direct showcase is scheduled for January 22, where Forza Horizon 6 and other titles are expected to be unveiled.

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.

Winsage

January 15, 2026

Windows Server 2008 is finally gone, after Microsoft pulls support at last

Microsoft concluded all support for Windows Vista and Server 2008 as of January 13, 2026. Most customers lost support in January 2020, but Extended Security Updates were available until January 2023 for most users and until January 2024 for Azure customers. Free security updates, non-security updates, and support options are no longer accessible for the retired codebase. Organizations are encouraged to migrate to Azure for additional security updates. Windows Server 2012 will also reach the end of its ESU on October 13, 2026.

Winsage

January 15, 2026

Speed Up Your Windows 11 Launch Time in a Snap. Here’s How to Do It

The delay in booting up a Windows 11 laptop can be caused by multiple applications that automatically launch at startup, which can hinder system performance. Common applications that may launch include antivirus programs, Microsoft OneDrive, Slack, gaming applications, backup tools, and webcam software. Users can manage these startup applications through three methods: Task Manager, Settings, or File Explorer. In Task Manager, users can view and disable startup applications by right-clicking on entries in the Startup apps menu. The impact of each application on startup time is categorized as high, medium, low, none, or not measured. In the Settings app, users can navigate to Apps and then Startup to toggle off applications they do not want to launch automatically. File Explorer can also be used to manage startup applications by accessing the shell:appsfolder and shell:startup or shell:common startup commands to view and modify the applications set to launch at sign-in. Users are advised to disable applications they rarely use while keeping essential security software enabled. Third-party startup managers like Autoruns and Startup Delayer can provide additional insights into startup applications. Similar management methods apply to previous Windows versions.