Microsoft Teams Archives

Winsage

April 18, 2026

France has ditched Windows 11 for Linux on 2.5 million government PCs — here’s why Microsoft should worry that millions more could follow by the end of 2026

Dissatisfaction with Windows 11 is widespread, prompting the French government to transition from Windows to Linux for its computer systems, aiming for 'digital sovereignty.' French officials, including Minister David Amiel, emphasize the need to reduce reliance on American tools and regain control over digital infrastructure. The transition is mandated to be completed by fall 2026, with GendBuntu, a variant of Ubuntu, likely being adopted. Over 100,000 PCs currently run GendBuntu, and an additional 2.5 million government workstations will migrate from Windows. Other regions, such as Schleswig-Holstein in Germany and Denmark, are also moving away from Windows. Users have reported issues with Windows 11, leading to a backlash and prompting Microsoft to promise fixes. However, the effectiveness of these improvements remains uncertain, and if unresolved, users may increasingly consider alternatives like Linux or macOS. Microsoft has revamped its Windows Insider program to gather user feedback but lacks clarity on internal quality assurance improvements. The company's ability to regain user trust hinges on addressing ongoing concerns effectively.

Winsage

April 15, 2026

Microsoft releases Windows 10 KB5082200 extended security update

Microsoft has released the Windows 10 KB5082200 extended security update, addressing vulnerabilities from the April 2026 Patch Tuesday, including two critical zero-day flaws. The update enhances security with new protections against phishing attacks using Remote Desktop Protocol (.rdp) files and provides updated indicators in Windows Security for new Secure Boot certificates. Users can install the update by checking for updates in the Windows Update settings. After installation, Windows 10 will upgrade to build 19045.7184, and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 will transition to build 19044.7184. The update resolves a total of 167 vulnerabilities, including two significant zero-day issues, and includes fixes for signing into Microsoft apps, enhanced Remote Desktop security, dynamic Secure Boot status reporting, and issues affecting Intel-based devices with Connected Standby. Microsoft is also rolling out new Secure Boot certificates to replace older ones expiring in June 2026, with no known issues reported for this update.

AppWizard

April 14, 2026

Microsoft to shut down Outlook Lite for Android in May 2026

Outlook Lite, launched in 2022 for Android devices, was designed for users with low-resource smartphones and slow network connections. Microsoft officially retired the app on October 6, 2025, removing it from the Google Play Store, but users who had previously downloaded it could still access its features temporarily. Outlook Lite will completely cease to function on May 25, 2026, at which point mailbox access will be disabled and in-app navigation will no longer work. Microsoft is urging users to switch to Outlook Mobile before this deadline, assuring that user accounts and existing emails, calendar items, and attachments will remain accessible through Outlook Mobile.

AppWizard

April 14, 2026

Microsoft to shut down Outlook app on Android devices in May – switch or be ‘cut off’

Microsoft is retiring the Outlook Lite app, which has over 10 million downloads since its 2022 launch. The app will be fully retired on May 25, 2026, after being removed from the Google Play Store on October 6, 2025. Users will still be able to open the app, but mailbox access and in-app navigation will be disabled. Microsoft encourages users to switch to Outlook Mobile before the cutoff date to maintain access to their email services. Additionally, Microsoft retired Skype in May 2025 after 22 years, with users retaining access to messages until January 2026, when all data was permanently deleted.

Winsage

April 9, 2026

Windows is sabotaging your expensive hardware, and these are the biggest ways how

Modern PCs, even with mid-range hardware, can experience performance issues not solely due to hardware limitations but because of how Windows operates. The operating system runs numerous background services that consume resources, including Connected User Experiences and Telemetry, Diagnostic Policy Service, and Windows Error Reporting. These services log activity and send data to Microsoft, leading to unexpected CPU spikes and disk usage. Startup applications, such as Microsoft Teams and OneDrive, also contribute to longer boot times and increased resource usage. Users should monitor and limit these applications to improve startup performance. Legacy features like SysMain, Windows Search indexing, and automatic folder type discovery can hinder performance on modern systems, as they were designed for older hardware and can cause unnecessary disk activity. Microsoft services like Copilot and OneDrive continuously run in the background, consuming memory and CPU resources, which affects overall system performance. Windows' power management settings prioritize energy efficiency over performance, leading to inconsistent responsiveness and delays during tasks. This conservative approach impacts various components, making the system feel sluggish.

Winsage

April 7, 2026

“This was not opportunistic. It was precision.” — How North Korean hackers used Microsoft Teams and Slack to compromise Windows PCs with an elaborate ploy

On March 30, 2026, axios, a JavaScript HTTP client library, was temporarily compromised by suspected North Korean hackers who hijacked maintainer Jason Saayman's account. This allowed them to publish two malicious versions of axios on npm. The malicious versions were identified and removed within three hours by StepSecurity. A post-mortem blog on GitHub provided security measures for users of Windows, macOS, and Linux, highlighting risks from a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) introduced during the breach. The attack was attributed to a group known as UNC1069, which has been active since at least 2018. Two weeks prior to the breach, Saayman was targeted in a social engineering campaign where attackers posed as a legitimate company founder, leading him to install the RAT via a fake update during a Microsoft Teams meeting. Microsoft Teams was not compromised; it was used as a delivery method for the Trojan. Saayman noted the operation's sophistication.

AppWizard

April 6, 2026

Slack Messenger: Revolutionizing Team Communication

Slack Messenger is a cloud-based platform for workplace collaboration that enhances team communication through real-time messaging, file sharing, and workflow integrations. Since its launch in 2013, it has replaced traditional email chains with organized channels for discussions and direct messaging. Users can create dedicated channels for specific projects, utilize threaded replies for clarity, and send targeted notifications through mentions. Key features include an intuitive interface accessible on various devices, unlimited message history on paid plans, voice and video huddles, and support for over 2,600 applications like Google Workspace and Salesforce. Security features include data encryption and compliance with regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA. Slack is used across various sectors including project management, customer support, and engineering, and is widely adopted by companies like IBM, Shopify, and NASA. On a daily basis, teams use Slack for status updates, file sharing, and conducting polls. For larger organizations, it offers multi-workspace setups and analytics. A free tier is available for freelancers and small teams, while its mobile app facilitates coordination for gig economy workers. Slack operates in over 150 countries and supports multiple languages. The collaboration software market, valued at over a billion dollars, continues to grow, driven by hybrid work demands. Competitors include Microsoft Teams, Discord, and Mattermost, although Slack remains distinguished by its integrations. Slack is supported by AWS cloud infrastructure and boasts an uptime of 99.99%. Recent updates introduced AI features aimed at enhancing efficiency. Salesforce acquired Slack in 2020 for .7 billion, integrating it into its Customer 360 ecosystem while maintaining its standalone brand. Slack is publicly listed under the ISIN US79466L3024.

Winsage

April 5, 2026

New Copilot for Windows 11 includes a full Microsoft Edge package, uses more RAM

A new iteration of Copilot is being released for Windows 11, transitioning from native code (WinUI) to web components and including a full version of Microsoft Edge. The update replaces the previous native app and is available for download through the Microsoft Store, which now requires an installer similar to the Microsoft Edge installer. The new Copilot resembles the web version and has higher RAM usage, consuming up to 500MB in the background and nearly 1GB during use, compared to less than 100MB for the previous version. The new Copilot is a hybrid web application that operates with a rebranded instance of Edge within a WebView2 container, including a complete Microsoft Edge installation that occupies approximately 850 MB. It contains the msedge.dll file, confirming the presence of a full Chromium browser engine, and includes Edge subsystems like Browser Helper Objects and Trust Protection Lists. The Copilot app functions as a web app rendered via WebView2, raising questions about the necessity of such applications on Windows 11 given the existing alternatives.

Winsage

March 31, 2026

The Microsoft ecosystem glow-up: How Teams, OneDrive, and Windows 11 now work together without headaches

Windows 11 integrates seamlessly with OneDrive and Microsoft Teams, enhancing productivity and workflow efficiency. It comes pre-installed with these applications, allowing users to access notifications and features easily. Meeting recordings can be saved directly in OneDrive, and the search functionality allows users to find documents and messages across platforms effortlessly. The Fluent Design language provides a cohesive user experience, facilitating smooth transitions between tasks. Additionally, the Copilot AI feature assists users by summarizing missed communications, crafting meeting agendas, and simplifying file management in both Teams and OneDrive. This integration supports a focused work environment, minimizing distractions and interruptions.

Winsage

March 31, 2026

Microsoft is Forming New Team Tasked With Building “100% Native” Windows Apps

Microsoft is establishing a dedicated team to develop native, high-quality Windows applications, led by Rudy Huyn, a Principal Lead Architect with experience in the Microsoft Store and File Explorer. Huyn emphasizes that prior experience with Windows is not necessary, focusing instead on strong product thinking and a customer-centric approach. The goal is to create "100% native" applications to improve the app experience on Windows, which has been criticized for lower quality compared to macOS applications. The Microsoft Store has faced criticism for offering basic web apps, and there are ongoing performance issues with applications like Microsoft Teams and Copilot for Windows. Microsoft plans to enhance Windows 11's performance and reliability by reintroducing features and improving core applications.