Microsoft Archives

Winsage

September 27, 2026

Copilot+ PCs are fading away just as Microsoft doubles down on Copilot

Microsoft has unveiled two new Surface PCs, the Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch, which will not carry the Copilot+ branding. The redesigned Surface Mouse is set to launch later this month with a soft-touch finish and improved haptics. The decision to not label the new Surface devices as Copilot+ PCs reflects a shift in Microsoft's AI PC development strategy, influenced by feedback from manufacturers. Microsoft’s branding strategy has faced scrutiny due to the extensive use of the Copilot name across various products, leading to confusion among users. However, Microsoft clarified that the discontinuation of Copilot+ PCs does not indicate the end of the Copilot platform, which is set to evolve with significant enhancements.

Winsage

September 27, 2026

Windows 11’s driver signature requirement is one of the best anti-consumer security features out there

Windows 11 requires drivers to be digitally signed, a policy aimed at enhancing security by preventing unauthorized code from executing at the kernel level. This requirement, which began with Windows Vista and became mandatory with Windows 10, version 1607, has tightened over the years, especially with the introduction of UEFI Secure Boot and TPM in Windows 11. While this enforcement protects against malware and supports anti-cheat systems in gaming, it limits user autonomy and imposes significant challenges for developers, particularly those working on smaller projects. In contrast, Linux allows users more freedom to modify their systems, though this flexibility can compromise security.

BetaBeacon

September 27, 2026

How to use Android apps on your Windows PC (and why you might want to)

- Microsoft's plan to make Android apps compatible with Windows 11 was dropped in 2024. - Two main paths to run Android apps on a PC are through emulators like BlueStacks or MuMuPlayer, or using the Google Play Games app. - Emulating Android apps on a PC is useful for gaming, running social media apps, testing apps, and running slimmed-down versions of creative software. - Emulators like MuMuPlayer and BlueStacks allow for parallel instances of emulated Android devices.

AppWizard

September 27, 2026

AnyPS5 Reaches PS5 Game Menu on PC, No Emulator [2026]

A developer named boykopovar has created an open-source tool called AnyPS5 on GitHub, which aims to convert PlayStation 5 games to run natively on Windows and Linux systems. AnyPS5 can load a PS5 game's logo and reach its main menu on PC hardware but crashes before the menu becomes interactive. The tool uses a method called relinking, which reformats PS5 executables into native Windows or Linux files and provides replacement libraries to mimic PS5 system libraries. There is currently no public build available, and the developer has stated that a public release will only occur after a successful game launch. Sony has not made any public statements or taken legal action regarding AnyPS5. The project operates under the GPL-2.0 license, but the legal implications of using it with actual PS5 games remain unclear. Historical trends suggest that console emulation projects typically take years to mature, but AnyPS5's shared architecture with PCs may offer a potential shortcut.

Winsage

September 27, 2026

‘Decades-old’ bugs found affecting Windows, Android, macOS and Linux — but the OS makers don’t see it as a big deal

Researchers at Graz University of Technology discovered significant vulnerabilities in the file-notification subsystems of major operating systems: Linux, Windows, macOS, and Android. These flaws, present for decades, allow side-channel attacks that can infer sensitive information like keystrokes and visited websites. The vulnerabilities are rooted in components such as inotify (Linux, since 2005), FileObserver (Android, since 2008), ReadDirectoryChangesW (Windows, since 2000), and FSEvents (macOS, since 2007). Unprivileged users can exploit these subsystems to observe file events, potentially leading to keystroke timing attacks and credential theft. While Linux has implemented partial mitigations (CVE-2025-68788), Microsoft and Apple have acknowledged the issues but have not provided substantial patches.

Winsage

September 27, 2026

Microsoft doesn’t think Surface needs to compete with MacBook Neo: “We do not have to play in every field”

Brett Ostrum, Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Surface, stated that Microsoft has never shipped a gaming PC and has allowed original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to cater to the gaming market. He mentioned that Microsoft was aware of the upcoming MacBook Neo and chose not to compete directly in that space, as OEMs like Dell and ASUS already provide viable alternatives. Microsoft has received feedback from various stakeholders about Surface's absence in this competitive area but maintains that it does not need to compete in every market. The Surface lineup has been categorized into three tiers: Entry Premium, Premium, and Ultra Premium, with the Entry Premium starting at over ,000. This shift reflects changes in the market and leadership within Surface. The Surface Laptop Ultra is set to be unveiled on October 7.

Winsage

September 27, 2026

Google researcher explains why Windows NT “puts Linux to shame,” and imagines an alternate history where it won

Laurie Kirk, a Google researcher and former Microsoft reverse engineer, argues that the Windows NT kernel is superior to Linux in several aspects, particularly in its architecture for managing resources and access permissions. She emphasizes that her critique focuses on the system architecture rather than the user interface of Windows 11. Kirk raises concerns about Linux's suitability for AI agents due to its complex security model, while praising NT's object-based design and security framework. She speculates on an alternate history where Microsoft had created an "Open NT," allowing for customizable components, but acknowledges the challenges of maintaining forks in operating systems. Critics of NT highlight its performance and reliability issues, while Linux's open-source nature has contributed to its dominance in servers and cloud computing. Kirk suggests that future operating systems may need to balance the defined resource types of NT with the flexibility of Linux, especially as AI technology evolves.

AppWizard

September 26, 2026

After Warcraft 3’s first new campaign in 23 years, let’s normalize releasing new DLC for ancient RTS games

The gaming landscape is experiencing renewed interest in older titles, as seen with expansions for classics like Songs of the Past for The Witcher 3. Cyberpunk 2077 and Baldur's Gate 3 are expected to remain relevant for years, making them candidates for future downloadable content. Quake has added a new episode, and Nightdive is remastering Thief. At BlizzCon 2026, the Warcraft 3 Reforged: Forsaken Kingdom expansion was announced, highlighting nostalgia for RTS games. Microsoft has revitalized the Age of Empires series with updates, while newer titles like Age of Empires 4 have struggled. Relic's Dawn of War: Definitive Edition has sold 750,000 copies, indicating demand for remastered RTS games. The remaster of Command & Conquer and Red Alert in 2020 shows the potential for nostalgia-driven content. Expanding existing titles like Rise of Nations and Supreme Commander could be beneficial, and while reactions to new content may be mixed, the concept has promise. The RTS genre has an opportunity to leverage its history while innovating for the future.

Winsage

September 26, 2026

Microsoft is ending support for Internet Explorer mode in Edge

Microsoft has announced that the Internet Explorer mode within its Edge browser will be supported until at least the end of 2029. This mode allows organizations to run IE's rendering engine on current Windows versions. Microsoft will provide a minimum of one year's notice before any end-of-support date. IE mode is a compatibility feature in Edge that uses the legacy Trident engine. Internet Explorer officially retired its standalone browser in June 2022, having dropped to less than 1 percent of the browser market share at that time.

Winsage

September 26, 2026

Microsoft just rethought its entire AI strategy: What the new Copilot means for Windows & your everyday workflows

Microsoft is evolving its offerings in artificial intelligence, particularly with updates announced at its Copilot event, which signify a shift towards a more integrated Microsoft 365 experience. The latest version of Copilot aims to create a cohesive workspace that connects documents, conversations, data, and tasks, making AI more accessible for everyday users and enterprise customers. CEO Satya Nadella emphasized the importance of keeping humans "in the flow of work" and creating systems that learn continuously. Key features include Autopilot, a digital teammate that manages tasks across Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and other applications, allowing users to focus on strategic initiatives. At the core of these advancements is Microsoft IQ, a unified intelligence layer that connects data and workflows throughout the Microsoft ecosystem. Microsoft is also introducing a plugin registry for custom integrations and implementing FinOps for AI to optimize spending. Regular consumers can access these features based on their M365 Premium or Pro subscriptions, with further developments expected at Microsoft Ignite in November.