Microsoft Archives

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

Xbox PC and Game Pass titles are coming to Linux through ‘Xodus’ — Heroic Launcher devs embark on new open-source reverse-engineering project

Xbox PC games face challenges on Linux due to Microsoft's proprietary Game Development Kit (GDK), affecting performance and Game Pass functionality. An open-source initiative called "Xodus," developed by the creators of Heroic Launcher, aims to reverse engineer components for Xbox PC games to run on Linux, focusing on modern titles using GDK and MSIXVC packages, but not older UWP games. Microsoft has recently brought four original Xbox titles to PC and may release Xbox 360 titles next year with an emulator, though it is unclear if they will use the GDK framework.

Winsage

August 11, 2026

Microsoft Word 1.1a Runs Natively on Windows 11 on x64

A developer has adapted Microsoft Word 1.1a, originally for 16-bit x86 systems, to run natively on modern 64-bit Windows PCs through a project called “Opus.” This adaptation compiles the original source code into a genuine x64 application, avoiding the use of emulators or virtual machines. The developer translated incompatible segments of the original code, including 16-bit assembly language, into C or C++, while mapping Win16 functions to modern Win32 APIs. The project retains original resources and copyright notices, and is hosted on GitHub without a broad open-source license. Automated testing has been implemented to ensure functionality mirrors the original application. Microsoft has previously published similar historic projects, but this port is an independent effort, providing insights into early Windows software architecture.

Winsage

August 11, 2026

Windows is a drop in Microsoft’s ocean, no wonder it’s been ignored while Azure and LinkedIn eat the profit

Microsoft's fiscal year results for FY26 showed a 16% increase in stock price, adding nearly half a trillion dollars to its market value. The "More Personal Computing" segment reported billion in revenue with an operating income of .4 billion, reflecting a slight decline in revenue but an increase in operating income. Analysts estimate that Windows client revenue is just over 5% of Microsoft's total revenue, approximately billion for FY26, with an estimated income of around billion. The overall margin for the More Personal Computing category is about 27%. Azure has crossed the 0 billion revenue threshold, making it the largest product category within Microsoft. LinkedIn contributes an estimated billion to billion in income. Microsoft may prioritize investments in emerging technologies over Windows due to higher profits from other segments.

Winsage

August 11, 2026

5 years later, Windows 10 refuses to die, and Microsoft just can’t push holdouts to Windows 11

Windows 11 was released in 2021, but Windows 10 remains a significant presence, with approximately 17% market share among enterprise PCs as of 2026. Lansweeper reports that Windows 10 has lost users, dropping from nearly 50% in early 2025 to around 40% by October 2025, and settling at 16.9% a year later. Key sectors using Windows 10 include healthcare (23%), consumer retail (22.7%), small and medium businesses (21.4%), manufacturing (18%), and enterprises (16.6%). Windows 10 has 1,903 active CVEs compared to 652 on Windows 11, indicating a 2.9 times higher vulnerability. About 14% of Windows 10 users receive Extended Security Updates, leaving 2% on unsupported versions. HP reports that 30% of its installed base still uses Windows 10, reflecting a core group resistant to upgrading. Microsoft states that Windows is active on 1.6 billion PCs globally, with a noted 7% decrease in Windows OEM revenue attributed to lower PC demand and the end-of-support effects for Windows 10.

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

id Software dev says mass layoffs like Microsoft’s are weakening the games industry, because developers ‘don’t have the incentive to care anymore’

Chris Hayes, lead services programmer at id Software, expressed concerns about Microsoft's mass layoffs and their negative impact on the gaming industry. He argued that cost-cutting measures are stifling creativity and innovation, leading to a demotivated workforce. Developers feel unrecognized and disconnected from their projects, fearing job loss shortly after game launches. Hayes noted that this environment affects the industry's health, with gamers sensing something is wrong. He attributed the discontent to macroeconomic factors and a lack of long-term vision from industry leaders, emphasizing the need for a more sustainable management approach.

Winsage

August 10, 2026

We now know exactly when uBlock Origin will stop working on Microsoft Edge

Microsoft is phasing out Manifest Version 2 (MV2) extensions, which will discontinue support for uBlock Origin on Microsoft Edge by the end of 2026. Users may start receiving notifications about this change, and MV2 extensions will be disabled by default in the coming months. In contrast, Mozilla Firefox and Brave will continue to support MV2 extensions.

Tech Optimizer

August 10, 2026

Microsoft’s PostgreSQL alternative, HorizonDB: Worth the wait?

AWS's Aurora PostgreSQL service became generally available in 2017 and has evolved into an AI-ready offering with features like vector search and integrations with Amazon Bedrock. Google Cloud launched AlloyDB in 2022, which includes AlloyDB AI with vector search and model interaction. Databricks introduced Lakebase, available on AWS and Azure in 2023, while Snowflake released Snowflake Postgres in February 2026. Microsoft announced HorizonDB at Ignite in November 2025, featuring disaggregated compute and storage, a database-as-log design, native vector search, and integration with Foundry and Fabric.

AppWizard

August 10, 2026

Project Xodus Brings Native Xbox PC and Game Pass Games to Linux

Project Xodus is an open-source initiative focused on reverse-engineering Xbox PC and Game Pass titles to enable their use on Linux and Mac systems. The project has made significant progress in Microsoft authentication and package decryption, allowing Linux users to download and process Xbox subscription games locally. The team has successfully reverse-engineered Microsoft’s identity services and license verification systems, unlocking encrypted MSIXVC game files and enabling the verification of game licenses and decryption of installation packages on non-Windows operating systems. Xodus serves as a translation bridge for Microsoft’s proprietary ecosystem services, providing custom proxy libraries for games to function as if they are running in a native Windows environment. It specifically targets modern games built on Microsoft’s GDK framework, excluding older titles using the Universal Windows Platform and those dependent on kernel-level anti-cheat mechanisms. The project aims to improve access to Xbox Game Pass on devices like the Steam Deck by facilitating direct local hardware execution, reducing reliance on cloud streaming and enhancing portable gaming experiences. Community feedback has been positive, with developers actively sharing updates and engaging with inquiries.

Winsage

August 10, 2026

Azure Arc-Enabled ESUs for Windows Server 2016 Now Available

Microsoft is offering Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for Windows Server 2016, which will provide critical security patches until January 2030, after the end of extended support on January 12, 2027. Organizations can enroll their Windows Server 2016 instances via Azure Arc to receive these updates without migrating to Azure. The ESUs are available through a pay-as-you-go pricing model, allowing flexibility for on-premises servers and other cloud platforms. By using Azure Arc, organizations gain access to Azure management tools for improved visibility and compliance. IT administrators should connect eligible systems to Azure Arc to manage ESU enrollment and compliance effectively. ESUs are intended as a temporary solution while businesses modernize applications and plan migrations to supported platforms.

Winsage

August 10, 2026

Microsoft, Red Hat, and DH2i to Present, “Simplify Hybrid SQL Server: Windows & Red Hat OpenShift Side By Side”

DH2i will host a live webinar titled "Simplify Hybrid SQL Server: Windows & Red Hat OpenShift Side By Side" on August 20 at 12:00 PM Eastern Time (9:00 AM Pacific Time) in collaboration with Microsoft and Red Hat. The webinar aims to help organizations extend their SQL Server OLTP environments to Red Hat OpenShift, focusing on deploying a secure, cross-platform Availability Group (AG) linking Windows Server VMs with Red Hat OpenShift. Key topics include automating Kubernetes AG cluster deployment, establishing secure connections using Zero Trust Networking (ZTNA), and implementing HA automation for hybrid SQL Server environments. Featured speakers include OJ Ngo from DH2i, Amit Khandelwal from Microsoft, and Vivien Wang from Red Hat. Registration is available for those interested in attending or accessing the recording later.