Mozilla Archives

Winsage

March 24, 2026

I’m seriously tempted to drop Microsoft Edge after the latest Firefox update

Mozilla Firefox has released version 149, which includes features such as Split View, a free VPN for public Wi-Fi, enhanced PDF performance, and improved security measures that block notifications and revoke permissions on malicious websites. Firefox allows users to easily disable all AI features with a single switch, while Microsoft Edge requires users to navigate through multiple settings. Firefox is available for download on its website and the Microsoft Store.

Winsage

March 19, 2026

Want to set up Windows like a power user? Start with these 4 tools

The command line on Windows can be intimidating for average users, but tools like Windows Terminal enhance its usability with features such as tabbed browsing and improved text rendering. Winget allows users to install multiple applications simultaneously in the background, streamlining the setup process for new PCs. Oh My Posh improves the PowerShell prompt by providing contextual information and customizable themes. Git enables users to track changes and revert mistakes in files, while the bat command allows for quick viewing of text files in the terminal with syntax highlighting. These tools collectively enhance the Windows user experience by making the command line more accessible and efficient.

Winsage

March 11, 2026

Microsoft Patch Tuesday, March 2026 Edition

Microsoft Corp. has released security updates addressing at least 77 vulnerabilities across its Windows operating systems and various software applications. Key vulnerabilities include: - CVE-2026-21262: Allows an attacker to elevate privileges on SQL Server 2016 and later, with a CVSS v3 base score of 8.8. - CVE-2026-26127: Affects applications running on .NET, potentially leading to denial of service. - CVE-2026-26113 and CVE-2026-26110: Remote code execution flaws in Microsoft Office exploitable by viewing malicious messages in the Preview Pane. - CVE-2026-24291, CVE-2026-24294, CVE-2026-24289, and CVE-2026-25187: Privilege escalation vulnerabilities rated CVSS 7.8. - CVE-2026-21536: A critical remote code execution bug identified by an AI agent, marking a shift toward AI-driven vulnerability discovery. Additionally, Microsoft previously addressed nine browser vulnerabilities and issued an out-of-band update on March 2 for Windows Server 2022. Adobe has released updates for 80 vulnerabilities across its products, and Mozilla Firefox version 148.0.2 has resolved three high-severity CVEs.

AppWizard

February 25, 2026

14 essential Android apps I install and update through Obtainium

Obtanium is an app that allows users to install, update, and manage apps from various platforms like F-Droid, GitHub, and the vivo Store. Breezy Weather is a weather app designed for Google Pixel users, providing comprehensive weather details and integrating with the Pixel Launcher. Nobook is a wrapper for Facebook Lite that offers ad-blocking features and customization options for a streamlined experience. Forkyz aggregates crossword puzzles from various sources, providing entertainment for crossword enthusiasts. Suntimes is an older app that tracks daylight hours, useful for planning outdoor activities. Canta helps users remove unwanted system-level applications, allowing for device decluttering. Shizuku grants system-level access to other applications, enhancing their functionality, particularly for power users. Kvaesitso is a launcher with infinite vertical scrolling and extensive widget support, offering customization options. Tubular is a lightweight alternative to the stock YouTube app, blocking sponsor segments and reintegrating the dislike counter. Aurora Store allows users to access Play Store apps without needing a Google account, appealing to privacy-conscious users. ColorBlendr enables users to customize their device's theme colors for a personalized look. Fennec is a privacy-focused browser based on Mozilla Firefox, eliminating trackers and supporting add-ons. SmartSpacer enhances the At A Glance widget by overlaying information from third-party apps. Exodus provides insights into installed apps, revealing trackers and permissions for privacy-conscious users. OSS Document Scanner is an open-source app that combines OCR capabilities with visual editing features for document management.

Winsage

February 24, 2026

Firefox is about to drop support for older Windows versions – says if you can’t upgrade, then switch to Linux

Firefox version 115 will be the last to support Windows 7, 8, and 8.1. Users of these operating systems must upgrade to Windows 10 or newer to continue receiving updates after February 2026. Mozilla has decided to discontinue support for these older versions of Windows due to the cessation of security updates from Microsoft since January 2023 and the associated costs and risks. Other major browsers have also stopped supporting these outdated systems. Users unable to upgrade can consider switching to a Linux-based operating system, which often comes with Firefox pre-installed. Firefox is favored in the Linux community for its open-source nature and efficient memory usage compared to browsers based on Google's Chromium codebase.

Winsage

February 22, 2026

You Can Now Install—and Update—Microsoft Store Apps Using the Command Line

Microsoft has introduced a new command line interface for the Microsoft Store, accessible through PowerShell by typing "store." Users must have all current Windows 11 updates installed for functionality. The interface features ASCII art and a list of sub-commands, allowing users to search, install, and update software with minimal keystrokes. Users can install applications without needing to remember exact names, and commands like "store install firefox" yield accurate results. Limitations include the inability to install applications not available in the Microsoft Store. Users can also search for apps, gain insights into specific applications, and browse categories. The command "store updates" allows users to manage application updates efficiently.

Winsage

February 21, 2026

You Can Now Install—and Update—Microsoft Store Apps Using the Command Line

Microsoft has introduced a new command line interface for the Microsoft Store that allows users to bypass the traditional interface for app installation and management. Users can access this feature by launching PowerShell and typing “store.” If the command doesn't work, ensuring Windows 11 updates are current may resolve the issue. The interface includes an ASCII art display and a list of sub-commands for searching, installing, and updating software with minimal keystrokes. Users can install applications by typing commands like “store install firefox,” which searches for the app and provides relevant information. The tool can only install apps available in the Microsoft Store, excluding some popular options. Users can also use commands like “store search” and “store browse-apps” to explore available applications. Additionally, the command “store updates” allows users to install all pending Store updates collectively or update individual apps. This new command line approach aims to enhance the speed and efficiency of software management on Windows.

Winsage

February 20, 2026

Mozilla ends support for Firefox on older versions of Windows

Mozilla has ceased support for Firefox on Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1, with the final version available being Firefox 115. Users will continue to receive updates through the Firefox Extended Support Release (ESR) channels until February 2026. This decision follows Microsoft's end of support for these Windows versions in January 2023. Mozilla encourages users to upgrade to newer operating systems like Windows 10 or Windows 11, or to switch to Linux. Additionally, Mozilla has faced criticism regarding plans to transform Firefox into an AI-driven browser, but assured users that all AI features will be optional.

Winsage

February 19, 2026

Firefox is finally ending support for Windows 7, 8, and 8.1, and urges users to upgrade or switch to Linux

Mozilla has announced that "Firefox version 115 is the last supported Firefox version for users of Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1." Support for these operating systems began phasing out in January 2023, with access to the Extended Support Release (ESR) for critical security updates available until the end of February 2023. Firefox will continue to support Windows 10 for the foreseeable future, but transitioning to Windows 11 may present challenges due to hardware requirements. Mozilla suggests considering a shift to a Linux-based operating system for users whose hardware cannot accommodate Windows 10 or higher, as most Linux distributions come with Firefox as the default browser.

Winsage

February 13, 2026

Microsoft Edge and Interop 2026

Microsoft Edge is actively participating in the Interop project, now in its sixth year, collaborating with companies like Mozilla, Igalia, Google, and Apple to improve web interoperability. For Interop 2026, focus areas include expanding the CSS attr() function, enhancing color tooling, enabling container style queries, allowing custom highlights, improving the interoperability of dialog elements, enhancing the fetch() API, boosting IndexedDB performance, integrating WebAssembly with JavaScript promises, implementing media pseudo-classes, enhancing the Navigation API, allowing multiple custom element registries, creating scroll-driven animations, improving CSS scroll snapping behavior, adding support for the shape() CSS function, enhancing View Transitions, addressing web compatibility issues, improving WebRTC interoperability, and advancing the WebTransport API. Additionally, investigation efforts will focus on accessibility testing, developing a JPEG XL test suite, enhancing mobile testing infrastructure, and refining the WebVTT specification. A Top Developer Needs dashboard has been launched to monitor ongoing interoperability challenges. The previous Interop 2025 project achieved significant milestones, including reliable CSS anchor positioning, smoother view transitions, simplified Navigation API implementation, alignment on Core Web Vitals, streamlined JSON module scripts, and accessible disclosure widgets. All participating browsers in Interop 2025 scored at least 98%.