network drivers Archives

Winsage

March 1, 2025

Running Windows 7 in 2025

Windows 7 officially retired on January 14, 2020, but remains in use by some users due to its classic features and lack of built-in advertising. Many users continue to use Windows 7 because of outdated hardware, software compatibility issues, or financial constraints following the end of the free upgrade program in 2023. Users can maintain their Windows 7 installations by decluttering with the built-in Disk Cleanup tool, using Legacy Update for updates, and being cautious while browsing the web. The last compatible version of Google Chrome for Windows 7 is version 109, while Firefox version 115 still receives updates. Alternatives like PaleMoon and eM Client are available for users. Disabling OneDrive and exploring reliable applications like Ghostwriter and Notepad++ can enhance the Windows 7 experience.

Winsage

October 11, 2024

Eleven things to know about in the Windows 11 2024 Update

Microsoft requires a Microsoft account during the setup of new PCs and fresh Windows installations, which can be problematic when there is no functional network adapter. This issue often occurs during clean installations on new machines with unfamiliar Wi-Fi adapters that lack built-in drivers for Windows 11. Microsoft has introduced a fallback option in Windows 11 setup, allowing users to install necessary drivers from a USB drive. Users can also bypass the account requirement by using the Command Prompt with the command OOBEBYPASSNRO. The recent 24H2 update has improved security for SMB file-sharing connections by requiring all SMB connections to be signed by default and disabling Guest access for SMB shares in the Pro edition of Windows 11. While Guest fallback access is still available in Windows 11 Home, the requirement for SMB signing applies to all Windows editions.