OEMs Archives

Winsage

March 21, 2026

Microsoft announces major Windows 11 updates designed to fix biggest flaws

Microsoft has announced plans to enhance Windows 11, focusing on user feedback from the past two years. Key improvements will include better system performance, app responsiveness, and user interface adjustments. Users can expect enhancements in tools like File Explorer and the Windows Subsystem for Linux, with a goal of a more responsive and less resource-intensive operating system by year-end. The Taskbar will be repositionable, allowing customization, and the Windows UI framework, WinUI, will be expanded across more system areas. Windows Update will offer users greater control over updates, including the ability to pause them indefinitely. Microsoft aims to improve reliability by strengthening the Windows Insider Program, increasing OS and driver reliability, and enhancing Windows Hello biometric authentication. The focus areas for improvements are Performance, Reliability, and Craft, with specific goals outlined for each category, such as reducing resource usage, enhancing memory efficiency, and improving the search experience.

Winsage

March 17, 2026

Windows 11 March Update Blocks C: Drive Access for Some Users

The March 2026 Windows 11 update (KB5079473) has caused significant issues for users, including inaccessible C: drives, system crashes, and freezing. Reports indicate that Samsung Galaxy Book device owners are particularly affected, with complete blockage of access to the C: drive. Microsoft acknowledges the "C: is not accessible - Access denied" issue, linking it to the Samsung Galaxy Connect application, and is working on a resolution. The affected devices include various models of the Samsung Galaxy Book 4 and certain Samsung Desktop models running Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. While Microsoft claims only Samsung users are impacted, it is unclear if other manufacturers are experiencing similar problems. The update has raised concerns about the quality assurance processes prior to releases.

Winsage

March 16, 2026

Microsoft is using AI slop to promote Windows 11 features, and it’s painfully obvious

Microsoft utilizes AI-generated images in its Windows Learning Center blog posts, tagging them with “AI Art Created by Copilot.” By late 2025, Copilot had integrated image generation capabilities powered by ChatGPT, leading to the use of AI visuals in promotional content. However, the header images in these posts are not confirmed to be AI-generated. The company faces criticism for its reliance on AI, with social media backlash against its initiatives and the Windows 11 operating system. There are concerns about the accuracy of AI-generated images, which could mislead users. Microsoft is encouraged to promote human creativity to regain consumer trust and compete effectively with alternatives like macOS.

AppWizard

March 13, 2026

Google’s Android boss talks Android 17, sideloading drama, and why he hates phone cases

MWC (Mobile World Congress) in Barcelona is a significant event for the tech industry, where companies unveil new hardware and showcase emerging ideas. At MWC 2026, Sameer Samat, President of the Android Ecosystem, discussed the evolution of Android, particularly focusing on Android 17, which aims to transition from an operating system to an intelligent system. This version will integrate AI capabilities through Gemini, allowing for more intuitive task management. Android 17 will introduce early agentic capabilities, initially available in a beta feature for select devices, enabling users to automate multi-step tasks. Samat confirmed that Google has no plans to remove sideloading, despite concerns about app security. Upcoming changes to sideloading will focus on verifying app identities to protect users from malicious apps while still allowing power users to install unverified software. He emphasized the importance of balancing openness and safety in the Android platform. Samat expressed excitement about current Android phones, highlighting trends in foldable devices and praising models from brands like Motorola and Nothing for their appeal to younger consumers. He mentioned using a Galaxy Z Fold 7 for work and a Pixel 10 Pro for personal use, noting the beauty of the devices and his preference not to use cases.

AppWizard

March 4, 2026

Google Announces Registered App Stores For Android

Google is launching a Registered App Stores program for Android, allowing third-party app stores to officially register if they meet specific quality and safety criteria. This program aims to provide a better installation experience for users and will be rolled out in a major Android release later this year, initially targeting markets outside the US. Registration is optional, and stores can continue using the existing sideloading process. Alongside this, Google is unbundling its fee structure, reducing service fees for developers to between 15% and 20%, with an additional 5% fee for using Google Play billing in certain regions. The rollout of the new billing structure is expected by the end of June in the US, UK, and Europe, with global completion by September 30, 2027. The initiative is part of a broader settlement with Epic Games and reflects ongoing legal pressures for greater competition in app distribution.

Winsage

March 4, 2026

Stolen Microsoft Office and Windows keys land a Florida woman with 22 months in prison and a $50,000 fine — after she ironically stored them in Excel spreadsheets

Heidi Richards, a 52-year-old entrepreneur, has been sentenced to 22 months in prison for trafficking thousands of stolen Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity (COA) labels through her e-commerce venture, "Trinity Software Distribution." She has also been ordered to pay a 0,000 fine for her company. The COA labels, which verify the authenticity of Microsoft software, are not intended for standalone sale. Between July 2018 and January 2023, Richards and her accomplices acquired tens of thousands of legitimate Windows 10 and Microsoft Office COA labels, generating ,148,181.50 in revenue by selling extracted product key codes.

Winsage

March 4, 2026

Stolen Office and Windows keys land Florida woman with 22 months in prison

Heidi Richards has been sentenced to 22 months in prison for trafficking stolen Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity (COA) labels through her e-commerce business, "Trinity Software Distribution." She has also been ordered to pay a ,000 fine. The COA labels are issued by Microsoft to verify software authenticity and are not meant to be sold separately. Between July 2018 and January 2023, Richards and her associates procured tens of thousands of genuine Windows 10 and Microsoft Office COA labels, generating ,148,181.50 in revenue by selling extracted product key codes globally.

Winsage

February 26, 2026

Announcing new Cloud PC devices designed for Windows 365

In 2024, Microsoft launched Windows 365 Link, a new category of devices designed for quick access to Windows 365 Cloud PCs, enhancing IT management and security. Microsoft is collaborating with ASUS and Dell to expand the Cloud PC device portfolio. The ASUS NUC 16 for Windows 365 is a mini-PC with a 0.7L design, supporting up to three displays, expected to be available in Europe and the U.S. by Q3 2026. The Dell Pro Desktop for Windows 365 is a compact, fanless desktop that also supports three displays and will be available in 58 countries by Q3 2026. Both devices boot directly into Windows 365 and are managed through Microsoft Intune. Key updates for the Windows CPC operating system are planned for Q2 2026, including Bluetooth pairing support and tenant branding features. Windows 365 Link is currently available in 20 countries, with plans for market expansion.

Winsage

February 20, 2026

Hands on with Windows 11 26H1 and why this update is not meant for your PC

Microsoft has announced Windows 11 26H1, a release intended exclusively for new ARM devices launching in 2026, specifically those powered by the Snapdragon X2 series. This version is not a feature update for existing PCs and will not appear in Windows Update notifications for users on Intel or AMD hardware. Windows 11 26H1 is based on a new internal core designed for ARM silicon, referred to as a "hardware-optimized release," and may carry the codename Bromine. The OS Build number for 26H1 is 28020.1611, distinguishing it from previous updates. Key enhancements include full integration of semantic natural-language search within Settings, an increase in the FAT32 format limit from 32 GB to 2 TB, and UI refinements. Notable omissions include the removal of .NET Framework 3.5 as an optional feature and a safeguard preventing the System Preparation Tool from running in Safe Mode. Windows 11 26H2 is expected later in 2026 for existing PCs.

Winsage

February 17, 2026

This Windows 11 optimization and cleanup app blends perfectly into your PC’s UI — and I never usually care about these ‘debloaters’

Winhance is an open-source application developed by Marco du Plessis for optimizing Windows 10 and 11 on various devices. It has a user-friendly interface and has been available on GitHub for over a year. The latest version, v26.02.17, includes updates that improve its transition to the WinUI 3 framework. Winhance features a System Restore backup option, a batch uninstaller for removing default Microsoft applications, and allows users to install multiple applications simultaneously. It also offers unique tweaks to prevent OEMs from pre-installing unwanted software and provides an option to generate an Autounattend XML file for replicating configurations across devices. Users are advised to download Winhance from the official GitHub repository and back up their files before using the tool.