official support Archives

Winsage

June 17, 2025

Millions Of Windows Users Get Microsoft’s Free Upgrade Offer

As of June 17, Windows 10's global market share has fallen below 50% for the first time, now at 48.9%, while Windows 11 is at 47.7%. This suggests that nearly 60 million users have switched from Windows 10 to Windows 11. In the United States, Windows 11 holds 55.2% of the market compared to Windows 10's 42.0%. In Asia, Windows 10's share has decreased from 59% to 49%, while Windows 11 has increased to over 46%. Approximately 700 million users remain on Windows 10, with over 240 million devices not meeting the upgrade requirements. Microsoft is encouraging users to upgrade and will introduce a migration tool to facilitate the transition. The upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is free for compatible PCs, but unsupported systems may face security risks post-October 14.

BetaBeacon

June 17, 2025

These retro SEGA games are now free on Android until they disappear forever

SEGA is ending support for its remaining catalog of mobile ports, including classic Sonic, Crazy Taxi, and Shining Force games. These games have been made free for download on Android and iOS, and players can still play them offline if they have already downloaded them.

Winsage

June 14, 2025

LibreOffice backs campaign to help users move from Windows 10 to Linux – and ditch Office, too

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, prompting users to consider upgrading to Windows 11 or exploring alternatives like Linux. The End of 10 initiative aims to guide users toward affordable options, particularly Linux and LibreOffice, as many existing Windows 10 devices may not meet Windows 11's hardware requirements. The transition to Windows 11 may also lead to increased costs and reduced user autonomy due to its cloud-centric design. LibreOffice, an open-source productivity suite, offers essential tools without licensing fees and promotes open standards, though compatibility with Microsoft Office documents may vary. The Document Foundation suggests three steps for transitioning to Linux and LibreOffice: testing the new platform, assessing software compatibility, and providing training for users.

AppWizard

June 13, 2025

Google Play Store to Drop Android Instant Apps in December 2025

The Google Play Store will phase out support for Android Instant apps, with official support concluding in December 2025. This includes the removal of publishing and all Google Play Instant APIs, as well as tooling support in Android Studio. Consumer interest in Instant apps has decreased, leading Google to focus on other app discovery tools.

Winsage

June 11, 2025

Upgrading Windows 10 to 11: Here’s everything you need to know

Microsoft is offering a free upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 for eligible devices that meet the minimum system requirements and use the appropriate upgrade tools. Official support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025, after which Microsoft will stop providing free security updates, technical support, and bug fixes. Users can obtain a paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for an additional year of critical security updates. Windows 11 requires specific hardware prerequisites, including TPM 2.0 and compatible processors. Users can check their PC's eligibility for the update using the free PC Integrity Checker app. To upgrade, users can download the Windows 11 Installation Wizard or use the Rufus tool to create a bootable USB stick for installation. Backing up data before upgrading is recommended.

Winsage

May 31, 2025

Forget Windows 11, this version of Windows 10 is officially supported until 2032

Microsoft will retire Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, after which it will no longer receive technical support, feature updates, or security patches. Users can upgrade to Windows 11, but not all devices meet its requirements. Microsoft offers an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for an additional year of security support for a fee. Another option is the Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC edition, which provides a streamlined experience but is not intended for general consumer use and comes with complex licensing requirements. Windows 10 LTSC will receive official support for several years, but as mainstream Windows 10 approaches its end-of-support date, software and driver support may decline. Users with older hardware may consider acquiring a Windows 10 LTSC key to extend device functionality, but should weigh the associated challenges.

Winsage

May 28, 2025

Did Microsoft Change Windows 11 Requirements? – Here’s the Truth

Microsoft has not changed the official requirements for Windows 11 since its launch. Users need a compatible 64-bit processor (1GHz or faster with at least two cores), a minimum of 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. Essential features include UEFI firmware that supports Secure Boot and TPM version 2.0, DirectX 12 compatible graphics with a WDDM 2.0 driver, and displays of at least 9 inches with a resolution of 720p. Microsoft allows experienced users to manually install Windows 11 on unsupported devices at their own risk, but this is not advisable due to potential issues. The strict requirements are intended to enhance security and performance. Users can check compatibility with the PC Health Check Tool. Microsoft will support Windows 10 until October 14, 2025, after which there will be no official support. For those whose systems do not meet the specifications, upgrading hardware or purchasing a new PC may be necessary.

Winsage

May 18, 2025

Microsoft shares official guide for fixing every Windows 11/10 update download/install error

Microsoft has updated its official support article for Windows Update troubleshooting following the launch of Windows 11 24H2. The update includes new recommendations for resolving update-related challenges, such as using the built-in Windows Update Troubleshooter and clearing the Windows Update cache. To use the Windows Update Troubleshooter, users should: 1. Select Start > Settings > Update & Security. 2. Choose Troubleshoot from the left-hand menu, then click on Additional troubleshooters. 3. Select Windows Update under the Get up and running section and click Run the troubleshooter. 4. Follow the on-screen instructions. To clear the Windows Update cache, users should: 1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. 2. Locate the Windows Update service, right-click it, and select Stop. 3. Navigate to C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution and delete all files and folders within this directory. 4. Return to the Services window, right-click Windows Update, and select Start. Microsoft has also provided a list of common update-related error codes and their explanations, including: - 0x800705b4: Update took too long to install or was interrupted. - 0x80240034: Update process is stuck due to an incomplete update or connection issue. - 0x800f0922 or 0x8007000E: Unable to install the update due to insufficient disk space. - 0x800F081F, 0x80073712, or 0x80246007: Corrupted or missing system files or incomplete download. - 0x80070020: Another program or process is blocking the Windows update process. Additional error codes specific to Windows 11 include: - 0x8007000d: Issue with Windows Update files or corruption in the update cache. - 0xC1900101: Incompatible driver causing the update to fail. - 0x80070005: Access Denied error or insufficient permissions to install updates.

Winsage

May 15, 2025

Windows 10 version of Microsoft 365 apps will be supported until 2028—but this isn’t the Microsoft u-turn you may think it is

Microsoft will continue to provide security updates for Microsoft 365 applications, including PowerPoint, Word, and Excel, on Windows 10 until October 10, 2028, despite the end of official support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. A misleading blog post suggesting that Microsoft 365 Apps would cease support on Windows 10 after the 2025 deadline was clarified by a Microsoft spokesperson as not being an official announcement. Extended Security Updates (ESU) are now available to individual consumers, previously limited to commercial clients and educational institutions. Users can purchase ESU, consider third-party security patches, or transition to Linux if they wish to move away from Microsoft’s ecosystem. Additionally, Microsoft recently announced layoffs of 7,000 employees.

Winsage

May 14, 2025

Windows 10 and Microsoft 365 support deadlines changed? This story just won’t die

Support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025. After this date, Microsoft 365 Apps will continue to function on Windows 10 devices, but Microsoft recommends upgrading to Windows 11 to avoid potential performance issues. Microsoft will provide security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 for three years after the end of support, ending on October 10, 2028. However, Microsoft will not test new releases on Windows 10 after the end-of-support date. Support for Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 will have limitations, including advising upgrades to Windows 11 for issues that do not occur on Windows 11, limited troubleshooting assistance for customers unable to upgrade, and no option to log bugs or request additional updates. These support options do not apply to consumers using the Personal and Family editions of Microsoft 365.