operating system Archives

Winsage

June 18, 2025

What version of Windows is on your PC? Here’s how to find out

To check your Windows version and build number, you can use the following methods: 1. Winver Tool: Type “winver” in the taskbar search bar and select the command to display your version and build number in a pop-up window. 2. Windows Settings: Go to the start menu, select “Settings,” then navigate to “System” and click on “About” to find your version and build number under “Windows specifications.” 3. Registry Database: Type “regedit” in the taskbar search field, open the Registry Editor, and navigate to HKEYLOCALMACHINE->SOFTWARE->Microsoft->Windows NT->CurrentVersion to find the version number under “ReleaseId” and “DisplayVersion.”

Winsage

June 18, 2025

Windows 10 End Nears: Switch to Linux for Security

Microsoft will cease support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, affecting an estimated 200 to 400 million devices that will no longer receive updates or patches, exposing them to security vulnerabilities. Transitioning to Windows 11 requires modern hardware specifications, which many older devices lack. Users must decide between investing in new hardware, opting for extended security updates, or switching to alternative operating systems like Linux. The Document Foundation advocates for Linux and LibreOffice as viable alternatives, emphasizing their ability to run on older hardware and providing robust security updates. Linux offers users greater control and transparency, addressing privacy concerns associated with proprietary systems. LibreOffice supports open document formats, ensuring long-term accessibility without vendor constraints. The end of Windows 10 support may prompt significant shifts in the tech industry, encouraging a move towards systems that prioritize sustainability and user rights.

Winsage

June 17, 2025

Windows 10 End Nears: Switch to Linux for Security

Microsoft will cease support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, leaving an estimated 200 to 400 million devices vulnerable to security risks due to a lack of updates. Users must choose between upgrading to Windows 11, which has strict hardware requirements, paying for extended security updates, or switching to alternative operating systems like Linux. The Document Foundation advocates for Linux and LibreOffice as viable options, emphasizing their ability to run on older hardware and provide robust security updates without vendor lock-in. Privacy concerns regarding data collection by major tech companies are highlighted, with Linux offering users greater control and transparency. The transition away from Windows 10 is seen as an opportunity to promote user empowerment and sustainability in technology choices.

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.

Winsage

June 17, 2025

How Discord Was Ported To Windows 95 And NT 3.1

Discord has developed a new client called Discord Messenger, which allows users on legacy systems such as Windows XP, Windows 95, and NT 3.1 to access the platform. This project utilizes the Discord API as a web application, enabling third-party client development without repercussions from Discord. The developers overcame challenges related to TLS encryption compatibility and crafted shims for API calls absent in older systems. They also addressed runtime issues on Windows NT 3.1 by backporting features from the original operating system.

Winsage

June 17, 2025

These 5 missing Windows 11 features are the most wanted among users

Microsoft's Feedback Hub was created to collect user suggestions for improving Windows 11. Five highly requested features identified by users include: 1. The ability to move the taskbar to the top or side of the screen, which has received 24,046 votes. 2. The option to completely disable recommendations in the Start menu, as users want to hide them permanently. 3. The ability to change the default search engine in Windows 11, which currently defaults to Bing and Microsoft Edge, with no plans for broader availability beyond the European Economic Area. 4. A reduction in Windows 11’s system requirements to allow it to run on older hardware, as many users cannot upgrade from Windows 10 due to current requirements like TPM 2.0. 5. More options for taskbar icons to optimize space, as the existing "never combine" mode has inconsistent behavior that frustrates users.

AppWizard

June 17, 2025

Android Automotive now lets apps show your food order status and more on your car’s home screen

Google is introducing a new feature called AppCard to its Android Automotive OS, which allows applications to display essential data and functionalities directly on the home screen. The design of these AppCards will be determined by car manufacturers, ensuring a consistent user interface across vehicles. AppCards can include images, text, tappable buttons, and progress bars, although space limitations may restrict the amount of information displayed. This feature may not be exclusive to Android 16 and could function independently of primary operating system updates. AppCards aim to optimize applications for automotive environments, encouraging developers to refine their apps for vehicle use.

Winsage

June 17, 2025

Breath new life into a PC with this bundle—Microsoft Office and Windows 11 Pro under $50

A lifetime license for Microsoft Office Pro 2019 and Windows 11 Pro is available for .97, originally valued at 9. Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 in 2025, making an upgrade to Windows 11 Pro essential for continued security updates and new features. Windows 11 Pro includes an AI assistant called Copilot, and features for gamers such as DirectStorage and AutoHDR. Microsoft Office Pro 2019 provides offline versions of applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint without a subscription.

Winsage

June 17, 2025

‘You did say how much you loved Vista’ – Microsoft’s most hated operating system pops up in Windows 11’s weirdest glitch ever

Test builds of Windows 11 have encountered a bug that changes the startup sound to the Windows Vista (and Windows 7) melody instead of the expected Windows 11 sound. This issue was highlighted by a Windows tester named Xeno and confirmed by Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc, who noted it as a glitch. The bug appears to have resulted from someone experimenting with the sound files.

Winsage

June 17, 2025

5 registry tweaks I made to instantly speed up my Windows PC

Disabling animations and visual effects can improve the responsiveness of Windows 11. To disable visual effects, navigate to HKEYCURRENTUSERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerVisualEffects, create a DWORD value named VisualFXSettings, and set its value to 2. To allocate fewer resources to background apps, go to ComputerHKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionMultimediaSystemProfile, double-click on SystemResponsiveness, and change the Base Decimal value from 20 to 10. To speed up shutdown, navigate to ComputerHKEYLOCALMACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControl, double-click on WaitToKillServiceTimeout, and set the value from 5,000 milliseconds to 2,000 milliseconds. To reduce startup delays, go to HKEYCURRENTUSERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorer, create a new key named Serialize, then create a DWORD (32-bit) Value named StartupDelayInMSec and set its value to 0. To prioritize applications and enhance system responsiveness, navigate to HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionMultimediaSystemProfile, double-click on SystemResponsiveness, and adjust it from 14 to 10.