operating systems Archives

Winsage

April 17, 2026

“Over 3.3 million downloads”: This Linux alternative to Windows 11 is winning over Microsoft’s customers with a huge update

Zorin OS, a Linux-based operating system, launched late last year alongside Microsoft's decision to end support for Windows 10 on October 14, leading to approximately 780,000 users migrating to Linux and a surge in Zorin OS downloads to 1 million. Three months later, Zorin OS 18 was released, increasing downloads to 2 million, and six months post-launch, total downloads reached 3.3 million. The latest version, Zorin OS 18.1, includes new features and improved hardware support, expanding its database to support over 240 Windows applications. Zorin Lite has also been updated to version 17.3, designed for older computers, featuring support for fingerprint readers and a redesigned File Manager. Meanwhile, Windows 11 has struggled with adoption due to strict hardware requirements but is gaining traction after the end-of-life status of Windows 10. Microsoft is working to improve user sentiment around Windows 11 by allowing users to bypass updates during setup and reintroducing features like a movable Taskbar. Some experts suggest that Microsoft should focus on developing Windows 12 instead of enhancing Windows 11, as significant improvements may require more drastic changes. Alternative operating systems like Zorin OS are becoming increasingly appealing to users dissatisfied with Windows.

Winsage

April 17, 2026

France Ditches Windows for Linux in Massive “Digital Sovereignty” Push

The French government plans to transition all government workstations from Microsoft Windows to Linux by April 8, 2026, as part of its strategy for "Digital Sovereignty." Each government ministry must present a "de-dependence" plan by autumn 2026. By 2027, all 2.5 million French civil servants will switch to Visio, a domestically developed communication platform, replacing Teams and Zoom. The country's health data platform will also move to a "trusted sovereign solution" to keep citizen data under French jurisdiction. French officials emphasize the need to reduce reliance on foreign technology for strategic decisions and citizen data.

Winsage

April 16, 2026

Microsoft’s VP just reworked a Windows 11 feature to make it “comfortable” for macOS users — if they ever decide to switch

Microsoft, Apple, and various Linux distributions compete for user loyalty in the operating system market, with Microsoft leading through its Windows OS. PeekDesktop is a free utility developed by Scott Hanselman, allowing Windows users to hide open windows by clicking on the desktop, similar to a feature in macOS Sonoma. Early testing revealed issues, such as interference with emptying the Recycle Bin and the Task Manager not responding to clicks on the wallpaper. Hanselman noted that PeekDesktop was inspired by macOS features, aiming to help Apple users transition to Windows.

Winsage

April 16, 2026

Microsoft VP releases free Windows tool inspired by macOS feature

Scott Hanselman, a Microsoft executive, has introduced Peek Desktop, a free utility for Windows users that allows them to hide all open windows with a click on the desktop wallpaper. The tool is available for download on GitHub and enables users to quickly access files and folders. Users can restore their previous window arrangement by clicking on the desktop or tapping the taskbar. Peek Desktop was inspired by a similar feature in macOS Sonoma and has received nine updates since its release two days ago, improving user experience and functionality. There is hope that it may be integrated as a native feature in Windows 11 in the future.

Winsage

April 16, 2026

There’s No Saving Windows 11. It’s Time for Windows 12

Windows 11 has faced user frustration due to its cluttered interface and the addition of Copilot AI features, leading to questions about its viability. Recent updates allow users to skip installations during initial setup and offer enhanced taskbar customization. Microsoft is committed to improving Copilot integration, but performance issues and bugs persist. The Recall feature has raised privacy concerns, as it can expose sensitive information, with a researcher demonstrating a way to bypass security measures. The 25H2 update has been plagued by bugs, and users have noted dissatisfaction with ads promoting Microsoft services. The integration of AI has increased RAM usage, affecting system performance. Many users are calling for a focus on developing Windows 12 to restore confidence in Microsoft's operating systems.

Winsage

April 16, 2026

Microsoft’s latest Windows update now confirms if your PC is Secure Boot-protected

Microsoft has introduced a new feature in Windows 11 and Windows 10 that informs users about the status of Secure Boot as part of the April Patch Tuesday update. This feature includes a visual indicator that shows whether devices have the latest Secure Boot certificates, which protect against bootkit malware. The Secure Boot icon can display in green, yellow, or red, indicating different security statuses: green means secure with no actions needed, yellow indicates a pending safety recommendation, and red signals that immediate attention is required. Users can check their Secure Boot status through Settings in both operating systems. It is important to install the latest Windows updates to ensure devices have the most recent Secure Boot certificates, as older certificates will expire in June. The April updates also address 164 vulnerabilities, including eight classified as critical and two identified as zero-day flaws. Users are advised to prioritize these updates to maintain system security.

Winsage

April 16, 2026

Windows 11 vs CachyOS in gaming: Has Linux finally caught up to Windows?

Serious gaming on Linux has become a reality, with modern games showing impressive performance. A performance comparison was conducted between Windows 11 (25H2 build) and CachyOS (March 2026 build), a Linux distribution optimized for gaming. The test system specifications included a Cooler Master GA27127-inch monitor, Intel Core i5 12400F CPU, 24GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD, 1TB HDD, AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT GPU, and the respective operating systems with their drivers. In gaming performance benchmarks, CachyOS outperformed Windows 11 by an average of 8.6% across five tested games. Specific game performances included: - Dead Space Remake: 70 FPS (Windows 11) vs 76 FPS (CachyOS) - Resident Evil 4 Remake: 84 FPS (Windows 11) vs 95 FPS (CachyOS) - Scorn: 118 FPS (Windows 11) vs 120 FPS (CachyOS) - Silent Hill 2 Remake: 53 FPS (Windows 11) vs 54 FPS (CachyOS) - The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Next-Gen: 95 FPS (Windows 11) vs 111 FPS (CachyOS) In ray tracing (RT) enabled games, performance varied: - Resident Evil 4 Remake: 77 FPS (Windows 11) vs 83 FPS (CachyOS) - Silent Hill 2 Remake: 30 FPS (Windows 11) vs 24 FPS (CachyOS) - The Witcher 3: 51 FPS (both systems) Most PC games are designed for Windows, while Linux games require the Proton compatibility layer, which can complicate performance. Multiplayer titles often face compatibility issues on Linux, particularly due to anti-cheat systems. Linux has matched or surpassed Windows 11 in single-player scenarios for users with AMD GPUs, while NVIDIA users face challenges due to proprietary drivers.

AppWizard

April 15, 2026

Nothing has released an app to share files between Android, Mac and other systems

Nothing has launched the Warp app and browser extension to improve file-sharing between Android devices and computers. The Warp extension is compatible only with Chromium-based browsers and works across macOS, Windows, and Linux. Users can share files, links, text, and images between their Android smartphones and PCs, requiring integration with Google Drive, while ensuring Nothing does not access user files. The transfer process involves selecting the "Share" option for a file, using the Upload option, the "Send with Nothing Warp" button, or pasting content into the extension. Users must install the Warp extension from the Chrome Web Store and the app from the Google Play Store, signing in with the same Google account to complete the setup.

Winsage

April 15, 2026

Mega Upgrade for Windows 11! Storage Suddenly Much Larger

Microsoft has lifted the FAT32 file system's volume limit in a recent preview version of Windows 11, allowing users to format storage devices with capacities of up to 2 terabytes, an increase from the previous maximum of 32 gigabytes. This change addresses a long-standing limitation that has existed since 1996. Additionally, Microsoft is enhancing the partition tool in Windows 11, improving its speed and responsiveness for managing multiple partitions. These updates are currently being tested in the Windows Insider Program, with no confirmed timeline for broader availability.

Winsage

April 15, 2026

Windows Vista: A Beautiful Disaster that Stole My FPS 💻🔥

Windows Vista was released in January 2007 after five years of development, following the long tenure of Windows XP since 2001. Initially, it promised a revolutionary file system, enhanced security, and improved graphics. However, a significant "Development Reset" in 2004 led to a rushed launch with many issues. Vista required a minimum of 2 GB of RAM, significantly more than Windows XP's 512 MB, causing performance problems on older computers. Many games that ran well on XP became unplayable on Vista, and users faced frequent crashes due to driver issues. The User Account Control feature was seen as intrusive and annoying. Ultimately, many users, including the author, reverted to Windows XP due to dissatisfaction with Vista, which was later followed by the more successful Windows 7 in 2009. Despite some relevant features introduced by Vista, it is often viewed as a failure compared to its predecessor.