personal computing Archives

Winsage

August 16, 2026

Windows 11 Pro license deal: Get it for $9.97

The Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license is currently available for .97 if purchased before August 20. It includes features such as Snap Layouts for multitasking, DirectX 12 Ultimate for enhanced gaming, biometric login for security, and Copilot for assistance. Windows 11 Pro offers significant advantages over Windows 11 Home, including BitLocker Device Encryption, Hyper-V for virtual machines, Windows Sandbox for testing applications, and Azure AD for identity management. This is a lifetime license for a single PC, and users should check compatibility with the Microsoft PC Health Check app. If a system cannot upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 via Windows Update, the license will not be applicable.

Winsage

August 11, 2026

Windows is a drop in Microsoft’s ocean, no wonder it’s been ignored while Azure and LinkedIn eat the profit

Microsoft's fiscal year results for FY26 showed a 16% increase in stock price, adding nearly half a trillion dollars to its market value. The "More Personal Computing" segment reported billion in revenue with an operating income of .4 billion, reflecting a slight decline in revenue but an increase in operating income. Analysts estimate that Windows client revenue is just over 5% of Microsoft's total revenue, approximately billion for FY26, with an estimated income of around billion. The overall margin for the More Personal Computing category is about 27%. Azure has crossed the 0 billion revenue threshold, making it the largest product category within Microsoft. LinkedIn contributes an estimated billion to billion in income. Microsoft may prioritize investments in emerging technologies over Windows due to higher profits from other segments.

Winsage

August 3, 2026

Microsoft finally has a Windows 11 upgrade everyone can get behind

Microsoft is focusing on enhancing Windows 11 by addressing fundamental improvements, as highlighted by CEO Satya Nadella during the fiscal 2026 fourth-quarter earnings call. The company is investing in maintaining high quality and fundamentals for the operating system, with ongoing efforts to fix user concerns. Enhancements include testing a movable taskbar, reducing RAM consumption, fixing memory leaks, improving slow startup times, and updating File Explorer and Windows Search. The introduction of the Low Latency Profile update aims to improve responsiveness in the Start menu and shell. Microsoft has also removed the Copilot branding from certain applications to streamline the user experience. This renewed focus follows a challenging year with problematic updates, including a mandatory update in June that caused boot failures and other issues, prompting an emergency update in July. Financially, Microsoft's More Personal Computing revenue declined by 4%, with Windows OEM and Devices revenue dropping by 7%.

Winsage

July 25, 2026

Today in Apple history: Windows scores big victory over Mac

On July 25, 1989, Apple faced a legal defeat against Microsoft in a copyright infringement lawsuit concerning the "look and feel" of the Macintosh and Windows operating system. Apple filed 189 counts of infringement related to Windows 2.0.3, but the judge dismissed 179 of these claims, allowing Windows to grow rapidly. The origins of the conflict began when Microsoft proposed a licensing agreement to Apple in 1985, which was rejected. Following this, Microsoft launched Windows 1.0 in November 1985, leading to tensions as Windows 2.0 more closely resembled the Macintosh interface. Apple filed a lawsuit on March 17, 1988, claiming copyright violations. The judge ruled that the existing licensing agreement covered many elements of Windows, contributing to a long-standing rivalry between the two companies and establishing a legal foundation for Windows' dominance in the 1990s.

Tech Optimizer

July 7, 2026

7 Habits That Are More Important Than Using Antivirus on Your Phone

Antivirus software was once standard on personal computers, but modern smartphones have evolved with enhanced security measures from Apple and Google, making them less vulnerable to traditional malware. Smartphones isolate applications, allowing them only to access user-permitted information, and if a malicious app infiltrates, it faces significant challenges due to built-in defenses. Apple requires thorough vetting of apps through the App Store, which enhances security but limits antivirus capabilities. Android allows sideloading apps from outside the Google Play Store, which introduces risks but also includes built-in security features like Google Play Protect and regular updates. Despite these advancements, smartphones can still be compromised, and cybercriminals increasingly target user accounts through phishing tactics rather than malware. Security experts recommend focusing on phishing awareness, strong passwords, and two-factor authentication. For enhanced security, users should keep devices updated, download apps from official sources, review app permissions, use strong passwords, utilize a password manager, enable two-factor authentication, and be cautious with unexpected communications. While most users may not need antivirus apps, those who frequently sideload or download from unfamiliar sites may benefit from additional security tools.

Winsage

June 27, 2026

I refuse to upgrade to Windows 11, here’s what I’m doing instead

A user reflects on their decade-old PC, which still functions for web browsing and media streaming, but faces a dilemma with the end-of-life for Windows 10 in October. They express dissatisfaction with Windows 11, feeling it lacks features and customization options. Recognizing that staying with Windows 10 post-support is not a long-term solution, the user discovers Linux Mint, which meets their needs and allows for greater customization. The transition to Linux Mint is smooth, and the user appreciates the supportive community and the adaptability of the new operating system.

Winsage

June 18, 2026

Microsoft modernized almost everything in Windows 11, but this 90s feature quietly lives on

Screensavers were originally designed to prevent burn-in on CRT monitors in the 1980s and 1990s, but evolved into a form of personalization with options like 3D Text and flying toasters. By 2026, the necessity for screensavers has diminished due to modern displays' ability to avoid burn-in and Windows 11's power management features. Screensavers are now mostly used for personal photo slideshows or basic visuals, accessible through Settings > Personalization > Lock screen > Screen saver, with options including 3D Text, Bubbles, Mystify, Photos, and Ribbons. Microsoft has shifted focus to AI and performance improvements, leaving screensavers as a legacy feature that is not actively developed. There is potential for screensavers to be reimagined as a modern ambient mode that enhances the idle experience by displaying personal photos or useful information. Currently, Windows 11 lacks a cohesive system that integrates various idle features, leading to a static or blank display when users step away.

Winsage

June 17, 2026

I went digging through Windows 11’s settings and found a 90s feature Microsoft never bothered to remove

Screensavers originated in the 1980s and 1990s to prevent burn-in on CRT monitors and evolved into a form of personal expression. In modern computing, particularly with Windows 11, screensavers have become a legacy feature, as advanced power management and lock screens have diminished their necessity. While screensavers are no longer actively developed, they could still provide value by transforming into functional tools that display personal photos or useful information during inactivity. Windows 11 has the components for a modern idle experience, but these features are not cohesively integrated. The future of screensavers depends on whether Microsoft chooses to reimagine them as sophisticated ambient modes rather than simple animations.

Winsage

June 16, 2026

A Brief History Of Unix Commands On Windows: CoreUtils (Again)

The interaction between Unix/Linux and Windows has historically been marked by significant differences in their architectures and philosophies. Unix uses a fork() function for process management, while Windows employs CreateProcess(), complicating the implementation of Unix-like tools on Windows. Early solutions to bridge this gap included the MKS Toolkit, which provided Unix-like commands for Windows, and UWIN from AT&T Bell Labs, which aimed to create a Unix interface layer on Windows. Cygwin offered a compatibility DLL to run Unix software on Windows, but required rebuilding from source. Microsoft's initiatives included POSIX, Interix, and later Services for UNIX. The introduction of the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) allowed users to run a Linux userland directly on Windows, with WSL 2 incorporating a real Linux kernel. Recently, Microsoft released Coreutils for Windows, providing native builds of Unix-style tools to enhance cross-platform consistency.

AppWizard

June 16, 2026

New Steam Free Game Brings Back A PC Classic From Your Childhood

Steam has launched a new free game called Better Minesweeper, a modern revival of the classic PC game Minesweeper. This updated version includes quality-of-life enhancements, deeper customization options, and varied playstyles. Features include sharable seeds, daily runs for high score competitions, the ability to draw on the game board, import and share custom skins, and replays that can be shared and viewed in a browser. Better Minesweeper offers various game modes such as Custom 3BV, Aim Trainer, and Worse Minesweeper. The game is available for download on Steam.