security fixes Archives

Winsage

January 16, 2026

Still on Windows 10? 0patch may be your best defense in the ‘End of Support era’

In early 2023, Microsoft announced that official support for Windows 10 would end in 2025, with regular updates and security patches ceasing on October 14, 2025. Users have a little over two years to transition to Windows 11 or other operating systems. Some users have enrolled in Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which will also end in October 2026. A third-party service called 0patch offers ongoing protection for Windows 10 by providing micropatches for vulnerabilities. 0patch releases two to three micropatches each month, prioritizing vulnerabilities that are publicly known, actively exploited, and lack an official Microsoft fix. 0patch has a free version that provides critical zero-day patches and a paid Pro plan that includes legacy patches. The Pro plan costs €25 per year, while an Enterprise plan is available for €35 annually. 0patch plans to support Windows 10 until at least October 2030, depending on user demand. Users have reported some performance issues with 0patch, but the updates are lightweight and do not significantly affect system performance.

Tech Optimizer

January 12, 2026

Trend Micro releases critical security fixes for Apex Central RCE

Trend Micro has addressed a security vulnerability in its Apex Central platform, identified as CVE-2025-69258, which allowed unauthenticated DLL injection and remote code execution. The company released Critical Patch Build 7190 to fix this vulnerability and two others, CVE-2025-69259 and CVE-2025-69260. Organizations are urged to implement the patch immediately, as temporary mitigations are deemed insufficient for long-term security. Apex Central is a self-hosted platform for managing Trend Micro's security products.

Winsage

January 2, 2026

Microsoft’s Windows 11 SE, once supposed to be a ChromeOS-killer, bites dust in next ten months

Microsoft has announced that Windows 11 SE will reach its end of life in 2026. Initially launched in 2021 for K-8 educational environments, Windows 11 SE was designed as a streamlined, web-first operating system to compete with ChromeOS. It allowed only approved applications for educational purposes and required administrator approval for traditional Windows applications. The last supported version for Windows 11 SE is version 24H2, with no new feature updates planned. Schools using Windows 11 SE devices will need to transition to a supported edition of Windows for ongoing updates and support. Microsoft recommends upgrading to maintain security and support, as it will also phase out support for other products, including Office 2021 and Windows 11 24H2 (Pro and Home), by the same deadline.

Winsage

December 24, 2025

Game platform Steam to end support for system 32-bit Windows

Valve has announced the end of support for 32-bit Windows operating systems on its Steam platform, transitioning to a native 64-bit architecture to improve security and performance. Support for the 32-bit client will continue until January 1, 2026, after which it will no longer receive updates or security fixes. Users on 32-bit systems may experience a decline in service quality and access to new features. The decision is driven by memory limitations of 32-bit systems, which can only address a maximum of 4 GB of RAM, and the enhanced security capabilities of 64-bit systems. The latest Steam update also includes support for the Nintendo Switch 2 controller, compatibility with GameCube Adapters in Wii-U mode, and improvements to "Gyro Modes" along with various bug fixes. Users are encouraged to upgrade to 64-bit systems to avoid service disruptions.

Winsage

December 15, 2025

Still running Windows 10? Here’s why that’s a bad idea

Hundreds of millions of computers are still using Windows 10, despite it reaching its end-of-support deadline. An Extended Security Updates (ESU) subscription is available for free until October 2026, providing updates to help protect against security threats. By early 2021, around 100 million PCs were still running Windows 7, which had ceased receiving updates in January 2020, making them vulnerable to cyberattacks from groups like Digital Shadows, LockBit, Conti, and Vice Society. Notable incidents include the PrintNightmare flaw in July 2021, which led Microsoft to issue a patch for Windows 7, and the WannaCry attack in 2017, which targeted Windows XP machines. Microsoft releases monthly security fixes, and vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-62215, identified in November 2025, have been categorized as "Exploitation Detected." While current vulnerabilities require local access, history suggests that remote attacks may soon occur, posing severe risks to unpatched systems.

Winsage

December 4, 2025

Windows 10 Market Share Dips Below 30% as Gamers Migrate to Windows 11

Windows 10 reached its end of life on October 14, leading to a migration towards Windows 11, which gained 2.02% market share, while Windows 10's share fell below 30%, a decrease of 2.08%. Linux also increased its market share by 0.15% to 3.20%. Approximately 500 million PCs were unable to upgrade to Windows 11 by the end of Windows 10's life, and users face hardware upgrade challenges. Microsoft offers Extended Security Updates as a temporary measure, and Dell's COO indicated that around 500 million additional PCs could transition to Windows 11 without hardware updates.

Winsage

December 3, 2025

Windows 11 KB5070311 update fixes File Explorer freezes, search issues

Microsoft has released the KB5070311 preview cumulative update for Windows 11, which includes 49 enhancements aimed at improving user experience. This optional update allows IT administrators to preview upcoming bug fixes and features before the official Patch Tuesday rollout. The update addresses several known issues, including unresponsive explorer.exe and taskbar processes, search problems in File Explorer related to SMB shares, and instability in the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS). To install KB5070311, users can go to Settings, select Windows Update, and click 'Check for Updates'. Users must confirm their intention to install it by selecting 'Download and install', or they can manually download it from the Microsoft Update Catalog. The update elevates Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 devices to builds 26200.7309 and 26100.7309, respectively. Notable enhancements include a broader search results menu, the ability to use Windows Studio Effects with additional cameras, new context menu options for Windows Spotlight backgrounds, and improvements to File Explorer's dark mode experience. Microsoft has announced there will be no preview update in December, with regular updates resuming in January. They are also working on a solution for a known issue where the password sign-in option has disappeared from the lock screen options.

Winsage

December 2, 2025

Microsoft needs to make it easier to disable automatic Windows 11 updates

Updates in the Windows ecosystem are essential for enhancing stability, performance, and security. However, users of Windows 11 have expressed frustration due to frequent updates disrupting functionalities like network connectivity and printer access. Automatic updates can interrupt productivity, with unexpected restart prompts leading to potential loss of unsaved work. Issues with third-party programs and drivers often arise post-update, and older PCs experience significant performance degradation due to background updates. Many users face limitations with internet access, as substantial update sizes can consume data quickly, especially under fair usage policies. Storage constraints on older devices can lead to operational issues, and attempts to pause updates may not always be effective. While updates are crucial for delivering new features and security fixes, their frequency can diminish their perceived importance, causing users to delay addressing issues. Disabling automatic updates can be complicated, requiring adjustments in the Windows Update service, Group Policy Editor, or Registry, which may not be accessible or user-friendly. A simple one-click "Disable" button in the Windows Update settings would enhance user control over update installations, allowing them to manage updates according to their schedules.

Winsage

November 27, 2025

PC Sales Remain Flat Despite Windows 10 End of Life, Claims Dell

Microsoft's Windows 10 reached its end-of-life on October 14, leading to the introduction of Windows 11. Dell's COO, Jeffrey Clarke, indicated that the transition to Windows 11 is slower than expected, with a 10-12 point lag compared to the previous OS transition. Approximately 500 million PCs are unable to upgrade to Windows 11, and Microsoft has implemented Extended Security Updates (ESU) to support these devices temporarily. Dell noted that around 500 million additional PCs could transition to Windows 11 without hardware upgrades. Despite this, Dell reported record Q3 results of billion, primarily driven by AI servers and infrastructure rather than PC sales, which have shown mid-to-high single-digit growth in a flat overall market.

Winsage

November 24, 2025

Cybersecurity specialist says make Microsoft Windows change – or ‘be exposed’

Microsoft Windows users are urged to update their systems due to the discontinuation of support for Windows 10, which has reached its end-of-life stage. Users are encouraged to upgrade to Windows 11 if their devices are compatible. Microsoft will cease providing security updates for Windows 10, increasing the risk of attacks. For those unable to upgrade, Microsoft offers an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, currently free for home users with a Microsoft account, providing security updates until October 13, 2026. Users of earlier Windows versions, such as 7, 8, and Vista, have been without support for a longer time, making them more vulnerable. After support ends on October 14, 2025, Microsoft recommends upgrading to a supported version of Windows. Transitioning to a new device that runs Windows 11 can improve user experience and security, with trade-in and recycling schemes available for old devices.