Subsystem

Winsage
January 5, 2026
Microsoft's latest Windows 25H2 builds have introduced AI features, but users cannot easily disable them through the interface, leading many to use third-party tools like the RemoveWindowsAI PowerShell script to eliminate components such as Copilot, Recall, and Input Insights. Windows Recall captures screenshots for AI-driven searches, raising privacy concerns due to the creation of a local database of full screenshots. Microsoft has also disabled phone activation for Windows 11, requiring internet connectivity for activation. The RemoveWindowsAI tool removes appx packages associated with AI, ensuring they cannot be reinstalled. Microsoft has announced the discontinuation of support for Windows 11 SE by October 13, 2026, impacting schools that rely on this version. Virtualization, such as using Proxmox, is recommended for users wary of telemetry practices. The RemoveWindowsAI project is evolving to enhance its capabilities in response to Microsoft's AI feature additions. Enterprise deployments are advised to test removal strategies in controlled environments, though some antivirus programs may flag the tool as malicious. Privacy advocates are concerned about the implications of Microsoft's changes on user control and data collection.
BetaBeacon
December 24, 2025
Prime costs .99 a month, with an introductory rate of [openai_gpt model="gpt-3.5-turbo-0125" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: What Prime offers: ad removal, perks, and support Prime, at its most basic, removes ads throughout the entire BlueStacks App Player experience and stops pre-rolls and pop-ups from getting in the way of launching into a game or switching between sessions. BlueStacks' support documentation also confirms a package of continuing perks: 500 NowBux per month ( value), an additional 15% discount on select in-game offers for BlueStacks exclusives, and prioritized access to customer support. The virtual currency is time-bound. The starting balance is 500 NowBux and refreshes at the beginning of each billing cycle (month), with any unused NowBux expiring after 30 days, which is a design commonly used to keep subscribers on a regular churn schedule. You'll get those extra 15% savings starting the day after you subscribe, and they stack with other in-game offers when applicable, which could compound the deal for players who frequently buy stuff in supported games. The perk of priority support is simple — Prime members are funneled into faster assistance channels, which makes a difference when you’re trying to debug controller mappings, graphics compatibility, or multi-instance performance issues that can rear their heads in any Android-on-PC setup. Prime pricing, availability, refunds, and regional limits Prime costs .99 a month, with an introductory rate of [cyberseo_openai model="gpt-3.5-turbo-0125" prompt="Rewrite a news story for a business publication, in a calm style with creativity and flair based on text below, making sure it reads like human-written text in a natural way. The article shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. The article shall NOT start from a title. Response language English. Generate HTML-formatted content using tag for a sub-heading. You can use only , , , , and HTML tags if necessary. Text: BlueStacks is introducing a new paid tier, Prime, which you can opt into for $2 a month if you love the popular Android emulator on PC and Mac but want to strip out ads while gaining a few extras.Touted as an add-on rather than a replacement to the free App Player — known simply as Prime, for now — it’s all about cleaner gameplay and more value-added perks for dedicated users. What Prime offers: ad removal, perks, and support Prime, at its most basic, removes ads throughout the entire BlueStacks App Player experience and stops pre-rolls and pop-ups from getting in the way of launching into a game or switching between sessions. BlueStacks' support documentation also confirms a package of continuing perks: 500 NowBux per month ($5 value), an additional 15% discount on select in-game offers for BlueStacks exclusives, and prioritized access to customer support. The virtual currency is time-bound. The starting balance is 500 NowBux and refreshes at the beginning of each billing cycle (month), with any unused NowBux expiring after 30 days, which is a design commonly used to keep subscribers on a regular churn schedule. You'll get those extra 15% savings starting the day after you subscribe, and they stack with other in-game offers when applicable, which could compound the deal for players who frequently buy stuff in supported games. The perk of priority support is simple — Prime members are funneled into faster assistance channels, which makes a difference when you’re trying to debug controller mappings, graphics compatibility, or multi-instance performance issues that can rear their heads in any Android-on-PC setup. Prime pricing, availability, refunds, and regional limits Prime costs $4.99 a month, with an introductory rate of $0.99 for the first month for new customers. BlueStacks says that subscriptions can’t be refunded and are limited to certain regions. You may cancel at any time, and we will process a prorated refund to your credit card if you’d prefer not to continue. On paper, using more than 500 NowBux should cancel out the cost, assuming you consistently redeem said currency for use in the BlueStacks ecosystem. The caveats: The value must be redeemed within 30 days, and you get to use it only if you spend on eligible content. For anyone who never uses in-game offers, the focus of this deal is still on a completely ad-free play experience and priority support. How Prime stacks up for BlueStacks users during gameplay For those who hop from one game to another or run a multi-instance session, removing ads can make the emulator look and feel snappier with less clutter. Fewer interruptions mean quicker starts and cleaner exploration — quality-of-life touches that make a difference during grind-intensive events or timed raids. Value will depend on your spending habits. If you are someone who would frequently be getting battle passes or gacha pulls in the games we support and BlueStacks exclusives have to offer, then it could work out well for you! A more casual user just after the emulator (without ads) might justify this subscription as a small convenience, but one that feels meaningful if ad load has been a sticking point. For years, BlueStacks has relied on an ad-supported model to keep the base player free, a practice that’s widespread throughout mobile ecosystems in gaming. Company materials claim over 1 billion downloads in its lifetime, and a significant portion of that audience never pays. A paid tier provides a clear path for power users to support the platform without having to change the free baseline. Where Prime fits in the evolving PC Android gaming space The dance comes as competition is intensifying. Google Play Games on PC is growing, with native Windows installs available for a curated selection of Android titles, and third-party emulators like LDPlayer and NoxPlayer vying for attention with performance fixes and controller support. In the meantime, Microsoft’s shift away from its Android subsystem on Windows has opened a more straightforward path for emulators to fill in the app gap. Subscriptions have become the de facto monetization method in gaming and software, and Prime adheres to that playbook with an easy pitch: pay a little bit of money now to remove some friction and get consistent bonuses later. For BlueStacks, the math is simple — a new, recurring revenue stream that doesn’t dock access to its core emulator, with meaningful benefits that casual players can appreciate and take advantage of. As long as the base experience is strong and free, Prime may feel more like an optional choice than a necessity. The new level is an easy upgrade to consider for those who are emulator loyalists, looking for fewer distractions and some of your recurring value back month in and month out." temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" ].99 for the first month for new customers. BlueStacks says that subscriptions can’t be refunded and are limited to certain regions. You may cancel at any time, and we will process a prorated refund to your credit card if you’d prefer not to continue. On paper, using more than 500 NowBux should cancel out the cost, assuming you consistently redeem said currency for use in the BlueStacks ecosystem. The caveats: The value must be redeemed within 30 days, and you get to use it only if you spend on eligible content. For anyone who never uses in-game offers, the focus of this deal is still on a completely ad-free play experience and priority support. How Prime stacks up for BlueStacks users during gameplay For those who hop from one game to another or run a multi-instance session, removing ads can make the emulator look and feel snappier with less clutter. Fewer interruptions mean quicker starts and cleaner exploration — quality-of-life touches that make a difference during grind-intensive events or timed raids. Value will depend on your spending habits. If you are someone who would frequently be getting battle passes or gacha pulls in the games we support and BlueStacks exclusives have to offer, then it could work out well for you! A more casual user just after the emulator (without ads) might justify this subscription as a small convenience, but one that feels meaningful if ad load has been a sticking point. For years, BlueStacks has relied on an ad-supported model to keep the base player free, a practice that’s widespread throughout mobile ecosystems in gaming. Company materials claim over 1 billion downloads in its lifetime, and a significant portion of that audience never pays. A paid tier provides a clear path for power users to support the platform without having to change the free baseline. Where Prime fits in the evolving PC Android gaming space The dance comes as competition is intensifying. Google Play Games on PC is growing, with native Windows installs available for a curated selection of Android titles, and third-party emulators like LDPlayer and NoxPlayer vying for attention with performance fixes and controller support. In the meantime, Microsoft’s shift away from its Android subsystem on Windows has opened a more straightforward path for emulators to fill in the app gap. Subscriptions have become the de facto monetization method in gaming and software, and Prime adheres to that playbook with an easy pitch: pay a little bit of money now to remove some friction and get consistent bonuses later. For BlueStacks, the math is simple — a new, recurring revenue stream that doesn’t dock access to its core emulator, with meaningful benefits that casual players can appreciate and take advantage of. As long as the base experience is strong and free, Prime may feel more like an optional choice than a necessity. The new level is an easy upgrade to consider for those who are emulator loyalists, looking for fewer distractions and some of your recurring value back month in and month out." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].99 for the first month for new customers. BlueStacks says that subscriptions can’t be refunded and are limited to certain regions.
Winsage
December 23, 2025
A former Microsoft engineer, Dave Plummer, has criticized the Windows operating system for lacking in key areas, particularly following Microsoft's discontinuation of support for Windows 10, which leaves millions of users vulnerable to malware and cyber threats. Many Windows 10 users remain unprotected, risking their personal data. Microsoft has introduced payment options for Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10, but many users have not taken action to safeguard their systems. Approximately 500 million computers eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 11 are still on Windows 10, with Windows 11 holding a market share of 53.7% and Windows 10 at 42.7%. Plummer advocates for a "hardcore mode" for advanced users and greater transparency regarding data collection. He criticizes Microsoft's aggressive marketing strategies within Windows, which he believes undermine user autonomy. Despite his critiques, he acknowledges the strengths of Windows, including its mature core engine and file management capabilities.
Winsage
December 15, 2025
Microsoft has acknowledged that recent security updates for Windows 11 are causing networking complications for enterprise users utilizing the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), particularly affecting those who installed the KB5067036 update from October 28, 2025, or subsequent updates like KB5072033. Users are experiencing difficulties with certain third-party VPN applications when the mirrored mode networking feature is enabled, leading to "No route to host" errors within WSL environments. This issue primarily impacts OpenVPN and Cisco Secure Client. The root cause is the failure of VPN applications' virtual network interfaces to respond to Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) requests. Home users on Windows Home or Pro editions are unlikely to be affected. Microsoft is investigating the issue but has not provided a timeline for a resolution or workarounds. WSL, launched in March 2018, allows users to run Linux distributions natively on Windows, with WSL 2 introduced in May 2019 featuring a real Linux kernel. Microsoft open-sourced WSL at Microsoft Build 2025, making its source code available on GitHub, except for some components that remain part of Windows.
Winsage
November 19, 2025
Microsoft will integrate its forensic tool, System Monitor (Sysmon), into the Windows kernel with the upcoming releases of Windows 11 and Server 2025. This integration will transform Sysmon from a standalone utility into a native “Optional Feature” that will be serviced automatically through Windows Update. Administrators will no longer need to manually distribute Sysmon; instead, it can be activated through the “Turn Windows features on or off” dialog or command-line instructions. The integration will ensure that updates flow through the standard Windows Update pipeline, providing official support and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for Sysmon. Microsoft plans to utilize local computing capabilities for AI inferencing to enhance security measures, focusing on detecting credential theft and lateral movement patterns. Sysmon will maintain backward compatibility with existing workflows, allowing the use of custom configuration files and adhering to the XML schema while continuing to log events to the Windows event log. Community-driven configuration repositories will remain operational, preserving established community knowledge.
Winsage
November 18, 2025
Sysmon is a system monitoring tool that traditionally requires users to download and install it from Microsoft's Sysinternals page, often leading to its deployment only after issues arise. Pre-installing Sysmon can enhance proactive monitoring and issue diagnosis. Its effectiveness can be improved through tailored configurations, with resources available from Bleeping Computer for specific use cases like monitoring DNS queries. Additionally, Sysmon can now be installed on Linux systems via the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), increasing its accessibility and versatility for users familiar with Sysmon.
Winsage
November 17, 2025
Last year, Microsoft introduced Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, prompting the purchase of a Surface Pro 11, which became essential for daily tasks. This led to acquiring additional devices, including a Surface Laptop and a Dell XPS 13, both with Snapdragon X Elite chips. Despite effective marketing, businesses remain cautious about these devices. Windows on Arm has improved for Office applications and web services, with devices maintaining cool temperatures and long battery life. However, there are limitations: backup software may not work effectively on Arm devices, as external drives are inaccessible during recovery, necessitating workarounds like network or cloud storage. Installing Linux on Snapdragon-powered PCs is challenging due to a lack of compatible installation images, making Intel-based PCs more practical for work tasks. Additionally, Arm-based devices have performance constraints for gaming, with Snapdragon processors unable to compete with dedicated GPUs, making high-performance gaming unfeasible.
Winsage
November 14, 2025
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella reflected on the company's exit from the mobile phone market, describing it as one of his most difficult decisions and expressing a sense of missed opportunity. Former CEO Steve Ballmer noted that a mix of "paranoia and confidence" may have limited Microsoft's ability to succeed in the smartphone market. The decline of Windows Phone was attributed to a weak app ecosystem, which the new concept, Windows Astria, aims to improve by running Android apps natively. Windows Astria incorporates elements from Windows 11 and features like Live Tiles, designed for modern screens. The concept also adapts to larger screens and foldable devices, showcasing potential applications like MS Word and a system-integrated Wallet app.
Search