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Announcing Project Zenith: The ready-to-code Windows experience on developer-class devices
Winsage
September 4, 2026

Announcing Project Zenith: The ready-to-code Windows experience on developer-class devices

Windows announced Project Zenith, a developer-optimized Windows 11 experience designed for devices with over 64 GB of unified memory and memory bandwidth exceeding 250 GB/s. The project will initially launch with AMD’s Ryzen AI Halo and will include preconfigured Windows setups and a curated selection of development tools. Devices under Project Zenith will allow developers to run models with over 30 billion parameters locally, reducing reliance on cloud resources. Enhancements to Windows 11 include improved performance and a cleaner workspace tailored for coding, with features like pinned Windows Terminal and Visual Studio Code. Project Zenith also integrates the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) and provides a secure environment for developing agentic applications, leveraging OS-enforced identity and Microsoft Execution Containers (MXC). The initiative aims to offer a consistent ready-to-code experience across various devices while responding to developer needs and evolving with advancements in AI and software development.
ReactOS 0.4.16 serves '90s Windows nostalgia with fewer bugs
Winsage
September 1, 2026

ReactOS 0.4.16 serves ’90s Windows nostalgia with fewer bugs

ReactOS has released version 0.4.16, which includes a unified boot and live CD image, a graphical installer, and significant upgrades to video, audio, networking, and storage stacks. The update addresses compatibility issues with legacy software, particularly with video drivers and the kernel’s system page table entries, improving stability. A new HD audio bus driver has replaced an older implementation, and the UniATA driver has been replaced with a new ATA driver for better compatibility and boot times. Networking capabilities have improved with expanded support for adapters and asynchronous connections. A headless Server Core installation type has been introduced, and compatibility restrictions with Windows Server 2003 have been lifted. ReactOS remains in an alpha state, and version 0.4.16 is available for download.
In a rare move, Google is bringing native Windows 11 and WSL support to its new AI tools
Winsage
August 30, 2026

In a rare move, Google is bringing native Windows 11 and WSL support to its new AI tools

The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is gaining popularity among developers, with GitHub introducing experimental support for WSL in its Copilot desktop application, allowing Linux environments to be used directly within Windows. Google is also integrating WSL support into its Antigravity development platform, marking a shift in its approach to Windows support. Rody Davis from Google confirmed that both WSL and native Windows support are being developed for Antigravity, which will enable file operations and shell commands in a Linux environment. GitHub Copilot now allows users to create sessions inside WSL, enhancing the development experience by enabling real-time interaction with projects in a WSL environment. Additionally, Microsoft is focusing on improving Windows for developers, with initiatives like Coreutils for Windows and the open-sourcing of WinUI, while Ubuntu is reportedly gaining traction on Windows 11.
The 5 best Linux alternatives to Windows in 2026 (that aren't Mint)
Winsage
August 28, 2026

The 5 best Linux alternatives to Windows in 2026 (that aren’t Mint)

Linux is gaining popularity due to increased privacy concerns, reduced reliance on artificial intelligence, and improved user experience. Many users are looking for alternatives to Windows that maintain ease of use, leading to the emergence of curated Linux distributions for those considering a switch. 1. Zorin OS is user-friendly, designed for Windows migrants, and features a subsystem for installing Windows applications with open-source alternatives. It offers four layouts, including one that resembles Windows. 2. MainstreamOS provides an exceptional onboarding experience, surpassing Windows, with a MacOS-like desktop and extensive customization options. It is built on Arch Linux with the Hyprland window manager. 3. stillOS features a polished interface and an Electron-based web app runtime called SWAI, allowing web applications to function like native apps. It offers multiple layout options and an atomic update feature for reliability. 4. Kubuntu combines Ubuntu's robustness with KDE Plasma's elegance, providing a visually appealing and reliable operating system with a Windows-like desktop layout and extensive customization options. 5. VanillaOS focuses on security and stability, using atomic updates and a unique installation process called ABRoot. It defaults to a GNOME desktop but can be customized with the Dash to Dock extension for a more familiar interface.
Windows NT 4.0 was released on this day 30 years ago
Winsage
August 26, 2026

Windows NT 4.0 was released on this day 30 years ago

On August 24, 2001, Microsoft launched Windows XP to manufacturing. Five years earlier, on August 24, 1996, Windows NT 4.0 was released to the public, following the launch of Windows 95 in 1995. Windows NT 4.0 featured a user interface similar to Windows 95, incorporating elements like the Start button, taskbar, and Windows Explorer, while maintaining the security and networking advantages of the NT line. It emphasized business networking, with its Server edition including Internet Information Server and support for PPTP for virtual private networks. However, it faced challenges such as increased risk of system crashes due to architectural changes and limited driver availability, lacking official USB support. The legacy of the NT line continues in modern Windows operating systems, including Windows 2000, XP, and Windows 11.
Microsoft: August updates break printing, PDF export in WPF apps
Winsage
August 25, 2026

Microsoft: August updates break printing, PDF export in WPF apps

Microsoft has acknowledged a significant issue with the .NET Framework updates from August 2026, causing disruptions in printing and PDF export functionalities in certain applications, particularly those using the Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) UI framework. After installing the update, some WPF applications may encounter a System.IO.FileFormatException when printing or generating PDF/XPS content with specific fonts, including Calibri. This issue affects various platforms, including Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server editions from 2012 to 2025. Microsoft has provided a temporary workaround involving the Switch.MS.Internal.TtfDelta.DisableCmapAndSbitOverflowProtection AppContext switch, but cautions that it may expose systems to vulnerabilities. This situation is reminiscent of a similar incident in February 2021, where WPF applications and Visual Studio experienced crashes after Windows 10 cumulative updates. Additionally, on the same day, Microsoft offered a workaround for another issue caused by Windows 11 updates that led to crashes in certain games.
One of the biggest Linux distros is growing faster thanks to WSL for Windows 11 than it is its own desktop
Winsage
August 17, 2026

One of the biggest Linux distros is growing faster thanks to WSL for Windows 11 than it is its own desktop

The growth of Ubuntu on the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is outpacing traditional desktop usage, with expectations that the number of Ubuntu users on WSL will soon surpass those using it natively. Jon Seagar, VP of Engineering at Canonical, noted that the growth in WSL numbers is significantly higher than that of desktop usage. WSL allows users to run Linux applications seamlessly within the Windows 11 environment, and Microsoft continues to enhance WSL with new features like WSL Containers.
This forgotten Windows shortcut from the '90s replaces your worst terminal habit
Winsage
July 29, 2026

This forgotten Windows shortcut from the ’90s replaces your worst terminal habit

Pressing F7 in the Command Prompt displays a pop-up with a numbered list of recently executed commands, allowing users to select and execute commands quickly without retyping. This feature, introduced in MS-DOS 5.0 through DOSKEY.exe, has been integrated into Windows since the early 1990s. Users can navigate the command list with the Up and Down arrow keys and execute a command by pressing Enter. The command history is session-specific and is lost when the window is closed. The F7 feature provides a visual overview of commands, enhancing efficiency compared to repeatedly pressing the Up Arrow key. However, it does not retain command history between sessions or offer advanced features found in modern shells like PowerShell.
Windows 10 is still getting Windows 11 features, but it's only for developers
Winsage
July 10, 2026

Windows 10 is still getting Windows 11 features, but it’s only for developers

Microsoft has confirmed that WSL Containers, which allows users to create and manage Linux containers directly from Windows, is now available on Windows 10. Users must have Windows 10 version 2004 (Build 19041) or later to utilize WSL Containers. The installation process involves checking the Windows build, installing WSL, updating to the container build, confirming the version, and running a test command. WSL Containers support GPU passthrough, enabling CUDA capabilities directly from Windows 10. A text-based UI dashboard for managing WSL Containers, named lazywslc, has also been introduced.
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