telemetry tracking Archives

Winsage

July 1, 2026

Steve Ballmer once trashed Linux as “a cancer” — now it’s saving Windows 10 holdouts

In 2001, Steve Ballmer, then CEO of Microsoft, referred to Linux as a "cancer" threatening Microsoft's intellectual property and likened its users to "communist thieves." By 2016, after Microsoft ported SQL Server to Linux, Ballmer expressed enthusiasm for the change and acknowledged that the conflict with open-source had benefited Microsoft's financial success. In 2020, Microsoft President Brad Smith admitted the company had been on the wrong side of history regarding open source and noted the need for change. Microsoft has since embraced open-source technologies, introducing products like Azure Linux 4.0, built on Fedora. As Windows 11's transition becomes difficult for users, advocacy groups have criticized Microsoft for ending support for Windows 10, which could lead to millions of discarded computers. Microsoft extended Windows 10's life through an Extended Security Updates program until October 14, 2026, with a recent announcement pushing it to 2027. Rising hardware costs and design flaws in Windows 11 have led some users to consider alternatives like Linux. A survey revealed that 30% of PCs are still running Windows 10, and a poll showed that 68% of respondents plan to stick with Windows 10 through 2027.

Winsage

June 30, 2026

Steve Ballmer once called Linux a “cancer” — it’s funny Windows 10 holdouts may now see it as the cure for Windows 11’s hardware rules and the RAM crisis

Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer initially described Linux as a "cancer" in 2001 but changed his perspective by 2016, supporting Microsoft's decision to port SQL Server to Linux. Microsoft President Brad Smith acknowledged the company's past underestimation of the open-source movement in 2020. Microsoft has integrated open-source solutions into its products, including PowerShell and Visual Studio Code, and launched Azure Linux 4.0. As Microsoft phases out support for Windows 10, critics argue this leads to programmed obsolescence, affecting up to 400 million PCs. Microsoft extended support for Windows 10 through its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program until October 14, 2026, with an additional extension through 2027. Rising hardware costs and stringent requirements for Windows 11 hinder many users' transitions. Advocacy groups are encouraging users to consider Linux, highlighting its advantages. Recent surveys show that 30% of HP PCs still run Windows 10, and a poll indicated that 68% of participants plan to stay with Windows 10 through 2027. There is a growing awareness among consumers regarding the potential shift to open-source alternatives like Linux.

Winsage

June 27, 2026

Critics on Microsoft extending Windows 10 support for free through 2027: “Are they admitting Windows 11 isn’t good enough 5 years later?”

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft ceased support for Windows 10, affecting nearly 400 million PCs. In response to user concerns, Microsoft extended the operating system's life through the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, allowing continued access to essential patches until October 14, 2027, at no cost for users with a Microsoft account. Critics, including The Restart Project, expressed skepticism about this extension, viewing it as a temporary fix. Protests occurred in France against Microsoft's planned obsolescence strategy. Some users are considering alternatives like Linux due to hardware limitations and dissatisfaction with Windows 11. Recent surveys indicate that about 30% of HP PCs still run Windows 10, suggesting a gradual transition to Windows 11, which became the dominant desktop OS in July 2025.

Winsage

June 27, 2026

Windows 10 support extended to 2027 for free — Is this Microsoft admitting Windows 11 isn’t enough?

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft ended support for Windows 10, prompting concerns among users. In response, the company extended support through the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, allowing continued access to essential patches until October 14, 2027, at no cost for users with a Microsoft account. The Restart Project criticized this late intervention, while users expressed mixed reactions, with some considering a switch to Linux due to rising hardware costs and dissatisfaction with Windows 11. A recent HP survey indicated that 30% of HP PCs were still running Windows 10, down from 50% in September 2025. Microsoft's decision to extend support for Windows 10 has raised questions about the adequacy of Windows 11, which surpassed Windows 10 as the leading desktop operating system globally in July 2025.

Winsage

May 29, 2026

“We are not ready to move” as HP’s Windows 10 holdouts highlight Microsoft’s upgrade struggle

30% of HP's installed user base is still operating on Windows 10, which leaves approximately 400 million PCs vulnerable as they do not meet the hardware requirements for Windows 11. The proportion of Windows 10 users has declined slightly since September 2025. HP's revenue rose by 9% year-on-year, reaching .41 billion, with the transition to Windows 11 providing a financial advantage for the company. Microsoft introduced the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10 users, allowing enrollment for free or through Microsoft Reward points, with access later made free for users in the European Economic Area who do not meet cloud backup requirements. Critics argue that the end of support for Windows 10 forces functional PCs into premature retirement due to hardware requirements for Windows 11. The Public Interest Research Group has raised concerns about the impact of discontinuing Windows 10 support on older devices and is promoting Linux as an alternative. Microsoft has been encouraging upgrades to Windows 11 through ads highlighting performance advantages.

Winsage

May 29, 2026

HP’s Windows 10 holdouts show just how hard Microsoft’s Windows 11 upgrade push really is

HP reported that 30% of its installed user base is still using Windows 10, which will lose support on October 14, 2025, leaving around 400 million PCs vulnerable. Many of these PCs do not meet the hardware requirements for upgrading to Windows 11. The percentage of Windows 10 users has declined slightly since September 2025, when nearly half of HP and Dell's PCs were still running the older system. Microsoft introduced an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, allowing users to enroll for free or through a payment option, but later made access free for users in the European Economic Area who do not meet the cloud backup requirement. Critics argue that the end of support for Windows 10 exemplifies programmed obsolescence, potentially forcing many functioning PCs into retirement. Initiatives like End of 10 are encouraging users to consider transitioning to Linux, highlighting its lack of advertisements and telemetry tracking. Microsoft has attempted to persuade users to upgrade to Windows 11 through ads and claims of improved performance. It is unclear if Windows 10 users have enrolled in the ESU program or are operating without security updates.

Winsage

December 3, 2025

Windows 10’s demise fuels Linux hype again — but will Bazzite finally break the “forever up‑and‑comer” curse? There’s a chance.

Microsoft has discontinued support for Windows 10, leading to around 500 million PCs being eligible for an upgrade to Windows 11, though many users remain on the unsupported platform. Zorin OS has gained approximately 780,000 users migrating from Windows within a month of this decision. Bazzite, a Linux-based gaming distribution, surpassed one petabyte of ISO downloads in a month, serving around 150,000 ISOs and attracting 730,000 visitors. Bazzite offers better hardware compatibility and pre-installed drivers for NVIDIA and AMD GPUs, making it a strong alternative to SteamOS. The improved compatibility of Windows games on Linux, aided by Valve's Proton, is contributing to the trend of users exploring alternatives to Windows.

Winsage

November 26, 2025

Windows 10 retirement pushes 780,000 users to Linux as Zorin OS Hits 1M downloads — but Microsoft still wants to evolve Windows 11 into an agentic AI OS

Microsoft will discontinue support for Windows 10 on October 14, leaving approximately 400 million PCs unsupported. Users can upgrade to Windows 11, enroll in the Extended Software Updates (ESU) program for an additional year of support at a cost, continue using Windows 10 with potential risks, or explore alternatives like Zorin OS. Zorin OS has surpassed one million downloads, with 78% coming from Windows devices, appealing for its performance on older hardware and enhanced privacy features. The End of 10 group is advocating for a switch to Linux, highlighting benefits such as no ads and telemetry tracking.

Winsage

November 8, 2025

Popular Windows 11 bypass tool hit by malware copycat | Flyoobe hijacked putting Windows 10 users at risk

A counterfeit version of the Flyoobe tool, which helps install Windows 11 on unsupported devices, is circulating and may contain malware. The official developer warns users to download Flyoobe only from the official GitHub page to avoid risks. Reports indicate that malicious updates have been released through a seemingly legitimate domain. Users are advised against engaging with third-party tools, as they can cause critical issues, including potentially "bricking" devices. Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program is available, but critics view it as a temporary solution. Microsoft claims that Windows 11 PCs are significantly faster than Windows 10 PCs, and as support for Windows 10 ends, the use of tools like Flyoobe is expected to rise, along with associated risks.

Winsage

November 5, 2025

A popular Windows 11 requirement bypass tool has a dangerous copycat targeting desperate users

Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, affecting approximately 400 million Windows PCs. Users are increasingly turning to Linux and ChromeOS due to Microsoft's strict hardware requirements for Windows 11. Flyoobe allows Windows 10 users to bypass these requirements, but there are reports of malicious updates associated with unofficial domains. The developer of Flyoobe has warned users to download the tool only from its official GitHub page to avoid malware. Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program is available but criticized as inadequate by some groups. Microsoft claims that Windows 11 PCs are significantly faster than Windows 10 PCs. A YouTube content creator's videos on installing Windows 11 were removed due to a violation of community guidelines but were later restored after user backlash.