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Windows Sandbox is one of the most underrated Windows 11 tools — here's how I use it
Winsage
July 26, 2025

Windows Sandbox is one of the most underrated Windows 11 tools — here’s how I use it

Windows Sandbox is an optional feature available exclusively in the Pro editions of Windows 11 and above, allowing users to create a secure virtual environment for testing software without risks. It can be set up by searching for "Turn Windows features on or off" in the Start menu, checking the box for Windows Sandbox, and restarting the computer. The sandbox operates with the same version of Windows as the host and does not maintain its state, meaning changes made within it do not persist after closing. It provides a clean, isolated environment for testing applications, conserving storage space and preventing background tasks from affecting system performance. While it allows safe testing of potentially risky software, it is not a substitute for traditional virtual machines, which are necessary for testing different operating systems or making OS changes.
The Free Way to Run Windows on an Apple Silicon Mac
Winsage
November 27, 2024

The Free Way to Run Windows on an Apple Silicon Mac

Apple no longer supports Boot Camp for running Windows on Silicon Macs, but alternatives exist. Microsoft recommends Windows 365 for remote access and Parallels Desktop for virtualization. UTM, an open-source application based on the QEMU emulator, allows users to create a virtual machine for running Windows alongside macOS. UTM supports both the Arm version of Windows, which runs efficiently on Apple Silicon, and emulation of the x86 version, though with potential performance drawbacks. UTM is not ideal for gaming due to the lack of GPU emulation. To set up Windows on a Mac using UTM, users need to download UTM from GitHub or the Mac App Store and obtain a copy of Windows 11. After downloading the Windows ISO, users create a new virtual machine in UTM, choosing to either virtualize or emulate the operating system. Users allocate memory and storage, select a shared folder, and then start the virtual machine to install Windows. After installation, drivers must be installed to enhance functionality, allowing for better display resolution and internet access.
Which is Faster for Gaming, Windows 10 or Windows 11?
Winsage
August 4, 2024

Which is Faster for Gaming, Windows 10 or Windows 11?

In a performance analysis comparing Windows 10 and Windows 11 for gaming, both operating systems were tested on four hardware configurations using the latest versions available. The "core isolation" feature was disabled on Windows 11 to align it with Windows 10's default setting. The testing involved 13 games, with results showing that Windows 10 outperformed Windows 11 in five of the titles tested. 1. Baldur's Gate 3: No performance differences between Windows 10 and 11. 2. The Last of Us Part 1: Windows 10 marginally outperformed Windows 11 by 1-2%. 3. Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty: Windows 10 showed a 10% increase in average frame rates for the 7800X3D and 3% for the 7700X; Intel CPUs had increases of 6% and 7%. 4. Hogwarts Legacy: No significant performance differences. 5. Assetto Corsa Competizione: Windows 10 performed slightly better with margins of 3% and 2%. 6. Spider-Man Remastered: No significant performance disparity. 7. Homeworld 3: Windows 10 favored with performance boosts of 6% for the 7800X3D and 4% for the 7700X; Intel CPUs improved by 3-5%. 8. A Plague Tale: Requiem: Windows 10 had a 10% increase for the 7800X3D and 5% for the 7700X; Intel processors gained 3-4%. 9. Counter-Strike 2: Windows 10 outperformed Windows 11 with a 3% advantage for the 7800X3D and a 10% increase for the 7700X; Intel processors improved by 11% and 7%. 10. Starfield: Windows 10 provided a 4% boost for the 7800X3D and 2% for the 7700X. 11. Horizon Forbidden West: No performance differences. 12. Hitman 3: Maximum variance of 1.5% between Windows 10 and 11. 13. Watch Dogs: Legion: Windows 10 showed frame rate differences of up to 2%. Overall, the analysis suggests that if users are satisfied with Windows 10, there is little reason to upgrade to Windows 11, which may explain its slow adoption rate among gamers.
Microsoft Apologizes to Users for Widespread Outage Disrupting Xbox, Outlook, and Minecraft
AppWizard
July 31, 2024

Microsoft Apologizes to Users for Widespread Outage Disrupting Xbox, Outlook, and Minecraft

Microsoft is experiencing service outages affecting its cloud-based offerings, impacting products like Outlook, Xbox Live, and Minecraft. The outages began around 7:45 a.m. ET, attributed to an "unexpected usage spike" in Azure cloud services. Reports peaked for Minecraft around 9:30 a.m. ET, with improvements noted after 10 a.m. ET, but no estimated time for complete resolution was provided. This incident follows a significant outage caused by a software update from CrowdStrike that affected approximately 8.5 million PCs worldwide. The previous outage disrupted operations for airlines and airports, leading to potential legal action from Delta Airlines against CrowdStrike. Microsoft’s VP for Windows services emphasized the need for "mission critical resiliency" and a shift from on-premises solutions to cloud management alternatives.
Microsoft calls for Windows changes and resilience after CrowdStrike outage
Winsage
July 26, 2024

Microsoft calls for Windows changes and resilience after CrowdStrike outage

Microsoft is advocating for changes to Windows to restrict security vendors like CrowdStrike from accessing the Windows kernel, following an incident where 8.5 million PCs went offline due to a faulty CrowdStrike update. CrowdStrike's software operates at the kernel level, allowing unrestricted access to system memory and hardware, which can lead to Windows crashes. Microsoft is emphasizing the need for collaboration to enhance security measures and is considering restricting kernel-level access within Windows.
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