Transition to Windows 11 Archives

Winsage

January 30, 2026

Microsoft said my PC can’t run Windows 11, but I upgraded in 5 minutes anyway

Microsoft ceased support for Windows 10 in October 2022, prompting users to consider their next steps, especially those with PCs that do not meet the requirements for Windows 11. A desktop built in 2020 with an Intel Core i9-9900 CPU lacks a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0, which is necessary for Windows 11 eligibility. Microsoft encouraged users to invest in new hardware rather than upgrade existing systems. However, there are workarounds available for users with compatible machines. One method involves using the third-party program Rufus to install Windows 11, which requires an empty USB thumb drive with at least 8GB of storage. The installation process includes downloading Rufus, obtaining the Windows 11 ISO, and following specific steps to bypass TPM and other requirements.

Tech Optimizer

January 29, 2026

Using Windows 10? Do This Now to Lower Your Risk of Being Hacked

Support for Windows 10 officially ended last year, and Microsoft recommends users transition to Windows 11 or buy new computers. Users will no longer receive security updates, and any issues encountered will not be supported by Microsoft. Windows Update will indicate that devices are no longer receiving updates, leaving users to manage security vulnerabilities themselves. Microsoft Defender Antivirus will continue to receive updates until October 2028, and users can enroll in Extended Security Updates (ESU) for an additional year of security updates until October 13, 2026, under certain conditions. Windows 11 installations surpassed Windows 10 in June 2025, with Windows 11 at 53.7% and Windows 10 at 42.7%. Users opting to stay on Windows 10 should implement third-party security solutions to mitigate risks from the lack of official updates.

Winsage

January 29, 2026

Sat Nad declares Windows 11 has a billion users – just don’t bother asking for details

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced that Windows 11 has reached one billion users. This figure represents a 45 percent year-on-year increase and is achieved faster than Windows 10. The transition to Windows 11 has been influenced by the end of support for various Windows 10 versions in October, prompting users to upgrade. However, stringent hardware compatibility requirements have limited upgrades for many Windows 10 devices. Microsoft previously missed a target of one billion Windows 10 devices by 2018 due to issues with Windows Phone. The expiration of support for Windows 10 has led many users to upgrade to Windows 11 or enroll in the Extended Security Updates program. Industry analysts suggest that many enterprises are budgeting for hardware replacements or ESU costs ahead of the October 2025 deadline for free Windows 10 updates.

Winsage

January 27, 2026

Windows 10’s extended support ends in eight month, but users are still rejecting Windows 11, at least in Germany

Windows 11's market presence in Germany is stagnant, with 48% of private households (approximately 21 million devices) still using Windows 10, which will lose official support on October 14, 2025. Users can opt for Extended Security Updates until October 13, 2026. As of August 2025, Windows 10 had around 24 million installations, while Windows 11 was on about 17 million devices, indicating only 3.6 to 3.7 million transitions to Windows 11. By December 2025, Windows 11 accounted for 66.60% of the gaming market on Steam, with approximately 71% of Windows machines used for gaming running Windows 11. Windows 10 users can extend their support, but as the October 2026 deadline approaches, they will no longer receive security updates. Microsoft may implement notifications to encourage users to upgrade to Windows 11 and consider recycling old PCs for new ones.

Winsage

January 26, 2026

Windows 7 and Vista just made a shocking return in 2026 — but your PC might not survive the comeback

Windows 7 and Vista are set to make a comeback in 2026, with modder Bob Pony creating ready-to-install ISO files for both operating systems. The Windows 7 x86 ISO includes updates until October 2024 and requires a CPU that supports SSE2 instructions. Microsoft has a program called Premium Assurance that provides security updates for legacy systems like Windows Vista for up to six years. However, Microsoft has officially ceased support for both Windows 7 and Vista, raising security concerns for users. Running these operating systems in a virtual machine is suggested as a safer alternative. The renewed interest in older systems is partly due to dissatisfaction with Windows 11, which has faced issues like unbootable PCs and stringent hardware requirements.

Winsage

January 26, 2026

Microsoft said my Windows 10 PC no longer supported updates – but this software saved it

In early 2023, Microsoft announced the end of official support for Windows 10 by 2025, with regular updates and security patches ceasing on October 14, 2025. Users have options such as upgrading to Windows 11, switching to Linux, or subscribing to Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU), which will end in October 2026. 0patch is a third-party service that provides micropatches for Windows 10, addressing specific vulnerabilities identified by security researchers. The service offers a free tier for zero-day patches and a paid Pro plan that includes legacy patches and post-End of Service updates. The free version should be used alongside Microsoft's ESU for comprehensive protection. 0patch plans to support Windows 10 until at least October 2030. The Pro plan is priced at approximately €35 annually, with a 30-day trial available. Users have reported some performance issues after installing patches, but the updates are lightweight and do not significantly affect system performance. Uninstallation is straightforward, and users can opt out at any time.

Winsage

January 19, 2026

Windows 11 Home vs Pro: Expert Issues Upgrade Advice

Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro share consistent performance, with both versions offering the same kernel, gaming features, and applications. Key functionalities such as Copilot, Windows Defender, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0 protections are available on both editions, assuming hardware requirements are met. Windows 11 Home is simpler for most consumers, performing updates seamlessly and allowing free upgrades from eligible Windows 10 devices. Windows 11 Pro offers enhanced control capabilities through the Group Policy Editor, allowing for update deferrals and more extensive system management. Pro includes BitLocker device encryption, centralized management features, and the ability to join domains and integrate with Azure Active Directory. It also supports virtualization features like Hyper-V and Windows Sandbox, which are not available in Home. Pro can serve as a host for remote desktop connections, while Home can only connect to remote PCs. In terms of hardware limits, Windows 11 Home supports up to 128GB of RAM and one CPU socket, while Pro supports up to 2TB of RAM and two CPU sockets. The retail prices are approximately 9 for Home and 9.99 for Pro, with upgrade options available. For general users, Windows 11 Home is recommended, but Pro is advisable for those needing remote desktop hosting, BitLocker management, update deferrals, or virtualization capabilities.

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.

Winsage

January 13, 2026

One of the best Linux distros for Windows users just got a fresh update

Linux Mint 22.3 (Zena) has been released as a stable build after beta testing. It features an upgraded Cinnamon 6.6 desktop environment, which includes a redesigned application menu with a sidebar, smaller categories, and hideable elements. The update also includes audio improvements, new system icons, better troubleshooting tools, and the ability to pause TimeShift snapshots.

Winsage

January 12, 2026

Windows 11 File Explorer Lag: Legacy XP Feature Fix via Registry Tweak

File Explorer in Windows 11 has been reported to have performance issues, particularly delays when navigating folders with many media files or documents. This problem is linked to the auto-discovery feature, which optimizes folder display settings based on content but incurs a significant computational burden. Disabling this feature through registry modifications can lead to improved performance, with users experiencing faster navigation and reduced folder load times. Microsoft has acknowledged these issues and plans to preload File Explorer for quicker launches, but the underlying problems remain largely unaddressed. Users have shared their experiences and solutions, including registry tweaks that set folder types to "NotSpecified" to eliminate scanning overhead. Despite some incremental updates from Microsoft, many users still face core lags, prompting ongoing community-driven fixes and discussions about the need for deeper audits of legacy code.