upgrade path Archives

Winsage

February 24, 2026

How to migrate applications to Windows 11

Organizations are transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11 following the end-of-support date for Windows 10. Windows 11 is designed to support most applications that ran on Windows 10, but challenges may arise due to undocumented legacy applications and configurations. A thorough evaluation of devices, including installed applications and data locations, is essential to minimize disruptions during the upgrade. Migrations can be categorized as clean installations or in-place upgrades. A clean installation erases the previous OS and data, while an in-place upgrade retains existing settings and applications. In-place upgrades are not allowed for certain transitions, such as from Windows 10 Home to Windows 11 Pro without first upgrading to Windows 10 Pro. IT professionals often prefer clean installations to avoid carrying over issues from the previous OS. During an in-place upgrade, data in library folders is retained, but data in the Windows folder may be at risk. Compatibility issues may arise with poorly designed applications or drivers post-upgrade, particularly with legacy applications reliant on outdated frameworks. Preparation for migration includes creating an inventory of applications, identifying potential incompatibilities, and ensuring backups of data. IT must also confirm hardware meets Windows 11 requirements. If a clean installation is chosen, strategies for application installation must be developed, utilizing tools like System Center Configuration Manager or Microsoft Intune. Validation and testing of migration tools should occur in a lab environment, followed by a pilot deployment on a small percentage of machines. After successful pilot testing, the final deployment can proceed, followed by an audit to address any issues. Careful planning and testing are crucial for a smooth migration process.

Winsage

February 20, 2026

Hands on with Windows 11 26H1 and why this update is not meant for your PC

Microsoft has announced Windows 11 26H1, a release intended exclusively for new ARM devices launching in 2026, specifically those powered by the Snapdragon X2 series. This version is not a feature update for existing PCs and will not appear in Windows Update notifications for users on Intel or AMD hardware. Windows 11 26H1 is based on a new internal core designed for ARM silicon, referred to as a "hardware-optimized release," and may carry the codename Bromine. The OS Build number for 26H1 is 28020.1611, distinguishing it from previous updates. Key enhancements include full integration of semantic natural-language search within Settings, an increase in the FAT32 format limit from 32 GB to 2 TB, and UI refinements. Notable omissions include the removal of .NET Framework 3.5 as an optional feature and a safeguard preventing the System Preparation Tool from running in Safe Mode. Windows 11 26H2 is expected later in 2026 for existing PCs.

Winsage

February 11, 2026

Microsoft releases Windows 11 26H1, but it’s not for existing PCs. Windows 11 26H2 is coming for all PCs

Microsoft has confirmed the existence of Windows 11 26H1, which will roll out exclusively on new PCs equipped with Snapdragon X2 chips starting in early 2026. This version is tailored for ARM-based devices and will not be available for download or installation on current PCs. Windows 11 26H1 does not introduce new features but focuses on performance and battery life improvements. It may also be optimized for Nvidia N1X chips, which are expected to release in Q1 2026. Windows 11 26H2 is set to roll out for existing hardware in October 2026 as a normal yearly update. It will be based on the same core platform as previous versions 24H2 and 25H2, while 26H1 operates on a different core, meaning there is no upgrade path from 26H1 to 26H2. Both versions will unify under Windows 27H2 in 2027.

Tech Optimizer

January 28, 2026

Strategies for upgrading Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL and Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL from version 13

Standard support for PostgreSQL version 13 will end on February 28, 2026. Upgrading to newer PostgreSQL versions can enhance database performance and introduce new features. Notable enhancements in recent versions include: - Vacuum emergency mode (v14+) to manage old row versions. - Improved I/O performance (v17) with better write throughput. - Enhanced query optimization (v17+) for IN clauses and parallel BRIN index builds. - Memory efficiency improvements (v17) reducing vacuum memory usage. - Advanced monitoring features like pg_stat_io (v16+) and pg_wait_events (v17+). - Logical replication improvements such as failover support and slot migration (v17+). - Developer experience enhancements including JSONB subscripting (v14+) and SQL/JSON JSON_TABLE (v17+). - Security enhancements with new roles for access control (v14+) and maintenance tasks (v17+). For Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible, upgrading to versions v14.9+, v15.4+, v16.1+, and higher can yield performance optimizations, including faster query latency and cost savings. Changes in system catalog views and configuration parameters have occurred in PostgreSQL versions 14 to 17, impacting application compatibility. Upgrade strategies include in-place upgrades, blue/green deployments, logical replication, and using AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS). If an immediate upgrade is not possible, Amazon RDS Extended Support offers up to three years of continued security patches and bug fixes beyond the standard support end date.

AppWizard

January 18, 2026

Sci-fi survival game Once Human’s got a new set of dangerous creatures, and one will haunt my nightmares for weeks

Once Human is a free-to-play sci-fi survival game that has introduced a new update featuring three new adversaries: the Devourer, the Hoarder, and the Sonivore. The Devourer is a 45-meter-long creature that resembles a subway train and consumes Stardust-enriched ores. It can be interacted with by feeding it minerals, but if players fail to satisfy it, it may burrow underground with valuable materials. The Hoarder is a creature that resembles a shopping cart on legs, collecting items and leading players to its nest, which can be raided at a risk. The Sonivore is a gel-like entity that targets sound and high-value supplies, requiring players to use distractions to escape. The update also includes two new weapons, the EBR-14 rifle and the TEC-9, along with a new gear set and the Deviant Sprout upgrade path. The update is set to launch on January 21.

Winsage

January 6, 2026

Windows 11 Trails Older OS Versions in ThinkPad X220 Speed Tests

Windows 11 has been tested on a Lenovo ThinkPad X220, revealing it to perform poorly compared to its predecessors, particularly Windows 8.1, which excelled in benchmarks for boot times and application launches. The test involved various Windows versions (XP, Vista, 7, 8.1, 10, and 11) on the same aging hardware, highlighting that Windows 11 consistently finished last in most categories. The ThinkPad X220 does not meet Windows 11’s minimum requirements, lacking essential components like TPM 2.0 and a compatible processor, which may have skewed the results. Critics argue that using outdated hardware for testing is not representative, suggesting that a fair comparison would involve flagship devices from each generation. Windows 11's architecture is designed for modern multicore CPUs and SSDs, which may struggle on older hardware. Additionally, Windows 11 has heavier overheads due to advanced security features, which consume resources that older operating systems do not. User feedback indicates frustration with Windows 11's performance on legacy hardware compared to leaner alternatives like Linux. Despite Microsoft promoting optimizations in Windows 11, these did not manifest in the ThinkPad test, and the findings raise concerns for businesses considering upgrades as Windows 10 approaches its end-of-support date in 2025.

Winsage

January 5, 2026

Microsoft Ends Windows 11 SE Support in 2026 Amid Low Adoption

Microsoft will conclude support for Windows 11 SE in 2026, ceasing security updates and feature enhancements after October 2026. Launched in late 2021 for K-8 classrooms, Windows 11 SE struggled with adoption due to hardware limitations and competition from alternatives like Google’s Chrome OS. The final feature release for SE will be Windows 11 version 24H2. Schools will face challenges in transitioning to new systems, as devices running SE may become vulnerable to cyber threats without ongoing support. Microsoft is shifting its focus to integrating educational tools into its main operating system rather than maintaining a separate edition. The end of support for Windows 11 SE may accelerate hardware refresh cycles in schools, posing financial burdens on underfunded districts.

Winsage

December 23, 2025

Has 2025 seen a successful refresh to Windows 11?

Windows 11 has a market share of 53.7%, while Windows 10 has 42.7%. Approximately 700 million devices are running Windows 11. Microsoft has urged users to upgrade from Windows 10, which officially ended support in October 2025, leaving users without updates or security patches. Users on Windows 10 may need to purchase an extended security package for protection until October 2026. Hardware compatibility issues, particularly with the Trusted Platform Module 2.0 requirement, may prevent some users from upgrading. The 25H2 update for Windows 11 introduced various enhancements but also created new issues. Windows 12's release is uncertain, with expectations for AI advancements, but details are speculative.

Tech Optimizer

December 18, 2025

Improve Aurora PostgreSQL throughput by up to 165% and price-performance ratio by up to 120% using Optimized Reads on AWS Graviton4-based R8gd instances

AWS has introduced Graviton4-based R8gd instances for Amazon Aurora, which offer significant performance enhancements over Graviton2-based db.r6g instances. Users can expect up to 165% higher throughput, a 120% improvement in price-performance ratio, and an 80% enhancement in application response time. The integration of an Optimized Reads-enabled tiered cache allows for expanded database caching capacity, minimizing network storage access and improving query response times. Organizations like Mindbody and Claroty have reported substantial performance improvements and cost savings after implementing these features. Aurora PostgreSQL 17 has introduced smarter storage batching algorithms and optimized writes, further enhancing performance for I/O-intensive applications. The db.r8gd instances allow for scaling up to 48xl, providing 192 vCPUs, 50 Gigabits of network bandwidth, and 10.4 TiB of local NVMe capacity. The benchmark testing using HammerDB demonstrated significant improvements in throughput, price-performance ratio, and response times when upgrading from db.r6g to db.r8gd instances. The Aurora Optimized Reads-enabled tiered cache is available for Aurora PostgreSQL versions 17.4 and higher, among others.

Winsage

December 5, 2025

Steam hardware survey shows how Linux is slowly eating into Windows market share

Valve's hardware survey report from November 2025 indicates a rise in Linux adoption among Steam users, increasing by 0.15% to 3.2%, surpassing macOS at 2.02%. Windows 10's share has dropped to 29%, while Windows 11 has grown to 65%. SteamOS represents 26.42% of the Linux user base. AMD holds a CPU market share of 43.56%, with Intel at 56.44%. Nvidia's 60-class GPUs remain popular among gamers.