NewApp Digest
search bot

upgrade to Windows 11

Windows 11 Pro vs Windows 11 Home: which version is right for you?
Winsage
February 20, 2025

Windows 11 Pro vs Windows 11 Home: which version is right for you?

Windows 11 Pro and Windows 11 Home are two primary versions of Windows 11, each catering to different user needs. Windows 11 Pro allows for up to 2TB of RAM and 128 CPU cores, while Windows 11 Home is limited to 128GB of RAM and 64 CPU cores. Pro includes additional features for networking, security, and management, which may not significantly impact everyday performance for typical users but can enhance performance for those using virtual machines. Support for both versions is available through online resources, phone support, and in-app help, but Pro users may receive quicker responses and more specialized assistance due to dedicated support options. In terms of pricing, Windows 11 Home is more budget-friendly, while Windows 11 Pro is priced higher due to its advanced features aimed at professionals and businesses. Upgrading from Home to Pro is possible for a fee, and there are differences between OEM and retail versions. Windows 11 Home is suited for average users and families, while Windows 11 Pro is tailored for advanced users and professionals, offering enhanced security, device management, and connectivity features.
The latest Windows 11 update did not end support for older Intel chips. Here's the source of the confusion.
Winsage
February 19, 2025

The latest Windows 11 update did not end support for older Intel chips. Here’s the source of the confusion.

Windows 11 has stringent minimum requirements, leaving many PCs unable to upgrade. A Microsoft support document caused confusion by excluding several Intel 8th, 9th, and 10th Gen processors, leading to speculation about their support status. However, there are no new devices being produced with processors older than Intel's 11th Generation, so the changes are unlikely to affect many users. Even if a PC has an unsupported processor, it may still upgrade to Windows 11 if it meets other minimum requirements. The document is intended for OEMs to determine which processors can be used in new devices and does not impact existing Windows support for consumers. The list of Intel 8th, 9th, and 10th Gen chips eligible for upgrading remains unchanged, and devices must comply with all minimum requirements, including TPM 2.0. Recent updates were misreported, primarily affecting OEMs without requiring significant changes to their strategies.
Nearly 45% of Steam users still on Windows 10 despite looming deadline
Winsage
February 18, 2025

Nearly 45% of Steam users still on Windows 10 despite looming deadline

Over 44 percent of gamers are using Windows 10, while 55 percent have transitioned to Windows 11, according to a Steam survey from January 2025. Microsoft will cease official support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, which will result in no new security updates. Windows 11 has been available as a free upgrade for Windows 10 users, but many older PCs do not meet its hardware requirements. The most prevalent graphics card among Steam users is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, and the most common storage capacity exceeds 1TB, with users typically having between 100GB to 249GB of free space.
Windows 10: ESU-bypass to extend updates is working already reportedly
Winsage
February 17, 2025

Windows 10: ESU-bypass to extend updates is working already reportedly

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 in October 2025, which will result in the loss of crucial updates and security patches for users. The Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, initially for Windows 7, has been expanded to include Windows 10 home users, allowing a one-year extension for a fee, while business customers can extend support for three years or more. There are methods discovered that allow users to bypass the ESU for Windows 7, enabling updates for five years post-support. Preliminary tests suggest a similar bypass may be possible for Windows 10, allowing updates after the official end of support in October 2024, but the legal implications are unclear. Users unable to upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware requirements must consider options like the ESU program or micro-patching services such as 0Patch, which offers security patches for Windows 10 until at least 2030 for an annual fee.
Microsoft drops support for previously supported Intel CPUs to run Windows 11 24H2, but should you worry?
Winsage
February 16, 2025

Microsoft drops support for previously supported Intel CPUs to run Windows 11 24H2, but should you worry?

Microsoft has removed support for Intel's 8th, 9th, and 10th Generation processors from its list of compatible CPUs for Windows 11 24H2. Despite this, users with these processors can still upgrade to Windows 11 24H2, as the minimum system requirements remain unchanged. The updated compatibility list is intended for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), encouraging them to use at least Intel's 11th Generation processors for new systems. Existing systems with older Intel processors will continue to function normally.
Microsoft says Windows 11 24H2 is ready for ASUS PCs after a BIOS update fixes BSOD
Winsage
February 15, 2025

Microsoft says Windows 11 24H2 is ready for ASUS PCs after a BIOS update fixes BSOD

Windows 11 24H2 is now available for a wider range of ASUS PCs after a BIOS update that resolves a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) issue. Initially, the update was accessible only to systems using the Auto HDR feature. Certain ASUS models, such as the X415KA and X515KA, faced crashes during the update process due to compatibility issues linked to specific hardware features. A new BIOS patch has been released via Windows Update for affected ASUS PCs, which is necessary for certain configurations. ASUS BIOS versions 311 or older are not eligible for the Windows 11 24H2 update. This BIOS update is classified as a Critical Update and will not install automatically. Ongoing issues that may block the update include audio output loss on PCs with Dirac Audio, older versions of Safe Exam Browser failing to launch, BSOD errors on Intel Alder Lake+ and vPro systems, problems with third-party wallpaper applications, and BSODs related to specific Intel SST driver versions.
How to prevent forced installation of new Outlook on Windows 10 PCs
Winsage
February 13, 2025

How to prevent forced installation of new Outlook on Windows 10 PCs

In February 2025, Microsoft began a mandatory update for Windows 10 users that included the forced installation of the new Outlook app as part of a strategy to integrate it into their ecosystem. This installation is linked to the KB5051974 update, which is a critical security patch. Users can prevent the new Outlook from being installed by modifying the Windows registry, specifically by creating a new string value named BlockedOobeUpdaters and setting its value data to ["MS_Outlook"]. This process must be repeated with each subsequent Windows 10 update. For users who have already had the new Outlook installed, it cannot be uninstalled through standard methods but can be removed using Windows PowerShell with the command: Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -AllUsers -Online -PackageName (Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.OutlookForWindows).PackageFullName. Additionally, to uninstall unsupported Mail or Calendar apps, the command is: Get-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online | Where {$.DisplayName -match "microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps"} | Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName {$.PackageName}.
Search