upgrade to Windows 11 Archives

Winsage

August 5, 2026

Desktop Linux just cracked 10% market share – and Windows 11 is mostly to blame

Desktop Linux has reached a market share of 10.65% in North America, doubling from a 5% share in 2025. When including Chrome OS, the combined market share rises to 12.72%. The US federal government's Digital Analytics Program (DAP) reports Linux's market share at 5.8%, with a total end-user Linux share of approximately 19% when factoring in Android and Chrome OS. Key reasons for users leaving Windows include the transition to Microsoft 365, improved gaming on Linux, better user-friendliness, enhanced hardware compatibility, and privacy concerns. Approximately 25% of Windows 10 PCs are ineligible for an upgrade to Windows 11, with 22.16% of Windows users still on Windows 10. A survey found that 26% of users plan to continue using Windows 10 after support ends. Users are frustrated with Windows, viewing Windows 11 as a promotional platform for Microsoft's services. Modern Linux distributions are user-friendly, and installation is straightforward. Linux is recognized for its superior security compared to Windows, which has faced numerous vulnerabilities and security patches.

Winsage

August 4, 2026

Windows 11 Home Vs Pro: What’s the difference, and is it worth the upgrade?

Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro share a user-friendly interface and many features, but Pro offers additional functionalities and security enhancements. Windows 11 Home is available as a complimentary upgrade for users of Windows 10, while new installations cost 9 for Home and 9 for Pro. Pro includes features like BitLocker for data security and remote desktop access, which are beneficial for demanding users. Windows 11 Home supports up to 128 GB of RAM, while Pro supports up to 2 TB, catering to enterprises with advanced needs. For average users, the Home edition suffices for tasks like browsing and gaming, while Pro is more suited for business users and developers due to its advanced features. Performance is similar in both versions for general use.

Winsage

August 1, 2026

Windows 10 users were right: Microsoft admits its end of support was the real Windows 11 sales driver

Microsoft has reported a significant revenue of billion in its fiscal fourth-quarter report for 2026, exceeding Wall Street predictions, despite a 7% decline in Windows OEM and Devices revenue and a 5% drop in Windows OEM revenue. The company has extended support for Windows 10 until October 2027, acknowledging that many users are not ready to upgrade to Windows 11. Approximately 30% of HP's installed base remains on Windows 10, which HP views as an opportunity for growth. Dell has shifted its focus away from AI PCs to gaming and hardware quality due to the limitations of the AI PC narrative. Microsoft is facing challenges with sluggish Windows 11 adoption rates and is focusing on enhancing the platform's core functionalities.

Winsage

July 22, 2026

Still on Windows 10? You’re carrying 3x the security risk of Windows 11

A study by Lansweeper found that Windows 10 PCs have an average of 1,903 active security vulnerabilities, while Windows 11 systems have only 652 vulnerabilities. As of June 2026, nearly 20% of Windows PCs in the U.S. are still using Windows 10, despite Microsoft ceasing regular updates for it. Users can enroll in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for continued security updates until October 12, 2027. Security experts have urged users to upgrade to Windows 11 due to increasing vulnerabilities in Windows 10, while some data privacy experts recommend staying with Windows 10 for as long as possible.

Winsage

July 20, 2026

Microsoft is cutting support for some older OneDrive systems soon – here’s what you need to know

Microsoft will cease support for the OneDrive sync app on Windows 10 version 21H2 and earlier on August 15, 2026. Users of these older versions will no longer receive updates, including new features, bug fixes, or security enhancements. Windows 10 version 22H2 will continue to receive updates until October 10, 2028. Windows 10 accounts for approximately 28% of all Windows installations, while Windows 11 accounts for around 70%. Users can still access OneDrive through a web browser if the app becomes incompatible.

Winsage

July 16, 2026

Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro reach end of support in 90 days

Microsoft announced that Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016 and Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro editions will stop receiving updates on October 13, 2026. The Enterprise and Education editions will continue to receive mainstream support until October 12, 2027. Users are encouraged to upgrade to Windows 11 25H2, which became available in September 2024. For unmanaged Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro users, the transition to 25H2 will occur automatically, although they can postpone the update. Microsoft has also extended the free Windows 10 Extended Security Updates program for consumers until October 12, 2027.

Winsage

July 14, 2026

Microsoft Is Sending Happy Mail To Windows 10 Users

Windows 10 users with online Microsoft accounts are receiving notifications about another year of Extended Security Updates. Microsoft is encouraging users to upgrade to Windows 11, but high hardware costs make this difficult for many. The emails do not mention Windows 11, leading some email providers to classify them as spam. This situation may increase the risk of phishing attempts, as cybercriminals could exploit these communications to deceive users.

Winsage

July 8, 2026

Windows 11’s new Cloud Rebuild can fix your PC even when it won’t boot

Microsoft has introduced a new recovery feature for Windows 11 called Cloud Rebuild, aimed at simplifying the restoration of non-booting PCs without the need for physical recovery drives. Announced at the Ignite 2025 conference, it is available in the Windows 11 Insider Experimental Preview Build 26300.8772. Cloud Rebuild allows users to restore their PCs to a clean state by performing a full OS reinstall, downloading the necessary Windows image and drivers directly from Windows Update. This feature is designed for recovery scenarios and can be accessed even when the system is unresponsive. It may first attempt a Quick Machine Recovery, and if that fails, it will transition to a cloud-based reinstallation. To use Cloud Rebuild, users must navigate to Troubleshoot → Recovery and Uninstallation → Cloud Rebuild within the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), and it will erase all existing files on the computer. Currently, it is primarily aimed at system administrators, and users of Windows 11 Home may consider upgrading to Windows 11 Pro to utilize its features.

Winsage

July 7, 2026

Microsoft to enable Windows settings backup by default for orgs

Microsoft will enable the Windows settings backup and restore tool by default for enterprise systems joined to Microsoft Entra or operating in a hybrid environment with the upgrade to Windows 11 version 26H2. This tool, previously known as Windows Backup for Organizations, assists users in backing up and restoring Windows settings after events like device resets or upgrades. The tool debuted at the Microsoft Ignite conference in November 2024, became publicly available in August 2025, and requires the September 2025 Windows Monthly Cumulative Update for access. The default-on setting applies only to eligible devices where administrators have not set the policy otherwise, and IT administrators can manage this through mobile device management solutions. Restore functionality will not be enabled by default and requires administrative configuration. The default-on behavior will also be available in the Windows Insider Program Experimental channel starting July 2026.

Winsage

July 7, 2026

Windows 11 Pro Has Dropped to Just $10 Through July 19

Windows 11 Pro is available for .97 until July 19, reduced from its standard retail price of 9. This offer is suitable for PCs that meet Microsoft's hardware requirements for Windows 11. Users should verify compatibility with Microsoft's PC Health Check tool. The operating system includes features such as BitLocker, Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, and Azure AD Support, along with productivity enhancements like Snap Layouts, Biometric Sign-in, DirectX 12 Ultimate, and Copilot Integration. The license is perpetual and tied to a single compatible PC, delivered digitally after purchase.