upgrade to Windows 11 Archives

Winsage

October 4, 2026

For 2 days, you can get Windows 11 Pro for just $10

Windows 11 Pro is available for .97 until October 4, a significant discount from its regular price of 9. The upgrade allows users to access features such as BitLocker for drive encryption, Hyper-V for virtual machines, and Windows Sandbox for testing applications. It also includes Azure AD support for businesses, Snap layouts for multitasking, DirectX 12 Ultimate for gaming, biometric sign-in options, and Copilot in the taskbar for various tasks. Users should run Microsoft’s PC Health Check app to ensure their hardware meets the requirements for Windows 11, which include a 1 GHz processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, UEFI firmware, and TPM 2.0.

Winsage

October 1, 2026

Microsoft enables Windows settings backup by default for orgs

Microsoft has updated its Windows settings backup and restore functionality, now automatically enabled for all enterprise systems joined to Microsoft Entra or operating in a hybrid environment after upgrading to Windows 11 version 26H2. The backup tool, previously known as Windows Backup for Organizations, is designed to facilitate the backup and restoration of essential Windows settings for enterprise users during device resets, replacements, upgrades, or reimaging. Originally introduced in November 2024, it became generally available by August 2025. The backup policy will be activated by default for eligible devices following the release of Windows 11, version 26H2 on September 29, 2025, unless administrators have previously configured the policy. The automatic backup feature applies to devices running Windows 11 26H2 in regions not governed by the EU Digital Markets Act and does not require explicit admin configuration for restoring Windows devices. IT administrators can control the backup policy through mobile device management solutions like Microsoft Intune or Group Policy.

Winsage

September 25, 2026

Confused? Your Windows 10 PC still works, but the clock is running out

A customer visited a service center with a functional Dell laptop running Windows 10, which lost mainstream support from Microsoft in October 2022. While the laptop still operates, Microsoft no longer patches security vulnerabilities for Windows 10 unless specific actions are taken. Users have three options: 1. Upgrade to Windows 11 for free if the PC meets requirements, which can be checked with the "PC Health Check" app. 2. Purchase a new or refurbished PC, especially if the current device is six or seven years old. 3. Enroll in extended security updates through methods such as syncing with a Microsoft account, redeeming rewards points, or paying a fee, valid until October 2027. There has been an increase in scams related to Windows 10, with fraudulent popups and calls misleading users about their operating system's status. Microsoft will not contact users unexpectedly regarding expired systems. Users should check their PC's eligibility for Windows 11 using the "PC Health Check" app and seek professional help if needed.

Winsage

September 25, 2026

Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro editions reach end of updates on October 13, 2026 — here’s what you must do

Microsoft announced that the Home and Pro editions of Windows 11 version 24H2 will stop receiving updates after October 13, 2026. The Enterprise and Education editions of Windows 11 24H2 will continue to be supported until October 12, 2027. Windows 11 SE will also reach its end of support in October 2026, with no feature updates after 24H2. Users are encouraged to upgrade to Windows 11 version 25H2 to extend their support window until October 2027. The upgrade requires Windows 11 version 24H2 and a specific cumulative update. If users do not upgrade, Microsoft will automatically push the 25H2 update to unmanaged Home and Pro devices.

Winsage

September 23, 2026

DOC IN A BOX: Confused? Your Windows 10 PC still works, but the clock is running out

A customer brought in a functional Dell laptop running Windows 10, which lost mainstream support from Microsoft in October 2025. Although the laptop still operates, Microsoft has stopped patching security vulnerabilities unless users take specific actions. Users have three options: upgrade to Windows 11 if their PC meets requirements, purchase a new or refurbished PC, or enroll in extended security updates available until October 2027. There is also a warning about potential scams related to Windows 10's support status. Users can check their PC's eligibility for Windows 11 using the "PC Health Check" app from Microsoft.

Tech Optimizer

September 18, 2026

Best Free Antivirus for Windows 2026: 6 to Install, 1 to Skip

Avast Free Antivirus is recognized as the best free antivirus solution for Windows in 2026, achieving a perfect score from AV-TEST. It operates on the same engine as paid versions, providing comprehensive protection. Other notable free antivirus options include Bitdefender Antivirus Free, which is efficient for older systems; Microsoft Defender, a built-in option with solid protection; AVG AntiVirus Free, suited for older hardware; Avira Free Security, which includes additional tools; and Malwarebytes Free, best for cleaning infections. Each product generates revenue through upselling or data collection. Avast scored 99.78% in detection tests, while Bitdefender achieved 97.6%, and Microsoft Defender reached 99.93%. AVG matched Avast with a 99.97% protection rate, and Avira recorded 99.96%. Malwarebytes had a detection rate of 99.57%. Kaspersky is noted as a product to avoid due to misleading trial offers.

Winsage

September 17, 2026

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

Devices operating on Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro editions will stop receiving updates starting October 13, 2026. The Enterprise and Education editions of Windows 11 24H2 will continue to receive mainstream support until October 2027. Microsoft encourages users to upgrade to Windows 11 25H2, which became available in September 2024. Systems running Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro that are not managed by IT will automatically upgrade to Windows 11 25H2. Users can check for eligibility for the update by navigating to Settings > Windows Update. Windows Server 2022 will transition to extended support on October 13, 2026, lasting until October 14, 2031. Microsoft has extended the free Windows 10 Extended Security Updates program for home users until October 2027 and will halt security updates for Windows 11 Home and Pro 23H2 in November 2025.

Winsage

September 13, 2026

Microsoft Windows 11 and Office for Mac deals plunge to as low as $9.97

StackSocial is offering discounts on Microsoft Windows and Office licenses, with Windows 11 priced at .97 and Office Home 2024 for Mac at .97, down from 9.99. The Windows 11 license is for PCs needing a new license and is not suitable for systems that can upgrade from Windows 10 via Windows Update. The Office Home 2024 license is linked to a Microsoft Account for installation on one supported Mac or PC for non-commercial use. This is a standalone license, separate from the Microsoft 365 subscription, and will be supported for five years, retiring on October 10, 2029. The codes must be redeemed within 7 days of purchase.

Winsage

August 28, 2026

Time for gamers to upgrade to Windows 11? Nvidia GPU driver support for Windows 10 ends in two months — here’s what you need to know

Support for Nvidia Game Ready Drivers for Windows 10 will end in October 2026, with the last compatible driver being released then. After that, Nvidia will provide quarterly security updates for Windows 10 until October 2029, but no performance optimizations or fixes will be included. Microsoft has extended consumer support for Windows 10 until October 2027. Upgrading to Windows 11 may be necessary for users, but not all PCs may meet the hardware requirements.

Winsage

August 26, 2026

Linux was supposed to be temporary, but these things made me forget about Windows entirely

The author faced a dilemma with their aging Windows 10 PC, which would lose support by October 2027, and discovered Linux as an alternative that allowed them to retain their hardware without expiration dates. They initially viewed Linux as a temporary solution but grew to appreciate its flexibility, particularly the ability to choose different desktop environments like GNOME, KDE, and COSMIC. The author ultimately settled on Fedora KDE and later transitioned to openSUSE Tumbleweed with KDE, valuing the community-driven nature of Linux compared to corporate operating systems. They highlighted that Linux distributions are seen as tools for user empowerment rather than marketable products, emphasizing the community's collaborative spirit and focus on usability. The author no longer plans to return to Windows and is considering a future PC build without it, embracing the freedom and community that Linux offers.