upgrading Archives

Winsage

December 4, 2025

Windows 10 Support Ending: Complete Windows 11 Upgrade Guide

Upgrading to Windows 11 involves careful planning and preparation. Start by updating Windows 10 to ensure recent updates are applied. Acquire a USB flash drive (at least 8GB) for the installation process, and document current software licenses as some applications may require reactivation. Check for driver updates to ensure hardware compatibility with Windows 11. There are three main upgrade methods: 1. Windows Update Automatic Upgrade: Navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, check for updates, and if compatible, download and install Windows 11. This method retains files and applications and typically takes 20 to 40 minutes. 2. Media Creation Tool Installation: Download the Media Creation Tool, run it, and follow prompts to create installation media on a USB drive. This method is useful for upgrading multiple devices. 3. Clean Installation Process: Insert the USB drive with setup files, restart the device, boot from the USB, and follow the instructions for a custom installation. This method erases all existing data, so comprehensive backups are necessary. Effective planning is crucial, and it is advisable to start the upgrade process well before the deadline of October 14, 2025. This allows time for testing applications, training staff, and addressing hardware requirements. Ensure all devices are compatible to avoid security issues, and consider a robust data protection strategy, such as a 3-2-1 backup approach. Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is free for users with genuine Windows 10 licenses. If a device does not meet the requirements, it cannot be upgraded. Users can roll back to Windows 10 within 10 days of the upgrade, retaining previous files. The upgrade process typically takes around 20 minutes, depending on various factors. Planning the upgrade early helps mitigate operational disruptions, allowing for staggered upgrades and reduced risks of security vulnerabilities as Windows 10 support ends.

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

Forget High Elves, the winner of Total War: Warhammer 3’s Tides of Torment DLC is the Norsca glow-up, featuring troll waaaghs, burrowing beasties, and finally actual melee cavalry

Sea Lord Aislinn's campaign in the Tides of Torment expansion focuses on supporting Asur supremacy, requiring players to capture and gift settlements to High Elf factions and establish outposts. These outposts generate resources called Dedication and Elven Trade. A key feature is the creation of an Elven Colony, which can be expanded by investing Dedication or upgrading it at Ancient Elven Colony sites. Elven Trade is used to construct buildings within the Elven Colony that produce Dragonship Supplies, necessary for enhancing Dragonships. The campaign will be available for play starting December 4.

Winsage

December 1, 2025

Hooray, Microsoft is making File Explorer faster, but it’s still slower than Windows 10 and consumes more RAM. Boo

Microsoft is testing a preloading feature for File Explorer in Insider Preview Build 26220.7271, available on the Dev and Beta channels. Feedback on this new functionality has been mixed, indicating that while improvements are being made, they have not yet met user expectations. Further refinements are needed for Windows 11, with hopes that the preloading feature will enhance performance when it officially launches in the regular Windows Update scheduled for 2026.

Winsage

December 1, 2025

Windows 11’s new pre-loaded File Explorer is reportedly still slower than Windows 10

Microsoft has acknowledged the sluggish performance of Windows 11's File Explorer and is introducing a preloading feature to enhance its speed. Initial tests show that the preloaded version opens faster than the non-preloaded version, using approximately 30MB of additional RAM. However, Windows 10's File Explorer outperforms the preloaded version of Windows 11 in both opening and closing speeds. This performance gap may hinder the adoption of Windows 11, as many PCs compatible with the new OS remain on Windows 10. Further enhancements are necessary for Windows 11's File Explorer to match or exceed the responsiveness of Windows 10.

Winsage

December 1, 2025

‘Security Disaster’—500 Million Microsoft Users Say No To Windows 11

Microsoft revealed that one billion PCs are still operating on Windows 10, with 500 million being older models ineligible for upgrades and another 500 million capable of upgrading to Windows 11 but opting not to. Microsoft will provide free security updates for Windows 10 home users until October 2026, raising concerns about the vulnerability of many aging systems. There is a potential crisis looming with 500 million outdated PCs, which may lead to environmental issues, prompting suggestions for users to consider alternatives like Linux or ChromeOS.

Winsage

December 1, 2025

Did you upgrade to Windows 11? If not then its just not you

Microsoft is facing challenges in transitioning users to Windows 11, with a slower adoption rate compared to the shift from Windows 7 to Windows 10. Approximately 500 million PCs are capable of running Windows 11 but remain on Windows 10, while an additional 500 million computers are too old to upgrade due to hardware requirements. Microsoft executive Pavan Davuluri stated that "nearly a billion people rely on Windows 11," but this claim lacks clarity. The market is divided between users with non-upgradeable hardware and those with capable hardware who choose not to transition. This reluctance poses cybersecurity risks as mainstream support for Windows 10 will end in October 2025. Users have three options: invest in a new PC, opt for Extended Security Updates, or continue using an unsupported operating system. Microsoft is under pressure to either ease hardware restrictions or improve Windows 11's appeal to encourage upgrades.

Winsage

November 30, 2025

How much RAM does your PC actually need in 2025? A Windows and Mac expert weighs in

Shopping for a new computer involves focusing on three key components: the processor, storage drive, and RAM. For Windows machines in 2025, 16GB of RAM is the operational minimum for new consumer laptops, while 8GB is sufficient for regular use on MacBooks, although the new MacBook Air M4 starts at 16GB. Chromebooks can operate effectively with 8GB or less. DDR5 is the latest standard for RAM, enhancing data transfer speeds, while DDR6 has been announced but is not yet widely implemented. Most users need 16GB of RAM, but gamers and creative professionals may require 32GB or more for demanding applications. For resource-intensive tasks, 48GB or 64GB may be necessary.

Winsage

November 29, 2025

Where has Windows 11 gone wrong? Windows 10 users are stalling or defecting – so Microsoft needs to fix this one glaring issue

Windows 11 has faced user dissatisfaction due to perceived similarities with Windows 10, bugs, missing features, and a sluggish interface. Complaints have intensified regarding Microsoft's focus on integrating artificial intelligence rather than addressing fundamental issues within the OS. Despite the end of support for Windows 10, many users are choosing to remain on it or switch to alternatives like Linux due to Windows 11's stringent hardware requirements and ongoing support for Windows 10 until October 2026. Users have expressed concerns about the performance of basic applications, particularly File Explorer. Microsoft has started addressing some performance issues but needs to prioritize user feedback and resolve existing problems to improve perceptions of Windows 11.

Winsage

November 28, 2025

Is Windows 11 fighting a losing battle? Dell underlines how unpopular the OS is after support ended compared to Windows 10

Dell's Chief Operating Officer, Jeffrey Clarke, reported a 10% to 12% lag in the migration from Windows 10 to Windows 11 compared to previous adoption rates. Approximately 500 million PCs are incompatible with Windows 11 due to its stringent system requirements. Dell has seen an increase in PC sales for 2025 but anticipates flat sales in 2026 due to rising component costs and supply chain issues. The slow uptake of Windows 11 may lead consumers to retain their Windows 10 machines or consider alternatives like Linux or macOS. Microsoft is providing extended support for Windows 10 until October 2026, allowing users more time to decide on upgrades. The future pace of migration to Windows 11 may be influenced by Microsoft's integration of AI functionalities.

Winsage

November 27, 2025

Nearly 1 billion PCs remain on Windows 10 — Has Windows 11 adoption hit a wall?

Windows 10 reached the end of its support in October, with approximately 1 billion PCs still using it. During Dell's Q3 earnings call, COO Jeffrey Clarke mentioned that about 500 million PCs are capable of running Windows 11 but haven't been upgraded, while another 500 million are too old to upgrade. A study from July indicated that around 50% of all PCs were still on Windows 10, and Windows 11 only surpassed Windows 10 in market share in June. Microsoft provided a year of free security updates for Windows 10, which may have slowed the transition to Windows 11. A developer from Zorin OS reported that around 780,000 users switched from Windows 10 to their Linux distribution since support ended. Microsoft Windows lead Pavan Davuluri stated that nearly 1 billion users currently rely on Windows 11, with the potential for this number to double if hardware requirements are reconsidered or upgrades are encouraged.