user base Archives

Winsage

April 30, 2025

Arch is the latest official WSL distro

Arch Linux now has an official WSL image, announced by developer Robin Candau, making it available for installation on the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) 2. This new support allows users to install Arch Linux with a single command, eliminating the need for custom containers or images. The official listing includes Arch Linux among other distributions, and it has a market share of 9.68% on Steam, with a combined share of 14.74% when considering its downstream distributions. Arch Linux is popular among users who prefer a customizable experience and has gained attention in the tech community, including endorsements from notable figures like PewDiePie.

Winsage

April 29, 2025

Microsoft could be getting rid of more of the ancient Control Panel, shifting keyboard options across to Windows 11’s Settings app

Microsoft is transitioning features from the Control Panel to the Settings app in Windows 11, focusing on keyboard accessibility settings such as character repeat delay and repeat rate. This change has been detected in recent Windows 11 preview builds in the Dev and Beta channels, but has not yet been officially implemented. Microsoft is also moving mouse options from the Control Panel to the Settings app, aiming to consolidate commonly used settings for a better user experience. The timeline for completing this migration is uncertain and may extend into the next version of Windows.

Winsage

April 29, 2025

Windows isn’t an OS, it’s a bad habit bordering on addiction

Microsoft's Windows operating system has approximately 1.5 billion users globally, but faces stagnation as many users find Windows 10 satisfactory and are reluctant to upgrade to Windows 11. Microsoft is pushing Windows 11 aggressively, incorporating AI features and nudging users toward paid services, which raises concerns about user experience. The company is uncertain about its future direction, with Project Hudson Valley fading away and the potential for a subscription-based licensing model. In corporate environments, IT departments often prioritize compliance over user needs, leaving employees with limited choices. Some users are exploring alternatives like macOS or Linux, seeking better alignment with their values. Resources are available to help users transition gradually from Windows 10 to alternatives, and maintaining a dual-system approach can ease this process.

Winsage

April 27, 2025

New Security Warning After 1 Billion Windows Users Told Do Not Delete

Microsoft's recent security update for Windows has raised concerns among users due to the introduction of a new vulnerability. The update, intended to address the CVE-2025-21204 vulnerability, inadvertently created a folder named inetpub, which Microsoft claims is essential for user protection. Security researcher Kevin Beaumont has warned that this update has introduced a denial of service vulnerability that allows non-admin users to halt future Windows security updates. Microsoft has classified the issue as moderate in severity and suggested that deleting the inetpub symlink and retrying the update may resolve the problem. The report has been forwarded to the Windows security team for potential further action.

Winsage

April 26, 2025

Windows will now let you swear at it — introduces toggle to disable profanity filter for voice typing

Microsoft has introduced a feature in the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.550 that allows users to disable the profanity filter in voice typing. Users can access this feature by pressing Win + H and selecting the settings icon to toggle the filter off. This change enables the accurate transcription of curse words, which were previously censored with asterisks. The profanity filter is enabled by default for users who prefer a sanitized output.

Winsage

April 26, 2025

Consumers make their voices heard as Microsoft’s huge venture flatlines in popularity

In January 2024, Microsoft launched its Copilot assistant, utilizing advanced large language model technology, and introduced various offerings such as Copilot Pro subscription plans and specialized devices. Despite these efforts, Copilot has attracted only 20 million users weekly, which is significantly lower than ChatGPT's 400 million weekly users. This represents just over 1% of the 1.5 billion Windows users globally. Microsoft's Chief Financial Officer, Amy Hood, presented data showing stagnant user engagement for Copilot, raising concerns within the company about the return on its substantial investments in AI technology. Additionally, Microsoft has had to adjust its strategy regarding the Copilot key on keyboards, allowing for customization, and Intel has noted that its AI hardware is not gaining market traction.

AppWizard

April 24, 2025

Technology behind private messaging app Telegram names Maximilian…

The TON Foundation will announce Maximilian Crown as its new CEO on Thursday. This appointment aims to stabilize Telegram, which has a user base of one billion, following the arrest of its founder Pavel Durov in Paris last year. Crown's leadership is seen as a significant step for Telegram, demonstrating its commitment to expanding its multi-functional app amid governmental pressures to access user data. Crown has experience as CFO and COO of MoonPay and has successfully secured operational approvals across various countries. Telegram has transformed into a “Super App,” integrating features such as gaming, shopping, and payment functionalities. The Telegram Open Network (TON) has 41 million active accounts and 121 million Toncoin holders. Toncoin's value is tied to Telegram's fortunes, experiencing fluctuations following Durov's arrest. Concerns have been raised regarding the impact of French authorities' actions on Telegram’s blockchain initiatives, especially related to digital privacy and government oversight. Durov was detained for 96 hours and criticized the scrutiny faced by Telegram, warning against legislative efforts that threaten individual freedoms.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

NJ AG sues Discord, claims the messaging app exposes kids to online predators

Law enforcement officials in New Jersey have filed a lawsuit against Discord, claiming the company misled parents about its safety controls and failed to protect children from sexual and violent content on its platform. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin stated that Discord has violated consumer protection laws, exposing children to risks from online predators. The lawsuit alleges that Discord's safety features were inadequate and that the app's claims of protecting young users were misleading. Specifically, it criticized the "Safe Direct Messaging" feature for failing to effectively detect or delete explicit content. The lawsuit seeks remedies including an injunction against further violations, civil penalties, and forfeiture of profits generated in New Jersey.

Winsage

April 23, 2025

When Microsoft made the Windows as a Service pivot

Former Microsoft engineer Dave Plummer discussed the company's shift from paid upgrades to a Windows as a Service model, highlighting the challenges faced after the success of Windows 7 and the disappointing reception of Windows 8. He noted that Microsoft made Windows 10 available as a free upgrade for users of Windows 7, 8, and 8.1, which allowed the company to gather valuable telemetry data while introducing users to subscription services. However, the telemetry raised privacy concerns among users, as it included advertising and upsell mechanisms. Plummer expressed a desire for a version of Windows Pro without telemetry and advertising, indicating he would pay for such a product. He also mentioned that the transition to a service model helped address piracy by offering free upgrades to users with non-genuine copies of Windows.

AppWizard

April 22, 2025

Google Messages now finally shields you from surprise nudes

Google Messages is introducing smart alerts that automatically blur explicit images before they are viewed by the recipient. This feature is opt-in for adults, while it is enabled by default for teens. Users will receive warnings about potentially explicit images and can choose to view the image, block the sender, or check the reason for the flag. If users send a sensitive image, the app will prompt them with a caution. All processing occurs on the user's device to protect privacy, and the feature currently applies only to still images, not videos.