user preferences Archives

Winsage

January 16, 2026

TechPowerUp Readers Willing to Move Away from Windows after Windows 10 EOL: Frontpage Poll

In the final quarter of 2025, a poll conducted among over 34,000 participants revealed that 55.4% (18,981 individuals) were interested in transitioning from Windows to Linux. Only 4.5% (1,538 readers) expressed a willingness to migrate to macOS, and 1.9% showed interest in switching to gaming consoles. Overall, 61.8% of respondents indicated disillusionment with the Windows platform, while 38.2% (13,105 participants) remained committed to Windows. Many comments reflected dissatisfaction with Windows 11, particularly regarding its interface and the integration of other Microsoft products.

AppWizard

January 13, 2026

Official YouTube app or alternatives? Survey reveals surprising choice.

The YouTube app is widely used on Android devices, but many users are turning to alternatives like Morphe, which modifies the official app to add features. A survey with over 6,000 responses revealed that 60.59% of participants prefer alternatives to the official YouTube app. Alternatives like Morphe and Revanced provide features such as ad-free playback and background listening for free, along with additional functionalities like SponsorBlock integration and the ability to disable Shorts. Among those surveyed, 23.39% have not tried alternatives but are open to them, while 8.15% have tried them but prefer the official app, and 7.86% are satisfied with the official app. Concerns about the safety of using alternative apps, including the risk of getting a Google account banned, were also expressed by users.

AppWizard

January 7, 2026

Valve announced the 2025 Steam Awards winners (and shockingly Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 didn’t win everything)

Valve announced the winners of the 2025 Steam Awards, highlighting user preferences on the gaming platform. Hollow Knight: Silksong was the only title to win multiple awards, while Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won the Best Soundtrack Award. The Steam Awards, held annually since 2016, are determined by user votes, with this year's selections showcasing a diverse range of titles, including smaller games like The Midnight Walk and RV There Yet?.

Winsage

December 23, 2025

Ex-Microsoft engineer says ‘Windows sucks’ and explains how it could be fixed

A former Microsoft engineer, Dave Plummer, has criticized the Windows operating system for lacking in key areas, particularly following Microsoft's discontinuation of support for Windows 10, which leaves millions of users vulnerable to malware and cyber threats. Many Windows 10 users remain unprotected, risking their personal data. Microsoft has introduced payment options for Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10, but many users have not taken action to safeguard their systems. Approximately 500 million computers eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 11 are still on Windows 10, with Windows 11 holding a market share of 53.7% and Windows 10 at 42.7%. Plummer advocates for a "hardcore mode" for advanced users and greater transparency regarding data collection. He criticizes Microsoft's aggressive marketing strategies within Windows, which he believes undermine user autonomy. Despite his critiques, he acknowledges the strengths of Windows, including its mature core engine and file management capabilities.

Winsage

December 19, 2025

Explained: Why you can’t move Windows 11 taskbar like Windows 10, according to Microsoft

Since the rollout of Windows 11, users have noted the absence of a movable taskbar, which was possible in Windows 10. Microsoft has not indicated plans to reintroduce this feature, as they believe it may not serve the majority of users. The taskbar in Windows 11 was developed from scratch without the code necessary for repositioning it. Microsoft’s data-driven approach prioritizes features that benefit the largest user base, leading to a focus on essential functionalities rather than customization options. Technical challenges arise from moving the taskbar, as it would require significant adjustments to app layouts and designs. Microsoft has instead restored drag-and-drop support on the taskbar and optimized it for smaller screens and touch devices. Recent updates have introduced AI-driven features, raising concerns about the feasibility of a movable taskbar as the focus shifts toward integrating AI rather than user customization.

AppWizard

December 15, 2025

Meta Shuts Down Standalone Messenger Desktop App on December 15, 2025

Meta Platforms Inc. will discontinue its standalone Messenger desktop application for Windows and macOS on December 15, 2025. Users will be directed to use browser-based access or the main Facebook platform instead. The Messenger app was introduced to compete with video communication tools but has seen a decline in usage as users prefer mobile devices and web browsers. The shutdown will affect businesses that use Messenger for customer service, impacting features like notifications and offline message queuing. Users have expressed frustration over potential loss of chat histories and concerns about increased dependency on Meta's web portal. Alternatives like Signal and Telegram may attract former users. Meta's decision reflects a broader industry trend toward prioritizing mobile experiences and could allow the company to focus resources on metaverse development and AI features.

Winsage

December 11, 2025

Zorin OS vs. AnduinOS: How to pick the right Windows-like Linux distro for you

Zorin OS has over one million downloads within a month of Windows 10's discontinuation, with 75% from Windows users. It features an intuitive user interface with four layouts, including two resembling Windows, and offers additional layouts in the Pro edition. Zorin OS supports modern and older hardware through the Hardware Enablement (HWE) kernel and comes pre-installed with software like LibreOffice and Evolution. It includes features such as seamless Android connectivity via Zorin Connect, lightweight design, robust security, full-disk encryption, accessibility in over 100 languages, built-in window tiling, and is available in Core, Pro, and Education versions. Zorin OS suggests Linux alternatives for Windows applications and uses the Flatpak package manager for application installation. AnduinOS closely resembles Windows 11 and is based on Ubuntu, utilizing the GNOME desktop environment. It integrates Flatpak for application installation and has fewer preinstalled applications compared to Zorin OS. AnduinOS supports HDR, is optimized for various hardware, and undergoes active development with monthly updates. It does not collect user data, ensuring privacy and a secure experience. Users can adjust the default dark theme to match the Windows 11 aesthetic.

Winsage

December 10, 2025

Zorin OS vs. AnduinOS: How to pick the right Windows-like Linux distro for you

Zorin OS has over one million downloads in just over a month, with 75% from Windows users. It offers four user interface layouts, two resembling Windows, and supports both modern and older hardware through the Hardware Enablement (HWE) kernel. Zorin OS comes preloaded with software like LibreOffice and Evolution, supports Android connectivity via Zorin Connect, features a lightweight design, includes security measures such as the Uncomplicated Firewall and AppArmor, offers full-disk encryption, is available in over 100 languages, and has built-in window tiling. It supports Windows applications by suggesting Linux alternatives and includes Flatpak for application access. AnduinOS features a single layout resembling Windows 11 and uses the GNOME desktop environment. It employs Flatpak for app installations and has fewer preinstalled applications. AnduinOS also utilizes the HWE kernel, supports HDR, and is designed for a diverse user base. It prioritizes user privacy by not collecting data or displaying ads, and it allows users to switch themes easily. Regular updates are provided with new builds released monthly.

Winsage

December 10, 2025

A staple Windows 11 is finally being given a modern, sleek design

The upcoming Windows 11 Build 26534 will introduce a redesigned Run dialogue featuring a modern interface with subtle edges and updated styling. Users will be able to access previous commands directly above the input box, and the new design is optimized for Dark Mode. However, the 'Browse' button will be absent, and there are concerns about potential performance issues compared to the previous version. Users will have the option to disable the new dialogue, which may be turned off by default.

Winsage

December 5, 2025

Steam hardware survey shows how Linux is slowly eating into Windows market share

Valve's hardware survey report from November 2025 indicates a rise in Linux adoption among Steam users, increasing by 0.15% to 3.2%, surpassing macOS at 2.02%. Windows 10's share has dropped to 29%, while Windows 11 has grown to 65%. SteamOS represents 26.42% of the Linux user base. AMD holds a CPU market share of 43.56%, with Intel at 56.44%. Nvidia's 60-class GPUs remain popular among gamers.