virtualization software Archives

Winsage

May 16, 2025

Windows 10 KB5058379 update triggering BitLocker Recovery after install

The Windows 10 KB5058379 cumulative update, released on May 13, 2025, has caused unexpected BitLocker recovery prompts for some users after installation and reboot. Reports indicate that affected devices, including those from Lenovo, Dell, and HP, automatically boot into the Windows Recovery Environment and display the BitLocker recovery screen. Users have experienced various issues, such as needing BitLocker keys to start up or devices refusing to start. A workaround involves disabling Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) in the BIOS. Microsoft has not publicly acknowledged the issue but support representatives are aware and working on a resolution. Microsoft has provided steps to resolve the issue, including disabling Secure Boot and virtualization technologies, checking Microsoft Defender System Guard Firmware Protection status, and disabling firmware protection via Group Policy or Registry Editor.

Winsage

April 21, 2025

How to keep using Windows 10 in a virtual machine after support ends

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Users can run Windows 10 in a virtual machine (VM) to continue using it safely. The tool Disk2Vhd can convert a physical Windows 10 installation into a virtual hard drive (VHD or VHDX) for use in virtualization software like VirtualBox or Hyper-V. To use Disk2Vhd, download and extract it, launch the appropriate executable, select partitions for conversion, and choose between VHD and VHDX formats based on the virtualization software. After conversion, transfer the VHD file to the target computer and set up a new VM, integrating the backup file instead of creating a new virtual hard drive. Users can also reinstall Windows 10 in a VM using an installation medium and the Media Creation Tool to download the ISO file. When creating a VM, allocate at least 4GB of virtual memory and install necessary programs and guest extensions afterward. Creating a backup point after installation is recommended for stability.

Winsage

April 10, 2025

Don’t pay more for Windows Pro’s advanced features. Use these free tools instead

The Windows Home and Pro editions differ primarily in several key features relevant to personal users: - Bitlocker Encryption: Exclusive to the Pro edition, it secures drives, but Windows 11 Home includes device encryption requiring a Microsoft account. - Hyper-V: Available only in Pro, but alternatives like VirtualBox can be used in Home. - Remote Desktop: Pro allows full remote access, while Home offers limited support; third-party tools can provide alternatives. - Group Policies: Primarily for corporate use in Pro, but local group policies can be activated in Home with alternative tools available. Windows 11 24H2 Home includes a new device encryption feature requiring a Microsoft account. Veracrypt is a free alternative for encryption, allowing for encrypted containers and compatibility across multiple operating systems. Upgrading from Windows 11 Home to Pro requires a new product key. VirtualBox offers a free option for creating virtual machines. For remote access, tools like Rustdesk can be used without needing the Pro edition's capabilities.

Winsage

March 12, 2025

6 reasons Hyper-V is the best hypervisor on Windows

Virtualization technology is essential in modern IT infrastructure, allowing the creation of virtual machines (VMs) for various applications. Hyper-V is Microsoft's primary hypervisor for Windows Pro, Enterprise, or Windows Server users. It has been available since Server 2008 and provides tools for efficient VM creation, management, and monitoring. Hyper-V integrates natively with Windows, ensuring compatibility and simplifying VM management through the Hyper-V Manager interface. It is optimized for Windows, enhancing performance and security by utilizing features like Secure Boot and BitLocker. Hyper-V supports large-scale deployments and can configure multiple VMs for demanding workloads. It also allows users to create Linux VMs, such as Ubuntu, easily using the "Quick Create" feature. Hyper-V is a built-in, free hypervisor for Windows, requiring no additional costs beyond the Windows Pro license. Its integration, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness make it a leading choice for virtualization among average users and IT administrators.

Winsage

March 12, 2025

4 features in Parallels that make it the best VM software on Mac

The discontinuation of Boot Camp support for Apple Silicon Macs has led to the rise of virtualization software, with Parallels being a leading solution. Parallels simplifies the installation of Windows 11 by automatically downloading the operating system and creating a local Windows account, avoiding the need for a Microsoft account. It supports high refresh rates, allowing Windows VMs to run at up to 120Hz on compatible monitors. Parallels integrates seamlessly with macOS, enabling users to access files across both operating systems and facilitating a fluid workflow. The Coherence feature allows Windows applications to run within the Mac desktop environment, making them feel like native macOS apps. Parallels is recognized as the premier virtualization choice for running Windows on Apple Silicon Macs, demonstrating strong performance even on entry-level devices.

Winsage

March 10, 2025

Get Windows 11 on Your Mac (Apple Silicon): Here’s How

Parallels Desktop is a Microsoft-authorized virtualization software that allows users to install and run Windows 11 on Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3, M4 chips). It is optimized for these processors, ensuring a fast and responsive experience. The installation process is straightforward, requiring users to download and install the software, which automates the Windows 11 setup. Key features include seamless integration between macOS and Windows, allowing file sharing and access to applications across both operating systems without rebooting. Parallels Desktop offers a 14-day free trial, after which users can choose between subscription plans or a one-time purchase. The software is designed to maximize performance for Apple Silicon Macs, making it suitable for various users, including professionals and students.

Winsage

December 27, 2024

Windows 11 KB5048685 Update causes Wi-Fi and Start Menu to stop working

The KB5048685 Update for Windows 11 23H2, released on December 10, has caused issues for users, including freezing of the Start Menu and Wi-Fi connectivity problems. The Start Menu may become unresponsive, displaying a white backdrop in dark mode, affecting users of both Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2. A workaround involves modifying the Windows Registry. Additionally, some users with AMD processors have reported installation failures with error code 0x80070002. Solutions suggested include checking the Windows Update service and using recovery options in settings. Personal experiences with the update vary, with some users not encountering issues, while others have faced significant problems.

Winsage

December 16, 2024

Easily Run Windows Apps on Linux Using These Tools

Running Windows applications on Linux can be done using tools like Wine, which is a compatibility layer allowing Windows programs to run without a full Windows installation. Users can utilize Wine through command-line or GUI wrappers such as PlayOnLinux, Bottles, Heroic Launcher, and Lutris. To install Windows applications like Notepad++ using Bottles, users can install Bottles via Flatpak, create a new bottle for the application, and run the installer from within Bottles. For more control, users can install Wine via the command line and execute Windows executables directly. The winecfg command allows users to adjust settings, and Winetricks can be used to install necessary components for certain applications. Virtualization software, such as VirtualBox and VMware Player, can be used to create a virtual Windows environment on Linux, which is beneficial for resource-intensive applications. For gaming, tools like Proton and Lutris can facilitate running Windows games on Linux, with Proton being optimized for Steam. Users can also run a Windows virtual machine for gaming, though it may require more resources. Checking for native Linux versions of games is recommended before using compatibility layers or virtualization.

Winsage

October 11, 2024

Chromebooks’ Windows compatibility could be on the chopping block

Parallels for ChromeOS, a service allowing Chromebooks to run Windows applications, has not received significant updates in the past eighteen months, indicating a decline in interest from Google. The last major update was in mid-2022, aimed at improving performance for budget Intel and AMD chipsets. Google's acquisition of Cameyo suggests a strategic shift towards virtual Windows apps on ChromeOS, potentially sidelining Parallels. Users need high-performance Chromebooks to effectively use the virtual desktop feature, conflicting with the budget-friendly image of Chromebooks. Speculation exists that Google may announce the discontinuation of Parallels for ChromeOS before the end of the year, with indications that the service could be phased out entirely by then.

Winsage

October 10, 2024

VMware Workstation 17.6.1 is out with fixes for Windows 11 24H2 and more

VMware has released Workstation Pro 17.6.1, which includes several key improvements: - The software now correctly recognizes Windows 11 version 24H2 ISO images, fixing a previous issue where these were misidentified as Windows Server 2025. - An unrecoverable error (svga) that occurred when powering on a virtual machine with 3D graphics enabled has been resolved. - Installation issues on non-English host systems, specifically an MSI pop-up error during installation or upgrades, have been addressed. - CentOS 9 Stream with kernel versions later than 5.14.0-432 is not supported as a host on Workstation Pro 17.6. There are known issues with the multi-monitor feature not functioning correctly across certain hardware configurations, with no available workaround. Users can update the software via the application or download it from VMware's website.