virtualized environment Archives

Winsage

November 25, 2025

Are people still using Windows XP and Windows 7? Yes, and here’s why

Windows 10 reached the end of its support, prompting users to consider upgrading to Windows 11 or staying with their current operating system. Windows 7 has a market share of approximately 2.5%, and Windows XP holds 0.22%, translating to around 25 million machines running Windows 7 and 2.2 million on Windows XP. The primary reason users remain on these older systems is app compatibility, as many legacy applications do not run on newer operating systems. Upgrading involves significant costs and challenges, including data migration from legacy software. The decline in Windows 7 and XP usage is slow; in January 2023, Windows 7 had 9.55% market share, dropping to 3.05% by January 2024. Users often prioritize convenience and reliability, with many systems operating in isolation from the internet, reducing their vulnerability to threats.

Winsage

November 18, 2025

Microsoft’s vision of “AI-native” Windows is becoming real, update introduces agents that pilfer through your files — Latest Windows 11 Insider build includes experimental AI agents toggle that can perform tasks for you in the background

A senior Microsoft executive announced the evolution of Windows into an agentic operating system with AI features, which has been met with skepticism on social media. The Windows Insider Blog introduced AI agents in Windows 11 Insider Build 26220.7262, featuring an "Experimental agentic features" toggle that allows the creation of an "Agent Workspace," an isolated desktop environment. Currently, Agent Workspaces are non-functional and serve only as a toggle option. The AI agents are designed to handle routine tasks locally on users' machines, inspired by applications like ChatGPT and Copilot Actions. The Agent Workspace operates separately from standard directories, ensuring actions are logged for security. AI agents are disabled by default, requiring administrator privileges to enable, and can be granted read/write access to specific folders based on user permissions. The introduction of Agent Workspaces creates a new user account for the AI agent, maintaining administrative control and distinct permissions. However, the functionality is limited, leading to user frustration over unaddressed issues in the operating system.

Winsage

September 8, 2025

Yes, you can run Windows apps on Linux – here are my top 5 ways

Many users of Linux occasionally need to run Windows applications, and there are several methods to do so: 1. Wine: A compatibility layer for running Windows applications on Linux, it has user-friendly graphical interfaces like WineGUI and WineZGUI. Wine is free and available across most Linux distributions. 2. Bottles: Utilizes Wine to create isolated environments for Windows applications, allowing users to select different Wine versions for different apps. Bottles is free and recommended to be installed via Flatpak for security. 3. Steam: A platform for playing Windows games on Linux, it uses the Proton compatibility layer to facilitate this. Steam is free to install and compatible with most Linux distributions. 4. VirtualBox: Allows users to run a full Windows environment in a virtual machine on Linux. It is free and widely available but may not be ideal for gaming. 5. Winboat: An emerging tool currently in beta that aims to provide a user-friendly experience for running Windows applications in a containerized Windows environment. It requires Docker and specific kernel modules for installation.

Winsage

July 28, 2025

UpDownTool lets you move from Windows 11 to Windows 10 in just 5 clicks – without losing any data

A new application called UpDownTool allows users to revert from Windows 11 to Windows 10 without losing programs, files, drivers, or settings. Many users are dissatisfied with Windows 11 due to sluggish performance, a less intuitive interface, increased system requirements, and the removal of familiar features. Microsoft has limited options for downgrading, typically allowing a 10-day rollback period or requiring a clean install. UpDownTool simplifies the process by enabling users to transition to Windows 10 LTSC 2021 while preserving core data and configurations. Windows 10 LTSC 2021 is designed for long-term deployment and receives extended updates, with support for the IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 edition lasting until January 2032. The LTSC edition does not include preinstalled applications like the Microsoft Store and Cortana, making it appealing for users seeking a minimalist experience. UpDownTool can also repair existing Windows 10 LTSC installations or convert other editions to LTSC. Users must be cautious of licensing implications, as LTSC licenses are typically not available through consumer channels. The downgrade process involves downloading the installer and executing a batch script, with the system booting into Windows 10 LTSC 2021 upon completion. Users are advised to back up important files before proceeding.

Tech Optimizer

March 21, 2025

Cybercriminals Exploit CheckPoint Driver Flaws in Malicious Campaign

A report by Nima Bagheri reveals that CheckPoint’s ZoneAlarm antivirus software is being exploited by threat actors using a method called Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD). This attack targets vulnerabilities in the vsdatant.sys driver, which operates with high-level kernel privileges, allowing attackers to bypass Windows security measures. Specifically, version 14.1.32.0 of vsdatant.sys, released in 2016, contains vulnerabilities that enable attackers to circumvent the Windows Memory Integrity feature, gaining access to sensitive information and establishing persistent connections to compromised systems. Bagheri advises users to update to the latest version of vsdatant.sys, which is not vulnerable. CheckPoint confirmed that the outdated driver is no longer in use and that users running the latest versions of ZoneAlarm or Harmony Endpoint are not affected.

Winsage

March 14, 2025

AMD’s Ryzen 9 9950X3D reportedly runs up to 20% faster on Windows 10

Recent tests by Tech YES City indicate that Windows 10 can outperform Windows 11 by up to 20% in certain gaming scenarios, particularly in Fortnite at 1080p resolution. This performance gap is attributed to Virtualization-Based Security (VBS), which, when enabled on Windows 11, can lead to a performance loss in CPU-intensive games. The performance difference diminishes at 4K resolution, where both operating systems perform similarly. Windows 10 also showed better performance in games like Counter-Strike 2, Baldur's Gate 3, and Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, although to a lesser extent. Users with high-performance CPUs like the Ryzen 9 9950X3D may benefit from staying with Windows 10 longer despite its impending end of support.

Winsage

October 11, 2024

Chromebooks may soon lose a feature that allows you to use Windows apps

Google is expected to discontinue its partnership with Parallels for Chromebook users, which has allowed the running of Windows applications alongside Android apps since 2020. This decision is influenced by Google's collaboration with Cameyo, an alternative for accessing legacy applications. There have been no significant updates to Parallels on Chromebooks in over a year and a half, leading to speculation about its future. An official announcement regarding the discontinuation is anticipated before the end of 2024, potentially leaving Cameyo as the only option for running legacy applications on Chromebooks.

Winsage

September 30, 2024

This one security feature makes Windows 11 Pro worth every penny

Microsoft's Windows 11 Pro includes the Windows Sandbox feature, which provides a virtualized environment for users to explore the web and download applications without risking their primary system. The Sandbox is isolated, containing any potential malware, and can be easily disposed of with a click. To activate it, users must enable the feature in the Control Panel, which may require a system restart. When launched, it offers a fresh Windows desktop without personal customizations, allowing users to engage with untrusted sources safely. However, transferring files from the Sandbox to the main system can pose risks if those files contain malware. Closing the Sandbox erases all its contents. The inclusion of Windows Sandbox makes upgrading to Windows 11 Pro appealing for users seeking enhanced security.