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Microsoft issues Windows 11 alert and says to 'roll back to Windows 10' now
Winsage
February 12, 2025

Microsoft issues Windows 11 alert and says to ‘roll back to Windows 10’ now

Windows 10 will reach its end of life on October 14, 2025, after which Microsoft will stop providing free updates and security patches. Users can transition to Windows 11 by purchasing a new laptop with it pre-installed, opting for Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for older machines, or upgrading existing devices. Windows 11 has specific system requirements, including a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. Microsoft warns that installing Windows 11 on incompatible hardware will result in a watermark and operational issues. A PC Health Check tool is available to assess device compatibility with Windows 11. The minimum requirements for running Windows 11 include a 1 GHz processor with 2 or more cores, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, a DirectX 12 compatible graphics card, and a high-definition display.
What is Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling in Windows and should you turn it on?
Winsage
December 12, 2024

What is Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling in Windows and should you turn it on?

Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling (HAGS) was introduced in Windows 10 in May 2020 and is also available in Windows 11. It offloads scheduling tasks to the GPU, improving processing efficiency by reducing CPU bottlenecks. HAGS can be enabled by users with compatible hardware through the Graphics Settings menu, but it is turned off by default. Some applications, like OBS and Sunshine, recommend disabling HAGS to avoid performance issues, particularly with NVIDIA's NVENC encoder. Users have reported problems with certain games, such as Valorant, when HAGS is enabled. HAGS is essential for features like frame generation in DLSS 3, and users are advised to test its impact on their systems.
The ultimate Windows 11 upgrade guide: Everything you need to know
Winsage
October 24, 2024

The ultimate Windows 11 upgrade guide: Everything you need to know

Windows 11 was launched in October 2021 and is now a significant operating system on hundreds of millions of PCs worldwide. It features a redesigned Start menu, taskbar, and Settings app, along with a Widgets pane, tabbed File Explorer, and AI-powered Windows Copilot. The operating system requires hardware-assisted security features, including Secure Boot and device encryption, and mandates specific hardware compatibility, such as a 1GHz processor, 4GB RAM, and TPM version 2.0. Support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025, after which it will not receive updates unless users subscribe to Extended Security Updates. Windows 11 is available as a free upgrade for licensed Windows 10 users, and the installation process includes various options for upgrading. Microsoft reports higher customer satisfaction with Windows 11 compared to previous versions.
Windows 11 LTSC on Arm: Everything You Need to Know
Winsage
October 17, 2024

Windows 11 LTSC on Arm: Everything You Need to Know

Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 24H2 has been released, featuring a modern user interface, enhanced security, productivity tools, comprehensive device management, long-term support with up to 10 years of security updates, and a restricted user experience mode. System requirements include a 1 GHz or faster processor with two or more cores, a minimum of 4 GB RAM (2 GB minimum), 64 GB or larger storage, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot, a preferred TPM version 2.0, a DirectX 12 compatible graphics card, and a minimum display size of 9 inches with 700p HD resolution. Enhancements over Windows 10 LTSC include improved performance, better compatibility, advanced security features, and a streamlined update process. The x86 platform offers extensive compatibility and high performance, while the Arm platform emphasizes power efficiency, making it suitable for portable and IoT devices. Microsoft follows a three-year release cycle for LTSC products, with Windows 11 addressing regulatory industry needs for enhanced security. Key differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11 LTSC include a modernized interface, advanced security features, optimized performance, and improved compatibility. Windows 11 LTSC 24H2 has a 10-year lifecycle with five years of mainstream support and five years of extended support. New features include an integrated IoT-specific EULA, wireless display capabilities, optional removable packages, multi-app kiosk mode, automatic MPEG2 installation, HEVC codec support, access to the Microsoft Store, optional TPM enabling, and exclusion of CoPilot. The operating system is applicable across various industries, including medical, governmental, hospitality, and retail, and is compatible with both x64 and Arm processors.
You can still upgrade old PCs to Windows 11, even if Microsoft says no: Readers prove it
Winsage
October 6, 2024

You can still upgrade old PCs to Windows 11, even if Microsoft says no: Readers prove it

As of October 1, 2024, Microsoft has implemented stricter compatibility checks for Windows 11, but workarounds exist for upgrading older systems. Users have successfully transitioned older PCs, including a 12-year-old machine and others up to 15 years old, from Windows 10 to Windows 11 despite compatibility challenges. The published system requirements for Windows 11 include a 1GHz or faster processor with two or more cores, at least 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, TPM version 2.0, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability, a DirectX 12 compatible graphics card, and a high-definition display. Upgrades are blocked for systems with CPUs not listed in Microsoft's documentation, which excludes most Intel Core processors prior to the 8th Generation and AMD Zen 1 processors. The PC Health Check utility can help users assess upgrade readiness. Two upgrade options for incompatible PCs are available: a registry edit to bypass CPU checks for PCs with TPM, and an unsupported method to bypass all compatibility checks for older PCs lacking TPM or using Legacy BIOS. Users have reported positive experiences with both methods, although the installation process may take longer than expected.
Windows 11 unofficial mod claims not to alter crucial system files while making UI better
Winsage
October 4, 2024

Windows 11 unofficial mod claims not to alter crucial system files while making UI better

Microsoft has been enhancing the visual appeal of its desktop operating system since the launch of Windows Vista, leading to the development of specialized hardware features like WDDM GPU schedulers. Users of Windows 11 have reported occasional sluggish performance, prompting Microsoft to acknowledge these issues and commit to improvements. A paid study claims Windows 11 outperforms Windows 10, though evidence is lacking. The Windows 11 24H2 update has reportedly increased responsiveness for some users, even on unsupported hardware. Rebound 11 is a third-party application designed to enhance the Windows 11 user interface while maintaining system security and avoiding changes to essential system files. It allows for easy reversibility of changes and does not implement system-wide customizations, preserving MSSTYLES system files. Users need a system with at least 4GB of memory and 2GB of storage, along with a DirectX 12 compatible graphics processor. Caution is advised before installation, including backing up important data and potentially using a virtual machine for testing. Rebound 11 is available for download from its GitHub repository.
RIP Windows 10: Update offers game-changing news for popular software
Winsage
September 5, 2024

RIP Windows 10: Update offers game-changing news for popular software

Microsoft is encouraging users to transition to Windows 11 as the free support deadline for Windows 10 approaches in October 2025. Recent data shows an increase in Windows 11 adoption, with it becoming the most popular gaming platform, holding a 49.17 percent share compared to Windows 10's 47.09 percent. Microsoft is confident in the migration process, noting that many users remained on Windows 7 until its end of support. Continuing to use Windows 10 after October 2025 poses security risks, as it will no longer receive updates. Extended Security Updates will be available for a fee, primarily for businesses. Specifications for running Windows 11 include: - Processor: 1 GHz or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip (SoC). - RAM: 4 GB or greater. - Storage: 64 GB or greater available storage. - Graphics card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later, with a WDDM 2.0 driver. - TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0.
Microsoft's WDDM 3.2 makes Windows 11 (24H2) video encoding even better with AV1 support
Winsage
September 5, 2024

Microsoft’s WDDM 3.2 makes Windows 11 (24H2) video encoding even better with AV1 support

Microsoft is preparing to release the Windows 11 version 24H2 feature update, currently available for Copilot+ PCs and expected to roll out to more systems soon. The final testing and certification process for eligible systems began in May. This update introduces the Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) version 3.2, which includes improved driver timeout detection and recovery (TDR) debugging to reduce display and graphics driver crashes. Additionally, WDDM 3.2 enhances Direct3D 12 video encoding by adding support for the AV1 codec, allowing for GPU-accelerated video encoding on Windows. This update extends the existing video-related framework to enable drivers to report AV1 video encoding support and capabilities, facilitating hardware acceleration for various applications, including IoT, cloud, media APIs, machine learning, and game streaming. Prior to Windows 11 version 21H2, Microsoft did not support hardware-accelerated encoding, but WDDM 3.0 introduced this capability.
Windows 11 24H2's new feature could help some apps run faster
Winsage
August 7, 2024

Windows 11 24H2’s new feature could help some apps run faster

Windows 11 24H2 is expected to launch in September or October, featuring enhancements for both AMD and Intel PCs, including a new API to improve application performance. A key update is the introduction of WDDM 3.2 and a feature called "User-mode work submission," which allows applications to communicate more efficiently with the GPU, reducing latency and improving performance, particularly for graphics-intensive applications. This feature enables applications to send small tasks directly to the GPU, streamlining the process. Windows 11 24H2 also includes "GPU doorbells" to notify the GPU of new tasks, with two models: Global Doorbells and Dedicated Doorbells. The user-mode work submission feature works alongside Windows's engine state transition capabilities to manage GPU power consumption, allowing the GPU to switch between high-power and low-power modes based on task demands. Microsoft has already implemented user-mode work submissions on Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon's integrated GPU, with broader availability expected for Intel, AMD, and Nvidia hardware in the upcoming update.
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