Windows 10 systems

Winsage
July 7, 2025
Windows 11 has surpassed Windows 10 in market share, with Windows 11 at 51 percent and Windows 10 at 45 percent, according to Statcounter. At the beginning of the year, Windows 11 had only 34 percent adoption. The end of support for Windows 10 is set for October 14, 2025, prompting users to upgrade to Windows 11 for ongoing updates and security. Microsoft will no longer provide technical assistance or security updates for Windows 10 after this date. Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for Windows 10 will be available for a fee of £24 per year for three years, but users can obtain one year of ESUs for 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points.
Winsage
July 5, 2025
Microsoft claims that laptops and desktop PCs running Windows 11 are "up to 2.3x faster than Windows 10 PCs." Windows 10, the most widely used desktop operating system, powers over 1 billion devices but will stop receiving free updates after October 14, 2025. Users can pay £22 for an additional year of support. The performance comparison is based on Geekbench 6 benchmarks, contrasting new Windows 11 devices with older Windows 10 systems. Between May and June 2025, Windows 11 usage increased by over 4%. Microsoft plans to release Windows 11 Version 25H2 later this year, which will feature a redesigned Start menu and a new CPU throttling feature. Users eligible for a free upgrade can benefit from a smoother installation process. Microsoft offers free security updates to Windows 10 users who subscribe to OneDrive; otherwise, the £22 fee applies. Some users may be hesitant to upgrade due to Windows 10's superior gaming performance in certain scenarios.
Winsage
June 28, 2025
Microsoft is discontinuing support for Windows 10 in October and is encouraging users to transition to Windows 11, highlighting the risks of unsupported systems that will no longer receive security updates. Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft's Executive Vice President, claims that PCs running Windows 11 can be up to 2.3 times faster than those running Windows 10, based on benchmarking tests comparing older Windows 10 PCs with newer Windows 11 machines. The performance metrics come from tests conducted in December 2024 using the Geekbench 6 Multi-Core measurement tool. Windows 11 is also noted for its security advantages, including features like TPM 2.0 and Smart App Control, and a reported 62 percent reduction in security incidents. For users not ready to upgrade, Microsoft offers an Extended Security Updates subscription for Windows 10 PCs.
Winsage
June 27, 2025
Microsoft has introduced a new black variant of the "blue screen of death" (BSOD) for Windows, which will provide essential information like stop codes and fault system drivers. This update is part of the "Windows Resiliency Initiative" aimed at improving product robustness. The sad emoticon face will be retired, and the new BSOD is scheduled for release in Windows 11 later this summer, featuring a user interface update and a Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) feature. Other upcoming features include Connected Cache, Universal Print, Hotpatch Update, and Windows 365 Reserve. Users on older Windows 10 systems will still see the traditional BSOD with the frowning face emoji.
Winsage
June 24, 2025
The official end-of-support date for Windows 10 is October 14, 2025, as per Microsoft's Modern Lifecycle Policy. The final version, 22H2, will receive security updates until that date, after which users will not have technical support or security fixes. Users can choose to continue using Windows 10 without upgrades, buy a new PC that meets Windows 11 requirements, switch to a Linux distribution or ChromeOS Flex, pay Microsoft for Extended Security Updates (ESUs), or upgrade incompatible hardware to Windows 11 using documented methods. Microsoft will offer ESUs for Windows 10 at a cost, with reduced rates for educational institutions and higher prices for business customers. Individual consumers can subscribe for continued security updates until October 2026.
Winsage
June 5, 2025
Microsoft will cease support for Windows 10 at midnight on October 14th, ending new features, security updates, and app compatibility. In response, Microsoft is encouraging users to upgrade to Windows 11 or recycle their devices. Many users are hesitant to upgrade due to financial constraints or preference for their current system. KDE has launched the KDE for Windows 10 Exiles campaign, promoting Linux as an alternative for those unable to upgrade. The campaign highlights KDE Plasma, a user-friendly interface compatible with various Linux distributions like OpenSUSE, Fedora, Manjaro, and Kubuntu. Users can install OpenSUSE with Plasma to revitalize their machines, and resources are available to help extend the life of Windows 10 PCs after support ends.
Winsage
May 30, 2025
Microsoft's recent Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11 has faced significant issues, particularly affecting users on versions 22H2 and 23H2. The installation of the May 13 update is failing on some machines, especially in virtual environments, leading to recovery mode entries and boot errors. Users are advised to avoid the update temporarily. The error message indicates a problem with the ACPI.sys file, which is crucial for managing hardware resources. Windows 11 Home and Pro users are likely unaffected, as virtual machines are typically used in enterprise settings. Microsoft has not provided the number of impacted users or a workaround beyond uninstalling the patches, but engineers are working on a resolution. This incident follows previous patching challenges faced by Microsoft this year, including an emergency update for Windows 10 and issues with Remote Desktop sessions in earlier updates.
Winsage
May 12, 2025
Microsoft has released an official guide to address the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) issues in Windows 11 and Windows 10, updated on May 11, 2025, following a significant global outage in July 2024 caused by a problematic CrowdStrike update. The guide categorizes troubleshooting into basic and advanced steps, highlighting common error codes like PAGEFAULTINNONPAGEDAREA (0x00000050). Approximately 75% of stop errors are attributed to faulty drivers, making driver verification essential. Basic troubleshooting includes removing recently added hardware, booting into Safe Mode, checking Device Manager for problematic components, ensuring 10-15% free disk space, installing the latest Windows Updates, and using System Restore. Advanced troubleshooting involves using Event Viewer, running Windows Memory Diagnostics, and analyzing memory dumps with WinDbg. The guide emphasizes the resource-intensive nature of Driver Verifier and suggests testing suspicious drivers in smaller groups. It also includes hardware-specific troubleshooting tips, such as checking for overheating components and performing disk diagnostics with the “chkdsk” command.
Winsage
May 7, 2025
As Windows 10 approaches its end-of-life status in October, approximately 240 million PCs will become obsolete, prompting Microsoft to encourage users to upgrade to Windows 11, particularly on devices with Copilot+ technology. The "End of 10" initiative aims to introduce users to Linux, providing a website with instructions for installation and highlighting the benefits of Linux over Windows. Windows 11 requires Intel's 8th-generation processors or AMD's Ryzen 2000 series or newer, leaving many functional PCs, especially those made before 2017, unable to upgrade. The "End of 10" campaign promotes Linux as a viable alternative, emphasizing its compatibility with older hardware, cost-effectiveness, reduced emissions, privacy advantages, and lower susceptibility to malware. The website includes a directory of repair shops for support and offers a DIY installation guide. Despite over half of Windows devices still running Windows 10, the adoption rate of Windows 11 is increasing, indicating a potential shift in user migration.
Winsage
May 4, 2025
Microsoft is encouraging users to transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11, especially as support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025. Upgrading to Windows 11 on new devices, such as the Surface Copilot+ PCs, can enhance productivity, with workflows reportedly running up to 50% faster compared to older devices. Organizations using Windows 11 Pro have experienced a 62% reduction in security incidents, and features like Secure Boot can reduce firmware attacks by three times. Additionally, deployment of these systems is approximately 25% faster, aiding IT teams in transitioning users efficiently.
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