Windows 11 Archives

Winsage

March 2, 2026

Windows 11 tops market share as 10 faces extended farewell

Recent data from Statcounter indicates that Windows 11 has a market share of 72.57 percent, while Windows 10 holds 26.45 percent. Microsoft claims that Windows 11 has surpassed one billion users. Statcounter's data is collected from over 1.5 million websites and may be subject to revision. Microsoft will discontinue support for many versions of Windows 10 in October 2025, leading some organizations to consider Extended Security Updates (ESU), which can incur additional costs. Windows Server 2016 has a 20.3 percent share among monitored servers, and Windows 10 2016 LTSB accounts for 0.5 percent of Windows devices, making up 19.8 percent within the LTSC/LTSB category. The higher usage of LTSC/LTSB is attributed to special-purpose devices in consumer and retail sectors, which face stricter upgrade protocols.

Winsage

March 2, 2026

Still on Windows 10? That’s a security risk now

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is available for .97, reduced from its regular price of 9, until March 8 at 11:59 P.M. Pacific. Windows 11 Pro includes enhanced security features such as TPM 2.0 support, BitLocker device encryption, Smart App Control, and Windows Sandbox. It also offers productivity tools like Hyper-V, Azure AD support, Snap layouts, and AI-assisted Copilot integration. Minimum system requirements for the upgrade include a 1 GHz or faster 64-bit processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, and DirectX 12 compatible graphics.

Winsage

March 2, 2026

NTLM is going away: what Microsoft’s phaseout means for MSPs and IT teams

The migration from NTLM to Kerberos authentication is essential for improving security in Windows systems, but it faces challenges such as legacy systems and hardcoded authentication. Organizations must identify NTLM usage, conduct testing with NTLM disabled, and make necessary adjustments or upgrades to migrate successfully. Ongoing monitoring is crucial post-migration to prevent NTLM from re-entering the network. NTLM is associated with significant security vulnerabilities and has been exploited by various threat groups, making its elimination a priority for organizations despite potential hesitations to invest in the migration process. Transitioning to Kerberos is seen as a strategic security investment.

Winsage

March 1, 2026

Windows 11 Pro Upgrade Now $12.97 in Rare Deal

A Windows 11 Pro license is available for .97, representing a 93% discount from the standard retail price of 9. This license activates on one machine and includes features such as BitLocker full-disk encryption, Windows Sandbox, Hyper-V virtualization, Remote Desktop host, Group Policy, and Domain join support. Windows 11 Pro also integrates Microsoft’s Copilot for AI-assisted tasks and offers workflow enhancements like Snap Layouts and multiple desktops. To qualify for Windows 11, a PC must have a compatible 64-bit CPU, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, at least 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. Users upgrading from Windows 11 Home typically retain their files and applications. Caution is advised regarding the purchase source to avoid gray-market or region-locked keys. Key differences between Windows 11 Pro and Home include enhanced security and management features, making Pro suitable for users handling sensitive data or requiring remote access.

Winsage

March 1, 2026

Windows 11 continues gaining traction, nears 75% market share — Windows 10 finally on the way out, some five months after Microsoft axes support

Windows 11 has an installation rate of nearly 75% on desktop PCs globally, with a market share of 72.78%, up from just over 50% in late 2025. Windows 10's installations have decreased to 26.27% from around 45% during the same period. Launched in October 2021, Windows 11 gained popularity after Microsoft announced the end of support for Windows 10, although its adoption faced challenges due to hardware requirements and the need for a Microsoft account. Users have sought workarounds for these limitations, but Microsoft has tightened restrictions. Some former Windows 10 users are switching to alternatives like macOS or Linux instead of upgrading to new Microsoft-promoted PCs. Windows 11 has also encountered technical issues, including a missing sign-in password icon, reduced gaming performance on certain Nvidia GPUs, and data loss due to BitLocker recovery. Microsoft has committed to addressing these issues in the near future.

Winsage

March 1, 2026

Forget ‘debloat apps.’ Sophia Script gives you real control over Windows 11. Here’s how it works.

Windows 11 users often find system settings dispersed and many functionalities unconfigurable. The Sophia Script for Windows is an open-source PowerShell module designed to debloat and optimize Windows 10 and 11. It requires manual adjustments to select desired optimizations. To use the script, users must download it via PowerShell or from GitHub, extract files, and run the SophiaScriptWrapper.exe to import the Sophia.ps1 file. Users can customize functions and export a custom script before executing it. The script requires specific commands to run and may prompt users for selections during operation. Users can also run individual functions without modifying the entire script. The Sophia Script offers advanced control over privacy settings and system functions, appealing to power users who seek deeper customization beyond standard interfaces.

Winsage

March 1, 2026

Forget ‘debloat apps.’ Sophia Script gives you real control over Windows 11. Here’s how it works.

Windows 11 users often find system settings scattered, making configurations difficult to access. The Sophia Script for Windows is an open-source PowerShell module designed to debloat and optimize Windows 11 and 10. It requires manual modifications for customization and can be downloaded via PowerShell or from GitHub. Users must extract files, run the SophiaScriptWrapper.exe, and import the Sophia.ps1 file to customize and export their script. To execute the script, users must navigate to the script's directory in PowerShell, set execution policies, and run the customized script. Individual functions can also be executed by navigating to the script directory and using specific commands. The Sophia Script offers extensive control over system-level functions, allowing for deep customization of privacy settings and system behaviors, but may not be suitable for all users due to its complexity.

Winsage

March 1, 2026

Windows Wrap: Windows 11’s new Start menu is a masterclass in frustration — I just scored you an exclusive deal to save 25% on Start11 to fix it

Microsoft's recent updates to the Start menu in Windows 11 have led to user disappointment, with popular applications being placed in an "Other" folder and illogical groupings of apps. A poll by Windows Central indicated that 43% of respondents find the new Start menu more cluttered than the previous version, while 25% miss the control they had over its layout. Users desire greater customization options, including the elimination of advertisements, the ability to reposition the taskbar, customizable categories for app organization, resizing the Start menu, and collapsing sections within the menu. Microsoft has committed to allowing users to move the taskbar, aligning Windows 11 more closely with Windows 10 functionality. An exclusive 25% discount on Start11 from Stardock is available for 14 days from publication.

Winsage

March 1, 2026

Windows 11’s February Insider update adds new features — but which ones actually matter? Here are the 11 biggest.

Microsoft has released enhancements to Windows 11 in build 26300.7877, including: - Modern content menu improvements, showing application icons for specific file types when right-clicked. - Updates to File Explorer with dark mode improvements for the Folder Options dialog. - Changes to the Settings app for better clarity and usability. - A redesigned "About" settings page focusing on key hardware specifications. - Introduction of the Cross-Device Resume feature, allowing users to resume applications from Android devices on Windows 11. - New customization options for the Narrator tool, enabling users to select which properties are read aloud. - Windows Hello now supports external biometric fingerprint readers for enhanced security. - Voice Typing updates allowing users to set a wait time before executing voice commands. - Redesigned SCOOBE page for a streamlined setup process. - Expansion of the AI agent in the Settings app to support additional languages. - Quick Machine Recovery feature enabled by default on Windows 11 Pro editions. - Camera support for pan and tilt settings accessible from device properties. - A new network speed test feature available from the Taskbar. - Improvements to the Widgets dashboard with a new settings page. Additionally, changes from build 28020.1619 are related to version 26H1, designed for new ARM64 hardware expected in 2026, and the Canary Channel has been divided into two paths for different versions.

Winsage

March 1, 2026

A feature Windows 11 should have had on release is finally rolling out, says Microsoft

Windows 11 users will receive colored battery icons and percentage indicators with the KB5077241 update. This feature, initially previewed in late 2024 and expected to launch in November 2025, is now being rolled out more broadly after delays. The February 2026 update will activate these features for a wider audience. Users can access the update via Windows Update and enable the "Battery percentage" option in the Settings menu. This addition aligns Windows 11 with other operating systems like Android and macOS, enhancing the user experience by providing clearer battery information.