Windows 11 Home Archives

Winsage

October 13, 2026

Normally $199, Windows 11 Pro is only $15 this week

Windows 11 Pro includes features that enhance productivity and security compared to Windows 11 Home, such as BitLocker for full disk encryption, Hyper-V and Windows Sandbox for creating virtual machines, and integration with Azure AD for business network connections. It retains core features like Snap layouts for multitasking and DirectX 12 Ultimate for gaming performance. It also supports biometric login with TPM 2.0 and includes a Copilot feature for assistance. A lifetime license for Windows 11 Pro is currently priced at .99.

Winsage

October 12, 2026

Windows 11’s easiest account bypass gets the Microsoft boot

Microsoft has closed a loophole in the setup process for consumer versions of Windows 11 that allowed users to bypass the requirement for a Microsoft account. Previously, users could click on the "Learn More" option during setup to enter a name and password without needing an account. This workaround has been confirmed as removed by Windows enthusiast Bob Pony. Attempts to replicate this method on genuine Intel hardware have shown it is no longer functional. Users must now navigate a more complex array of workarounds to set up Windows 11 without an account. Microsoft mandates account creation during the initial setup for both Windows 11 Home and Pro editions intended for personal use.

Winsage

October 12, 2026

Windows 11 24H2 hits end of updates Oct. 13: What you should do now

Windows 11 version 24H2 for Home and Pro systems will stop receiving security updates on October 13, 2026. After this date, these editions will not receive any updates or technical support, although they will still boot. Windows 11 Enterprise, Education, IoT Enterprise, and Enterprise multi-session editions will continue to receive support until October 12, 2027. Organizations are advised to verify their systems' versions and editions, especially for those without endpoint management systems. Windows 11 25H2 and 26H2 are available as upgrade options, with 25H2 supported until October 12, 2027, and 26H2 supported until October 10, 2028, for Home and Pro editions. The rollout of 26H2 will be phased, and safeguard holds may be implemented if compatibility issues are detected. Unmanaged Home and Pro devices on 24H2 will automatically receive 25H2, while managed devices may require IT intervention. Regular monitoring and proactive management of Windows versions are necessary to ensure compliance and avoid future deadlines.

Winsage

October 12, 2026

$199 worth of Windows 11 Pro is yours for $14.99, forever

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is currently available for .99, down from its MSRP of 9. This lifetime license includes advanced features not found in Windows 11 Home, such as BitLocker for drive encryption, Hyper-V for virtualization, and Windows Sandbox for running isolated applications. Additional features include Snap layouts for multitasking, DirectX 12 Ultimate for gaming, and biometric login supported by TPM 2.0. The purchase covers a single PC for life with no ongoing subscription fees.

Winsage

October 6, 2026

Windows 11 26H2 Delivers 40% Faster Apps for 16 GB Systems; 8 GB Machines Left Behind

Windows 11 version 26H2 was released on September 29, 2026, featuring performance enhancements for users with 16 GB or more of RAM, including a reduction in idle memory consumption by 2–3 GB and a 40% acceleration in application and system interface launches. The update package is 174 kilobytes and activates previously dormant features, resetting the support lifecycle for Windows 11 Home and Pro until October 2028. The Low Latency Profile is a key feature that boosts CPU clock speed temporarily during application launches, resulting in faster interactions, with independent tests showing a 70% improvement in opening the Start menu. Users with 16 GB or more of RAM have reported idle RAM dropping from over 10 GB to around 7 GB after the update. However, users with 8 GB of RAM have experienced minimal improvements and high idle memory utilization. Microsoft is committed to optimizing Windows for 8 GB machines, but early reports suggest limited gains from 26H2.

Winsage

October 4, 2026

For 2 days, you can get Windows 11 Pro for just $10

Windows 11 Pro is available for .97 until October 4, a significant discount from its regular price of 9. The upgrade allows users to access features such as BitLocker for drive encryption, Hyper-V for virtual machines, and Windows Sandbox for testing applications. It also includes Azure AD support for businesses, Snap layouts for multitasking, DirectX 12 Ultimate for gaming, biometric sign-in options, and Copilot in the taskbar for various tasks. Users should run Microsoft’s PC Health Check app to ensure their hardware meets the requirements for Windows 11, which include a 1 GHz processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, UEFI firmware, and TPM 2.0.

Winsage

October 3, 2026

Windows 11 Spotted Keeping Thumbnails of Deleted Photos

Windows 11 uses a thumbnail caching mechanism to store previews of images in specific databases located in %LocalAppData%MicrosoftWindowsExplorer, such as thumbcache32.db and thumbcache1024.db. When a user deletes an image, the corresponding thumbnail may remain in the cache, as deletion does not automatically remove it from the thumbnail database. The cache retains only reduced versions of images, not the original files, which is significant in digital forensics where thumbnails can provide insights even when original files are missing. Users can manage their thumbnail cache using the cleanmgr tool to clear saved thumbnails or disable thumbnail caching through the Local Group Policy Editor or File Explorer settings.

Winsage

September 24, 2026

Windows 11 Pro is now only $10

Windows 11 Pro includes advanced features such as BitLocker for full disk encryption, Hyper-V and Windows Sandbox for running virtual machines, and integration with Azure Active Directory for business connectivity. It also offers Snap layouts for multitasking, DirectX 12 Ultimate for gaming, biometric login options with TPM 2.0 for enhanced security, and a Copilot feature for productivity assistance. A lifetime license for Windows 11 Pro is available for .97 until October 4.

Winsage

September 20, 2026

How Windows turned months of inactivity into a 7-hour update hostage situation

Microsoft is working to reduce the memory footprint of Windows, aiming for acceptable performance with 8 GB of RAM. However, users face challenges with lengthy update processes, as demonstrated by a recent experience where a laptop took approximately seven hours to boot due to numerous updates. This includes patches for Windows components, firmware, and drivers, leading to multiple restarts and frustrating progress bar behavior. The tech industry is recognizing the need for greater efficiencies, but Microsoft must also address the overwhelming frequency of updates that hinder user experience.

Winsage

September 19, 2026

Microsoft Surface Pro 13″ (12th Edition) Review: Is ARM Windows Finally Good?

The 13-inch Microsoft Surface Pro 12th Edition is the first model to feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2. The review unit has an X2 Plus processor, 16 GB of RAM, and a 512 GB SSD. It runs Windows 11 Home in its ARM variant, allowing for the installation of applications like Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro, which now run natively. However, some limitations exist, such as missing features in Premiere Pro and longer export times. The device is available in two configurations, with the higher-end variant featuring the X2 Elite processor. Benchmark results show improved performance over its predecessor, particularly in Geekbench 6. The easily swappable SSD is a notable feature, and the device can become warm during intensive tasks. The gaming performance is mixed, with some titles running well while others struggle. The display is a 13-inch PixelSense LCD with a resolution of 2,880 x 1,920 pixels and a brightness level of 600 nits. The audio features stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos. The build quality is premium, with a weight of 895 grams and a thickness of 9.3 millimeters. Connectivity includes two USB-C ports with USB4 and DisplayPort capabilities, but lacks USB-A and a headphone jack. The device has an IR scanner for face recognition and a front camera that captures 1440p video. It offers three keyboard options and includes the Slim Pen 2 in some bundles. Battery life is approximately 7.15 hours while looping an HD YouTube video at maximum brightness, with efficient charging options available.