Windows 8 Archives

Winsage

December 28, 2024

8 classic Windows features you can bring back with free tools

Windows 11 has introduced a range of tools and solutions to help users restore familiar features from previous versions of Windows. 1. GadgetPack: Revives Gadgets from Windows Vista for Windows 10 and 11, modernizing them with new functionalities like clipboard history, battery meters, and multi-core CPU monitors. 2. Media Player Classic - Home Cinema (MPC-HC): An alternative to the classic Windows Media Player, offering robust support for modern file formats and additional features. 3. OpenShell: A tool that restores the classic Start menu experience, allowing customization to resemble styles from Windows 95, XP, or Vista. 4. ExplorerPatcher: Restores classic taskbar functionality, including resizing and moving options, and reverts File Explorer to earlier command bars and context menus. 5. Task Switcher Options: ExplorerPatcher also allows users to customize the task switcher to resemble earlier Windows versions, including simplified views. 6. WinAero Tweaker: Provides a theme that evokes the Aero style of Windows 7, enhancing the nostalgic aesthetic. 7. Windows Photo Viewer: Can be re-enabled through a registry tweak, allowing users to access the familiar image viewing experience without additional software.

Winsage

December 25, 2024

5 ways to make Windows 11 boot faster without new hardware

Windows can exhibit sluggishness during boot times, which can be improved without hardware upgrades or reinstallation. 1. Disable unnecessary startup programs using Task Manager to enhance boot times. 2. Adjust the Fast Startup feature in Control Panel, as it can sometimes hinder performance. 3. Reduce the operating system selection timeout in System Properties to streamline booting for users with multiple operating systems. 4. Uninstall unneeded applications to free up resources. 5. Ensure sufficient free space on your SSD, as full SSDs can degrade performance.

Winsage

December 23, 2024

Microsoft Windows IoT for Client Systems: A Historical Journey and Today’s Latest Innovations

Microsoft's Windows Embedded and Windows IoT products began in 1999 with Windows NT Embedded, codenamed Impala. Windows XP Embedded, known as Mantis, expanded toolkit capabilities with tools like Target Designer and Component Designer. Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 catered to the point-of-sale sector, maintaining a consistent kernel across consumer and embedded versions. Windows CE supported mobile devices with various architectures and reached its end of support in 2023. Windows Embedded 7 Standard and Windows 7 for Embedded Systems required special licensing agreements. Windows Embedded Standard 8 did not succeed in the industrial market, while Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, launched in 2015, introduced LTSB/LTSC options with a decade of security updates. A tiered licensing structure was introduced for Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, accommodating different CPU performances. The Base license allowed Windows 10 IoT Enterprise on industrial Arm devices, specifically the NXP i.MX8 family. Windows 11 21H2 established the General Availability Channel for IoT, with Windows 11 IoT Enterprise 2024 LTSC set to debut in May 2024. Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC supports Arm Qualcomm CPUs and introduces features like USB 4.0 and Wi-Fi 6/7 support, along with a commitment to 10 years of security updates. Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 LTSC will remain supported until 2031.

Winsage

December 13, 2024

Windows 10’s end is coming: here’s what you should do about it

Microsoft will cease support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Windows 10 was launched in July 2015 and replaced Windows 8. Users can upgrade to Windows 11 if their hardware meets the minimum specifications, which include a 1 GHz CPU, 4 GB of RAM, and 64 GB of storage, along with a second-generation Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and UEFI BIOS capable of secure boot. Many older PCs may not qualify for the upgrade, requiring at least an 8th Gen Intel processor or a Zen+ AMD processor. Users can also consider installing Linux distributions like Ubuntu or ChromeOS on older PCs. Remaining on Windows 10 after support ends poses security risks and limits access to updates.

Winsage

December 8, 2024

Last 48 Hours of Cyber Week Flash Sale: Lifetime Office Suite Starts from $15.29 and Windows 11 Pro for Just $13.29!

The Cyber Week Flash Sale offers premium Microsoft products at discounted prices, including Windows 11 Pro for .25 and Office 2021 Pro for .11. Office 2016 Pro is available for .29. The sale includes various Microsoft products such as Windows 10 Pro activation keys, Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, and earlier versions of Microsoft Office for both PC and Mac. Antivirus software and other tools are also available. Purchases are delivered via email, and the site is noted for its reliability.

Winsage

December 4, 2024

Microsoft closes the door on Windows 11 supporting older hardware

Microsoft has confirmed that the hardware requirements for Windows 11, including the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, are non-negotiable. The end of support for Windows 10 is set for October 2025. TPM 2.0 is essential for encrypting data, validating digital signatures, and enhancing security on Windows devices. It integrates with security features like Credential Guard, Windows Hello for Business, and BitLocker disk encryption, and supports Secure Boot. Windows 11 also requires support for virtualization-based security and hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI), limiting compatibility to CPUs released from 2018 onward. Although there are workarounds for unsupported hardware, Microsoft has tightened upgrade processes and is promoting new PC purchases to encourage upgrades from Windows 10.

Winsage

December 3, 2024

Waiting for Microsoft Windows 12 is a mistake when you can upgrade to Linux today

The tech landscape is speculating about the upcoming Windows 12, which may focus on cloud capabilities and artificial intelligence. However, some users are considering switching to Linux due to concerns about Windows becoming heavier, slower, and more intrusive. Linux is presented as a free, lightweight, and privacy-centric alternative that has become more user-friendly with modern distributions like Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Fedora. Linux is cost-effective, as it is free to download and use, while Windows 12 may require a costly subscription. Additionally, Linux offers enhanced security due to its open-source nature and robust permission settings, making it less attractive to malware. It also allows for greater customization compared to Windows. With Windows 12 being uncertain, Linux is positioned as a reliable and immediate solution for users seeking speed, flexibility, and control over their computing experience.

Winsage

November 30, 2024

Hackers claim to have cracked Microsoft’s software licensing protection almost entirely

A group of hackers claims to have cracked "almost the entire Windows and Office software licensing protection," enabling permanent activation of nearly any version of these software products. The hack reportedly works on all Windows client and server versions, including unsupported versions and license types such as Windows 7, Windows 8 and 8.1, Windows Server, and Windows 10 ESU. The method requires no third-party installations or system file modifications. The hackers intend to release further details in the coming months.

Winsage

November 29, 2024

Last 48 Hours for Black Friday Crazy Sale: Get Lifetime Office Suites Only for $15.29, Windows 11 for $13.25!

Godeal24's Black Friday Crazy Sale offers significant discounts on Microsoft Office and Windows products, with savings exceeding 90%. Office 2021 Pro is available for .11, featuring real-time collaborative editing and integration with Microsoft Teams. Office 2016 Pro is priced at .29, suitable for older systems like Windows 7. Windows 11 Pro can be upgraded for .25, while Windows 10 Pro is offered at .25. The sale includes activation keys for various operating systems and Microsoft Office versions, all guaranteed to be authentic. Customers receive immediate email delivery of their activation keys after purchase.

Winsage

November 26, 2024

Valve’s latest Steam client update no longer support Windows 7 and Window 8 systems

As of November 2024, Valve has discontinued compatibility for the Steam PC client with Windows 7 and Windows 8, meaning users on these systems will no longer receive automatic updates. Official support for these operating systems ceased on January 1, 2024. While Steam may still function on these platforms, Valve cannot guarantee continued functionality without updates. This decision is influenced by the reliance on an embedded version of Google Chrome that is incompatible with older Windows versions and the need for OS features and security enhancements exclusive to Windows 10 and later. According to Valve's October 2024 Steam Hardware & Software Survey, 96.26% of PC gamers are using Windows 10 or Windows 11, with only 0.28% on Windows 7. Windows 7 and 8 users will miss out on new features like the Steam Game Recording capability. The move aligns with industry trends, as Microsoft ended support for Windows 7 in 2020 and Windows 8 in 2023, highlighting the security risks of outdated operating systems.