Windows computers Archives

Tech Optimizer

November 5, 2025

Hackers Are Using Linux Malware to Invisibly Bypass Windows Security

Hackers are refining tactics to evade detection by EDR systems and antivirus software, with a notable strategy being the use of Linux malware to infiltrate Windows systems. Investigations by Bitdefender and CERT-GE revealed a campaign by the Russian hacker group Curly COMrades, which exploits the Hyper-V virtualization platform on Windows 10 to create covert access channels. They utilize Alpine Linux for lightweight virtual machines that are difficult to detect, requiring only 120 MB of disk space and 256 MB of RAM. The attackers maintain persistent access using tools like Resocks and Stunnel, starting their activities in early July 2024 by activating Hyper-V on compromised systems and deploying misleading virtual machines labeled “WSL.” They introduced custom malware, CurlyShell and CurlCat, for communication and remote access. This trend of using Linux malware against Windows systems is growing, as seen in recent Qilin ransomware attacks documented by Trend Micro.

Winsage

October 11, 2025

Microsoft’s Free Windows Offer—You Have 72 Hours To Act

Users operating on Windows 10 must enroll in Microsoft's free Extended Security Updates (ESU) program before October 14, 2025, to ensure uninterrupted security updates. Enrollment in the ESU program remains available until it expires on October 14, 2026, but delaying enrollment will result in a gap in security updates. Missing the October 14 deadline does not prevent enrollment in the ESU program, but devices will be more vulnerable during any non-enrollment period. Enrolling in the ESU program does not hinder upgrading to Windows 11 if the PC meets eligibility criteria. Kaspersky experts have raised concerns about privacy implications of requiring a Microsoft account for Windows 11 setup. Nearly 40% of Windows computers still run on Windows 10, with many being fully functional but not compatible with Windows 11. Users have a year to navigate these changes before the next deadline approaches.

Winsage

October 2, 2025

Microsoft Is Abandoning Windows 10. Hackers Are Celebrating.

Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10 on October 14, impacting hundreds of millions of computers in the U.S. and raising concerns about increased electronic waste, estimated to exceed one billion pounds. Approximately 42 percent of Windows computers globally still use Windows 10, compared to only 4 percent for Windows 8 when support was discontinued in 2016. Users unable to upgrade to Windows 11 face limited options: pay for extended support or replace their devices, which can be financially burdensome. Nearly 43 percent of active PCs running Windows 10 are not equipped to upgrade to Windows 11, which requires a 64-bit processor, 64 GB of storage, and a high-definition display. Without ongoing updates, devices running unsupported software become more vulnerable to hacking and data breaches. The FBI estimates that internet crimes will cost U.S. consumers over billion in 2024, a 33 percent increase from the previous year. Consumer advocates emphasize the need for manufacturers to disclose support timelines, with 72 percent of Americans believing this information should be mandatory.

AppWizard

August 17, 2025

35 years of Microsoft Solitaire: An illustrated history of the game’s evolution

Microsoft Solitaire has been played by over 500 million players worldwide since its launch in 1990 as part of Windows 3.0. It was inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame in 2019. The game has been localized into 65 languages and is available on various devices, despite no longer being pre-installed on Windows computers. Originally designed to help users learn mouse functionality, Solitaire became a popular choice for players seeking a break from daily life. With the release of Windows XP in 2001, online competition emerged, but traditional Solitaire remained popular. In 2015, Microsoft released Solitaire as a downloadable app within the Windows Store, including classic modes and new challenges. The game has inspired various adaptations and alternatives, while some players, like Ariana Torrey, continue to appreciate its nostalgic simplicity.

Winsage

July 29, 2025

Windows 10 turns ten years old today

Microsoft released Windows 10 on July 29, 2015, as a response to dissatisfaction with Windows 8. The operating system replaced the touch-centric design of Windows 8 with a more traditional desktop experience and began to surpass Windows 7 in popularity between spring 2017 and early 2018. By the end of 2021, over 80 percent of Windows computers were running Windows 10, aided by free upgrade offers. Jerry Nixon, a senior developer at Microsoft, referred to Windows 10 as the "last Windows," a sentiment echoed in the Windows Internals manual. However, Windows 11 was announced on June 24, 2021, and officially released on October 5, 2021. Despite free upgrades from Windows 10, Windows 11 has struggled to gain popularity due to its lack of groundbreaking features and stringent system requirements. As of now, Windows 10 remains installed on over half of all Windows PCs and laptops. General support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025, after which users will no longer receive security updates.

Winsage

July 29, 2025

Microsoft quietly fixed Windows 11 24H2 issues caused by past update

Microsoft has confirmed that the mandatory Windows 11 24H2 updates have negatively impacted the operating system's stability. Users have reported various error messages while trying to install updates KB5060842 and KB5063060, including 0x800f0922, 0x80070002, 0x80070306, and 0x800f0991. Gamers have experienced unexpected restarts, taskbar freezes, erroneous Windows Firewall notifications, and performance drops in games. Microsoft has addressed these stability concerns in the optional preview update KB5062660, which is not automatically installed and is scheduled for general release in August. Users can manually install it to mitigate the issues. Microsoft plans to enhance Windows 11's performance and stability by implementing stricter driver standards.

Winsage

July 28, 2025

Microsoft mysteriously offers Windows 11 upgrade on incompatible PCs

The transition to Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0 as a hardware prerequisite. Some users are receiving upgrade prompts for Windows 11 on devices that do not have TPM 2.0, despite Microsoft not announcing any changes to the system requirements. There are reports that some devices may have TPM 2.0 disabled, leading to confusion about the upgrade notifications. Microsoft continues to uphold the requirement for TPM 2.0 for Windows 11. Users on Windows 10 can enroll in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for an additional year of security updates.

Winsage

July 24, 2025

Windows 11 officially kills the Blue Screen of Death in latest update

Microsoft has replaced the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) with a Black Screen of Death in Windows 11 update KB5062660, which is available for manual installation. The update is part of the optional cumulative updates for Windows 11 version 24H2 and will upgrade the system to Build 26100.4770. The new BSOD features a black background, omits the sad emoticon and QR code, and displays for about two seconds. The update also introduces enhancements for AI-capable PCs, the Recall feature for selective blocking of applications and websites in the EU, and the Quick Machine Recovery feature for faster system recovery.

Winsage

July 24, 2025

Goodbye, blue screen of death. I won’t miss you

Microsoft has announced the retirement of the "blue screen of death," a long-standing error screen in Windows, as part of its Windows Resiliency Initiative. This change marks the end of an era that has lasted over three decades. The blue screen will be replaced by a black restart screen that displays a simplified message: “Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart,” along with a code for technical details and a progress indicator. The frequency of critical errors has decreased in recent years, partly due to better internet connectivity and software updates.

Winsage

July 14, 2025

Microsoft’s extra year of free Windows 10 security updates feels like a last-minute snooze button — while groups like “The Restart Project” still want to help users

Microsoft will officially cease support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Users are expressing dissatisfaction with Windows 11 due to its stringent system requirements and design flaws. The Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) has launched a petition against Microsoft's decision, warning it could lead to significant electronic waste and contradicts Microsoft's sustainability goals. Microsoft plans to extend security updates for Windows 10, but users must sync their settings with a Microsoft Account to receive them. Approximately 400 million Windows 10 PCs may not be able to upgrade to Windows 11. The Restart Project highlights that nearly half of all Windows computers still run on Windows 10 and is advocating for repair and the use of free and open-source operating systems. They have developed an 'End of Windows 10' toolkit for community repair groups. The Restart Project has called for stronger durability and repairability rules, economic changes to discourage disposable products, and increased efforts for reuse and repair of electronic waste. Windows 11 has surpassed Windows 10 in market share, with reports indicating 50.88% for Windows 11 compared to 46.2% for Windows 10. Microsoft claims that Windows 11 PCs are significantly faster than Windows 10 PCs, although this has been met with skepticism.