Windows Subsystem Archives

Winsage

December 29, 2025

Microsoft Adds Sudo to Windows 11 24H2 for Seamless Elevated Commands

Microsoft has introduced the sudo command in Windows 11 version 24H2, allowing users to execute commands with elevated privileges directly from a standard command prompt or PowerShell window. Users can enable this feature via Settings under System > For Developers. Sudo can run commands in three modes: “in a new window,” “with input disabled,” and “inline.” The inline mode runs the elevated command in the same console session, preserving context and variables. Microsoft has open-sourced the project on GitHub, inviting community contributions. Sudo integrates with User Account Control (UAC) for security, ensuring every elevation request is vetted. It simplifies administrative tasks for software engineers and system administrators, particularly in corporate environments where full admin access is restricted. The feature works seamlessly in Windows Terminal and supports Azure integrations. While some users have reported compatibility issues, Microsoft emphasizes that sudo is a developer tool rather than a complete replacement for Linux's sudo. Future developments may include community-driven extensions and integration with Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).

Winsage

December 23, 2025

Ex-Microsoft engineer says ‘Windows sucks’ and explains how it could be fixed

A former Microsoft engineer, Dave Plummer, has criticized the Windows operating system for lacking in key areas, particularly following Microsoft's discontinuation of support for Windows 10, which leaves millions of users vulnerable to malware and cyber threats. Many Windows 10 users remain unprotected, risking their personal data. Microsoft has introduced payment options for Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10, but many users have not taken action to safeguard their systems. Approximately 500 million computers eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 11 are still on Windows 10, with Windows 11 holding a market share of 53.7% and Windows 10 at 42.7%. Plummer advocates for a "hardcore mode" for advanced users and greater transparency regarding data collection. He criticizes Microsoft's aggressive marketing strategies within Windows, which he believes undermine user autonomy. Despite his critiques, he acknowledges the strengths of Windows, including its mature core engine and file management capabilities.

Winsage

December 15, 2025

Microsoft: Recent Windows updates break VPN access for WSL users

Microsoft has acknowledged that recent security updates for Windows 11 are causing networking complications for enterprise users utilizing the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), particularly affecting those who installed the KB5067036 update from October 28, 2025, or subsequent updates like KB5072033. Users are experiencing difficulties with certain third-party VPN applications when the mirrored mode networking feature is enabled, leading to "No route to host" errors within WSL environments. This issue primarily impacts OpenVPN and Cisco Secure Client. The root cause is the failure of VPN applications' virtual network interfaces to respond to Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) requests. Home users on Windows Home or Pro editions are unlikely to be affected. Microsoft is investigating the issue but has not provided a timeline for a resolution or workarounds. WSL, launched in March 2018, allows users to run Linux distributions natively on Windows, with WSL 2 introduced in May 2019 featuring a real Linux kernel. Microsoft open-sourced WSL at Microsoft Build 2025, making its source code available on GitHub, except for some components that remain part of Windows.

Winsage

November 18, 2025

Microsoft Finally Makes Sysmon Native To Windows

Sysmon is a system monitoring tool that traditionally requires users to download and install it from Microsoft's Sysinternals page, often leading to its deployment only after issues arise. Pre-installing Sysmon can enhance proactive monitoring and issue diagnosis. Its effectiveness can be improved through tailored configurations, with resources available from Bleeping Computer for specific use cases like monitoring DNS queries. Additionally, Sysmon can now be installed on Linux systems via the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), increasing its accessibility and versatility for users familiar with Sysmon.

Winsage

November 14, 2025

A fan project called Windows Astria resurrects Windows Phone from Microsoft’s graveyard, showing off what the OS could have been while reminding us why it still inspires tech nostalgia today

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella reflected on the company's exit from the mobile phone market, describing it as one of his most difficult decisions and expressing a sense of missed opportunity. Former CEO Steve Ballmer noted that a mix of "paranoia and confidence" may have limited Microsoft's ability to succeed in the smartphone market. The decline of Windows Phone was attributed to a weak app ecosystem, which the new concept, Windows Astria, aims to improve by running Android apps natively. Windows Astria incorporates elements from Windows 11 and features like Live Tiles, designed for modern screens. The concept also adapts to larger screens and foldable devices, showcasing potential applications like MS Word and a system-integrated Wallet app.

BetaBeacon

November 13, 2025

Valve cracks the door on Steam to Android games

Valve's Steam has 35+ million concurrent users, making it the largest PC gaming storefront in terms of active engagement. Android games will run natively on Valve's new Steam Frame, which runs on an Arm-based Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 platform. Developers can reuse their existing toolchain when bringing Android games to Steam, but will need to integrate Steamworks features. Valve's broader Arm ambitions include paving the way for SteamOS to be more broadly supported across Arm devices. By embracing Android games, Valve is breaking down platform walls to benefit developers and players, potentially making it one of Steam's most important platform expansions in years.

Winsage

November 12, 2025

Microsoft Fixes 63 Security Flaws, Including a Windows Kernel Zero-Day Under Active Attack

On November 12, 2025, Microsoft released patches for 63 vulnerabilities, including four classified as Critical and 59 as Important. Notably, CVE-2025-62215, a privilege escalation flaw in the Windows Kernel with a CVSS score of 7.0, is actively exploited. This vulnerability allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally through a race condition. Additionally, Microsoft patched two heap-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities (CVE-2025-60724 and CVE-2025-62220) with CVSS scores of 9.8 and 8.8, respectively, which could lead to remote code execution. Another significant vulnerability is CVE-2025-60704, a privilege escalation flaw in Windows Kerberos with a CVSS score of 7.5, enabling attackers to impersonate users and control a domain. Other vendors, including Adobe, Amazon Web Services, and Apple, also released security updates addressing various vulnerabilities.

Winsage

November 12, 2025

Microsoft Releases November 2025 Patch Tuesday Updates

Microsoft has rolled out its November 2025 Patch Tuesday updates for Windows 11, addressing 63 vulnerabilities across various platforms, including Windows, Office, Microsoft Edge, Azure Monitor Agent, Dynamics 365, Hyper-V, and SQL Server. The update includes four critical and 59 important vulnerabilities, with one currently being exploited. Key vulnerabilities fixed include: - CVE-2025-62215: A privilege escalation vulnerability in the Windows Kernel. - CVE-2025-60724: A critical heap-based buffer overflow in the Microsoft Graphics Component (GDI+) enabling remote code execution, rated CVSS 9.8. - CVE-2025-60704: A high-severity vulnerability in Windows Kerberos, rated CVSS 7.5. - CVE-2025-62220: A heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows Subsystem for Linux GUI (WSLg), rated CVSS 8.8. - CVE-2025-60719: An untrusted pointer dereference in the Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock. The update enhances features for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, improving Click to Do, File Explorer, Voice Access, and Windows Search for Copilot+ devices. The taskbar has been updated with a new battery icon, and the Start Menu has been redesigned to include a scrollable All section. A preview of the Administrator Protection feature has been introduced to prevent unauthorized changes. Additionally, Microsoft released KB5068781 for Windows 10 Extended Security Updates, fixing an incorrect “end of support” message and addressing the same 63 vulnerabilities. Organizations are advised to conduct thorough testing before deploying the patches and to back up systems to mitigate potential issues.

Winsage

November 12, 2025

Microsoft November 2025 Patch Tuesday fixes 1 zero-day, 63 flaws

Microsoft's November 2025 Patch Tuesday addresses a total of 63 vulnerabilities, including one actively exploited zero-day flaw (CVE-2025-62215) related to Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege. The updates include four vulnerabilities classified as "Critical," with two for remote code execution, one for elevation of privileges, and one for information disclosure. The breakdown of vulnerabilities is as follows: - 29 Elevation of Privilege Vulnerabilities - 2 Security Feature Bypass Vulnerabilities - 16 Remote Code Execution Vulnerabilities - 11 Information Disclosure Vulnerabilities - 3 Denial of Service Vulnerabilities - 2 Spoofing Vulnerabilities This Patch Tuesday marks the first extended security update (ESU) for Windows 10, and users are encouraged to upgrade to Windows 11 or enroll in the ESU program. Microsoft has also released an out-of-band update to assist with enrollment issues. Other companies, including Adobe, Cisco, and Google, have also issued security updates in November 2025.

Winsage

November 11, 2025

The 7 apps I always install first on a Windows 11 PC — and they’re all FREE

PowerToys is an open-source collection of utilities that enhances productivity for Windows 11 users, featuring tools like FancyZones for window management and Image Resizer. Google Chrome is a popular web browser known for its synchronization across devices. Steam is a primary gaming platform with a robust library and the ability to stream games to a Steam Deck. The Heroic Games Launcher is a third-party alternative to the Epic Games Launcher, offering customizable features and support for GOG and Amazon Games libraries. GIMP is a powerful open-source photo editing tool that provides advanced features without the cost of commercial software. The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) allows seamless integration between Windows and Linux, supporting applications like Docker Desktop and Visual Studio Code. Spotify is used for audio entertainment, helping users maintain focus during work. Tools like Ninite, the Microsoft Store, and winget streamline the installation of applications on Windows 11, with winstall.app providing a user-friendly interface for generating installation scripts.