Windows users Archives

Tech Optimizer

June 18, 2025

AVG Antivirus Review 2025: Robust Free Version but Middling Premium Plans

AVG Antivirus offers a freemium model with a suite of cybersecurity tools. The Ultimate plan scored 7.6/10 overall, with the following breakdown: Performance 9/10, Security 7/10, Customer Support 7/10, Usability 9/10, Value 7/10, and Features 7/10. The free version includes scan scheduling and protection against ransomware, while the paid AVG Internet Security covers up to 10 devices. AVG Ultimate includes a VPN and performance tools but lacks some advanced privacy features found in competitors. Usability testing showed intuitive account navigation, though installation was complex. AVG's antivirus engine achieved a 99.3% online detection rate, but there are concerns about data-sharing policies and past breaches. Customer support includes a knowledge base and 24/7 live chat, but experiences were often unsatisfactory. AVG's pricing is competitive, especially for its free option, but may not meet the needs of users requiring advanced features.

Winsage

June 18, 2025

Jim Rossman: More questions about the end of Windows 10 and third-party patching

The conclusion of Microsoft support for Windows 10 has prompted users to reconsider their operating systems and the future of their digital environments.

Winsage

June 17, 2025

Millions Of Windows Users Get Microsoft’s Free Upgrade Offer

As of June 17, Windows 10's global market share has fallen below 50% for the first time, now at 48.9%, while Windows 11 is at 47.7%. This suggests that nearly 60 million users have switched from Windows 10 to Windows 11. In the United States, Windows 11 holds 55.2% of the market compared to Windows 10's 42.0%. In Asia, Windows 10's share has decreased from 59% to 49%, while Windows 11 has increased to over 46%. Approximately 700 million users remain on Windows 10, with over 240 million devices not meeting the upgrade requirements. Microsoft is encouraging users to upgrade and will introduce a migration tool to facilitate the transition. The upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is free for compatible PCs, but unsupported systems may face security risks post-October 14.

Winsage

June 16, 2025

Windows Server update may disrupt IP refreshes

Microsoft has acknowledged that the June security update has caused complications for users of Windows Server systems, specifically affecting the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) service, which is failing and leading to improper functioning of IP refreshes. The issue impacts multiple versions of Windows Server, including 2016 (KB5061010), 2019 (KB5060531), 2022 (KB5060526), and 2025 (KB5060842). Users have reported that the DHCP service may stop responding after installing the update, with one administrator noting their 2016 server crashed shortly after the update was applied. Microsoft is working on a solution and advises affected users to uninstall the update to restore functionality. The company has a history of DHCP-related issues dating back over a decade and has faced other problems with Windows Server updates in the past year, including issues with keyboard and mouse inputs and authentication challenges.

Winsage

June 13, 2025

With support for Windows 10 ending, LibreOffice creator thinks you should switch to Linux instead of Windows 11

Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, prompting users to consider upgrading to Windows 11, sticking with Windows 10, or switching to Linux. The Document Foundation (TDF) advocates for migrating to a Linux distribution as a cost-effective solution, arguing that the transition to Windows 11 involves hidden costs and is driven by Microsoft's interests in promoting cloud services and subscription models. TDF promotes LibreOffice as a viable alternative to Microsoft Office, highlighting its compatibility with Microsoft formats. They encourage Windows users to adopt Linux and LibreOffice for greater user freedom, community support, and transparency, free from licensing fees and invasive telemetry. TDF expresses disappointment over Microsoft's decision to phase out Windows 10 and suggests that users view this change as an opportunity for a new computing era. They recommend steps for transitioning to Linux and LibreOffice, including testing the software on a separate partition and hiring a consultant for migration assistance.

Winsage

June 12, 2025

Microsoft Installs Emergency Update On Windows PCs

Microsoft has issued an emergency update for Windows users in June to address issues related to the June update (Windows 11 24H2 KB5060842), which caused significant problems for users with Easy Anti-Cheat gaming software. The initial update was paused due to stability concerns, and a patch was applied, but it did not resolve the issues. Users reported installation failures with error code (0x80073712). Microsoft acknowledged compatibility issues and ultimately retracted the faulty update, replacing it with the emergency update KB5063060. This new update addresses unexpected reboots while launching games that use Easy Anti-Cheat and will automatically download and install on affected devices.

Winsage

June 11, 2025

Windows 10 Support Ends in 4 Months. Here’s What You Need to Know

Windows 11 began its rollout to eligible devices in October 2021. The official end of support for Windows 10 is set for October 14, 2025. A significant portion of over one billion Windows users have yet to upgrade to Windows 11. Windows 11 features a redesigned Start Menu, improved multitasking capabilities, and greater accessibility to Android apps. After support for Windows 10 ends, users can still use the software, but it will no longer receive security updates. Free upgrades to eligible Windows 10 PCs have been available since October 5, 2021, and will continue through 2025. Users on Windows 7 must first upgrade to Windows 10 to qualify for the free upgrade to Windows 11. A definitive timeline for the end of support for Windows 11 is uncertain, but it is expected to have a similar lifespan to Windows 10.

Winsage

June 11, 2025

Microsoft fixes unreachable Windows Server domain controllers

Microsoft addressed a significant issue with Windows Server 2025 domain controllers that made some servers unreachable after a restart, affecting applications and services reliant on them. The problem was due to servers loading the standard firewall profile instead of the intended domain firewall profile after a reboot, leading to improper network traffic management. This misconfiguration caused accessibility challenges for services and applications on affected servers. Microsoft released the KB5060842 security update to resolve this issue during the June 2025 Patch Tuesday. A temporary workaround involves manually restarting the network adapter on affected servers using the Restart-NetAdapter * PowerShell command, which must be done after each reboot until the update is installed. Additionally, Microsoft fixed another issue preventing some users from logging into accounts via Windows Hello after the installation of the KB5055523 April 2025 security update.

Winsage

June 11, 2025

Microsoft Windows Secure Boot Bypass Confirmed

The second Tuesday of each month is when Microsoft releases monthly security updates for Windows. A significant zero-day vulnerability, CVE-2025-3052, has been identified, affecting all Windows users and allowing a Secure Boot bypass. This vulnerability could compromise system integrity by enabling malware to infiltrate Windows PCs and servers. CVE-2025-3052 is classified as a memory corruption issue within a module signed with Microsoft’s third-party UEFI certificate and can execute unsigned code during the boot process, potentially allowing attackers to install bootkits.

Winsage

June 11, 2025

Patch your Windows PC now before bootkit malware takes it over

Microsoft's June updates address a significant vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-3052, which allows attackers to gain control over a PC via bootkit malware by bypassing the Secure Boot feature. This memory corruption issue enables unsigned code to run during the boot process, compromising the system's chain of trust. The vulnerability allows an attacker to sign a compromised UEFI application with Microsoft’s third-party certificates, granting it unrestricted execution rights. Although the flaw has not been exploited in real-world scenarios, it has been present since late 2022. Microsoft has released a patch for this flaw, and users of Windows 10 or 11 are advised to download the latest updates to protect their PCs. Additionally, June's Patch Tuesday addressed a total of 66 weaknesses, including another Secure Boot flaw (CVE-2025-4275) and a zero-day vulnerability (CVE-2025-33053).