Windows users Archives

Winsage

July 4, 2025

Microsoft Warns 400 Million Windows Users—Upgrade Your PC Now

Windows 11 has matched the market share of Windows 10, with less than a percentage point separating them as of the end of June, according to Statcounter. Microsoft has decided to allow Windows 10 users to continue using the older operating system for an additional year, despite urging eligible users to upgrade due to security risks. The company reports a 62% decrease in security incidents and a threefold reduction in firmware attacks for new Windows 11 PCs. Of the 700 million Windows 10 users, over 400 million are eligible for an upgrade, with around 240 million PCs lacking the necessary security hardware. Microsoft clarified that it has 1.4 billion monthly active devices, correcting earlier reports of a loss of 400 million users. The upgrade program timeline extends to either October 2025 or October 2026.

Winsage

July 4, 2025

I don’t care that Microsoft is extending Windows 10’s support, I’m still moving to Linux

Microsoft has announced free options for Windows 10 users to extend support, initially expected to require an annual fee. However, many users are still planning to transition away from Windows. Microsoft will eventually phase out Windows 10, pushing users towards Windows 11. The company aims to encourage upgrades to new hardware and software, which may lead to increased advertisements within Windows 10. Users considering the free security extension have options like syncing settings to OneDrive or redeeming Microsoft Rewards points, but these may not appeal to those planning to switch to Linux. Linux Mint is presented as a more exciting alternative, offering continuous updates and a vibrant community, attracting users looking for a dynamic computing experience.

Winsage

July 2, 2025

One of the best PowerToys features just got even better — and it puts Windows Search to shame

PowerToys has released version 0.92, introducing several enhancements: - Command Palette: Improved performance with Ahead-of-Time (AOT) compatibility for first-party extensions and core UX fixes. - Color Picker: Users can customize mouse button actions for a personalized workflow. - Bug Report Tool: Streamlined reporting process with progress indicators, improved compression, and automatic cleanup of old trace logs. - File Explorer Add-ons: Enhanced rendering stability, fixing issues with PDF previews, blank thumbnails, and text file crashes. Additional highlights include: - Crop & Lock: Updated window styling to match the current Windows theme. - Command Palette Extensions: New commands like "Copy Path" and improved input handling in the Calculator extension. - FancyZones: Resolved DPI-scaling issues for high-resolution displays. - PowerRename: Now supports date-based renaming with flexible formatting options. The development team has also made updates to enhance performance and security, including updates to .NET libraries and the WinAppSDK. PowerToys is available for free download through the Microsoft Store or GitHub.

Winsage

July 1, 2025

Microsoft’s ‘Blue Screen of Death’ Dies After 40 Years of Memes, Jokes, T-Shirts

Microsoft is replacing the blue screen of death, a critical error screen for Windows users since 1985, with a new black screen of death for Windows 11, version 24H2 devices later this summer. This change is part of Microsoft's Windows Resiliency Initiative, aimed at improving system resilience and security. The new black screen will provide essential information such as stop codes and faulty system drivers for easier diagnosis by IT administrators. The blue screen of death has become a pop-culture icon, inspiring memes, merchandise, and even a dedicated subreddit.

AppWizard

July 1, 2025

Steam just got a new performance overlay — you can now view real FPS alongside DLSS/FRS-generated frames

Steam has introduced a new performance monitor that tracks frames per second (FPS) and differentiates between genuine frames and those generated by upscaling technologies like DLSS and FSR. This feature, part of a recent client update following a successful beta test, provides insights into CPU, GPU, and RAM usage, including processor clock speeds, graphics card temperatures, and available system memory. The overlay is currently limited to Windows users and aims to enhance understanding of PC performance amidst rising hardware demands. Users can activate the overlay by navigating to Settings > In Game and selecting the Show performance monitor option.

AppWizard

July 1, 2025

Steam adds an in-game performance monitor so you can brag about hitting 900 FPS in Deus Ex

A recent update to Steam has introduced a fully integrated in-game performance monitor, transitioning from its beta phase. This upgraded tool enhances the previous frame counter with additional features, allowing users to activate it through Steam settings for real-time insights into system performance. It displays frame rate values, differentiates between frames generated by technologies like DLSS or FSR, and provides analysis of minimum and maximum frame values along with a graph of frame rate fluctuations. The monitor also tracks CPU performance, GPU performance, and system memory usage, streamlining the assessment of these metrics. Users can choose from four levels of detail and customize the display options. Future enhancements are planned, including automatic detection of common hardware performance issues. Currently, the focus is on Windows users and commonly used GPUs, with broader support expected in future updates.

Winsage

June 30, 2025

Microsoft quietly implies Windows has LOST almost half a billion users since Windows 11 debut — bleak outlook suggests Windows is haemorrhaging users

Windows is currently operational on over a billion devices, a decline from 1.4 billion reported in 2022. Windows has experienced a 15% decline in its user base over the past decade. Microsoft introduced AI-powered devices known as Copilot+ PCs in 2024, but the reception has been lukewarm. Users are concerned about the requirement for an online account to set up a new PC and the presence of ads and bloatware in Windows 11. Windows 11 is gaining market share and is expected to surpass Windows 10 as the most widely used version, but it is unlikely to achieve the same popularity as Windows 10.

Winsage

June 29, 2025

Windows seemingly lost 400 million users in the past three years — official Microsoft statements show hints of a shrinking user base

Windows currently powers over a billion active devices worldwide. Microsoft's annual report for 2022 indicated that over 1.4 billion devices were operating on Windows 10 or 11, suggesting a decline of around 400 million users over the past three years. Microsoft is encouraging users to transition to Windows 11 as support for earlier versions wanes. Despite the decline in Windows users, there has not been a corresponding increase in MacBook sales, which now contribute 7.7% to Apple's revenue. The market has many Chromebook options, particularly in educational institutions, which may lead future buyers to favor Google over Microsoft. The rise of free, web-based applications like Google Docs has prompted users to reconsider their loyalty to Microsoft.

Winsage

June 29, 2025

Microsoft Confirms 2 Free Offers—Windows Users Must Now Choose

Microsoft has abandoned its October deadline for Windows 10, affecting approximately 700 million users who can choose to remain on Windows 10 or upgrade to Windows 11. About 400 million users are eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 11, while around 240 million cannot upgrade due to hardware requirements. Users can extend support for Windows 10 until October 2026 through cloud backup, redeeming rewards points, or paying a nominal fee. Windows 10 will receive security updates for the next 12 months, but Windows 11 offers enhanced security features. Microsoft emphasizes the importance of upgrading to Windows 11 for better security. Concerns exist about user inertia and the potential slowdown in upgrade momentum. The extended support tool will soon be available to all users, and those unable to upgrade are advised to utilize it.

Winsage

June 28, 2025

5 reasons I prefer this distro over Ubuntu as a Windows-to-Linux convert

Transitioning from Windows to Linux can be challenging due to the variety of distributions available. Users often experiment with different options using virtual machines or dual-boot setups. Ubuntu is a popular choice, especially within the Windows Subsystem for Linux and Hyper-V, but Zorin OS is highlighted as a more seamless alternative for users familiar with Windows. Zorin OS provides a desktop experience similar to Windows, making it user-friendly for new Linux users. It allows customization of the taskbar's position, reminiscent of earlier Windows versions. Zorin OS also supports running Windows applications through preconfigured Wine and Bottles, simplifying the process compared to Ubuntu. Zorin OS performs well on older hardware, with its Lite version using the XFCE desktop environment to enhance responsiveness, unlike Ubuntu, which can be sluggish on legacy systems. Zorin Connect enables integration with Android devices, allowing users to sync notifications and control their desktop from mobile devices. Zorin OS is noted for its minimalist approach, optimizing resource usage and avoiding unnecessary applications, particularly in its Lite version. The author currently prefers Zorin OS over Ubuntu Core for its user-friendly design and performance but remains open to exploring other Linux distributions.