Windows 11 catches up to Windows 10 just months before support deadline
Microsoft denies losing 400 million Windows users in the last few years
No Windows 12 yet: Microsoft rolls out Windows 11 25H2 preview build
A faster install is promised for the next major update
Windows loses 400 million users as mobile, Linux, and Mac use grows (or not?)
In brief: Just over one billion active devices use Windows for their operating system, according to Microsoft. That sounds like an impressive statistic, but the company isn't as quick to point out that three years ago, the figure stood at 1.4 billion, meaning 400 million devices are no longer running the OS.
Microsoft says Windows 11 is 2x faster, except they used ancient PCs to benchmark Windows 10
Breaking news: Older hardware is slower than newer hardware
The Windows kernel is about to receive a security-focused redesign after CrowdStrike crash
Why it matters: The kernel space is the core component of a computer operating system, where critical hardware management and device driver code reside in memory. If a kernel-level driver malfunctions, the entire OS can behave erratically – or simply crash and burn with a BSOD. Microsoft has stated that it is working on a significant change to the Windows architecture to help prevent another large-scale incident like the one involving CrowdStrike a year ago.
New benchmarks show SteamOS outperforming Windows 11 on Lenovo's handheld PC
Frame rate improvements were quite drastic for games like Returnal
That's called progress: SteamOS started life as a lightweight Linux-based system built for Valve's Steam Machines that never really picked up steam (pun intended). Now, it powers the Steam Deck and various other handhelds. New benchmarks show that the gaming OS outperforms Windows 11 on similar hardware.
Master your clipboard history and supercharge your productivity
Clipboard managers can become huge productivity boosters if you use them right, by letting you access and reuse copied text, images, and links. Power users should check out ClipClip for Windows and Flycut for macOS. Check out these and more recommendations in our Essential Apps feature.
Bill Gates and Linus Torvalds meet for the first time at tech titans' dinner
Dave Cutler, lead architect of the Windows NT kernel, was also there
What just happened? Given that there was a time when Microsoft called Linux a "cancer," it's little surprise that the Redmond firm's co-founder and long-time boss Bill Gates had never met Linus Torvalds, creator of the Linux kernel. But that changed recently when the two attended a dinner, and it appears to have gone well.
Microsoft begins cleanup of legacy drivers from Windows Update
Driver purge could leave old hardware behind
Microsoft strengthens Windows 365 Cloud PCs with virtualization-based protection
New default settings disable file redirections and enable advanced security features
Windows 11 now lets EU users export Recall data – if they still trust it
In compliance with EU law
New Anubis ransomware can encrypt and destroy data, making file recovery impossible
The RaaS operation poses a double threat to corporate data thanks to its wiper feature
Microsoft trolls Apple's new Liquid Glass UI for looking like Windows Vista
Has iOS 26 actually gone back to 2007?
Copilot Vision brings Microsoft's screen-watching AI to everyday Windows tasks
The AI that watches everything–and might do something useful
LibreOffice backs campaign to help users move from Windows 10 to Linux – and ditch Office, too
Replacing Windows and Microsoft Office is not as difficult as it seems
Microsoft stops nagging Windows users to make Edge the default browser, but only in Europe
*Everyone suddenly moves to Europe*
Windows 11 security update leaves virtual machines unable to boot
Another Windows update, another problem: KB5058405 causes startup failures
Windows Update could soon handle all apps and drivers, not just the OS
The goal: one updater for all software, built into Windows
Microsoft oversells Windows 11's Smart App Control as a "top antivirus solution"
Old security concepts dressed up in AI buzzwords?
SteamOS outperforms Windows on the Lenovo Legion Go S in both speed and battery life
Windows was holding back Lenovo's gaming handheld
What just happened? Lenovo showcased two versions of its Legion Go S gaming handheld last January at CES 2025. While the Windows model launched in February, the SteamOS version has only just started shipping (with nearly identical hardware specs). Benchmarks released by popular YouTuber Dave Lee suggest that the latter is noticeably faster and more battery-efficient than the Windows version.
Global crackdown led by Microsoft shuts down Lumma Stealer malware infecting 394,000 PCs
A Russian-based cyber-criminal with hundreds of clients is now jobless
Messaging app Signal will block Windows Recall from taking chat screenshots
WTF?! Recall is shaping up to be a security and privacy nightmare – and one of the most popular messaging platforms is already trying to patch the hole. Signal's developers are now resorting to a "weird trick" involving Windows DRM to shield users from unwanted Microsoft surveillance.
FxSound delivers louder, cleaner audio with new features
FxSound is a free, open source audio booster with automatic corrections to increase volume without sacrificing quality. The latest beta introduces several improvements, including support for Windows on Arm.
New Windows feature would let you resume Android apps on your PC where you left them
Microsoft is trying to evoke Apple's Handoff feature