family of computer operating systems developed by Microsoft
You can soon install "tiny" Windows 11 26H2 ISOs too on almost all unsupported PCs.
^P
Key Facts1TB moved between Windows laptops using direct Ethernet
Oct 11, 2026 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
- Both laptops had Ethernet ports, and a direct cable connected them without a router or network switch.
- The setup used static IP addresses, a private network, network discovery, and file and printer sharing.
- Robocopy was already included with Windows and could resume interrupted copies, retry files, and create logs.
- At about 100MB/s, transferring 1TB took nearly three hours; the storage media strongly affected the duration.
Key FactsRecovery USB aids Windows PCs that will not boot
Sep 23, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
- The author uses Ventoy with GPT and Secure Boot support to manage four ISOs on the drive.
- The official Windows 11 ISO opens the recovery environment without relying on files stored on the damaged drive.
- Hiren’s BootCD PE starts a desktop with network drivers, enabling file backups and drive checks.
- Rescuezilla creates images, while SystemRescue examines damaged partitions and can copy readable data from failing drives.
Never let your machine reach a place where your mind hasn't reached first.— Abhinav, author of the article, applying aviation-derived wisdom to PC recovery.
Key FactsBioShock Reveals a Gap in Modern Onboard Audio
Sep 21, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
- BioShock uses OpenAL for EAX 5.0; without a compatible EAX implementation, the corresponding setting remains disabled.
- ASUS rates the Realtek chip in the current ROG Strix X870E-E Gaming WiFi at 120 dB, versus 109 dB for 2005’s X-Fi XtremeMusic.
- Windows Vista removed hardware acceleration from DirectSound3D, causing many older games to lose hardware-based 3D audio and EAX features.
- Original X-Fi cards require a PCI slot, while the modern ASUS board offers only PCIe slots and officially supports Windows 11.
I'll be honest, I assumed this was a compatibility problem someone had brute-forced years ago.— Shivansh, author of the article on BioShock compatibility and motherboard audio for XDA
Key FactsExplorerPatcher Can Restore Selected Windows 10 Features
3 days ago · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
- The free ExplorerPatcher can restore Windows 10’s Start menu in Windows 11, including resizing and a visible app list.
- It replaces Microsoft’s Widgets with a streamlined weather widget, which the author said was recently failing to display data.
- The Windows 10 Ribbon interface improves File Explorer access, but removes Windows 11 features such as tabs.
- Some smaller options apparently do not work in current versions, although the author says the app remains supported.
Right off the bat, being able to restore the Windows 10 Start menu with ExplorerPatcher is an extremely welcome change, and the biggest reason to use this app, in my opinion.— João Carrasqueira, author of the XDA-Developers article on ExplorerPatcher
WindowsCentral Oct 18
Windows 11 is getting a new Search experience, and Microsoft didn’t reveal the whole picture.
We put together a full FAQ that explains what’s changing ... Show more
WindowsCentral Oct 19
Microsoft is celebrating 12 years of the Windows Insider Program with a fresh batch of free wallpapers inspired by the iconic Windows 11 Bloom design!
White ... Show more
Key FactsEverything: Free File Search for Windows
2 days ago · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
- The author reports that Everything displays results almost immediately, without complete filenames or a separate search step.
- Filters for PDF, TXT, and ZIP files, plus operators and wildcards, help with partially remembered filenames.
- Results can be opened with a right-click, their paths copied, and entries sorted by name, size, or modification date.
- Available for nearly 20 years and still free, the Windows tool focuses on file search with a simple interface.
Why isn't something this simple already part of Windows?— Yash, software engineer and tech writer; describing his experience with Windows Search and the Everything tool in the article.
ReactOS reaches major milestone with NTFS install support: ReactOS gains NTFS install support with new driver.
arstechnica.com/information-technology/2026/10/reactos-reaches-major-milestone-with-ntfs-install-support/
Windows 11's default settings are quietly wearing out your SSD and turning them off can extend its life
xda-developers.com/windows-11-default-settings-wearing-out-ssd-turning-off-can-extend-life/
Key FactsTargeted Windows service disabling: key limits
Oct 5, 2026 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
- Windows’ Services utility usually displays 100 or more entries; active services are marked running, while inactive ones show no status.
- Depending on usage, the article identifies Connected User Experiences and Telemetry, Delivery Optimization, Windows Search, SysMain, and Xbox or printer services.
- When disabling a service, users must set its startup type to Disabled, stop it, and save changes so Windows does not reload it.
- Windows Update should not be disabled; removing a few services usually produces only modest performance gains.
Microsoft admits Windows 11 KB5127648 KB5126646 break WPA 802.1X auth, shares fix.
^P
Windows 11 26H2 reportedly uses shockingly low RAM with a Rufus installation trick.
^P
Rufus 4.14 and 4.15 Quality of Life option disables Teams, Outlook ... Show more
Windows 11 26H2 reportedly uses shockingly low RAM with a Rufus installation trick
Windows 11 26H2 reportedly uses shockingly low RAM with a Rufus installation trick
AnyPS5: PS5 games natively on PC, with AI instead of an emulator: AnyPS5 converts PS5 games for Windows and Linux. As of October 18th, 90 percent of the system ...
pcgameshardware.de/Playstation-5-Konsolen-265878/Specials/AnyPS5-KI-Emulation-PS5-Spiele-PC-PCGH-Report-1557044/
WindowsCentral 21h
I needed to see the new Windows 11 Photos app in action to fathom how fast it is — it's like switching from dial-up to broadband
windowscentral.com/software-apps/i-needed-to-see-the-new-windows-11-photos-app-in-action-to-fathom-how-fast-it-is-its-like-switching-from-dial-up-to-broadband
Key FactsWindows 11 26H2 Reportedly Lowers RAM Use Mainly on Larger Systems
2 days ago · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
- A Reddit user with 48GB reported startup usage falling from 6.9GB to approximately 4.8GB.
- Windows Latest observed idle usage on a 16GB laptop falling from above 10GB to 7GB.
- Reported reductions involve almost exclusively systems with at least 16GB, while 8GB devices so far mostly show no benefit.
- A Lenovo Legion 5 Pro test recorded usage falling from 8.5GB to 6.7GB under 26H2.
"clear efforts around driving better utilization of memory"— Pavan Davuluri, on a May episode of Microsoft's Inside Windows podcast
Key FactsWindows 11 settings may reduce SSD longevity
4 days ago · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
- When enabled, hiberfil.sys typically occupies around 40 percent of RAM, meaning about 13GB with 32GB installed.
- Disabling hibernation removes that file, turns off Fast Startup, and frees storage space on drive C.
- Specific folders can be excluded from indexing; their files remain searchable but may take longer to find.
- Windows uses TRIM to maintain unused SSD data blocks; a value of 0 confirms that it is enabled.
Key FactsAuthor: Windows 11 Has Run Ten Years Without Reinstallation
5 days ago · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
- In ten years, he has never wiped or reformatted the computer because he mainly uses it for writing.
- He keeps the local system drive lean, assigns complex tasks to other machines, and uses secondary drives for files and portable apps.
- Weekly, he uses WinDirStat to find large files; Microsoft PC Manager additionally helps remove temporary files and unused apps.
- He initially pauses Windows updates, checks graphics drivers weekly, and reviews BIOS/UEFI updates every four months before installation.
I have been running Windows 11 on this same machine for the past 10 years, and I haven't had to wipe and reformat once.— Brian Burgess, in the XDA Developers article about his Windows maintenance routine.
Windows 98 SE users get a Thunderbolt 4 driver, thanks to AI assistance — vibe-coded xHCI98 driver works in Microsoft OSes up to Windows 7
tomshardware.com/peripherals/thunderbolt/windows-98-se-users-get-a-thunderbolt-4-driver-thanks-to-ai-assistance-vibe-coded-xhci98-driver-works-in-microsoft-oses-up-to-windows-7
Paid articlePaywallKey FactsSix older open-source apps the author still uses
Oct 2, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
- The author uses Everything on Windows, where it indexes files within seconds for rapid filename searches.
- The author uses 7-Zip through File Explorer to package files or open archives without launching a separate application.
- The author uses Ditto’s clipboard history to retrieve earlier text and files while writing and researching.
- WinDirStat gives the author a visual drive breakdown, making unusually large files and folders easier to identify.
There is something valuable about software that simply stays useful without constantly trying to reinvent itself.— Yash, author of the article, explaining why durable software endures.
4 reasons why I paid for Windows 11 Pro and why I'll never switch to Linux: It's not you, Penguin, it's the industry around you
xda-developers.com/4-reasons-why-i-paid-for-windows-11-pro-and-why-ill-never-switch-to-linux/
Microsoft deleted a Windows command that decades of scripts still depend on, and it's gone for good
xda-developers.com/microsoft-deleted-windows-command-decades-scripts-still-depend-gone-for-good/
Key FactsMicrosoft removes WMIC permanently from Windows 11
Sep 22, 2026 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
- WMIC enabled administrators and developers to manage Windows-based systems locally or remotely through WMI.
- In August 2026, Microsoft removed WMIC from Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2; optional reinstallation also disappeared.
- WMI remains fully supported; PowerShell provides equivalent commands, but older WMIC scripts must be adapted.
- WMIC can be abused, potentially including code execution on remote machines, but its removal does not eliminate WMI-related risks.
Microsoft's special Windows 11 26H2 tweak makes PCs faster especially on hard disks.
^P
Microsoft says Windows 11 26H2 up to 20% more responsive from ... Show more
Microsoft's special Windows 11 26H2 tweak makes PCs faster especially on hard disks
Microsoft's special Windows 11 26H2 tweak makes PCs faster especially on hard disks
Windows 11 up to 20 percent faster: Microsoft improves RAM usage: Microsoft continues to work on the everyday usability of Windows 11. New improvements are ...
pcgameshardware.de/Windows-Software-277633/News/Win-11-soll-im-Vergleich-zu-frueher-bis-zu-20-Prozent-schneller-reagieren-1556957/
Key FactsMicrosoft Reports Windows 11 Responding Up to 20% Faster
3 days ago · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: pcgameshardware.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: pcgameshardware.de
- Microsoft measured interactions up to 20 percent faster between two builds; this does not represent a blanket acceleration of all programs.
- Optimized memory management can keep up to 2 GiB more active data in RAM on suitable systems.
- On computers with up to 8 GiB RAM, widgets load only when opened, freeing more than 200 MiB for other applications.
- The redesigned search will initially be tested with Windows Insiders and is intended to become more broadly available later this year.
WindowsCentral Oct 16
🪟Windows 11's biggest Insider features: October edition
We spent the week testing October’s Windows 11 Insider features ... Show more
Key FactsWhy Many Intel Alder Lake Owners Stay Put
3 days ago · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
- Introduced in 2021, Alder Lake processors still handle 1080p and 1440p gaming; newer chips are faster, but not dramatically.
- On suitable motherboards, they offer PCIe 5.0, DDR5, and Resizable BAR; the Core i9-12900K also handles many productivity workloads.
- A Vmin shift instability bug affected Intel’s 13th and 14th generations; updates addressed it, but damaged chips retained lasting harm.
- According to the article, a typical 32GB DDR5-6000 kit costs at least $480, four times more than twelve months earlier.
Windows 11 contains code from Windows 95 - | this is the reason: 31-year-old code remnants from Windows 95 live on in Windows 11 because a SimCity bug forced ...
pcgameshardware.de/Windows-Software-277633/News/Darum-steckt-noch-Windows-95-Code-in-Windows-11-1557091/
Key FactsWhy Windows 11 Retains Windows 95 Code
23 hours ago · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: pcgameshardware.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: pcgameshardware.de
- According to Microsoft developer Raymond Chen, Windows 11 version 26H2 contains EmulateHeap, based on recompiled Windows 95 memory-manager code.
- A bug in the first Windows version of SimCity made it reuse freed memory, prompting special handling in Windows 95 betas.
- In later Windows versions, EmulateHeap redirects an application's memory commands to substitute routines imitating Windows 95 when the correction is enabled.
- After updates, users reported missing sound in GTA Vice City or crashes in Need for Speed: Most Wanted with the correction enabled.
How to switch off AI on Android, Apple and Windows devices: AI is becoming increasingly tricky to avoid, but there are still ways to switch off or limit some of ...
which.co.uk/news/article/how-to-turn-off-ai-aY7hh1g54QGj
WindowsCentral 23h
Microsoft made its Windows Insider Program anniversary wallpaper using a Mac: The wallpapers celebrating 12 years of Windows Insiders were apparently created ...
windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/microsoft-made-its-windows-insider-program-anniversary-wallpaper-using-a-mac
This free and open-source app runs any Windows app on Linux with ease: This tool is making my Windows-to-Linux transition smooth
xda-developers.com/this-free-and-open-source-app-runs-any-windows-app-on-linux-with-ease/
Key FactsWinBoat Brings Windows Apps to Linux Through Docker
Sep 30, 2026 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
- WinBoat runs Windows as a virtual machine inside a Docker container, supporting FreeRDP and a browser-based interface.
- The author installed WinBoat on Ubuntu 24; it was ready to use after 30 to 40 minutes.
- The isolated containers remain persistent and allow users to allocate RAM, CPU threads, and storage.
- According to its GitHub page, Docker Desktop is unsupported; WinBoat is also unsuitable for modern, GPU-intensive games.
The triple-OS NexPhone runs Android, Linux, and Windows 11, but you’ll have to wait until 2027 for it
xda-developers.com/the-triple-os-nexphone-runs-android-linux-and-windows-11-but-youll-have-to-wait-until-2027-for-it/
Fortnite on Linux: Is the last big argument for Windows falling away?: Read the personal opinions of the PCGH editorial team members. Today's topic: ...
pcgameshardware.de/Fortnite-Spiel-16272/Specials/Epic-Games-Launcher-Linux-Fortnite-Anti-Cheat-Linux-1556923/
Key FactsPC 99 color code still guides motherboard audio jacks
4 hours ago · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
- Microsoft and Intel finalized the PC 99 System Design Guide in 1998; manufacturers implemented its audio colors during 1999 and 2000.
- Pink indicated microphone input, light green line-out, and light blue line-in; other colors identified surround and subwoofer channels.
- The jacks are technically identical; Intel’s 2004 HD Audio standard enabled detection and software-based reassignment.
- The color codes remain recommendations; some manufacturers use black jacks with labels instead of the established colors.
KB5127648 breaks Windows 11 exclusive feature that helps weak PCs perform better.
^P
October Patch Tuesday KB5127648 breaks Smart App Control SAC ... Show more
KB5127648: Microsoft breaks Windows 11 exclusive feature that helps weak PCs perform better
KB5127648: Microsoft breaks Windows 11 exclusive feature that helps weak PCs perform better
Windows 11 KB5127648 ISO now available for USB install via official Microsoft tool.
^P
Media Creation Tool now serves latest Windows 11 26H2 October Patch ... Show more
Windows 11 KB5127648 ISO now available for USB install via official Microsoft tool
Windows 11 KB5127648 ISO now available for USB install via official Microsoft tool
How to enable the new context menu in Windows 11 with ViVeTool.
^P
New customizable right-click menu is in Release Preview 26200.9807 and 26300 ... Show more
How to enable the new context menu in Windows 11 with ViVeTool
How to enable the new context menu in Windows 11 with ViVeTool
Windows are being smashed and fires are being lit as vandals target what they believe are HMOs leaving locals absolutely terrified ... Show more
Microsoft quietly blocks new requirements bypass trick on Windows 11 26H2.
^P
Simple Home edition trick that let users skip MSA and internet by clicking Learn ... Show more
Microsoft quietly blocks new requirements bypass trick on Windows 11 26H2
Microsoft quietly blocks new requirements bypass trick on Windows 11 26H2
WindowsCentral Oct 16
Xbox Mode is getting a smart new feature that makes switching back to the Windows desktop effortless
windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/a-new-xbox-mode-feature-will-make-it-easier-to-jump-back-to-the-desktop
WindowsCentral Oct 18
Surface Laptop Ultra shows what Microsoft can do when it gets everything right, but Windows 11 still feels like the variable holding the equation back ... Show more
The Windows blue screen of death could have looked completely different if a 33-year-old decision had gone another way
xda-developers.com/windows-blue-screen-of-death-33-year-old-decision/
Key FactsWhy Windows’ Error Screen Turned Blue
5 days ago · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
- For Windows NT 3.1, Microsoft developer John Vert chose the white-on-blue design for the stop screen in 1993.
- The color choice reflected the MIPS workstation and SlickEdit editor used by Windows NT developers.
- Windows 3.1 and Windows 95 also displayed blue error screens, but the article says they were not true stop screens.
- With Windows 11 version 24H2, Microsoft switched to black in 2024, removing the QR code, sad face, and simplifying the text.
'blue screen of unhappiness'— Raymond Chen, Microsoft engineer, who referred to the Windows 3.1 stop screen as the 'blue screen of unhappiness'. The quote highlights his description of the screen used during early Windows stop errors.
Windows 11: Secure Boot certificate expiring, what to do?: The important Windows Secure Boot certificate expires on October 19, 2026. Microsoft explains what ...
pcgameshardware.de/Windows-Software-277633/News/Secure-Boot-laeuft-ab-das-ist-jetzt-zu-tun-1557038/
Microsoft quietly gave Windows 10 another year, but it can't keep kicking the can down the road
xda-developers.com/windows-10-2026-extesnion-shows-microsoft-is-delaying-the-inevitable/
Key FactsMicrosoft Extends Windows 10 Security Updates Through October 2027
Oct 11, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
- Following the October 14, 2025 retirement, Microsoft is offering another year of security updates.
- The extension keeps Windows 10 secure until October 2027 and remains available even without prior ESU enrollment.
- It provides security updates only, without new features like those included in some Windows 11 updates.
- Memory and storage prices surged in 2026, while Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot.
I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft extended Windows 10 to 2028, as it planned for enterprise systems with paid ESU plans.— Abhishek, XDA author, expressing a personal expectation about Windows 10's extension and ESU plans.
Wccftech Oct 16
Microsoft Sticks To Its Previous Commitment, As Windows 11 Now Feels “Up To 20% More Responsive,” Bringing a “Meaningful Difference” To 8GB RAM Systems
wccftech.com/windows-11-up-to-20-percent-more-responsive-8gb-ram/
Windows 11’s modernized design shines, and the industry-leading operating system continues to receive regular updates that improve its usability, performance ... Show more
I ran a single command and found more garbage on my Windows 11 drive than Storage Sense cleaned all month
xda-developers.com/my-windows-install-stopped-bloating-once-i-actually-configured-storage-sense-properly/
Key FactsStorage Sense Leaves Windows 11 Component-Store Data Untouched
Sep 28, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
- Storage Sense freed 1.67GB that morning and reached 10.2GB over the month using Windows 11's default settings.
- By default, Storage Sense runs only when storage is low, but users can schedule it daily, weekly, or monthly.
- It clears temporary data, the Recycle Bin, Downloads, and local OneDrive copies, but cannot reach the component store or disabled Windows features.
- A DISM analysis reported 20.14GB; 8.27GB was shared, while about 11.84GB remained outside Storage Sense's remit.
frustratingly close to being useful— From a Windows 11 Reddit thread (2023), spoken by a Reddit user describing Storage Sense
Gaming performance: Windows 7 vs. Windows 11 tested: Can a 17-year-old operating system still keep up in gaming on modern hardware? A recent comparison test by ...
pcgameshardware.de/Windows-Software-277633/News/17-Jahre-altes-Windows-7-OS-versus-Windows-11-1556372/
Key FactsWindows 7 Excels in Parts of Gaming Comparison
Oct 11, 2026 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: pcgameshardware.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: pcgameshardware.de
- The test used Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit SP1 and Windows 11 25H2 on a modern AMD-based PC.
- The games included The Witcher 3, Control, and Borderlands 2, tested in Full HD, WQHD, and 4K.
- With limited GPU demand, Windows 7 delivered especially strong 1% lows in older DirectX 9 games; the advantage diminished at 4K.
- In GPU-limited situations such as Control, Windows 11 led, probably because of newer graphics-driver code.
WindowsCentral Oct 13
Microsoft is letting developers try upcoming Windows UI controls earlier, potentially leading to better apps across Windows 11 ... Show more
I was ready to pay for a remote desktop app, but Windows 11 already ships one for free
xda-developers.com/your-windows-11-is-secretly-running-built-in-remote-tools-youve-never-touched-and-theyre-more-useful-than-you-think/
Wccftech Oct 07
A Windows 11 System With 16GB RAM Was Consuming Just 16% Of Total Memory Through Rufus; Other Methods Removed Bloatware While Running The Newest 26H2 Update
wccftech.com/windows-11-lightweight-update-rufus-bloatware-removal-16gb-ram/
Microsoft: Recent Windows updates may trigger Remote Desktop failures: Microsoft has confirmed that non-admin users may be unable to connect to devices via ...
bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/microsoft-recent-windows-updates-may-trigger-remote-desktop-failures/
Wccftech Oct 15
Microsoft Quietly Kills Windows 11’s Easiest Local Account Bypass, Making Forced Sign-In Harder To Avoid
wccftech.com/microsoft-quietly-kills-windows-11s-easiest-local-account-bypass-making-forced-sign-in-harder-to-avoid/
WindowsCentral Oct 17
REVIEW ROUNDUP:
RTX Spark laptops finally deliver the kind of AI acceleration and creator‑grade performance that Windows machines have been missing ... Show more
WindowsCentral Oct 19
Hello Hybrid intelligence PCs: Microsoft is evolving Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs with new AI capabilities that are smart enough to run on device or in the cloud
windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/hello-hybrid-intelligence-pcs-microsoft-is-evolving-copilot-pcs-with-new-ai-capabilities-that-are-smart-enough-to-run-on-device-or-in-the-cloud
KB5127648: Microsoft breaks Windows 11 exclusive feature that helps weak PCs perform better
neowin.net/news/kb5127648-microsoft-breaks-windows-11-exclusive-feature-that-helps-weak-pcs-perform-better/
Key FactsTest: Windows 11’s Ultimate Performance Mainly Benefited Fortnite
4 days ago · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
- The hidden plan is unlocked through an administrator Command Prompt by running the powercfg command.
- Ultimate Performance keeps the minimum processor state at 100% and disables core parking.
- In testing, Fortnite’s average frame rate rose from 101 to 108 FPS, while the other three games remained within the margin of error.
- However, the plan increases heat and idle power use; the author recommends Balanced or customized High Performance for laptops.
WindowsCentral Oct 11
Windows 11 version 26H2 is rolling out now — here’s how to get the update now and get the most out of the 2026 update
windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/how-to-make-the-switch-to-windows-11-version-26h2-2026-update
Windows still asks about this floppy-era setting every time you format a drive: A 30-year-old Windows NT setting has persisted to this day
xda-developers.com/windows-still-asks-floppy-era-setting-formatting-a-drive/
Key FactsWindows 11 Retains a Floppy-Era Setting
Oct 7, 2026 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
- David Plummer created the nearly unchanged formatting tool in 1994 as a placeholder for Windows NT 4.0.
- The queried allocation unit is the smallest storage amount Windows can assign to a file; 4096 bytes is usually the default.
- Modern SSDs internally store data in pages and blocks, but emulate logical sectors through LBA for compatibility.
- The decades-old structure remained because it preserves compatibility and, according to the article, does not change everyday drive use.
This free open-source tool makes Windows' own search feel broken, and it's been free for nearly 20 years
xda-developers.com/open-source-tool-makes-windows-search-feel-broken-free-nearly-20-years/
Key FactsEverything Offers Fast, Free File Search on Windows
Oct 11, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
- The author reports that results appear after only a few typed characters and continue updating while the query is entered.
- The interface largely consists of a search box, file list, and basic information, without additional distractions.
- Filters, patterns, and context-menu actions support file-type or time filtering, opening folders, and copying paths.
- According to the article, Everything has been free for Windows for nearly 20 years, without subscriptions or advertising.
At this point, Microsoft should buy Everything.— Yash, in the article about the open-source tool Everything, suggests that Microsoft should acquire the tool.
Disabling the page file is the Windows performance tweak everyone repeats, and I'd never do it again
xda-developers.com/disabling-page-file-windows-performance-tweak-never-do-it-again/
Key FactsAuthor Reports Instability After Disabling Windows Page File
6 days ago · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
- After several uneventful hours, the author's browser tabs crashed, and some applications would no longer launch.
- The article acknowledges theoretical storage-space and SSD benefits but reports no performance improvement from disabling the file.
- The page file also supports applications and crash dumps; without it, memory errors can occur despite sufficient RAM.
- The article recommends Windows management; for manual adjustment, it cites 4–8GB for systems with 16–32GB of RAM.
I agree, disabling the page file has theoretical advantages, and it's not limited to freeing up storage space. More importantly, the page file also affects your storage drive's lifespan.— Kazim, the author of the article, recounting his experience and cautioning readers about the downsides of disabling the page file
Windows 11 without a Microsoft account: This trick is no longer possible: Microsoft is once again making it more difficult to set up Windows 11 without an online ...
pcgameshardware.de/Windows-Software-277633/News/Windows-11-Microsoft-lokales-Konto-Ein-Klick-Methode-blockiert-1556798/
12 years of the Insider Program: Microsoft offers a free wallpaper pack: To celebrate the 12th anniversary of the Windows Insider Program, Microsoft has released ...
winfuture.de/news,162057.html
Windows 11 KB5127648, KB5121003, KB5129195, KB5089549 installs fail with 0x800f0845 error
neowin.net/news/windows-11-kb5127648-kb5121003-kb5129195-kb5089549-installs-fail-with-0x800f0845-error/
