Operating Systems

Windows users have long relied on the default disk.sys driver for storage management, a component that has mainly remained fundamentally unchanged since its introduction in 2006. While Windows has supported the NVMe protocol since Windows 8.1, the legacy driver continues to treat modern high-speed solid-state storage as a legacy SCSI …

Microsoft has revealed its strategic vision for Windows 11 in 2026, positioning the coming year as a period of intense optimisation rather than just feature expansion. In a recent blog post, the company emphasised a commitment to refining the core system behaviours that impact gaming, specifically targeting background workload management, …

Microsoft has released the first public preview build of the Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE), expanding its availability beyond handheld devices. The feature, previously limited to sub-10-inch displays like the ROG Xbox Ally X, is now officially accessible for testing on traditional desktops, laptops, and tablets via the Xbox Insider …

The slow performance of the Windows 11 File Explorer has been a complaint since the operating system's debut. Microsoft has finally addressed this fundamental shortcoming, though the solution is less an architectural fix and more a clever workaround. Microsoft (via Windows Central) has officially acknowledged the performance problems and is …

Microsoft is rolling out a new feature in the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview build that aims to take some of the guesswork out of diagnosing system instability. The new Proactive Memory Diagnostics tool automatically detects potential memory-related issues after a crash and prompts the user to run a quick …

It appears that checking your internet speed is about to become a little easier for Windows 11 users. A new, hidden feature has been discovered in the latest Insider Preview builds that adds a network speed test option directly into the Taskbar's system tray, eliminating the need for third-party websites …

Alesh Slovak, the developer behind the popular HTPC gaming distribution ChimeraOS (a SteamOS-like operating system), has just unveiled a new project called Kazeta. It's a new, lightweight Linux-based operating system designed to replicate the simplicity of a classic games console by using SD cards as physical game cartridges. Brought to …

Windows 11 has finally surpassed Windows 10 as the most popular Microsoft operating system, almost four years after its initial release in October 2021. Given that Windows 10's official end-of-support date of October 14th, 2025, is approaching, this change is not particularly surprising. This marks a significant turning point for …

While Windows 12 is reportedly being worked on, Microsoft still has plenty of work left to do on Windows 11. This week, Microsoft announced its plans for the next major Windows 11 feature update, which is now available to Windows Insider testers.  According to Microsoft's Jason Leznek (via Tom's Hardware), …

Microsoft's End-of-Life plans for Windows 10 have been known for years. The OS is hitting its end-of-life date this October, which typically means no more free security updates and no more feature updates. However, Windows 10 users will have the option of opting in for a year of ‘extended support'. …

Valve has made a significant move to expand the reach of SteamOS, officially licensing the operating system for third-party handheld gaming PCs. And leading the charge is Lenovo, with its newly announced Legion Go S. This marks a major milestone for SteamOS, which was previously exclusive to Valve's own Steam …

Microsoft's latest Windows 11 24H2 update is causing widespread problems for gamers, with the culprit seemingly linked to the Auto HDR feature. Gamers on Windows 11 24H2 have reported issues after installing the latest 24H2 update. Games such as Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, and Need for …

The Steam Deck has been a success since it launched. One of its main advantages is its lightweight operating system and the Proton DirectX translation layer, which lets users play Windows games on Linux. However, Playtron, a startup company, aims to take this further with its new gaming OS. Playtron …

Microsoft is planning to update the Windows colour management settings. Already available on the latest Insider preview build, the update brings improved profile management and a Windows 11-like UI. Moreover, it also added “Color management” to the Windows 11 Settings Display page. Since the launch of Windows 11, Microsoft has …

Since its launch back in 2020, the PlayStation 5 has received a significant number of updates, adding brand new features alongside miscellaneous quality-of-life improvements. This latest beta update is part of the latter – though does bring with it a whole host of welcome additions. Making the announcement via the …

We might not get Windows 12 after all. According to a recent report, it seems that the AI-centric changes coming to Windows will arrive via a regular update to Windows 11, rather than an entire a new OS...

Microsoft is poised to introduce a new built-in recovery method for Windows 11, allowing users to reinstall or recover the OS without losing any existing files. The new function, named “Fix Problems with Windows Update,” is already available for Insiders via Windows Update but is expected to make its way …

Rumors have surfaced that Microsoft is preparing to launch Windows 12 in June 2024. This news has generated excitement in the Taiwanese PC industry, with major players such as Acer, Quanta, MSI, and Gigabyte expressing optimism about the potential financial benefits of the new generation of AI-powered PCs. While the …

Windows 11 KB5030310 has received a lot of attention for providing a lot of new capabilities brought by ‘Moment 4'. This is one of the most significant upgrades in recent months, and it includes Windows Copilot, a new File Explorer, and other features. However, customers have experienced some issues with …

The Windows operating system continues to dominate the PC market, with most commercial applications designed to run on Windows. While there are alternatives available, the widespread usage and compatibility of Windows make it the logical choice for most users. Still, Linux enthusiasts have long hoped for the “year of Linux” …

There is no denying that the success of the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck has helped to inspire other manufacturers to get in on the handheld market. One company which seems to be tinkering with the idea is Microsoft – with a new video showcasing a Windows 11 UI designed …

Typically when customising RGB peripherals, many of us use the official apps from the likes of Corsair, Logitech and others. Soon, Microsoft may make it possible to control your RGB LEDs without additional software thanks to a new built-in controller for Windows 11.  Microsoft has been working on a Windows …

If you have an MSI motherboard and you're having issues with undervolting and overvolting your Intel CPU, it could be due to a recent Windows 11 update, which appears to have mistakenly blocked these features.  According to this post on MSIGaming subreddit (via Tom's Hardware), since a relatively recent Windows …

Prior to Windows 10, Microsoft would release a new version of Windows roughly every three to four years. It seems that following on from Windows 11, Microsoft will be returning to this release cadence, meaning we'll be seeing Windows 12 in 2024.  As reported by Windows Central, Microsoft is shaking …

Many companies have been looking to crack open the portable gaming market with handheld gaming PCs, but nobody has been quite as successful as Valve with the Steam Deck. The popularity of the Deck is partially due to Steam OS and all the work Valve has put in on the …

Currently, the only storage requirement to install Windows 11 is 64GB of free space. There's no mention regarding the type of storage device, allowing users to install on an HDD or an SSD. However, according to a new report, Microsoft may soon limit Windows 11 installations to SSDs. According to …

We've been hearing about Microsoft launching Windows 11 for ARM devices for a while. For now, Microsoft is focusing on launching on mid-range ARM systems and up, leaving cheaper tablets out of the equation. Still, developers have not quit on that yet, as some have found a way to install …

Microsoft is making some changes to the setup process for Windows 11 Pro. In a widely criticised move, Microsoft will soon remove the ability to set up Windows 11 Pro offline and without a Microsoft account. Microsoft already requires users to have an internet connection and a Microsoft account to …

Windows already plasters a watermark on your screen if you are running an unlicensed version of the OS, but soon, you may also get stuck with a watermark and multiple warnings for running Windows 11 on “unsupported” hardware.  According to The Verge, the latest Windows 11 builds will show a …

When Microsoft first announced Windows 11, one of the marquee features of the new OS was the ability to install and run Android apps without the need for an emulator like Blue Stacks. The feature wasn't ready in time for launch back in October, but Windows Insiders can now finally …