Windows 11

Official support for Windows 10 has ended, leaving many fully functional computers unable to upgrade to Windows 11 because of strict hardware requirements such as TPM and CPU compatibility. Italian tech voices are using the moment to promote alternatives, urging users not to buy new machines or create electronic waste, and pointing to campaigns offering options like Linux-based systems for older hardware.

A blog post explores the oldest graphical user interface application that can still be executed on Windows 11, testing how far back Microsoft's operating system retains backward compatibility. Readers are discussing which legacy programs survive decades of OS evolution and what that continuity says about Windows' engineering.

A Windows update is drawing search attention in Brazil, ranking among the top trending queries. Discussion is also picking up around Windows 11 compatibility with Intel's upcoming APX architecture, which doubles x86 registers to 32 and is tied to the Nova Lake chip generation expected to boost performance. Users appear to be checking update news and related hardware compatibility.

Windows Latest reports that Windows 11 still contains the memory manager code first introduced with Windows 95, kept for backward compatibility with legacy applications. The article explains why Microsoft has chosen to carry decades-old core components forward rather than rewrite them, a decision that continues to shape performance and stability in the modern operating system.

Microsoft is offering buyout packages to around 60,000 employees, according to an internal memo reported by Business Insider. The move, which would affect a substantial share of the company's workforce, comes as tech firms continue restructuring efforts. Separately, attention is on upcoming Windows 11 version 27H2 features.

Microsoft is in the news over changes to the Windows 11 right-click context menu. German tech coverage explains how users can enable the new context menu or restore the classic full menu, a frequent complaint since Windows 11 launched. Users continue to look for ways to customise the streamlined default menu.

Microsoft has published an optional October cumulative update for Windows 11, tracked under knowledge base article KB5127936. The release is a non-security preview that lets users test upcoming fixes early; fixes will roll out broadly in the November Patch Tuesday update. Coverage notes it is optional and can be skipped by most users. German and Japanese users appear to be following the release closely.

Microsoft is rolling out Windows 11 update KB5127936, which gives users separate permission settings for camera, microphone and location access for desktop applications. Previously these privacy controls applied mainly to Store apps, leaving traditional desktop programs with broad access. The change is drawing attention across Europe and Japan, where users and tech writers are discussing improved privacy management.

A roundup of device deals is drawing attention: Google's Pixel 11 Pro Fold is up to $419 off, Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra is discounted by $420, and an HP OLED Copilot+ PC has hit an all-time low price. Shoppers are comparing offers across flagship folding phones, premium Android handsets, and AI-focused Windows laptops.

Microsoft has released its October 2026 Patch Tuesday updates, with the company publishing its monthly Security Update Summary on 13 October. Alongside the fixes, users report a problem in Windows 11 update KB5127648, where the 'Add device' function for printers appears broken. IT blogs such as BornCity are tracking both the security fixes and the emerging printer issue, advising users on what to watch for after installing.

Microsoft has issued cumulative update KB5127936, with attention on it coming alongside the recent preview update KB5127653 for Windows 11 version 26H1, which Neowin reports brings a large set of enhancements. Users searching the KB number are typically looking for details on fixes, known issues and download availability for the patch.

Culdcept Beginnings, the card-and-board strategy title, is releasing on Steam on October 28. To mark the launch, a 10% discount sale is running until November 11. The game, long associated with mobile and console platforms, reaching PC via Steam is drawing interest from series fans, and the limited-time price cut gives players a window to pick it up at a reduced rate.

A blog post on Enlyth examines the oldest graphical interface application that can still be run on Windows 11, tracing how far back Microsoft's backwards compatibility reaches. The piece drew early attention on developer forums, where users are comparing notes on legacy software that survives on modern systems.

A new open-source project called LiberNT has launched as a fork of ReactOS, the open-source reimplementation of Windows. Its stated goal is to extend ReactOS so it can achieve compatibility with Windows 11. Discussion so far is limited to early sharing within open-source communities, with no details yet on timeline, leadership, or technical milestones.

The NFL has made a rare double flex scheduling move, altering kickoff times and broadcast slots for games in both Week 9 and Week 11 of the season. Flexible scheduling is typically reserved for marquee late-season matchups, so adjusting two separate weeks at once is unusual and signals the league wants its best games in prime windows as the playoff picture takes shape.

Roughly $11 billion in Bitcoin options contracts are due to expire in a concentrated cluster timed alongside the U.S. midterm elections. Traders warn the simultaneous settlement of large derivatives positions and the political event could amplify price swings in the cryptocurrency market, with investors watching closely for sharp moves in either direction during the expiry window.

A new GE-Proton release, version 11-10, is out for Linux gamers. The update brings improvements to Easy Anti-Cheat support along with several controller fixes, continuing the compatibility layer's role in running Windows games on Linux through Steam and Wine. The release is being shared among Linux gaming enthusiasts tracking Proton compatibility updates.

Several Proton compatibility layers for running Windows games on Linux have been released: Proton-CachyOS 11.0-20261014, DWProton 11.0-15 and GE-Proton 11-10. These forks of Valve's Proton deliver updated patches and fixes for Linux gamers, including Steam Deck users, with the releases drawing attention on Linux gaming news outlets.

Condé Nast Traveler has rounded up 11 travel deals for the autumn season, covering cheaper flights, hotels, and other bookings. As the peak summer travel period ends, fares and room rates typically drop, making autumn a good window for budget-conscious travelers. The roundup highlights discounts and promotions available now for trips later in the year.

Personal finance commentary highlights how a retiree turning 62 in 2027 has roughly 11 years of low-income windows to convert traditional IRA funds before required minimum distributions begin, while someone turning 70 has only about three. The same $400,000 balance could be converted largely at a 12% tax rate in the first case, but mostly at 22% in the second, making early planning potentially decisive for lifetime tax bills.

A new experimental Windows 11 Insider build introduces a built-in internet speed test, letting users check their connection without opening a browser. The feature was highlighted by PC Gamer and is being described as a small but handy quality-of-life addition. It is currently rolling out to Insider testers rather than all users.

Savers can lock in annual percentage yields of up to 4.40% on 11- and 12-month certificates of deposit, according to rate comparisons published Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The figures reflect continued competitive short-term CD offers as banks vie for deposits, giving savers a window to secure elevated returns before rates potentially shift.

Windows 11's Phone Link app lets users handle calls, text messages, and notifications between their mobile device and PC from the desktop. The experience differs by platform: Android devices support richer integration, including access to the phone's camera roll photos, while iPhone connectivity remains more limited. Users comparing the two setups are pointing out this gap in functionality between Android and iOS.

A developer writing about their first day with a Snapdragon-powered Surface Laptop 7, provided by Microsoft as a sponsored gift, reports getting iOS 14 to boot inside AQEMU on Windows 11 on Arm. They believe this may be the first time iOS has ever run on Windows on Arm, using ChefKiss's Inferno QEMU fork rather than Microsoft's WHPX hypervisor interface.

A new analysis estimates that a 62-year-old who puts off converting 401(k) savings to a Roth account pays roughly $3,000 in additional tax for each year of delay. With the average American aged 60 to 64 holding about $246,500 in a 401(k), the practical conversion window before required minimum distributions begin is around 11 years.

Three community Proton builds have been released: Proton-CachyOS 11.0-20261014, DWProton 11.0-15 and GE-Proton 11-10. These compatibility layers let Linux players run Windows games, and community forks like these bundle patches and tweaks ahead of official Valve releases. Gaming On Linux rounds up the changes, and Linux gamers are discussing which build offers the best performance for their setup.

Anthropic's free vulnerability diagnostic tool, OSS Scanner, detected 77 security vulnerabilities in open-source software over an 11-day period, including issues in curl, the widely used data-transfer library. The scale of findings in such a short window has drawn attention to both the security gaps lurking in common open-source projects and the growing role of AI companies in automated security auditing.

Three compatibility tool releases for running Windows games on Linux arrived on the same day: Proton-CachyOS 11.0-20261014, DWProton 11.0-15 and GE-Proton 11-10. The updates target Linux gamers, including Steam Deck and SteamOS users, offering improved game compatibility and performance. Linux gaming outlets are flagging all three as notable simultaneous drops.