Tag

Operating Systems

All articles tagged with #operating systems

technology1 day ago•4 min saved

Historic OS Library Comes Alive: The Virtual OS Museum Lets You Run Dozens of Legacy Systems

The Virtual OS Museum, created by Andrew Warkentin, lets you run over 1,700 pre-installed operating systems and applications across more than 250 platforms—from 1948 to today—via emulation. It offers a full offline 121GB download and a lighter 14GB version that downloads guest VM images on first use, with automatic and manual updates. Note that not every emulated system boots perfectly, and performance on Apple silicon may be limited since the host VM is x86-only.

via 9to5Mac|

#emulation #legacy-software #macos

technology9 days ago•3 min saved

Windows 11 Pro drops to $9.97, giving old PCs a fresh feel

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is on sale for $9.97 (regularly $199) through May 18 (11:59 p.m. PT), offering a lifetime, single-device license with TPM 2.0, Smart App Control, BitLocker, and biometric login for security; DirectX 12 Ultimate and Copilot boost gaming and productivity, while features like Snap layouts and virtual desktops make multitasking smoother on older PCs. A minimum of 4GB RAM and 64GB storage is required, and the license cannot be transferred to another PC.

via Mashable|

#deals #operating-systems #pc-upgrades

technology28 days ago•2 min saved

Windows K2 aims to speed Start Menu, instant search, and steadier updates

Microsoft is reportedly pursuing a broad Windows K2 initiative in 2026 to dramatically boost Windows 11 performance and reliability, with a gradual feature cadence, a WinUI 3-powered Start Menu overhaul promising up to 60% performance gains, instant filename searches in File Explorer, and a more stable update process that may delay display-driver updates until reboot; the plan includes revived Insider meetups, stronger collaboration, and a push to run better on low-end hardware, as Microsoft competes with macOS, Linux, and SteamOS.

via TechSpot|

#insiders #microsoft #operating-systems

technology2 months ago•20 min saved

Four Desktop OSes, Four Roles: Windows Leads Gaming, macOS Shines for Creatives

PCMag compares Windows 11, macOS Tahoe, Ubuntu, and ChromeOS, highlighting Windows as strongest for software compatibility and gaming, macOS Tahoe for creative workflows and productivity, Ubuntu for deep customization and open‑source flexibility, and ChromeOS for affordable, secure use for students and casual users. The piece also notes AI features like Windows Copilot, ChromeOS Gemini integrations, and Apple Intelligence shaping the current OS landscape, with virtualization and multi‑OS options available for mixed environments.

via PCMag|

#chromeos #macos-tahoe #operating-systems

technology2 months ago•12 min saved

Windows in Crisis: Trust Erodes as Microsoft Bets Big on AI

An opinion-piece arguing Microsoft has eroded Windows’ consumer value by pushing AI features, cloud bets, and forced updates, while reliability and privacy issues (Recall’s privacy risk, TPM 2.0 upgrade barriers, and buggy security patches) drive a growing trust deficit. With Windows 10 support ending and Windows 11 adoption wavering, users are pausing recommendations of Windows in favor of macOS or Linux, even as Windows remains technically practical for many. The piece portrays Microsoft’s shift toward Azure/AI as diverting resources away from end-user experience, suggesting a longer-term risk to Windows’ dominance.

via Yanko Design|

#cloud-computing #cybersecurity #microsoft

technology3 months ago•2 min saved

Windows 11 Reaches 1 Billion Users in Record Time

Microsoft announced Windows 11 has reached 1 billion users in 1,576 days, faster than Windows 10, helped by the end-of-support transition for Windows 10 and strong December numbers, with Satya Nadella noting the milestone during the Q2 2026 earnings call.

via The Verge|

#market-adoption #microsoft #operating-systems

technology4 months ago•130 min saved

Switching to Linux: A Smooth Transition to a Faster, Free OS

The author advocates for Linux as a user-friendly, reliable alternative to commercial OSes like Windows and macOS, criticizing the latter's agenda-driven design, intrusive services, and hardware limitations. They highlight Linux's customization, hardware support, and independence from corporate control, while also discussing the challenges and frustrations with other operating systems and UI design trends.

via Hacker News|

#linux #macos #operating-systems

technology4 months ago•0 min saved

Nostalgia for Easier Windows PC Setups

The article criticizes Windows 11 for making the process of setting up a PC more frustrating compared to previous Windows versions, highlighting user dissatisfaction and preferring Linux as an alternative.

via The Verge|

#microsoft #operating-systems #technology

technology5 months ago•7 min saved

UNIX V4 Tape Rediscovered and Restored After 52 Years

Computer History Museum successfully recovered UNIX V4 from a 1970s tape, marking the first time this early version written in C has been run again, providing valuable insight into the evolution of UNIX and its development history.

via theregister.com|

#c-programming-language #history #operating-systems

technology6 months ago•7 min saved

Innovative Ways to Repurpose Your Old MacBooks

Old MacBooks can be repurposed in various ways such as experimenting with Linux or ChromeOS, turning them into Wi-Fi range extenders, using them as second screens, or setting them up as media centers, extending their usefulness beyond their original purpose.

via bgr.com|

#media-center #old-macbook #operating-systems

technology7 months ago•9 min saved

Ken Thompson Reflects on Unix's Early Troubles and Lock-Picking Roots

Ken Thompson recalls the early, rebellious days of Unix at Bell Labs, highlighting its community-driven development, open environment, and playful culture, including lock-picking antics, which fostered innovation and camaraderie among the pioneering programmers.

via The New Stack|

#bell-labs #ken-thompson #open-source

technology7 months ago•6 min saved

Windows 10 Support Ends: How to Upgrade or Extend Security

The article discusses the end of support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2023, and the challenges and frustrations users face with Windows 11's mandatory cloud integration and hardware requirements. The author, a long-time Microsoft supporter, is migrating to Linux due to concerns over data control, security, and usability, highlighting the broader trend of operating system evolution and competition. The piece emphasizes the importance of staying updated and cautious during OS transitions.

via Daily Kos|

#linux #microsoft #operating-systems

technology8 months ago•4 min saved

Google and Qualcomm Prepare to Launch Android for PCs

Google is developing a unified Android platform for both smartphones and PCs, aiming to compete with Windows and macOS by offering a modern, lightweight OS with Android apps and AI capabilities, potentially challenging Microsoft's dominance in the PC market.

via Windows Central|

#android #google #microsoft

technology10 months ago•2 min saved

Google Plans to Merge Android and ChromeOS into a Unified Platform

Google's Android president has indicated that Android may eventually replace ChromeOS to improve integration with Android devices, though no timeline has been provided. ChromeOS remains a successful Linux-based platform, but Google's focus on AI and the lack of ChromeOS mentions at Google I/O suggest a strategic shift. The transition could lead to more unified app ecosystems and better device interoperability, with driver support being a key challenge.

via theregister.com|

#android #chromeos #google

technology10 months ago•1 min saved

Google Announces Merge of ChromeOS and Android, Signaling a Unified Future

Google is merging ChromeOS and Android into a single platform to unify their strengths—Android's vast app ecosystem and ChromeOS's excellent window management—addressing compatibility issues and improving user experience on large screens like Chromebooks.

via The Verge|

#android #chromeos #google