Best of Windows — January 2026

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    Article
    Avatar of hnHacker News·15w

    I'm brave enough to say it: Linux is good now, and if you want to feel like you actually own your PC, make 2026 the year of Linux on (your) desktop

    Linux has become genuinely user-friendly for desktop use, especially for gaming. Distros like Bazzite make it easy to run games without command-line knowledge, often matching or exceeding Windows performance through Valve's Proton. Steam's Linux user base hit 3.2%, surpassing Mac. The main appeal is ownership and control—no forced AI features, bloatware, or upselling. While HDR support and some anticheat software remain issues, they're improving. Linux offers a viable alternative for users tired of Windows feeling like rented software rather than something they truly own.

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    Article
    Avatar of hnHacker News·13w

    I dumped Windows 11 for Linux, and you should too

    A personal account of switching from Windows 11 to Linux (Artix) on primary work and personal machines. The author details motivations including Windows telemetry concerns and system instability, explores various Linux distributions (Mint, Debian, Artix), and shares technical challenges encountered like WiFi driver issues on a MacBook Air and desktop environment bugs. Despite initial hurdles requiring command-line troubleshooting, the switch resulted in improved system stability, faster performance, better iPhone file management via Dolphin file manager, and renewed enjoyment in computing. The author advocates for Linux adoption given Windows 11's ongoing issues, noting that while Linux requires technical learning, distributions like Mint offer beginner-friendly experiences.

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    Video
    Avatar of savvynikSavvyNik·13w

    Windows Users Are Switching and Linux Is Where They’re Going

    Zorin OS 18 has reached 2 million downloads in under three months, with over 75% coming from Windows users. The Linux distribution is gaining traction as Windows 10 reaches end-of-life and Windows 11's strict hardware requirements (TPM 2.0, newer CPUs) block many older PCs. Zorin OS appeals to Windows switchers through familiar layouts, Windows app compatibility via Wine, and features like OneDrive integration. The project is expanding with Zorin Grid for IT management in organizations, positioning itself as a viable alternative for both individual users and enterprises looking to extend the life of older hardware.

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    Article
    Avatar of wincmdWindows Command Line·12w

    PowerToys 0.97 is here: a big Command Palette update and a new mouse utility

    PowerToys 0.97 introduces major Command Palette improvements including UI customization with background images and color tinting, fallback ranking for search results, and a built-in extension to control PowerToys features directly. A new CursorWrap utility enables cursor wrapping across monitor edges for multi-monitor setups. CLI support expands to FancyZones, Image Resizer, and File Locksmith. Additional updates include faster Quick Access flyout, Light Switch integration with Night Light, and Advanced Paste enhancements with HEX color preview and image input support.

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    Article
    Avatar of andrewlock.NET Escapades·13w

    The Windows File Explorer replacement, File Pilot, is awesome

    File Pilot is a Windows File Explorer replacement that prioritizes speed and developer-friendly features. It offers instant loading, smooth scrolling, and lightning-fast search, along with split-screen views, a command palette, extensive keyboard shortcuts, and customizable themes. The tool integrates deeply with Windows, replacing File Explorer for most operations while maintaining familiar shortcuts. Currently free in beta, it will eventually require a paid license (around £40 for individuals). Minor limitations include limited file preview support compared to PowerToys and the inability to replace native file picker dialogs.

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    Video
    Avatar of christitustechChris Titus Tech·12w

    I Used Linux for 8 Years: Here's What They Don't Tell You

    After 8 years of using Linux as a primary OS, key lessons include: desktop environments and file managers are interchangeable components, not tied to distributions; professional Windows/Adobe software works better natively than through Wine; gaming has improved dramatically but mod support lags behind Windows; minimalist setups with window managers instead of full desktop environments provide better stability; hardware compatibility matters significantly (AMD generally easier than Nvidia); dual-booting or VMs handle Windows-only needs effectively; and bleeding-edge hardware has delayed Linux support compared to Windows/Mac.

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    Article
    Avatar of collectionsCollections·12w

    Reflecting on 30 Years of ReactOS: An Open-Source Windows Implementation Journey

    ReactOS marks 30 years since its 1996 inception as an open-source Windows NT clone. The project evolved from basic CD boot functionality in 2003 to desktop support, networking, SATA capabilities, and enhanced shell interfaces. With 88,198 commits from 301 contributors and nearly 15 million lines of code, the project's roadmap includes NTFS drivers, SMP support, UEFI compatibility, and WDDM GPU drivers while maintaining binary compatibility with Windows applications and drivers.

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    Article
    Avatar of linuxcomLinux Community·13w

    Windows-like Linux for mums?

    A user seeks advice on making KDE's Dolphin file manager look and behave like Windows Explorer to help their mother transition from Windows 10 to Fedora 43 Linux. The user questions why Linux distributions don't ship with Windows-like configurations by default, including familiar keyboard shortcuts, to improve usability for non-technical users migrating from Windows.

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    Article
    Avatar of opensuseopenSUSE·13w

    Software Policies Can Fuel Waste

    A viral Reddit photo showing pallets of discarded government PCs highlights how software policies create massive e-waste. These computers are being thrown out not because they're broken, but because they can't upgrade to newer Windows versions, despite being capable of running Linux distributions like openSUSE. The article advocates for the "Public Money, Public Code" principle, arguing that government adoption of open-source software could reduce taxpayer costs, extend hardware lifecycles, and prevent environmental damage from toxic e-waste. With Windows 10 extended support ending in October 2026, the "End of 10" campaign promotes transitioning to Linux as a fiscally and environmentally responsible alternative.

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    Article
    Avatar of windowsWindows Blogs·12w

    Notepad and Paint updates begin rolling out to Windows Insiders

    Windows Insiders in Canary and Dev Channels can now access updated versions of Notepad and Paint. Notepad adds expanded Markdown support (strikethrough, nested lists), a welcome dialog for feature discovery, and streaming AI text generation for Write, Rewrite, and Summarize features. Paint introduces an AI-powered Coloring book feature (Copilot+ PCs only) that generates coloring pages from text prompts, plus a fill tolerance slider for more precise color application control.

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    Video
    Avatar of primeagenThePrimeTime·15w

    Eliminate them all

    A Microsoft distinguished engineer posted on LinkedIn about eliminating all C/C++ code from Microsoft by 2030, claiming one engineer could rewrite 1 million lines per month using AI and algorithms. The post sparked controversy when he later clarified Windows wasn't included in this plan, despite the original statement saying 'every line.' The commentary criticizes the feasibility of such rapid rewrites, noting C++ and Rust solve problems differently, and questions Microsoft's ability to maintain Windows stability given recent update issues.

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