open-source alternatives

Microsoft’s recent shift in its operating system (OS) strategy is sending ripples through the tech world, with reverberations that are particularly concerning for long-term investors. As the company races ahead, pushing users to abandon Windows 10 in favor of Windows 11, deep fissures are...

Here’s a summary and analysis of "I’ve had it with Microsoft" by Paris Marx, as seen on Disconnect: Main Points: Price hikes and AI funding: Paris Marx criticizes Microsoft for significantly raising prices on existing Microsoft 365 customers to fund its investments in generative AI. For...

The latest wave of updates to Microsoft's Link to Windows app signals a new era in cross-device control, aiming to streamline how users manage their Windows PCs directly from Android smartphones. For years, Microsoft has steadily improved interoperability between Windows and mobile devices, but...

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued a critical advisory urging organizations to upgrade to Windows 11 before the October 14, 2025, end-of-life deadline for Windows 10. This recommendation underscores the significant cybersecurity risks associated with maintaining unsupported...

In a striking illustration of shifting digital sovereignty priorities across Europe, Lyon, France’s third-largest city, has announced its decisive transition away from Microsoft software, embracing a suite of open-source alternatives in a move set to reverberate throughout the continent’s public...

Microsoft's recent unveiling of "Microsoft 365 Local" marks a significant shift in its cloud strategy, introducing on-premises solutions tailored for European customers. This move appears to be a direct response to the escalating demand for digital sovereignty across Europe, where concerns over...

As the much-anticipated end-of-support date for Windows 10 Home and Pro looms on the horizon, users across the globe are confronted with a pivotal decision: what comes next for their PCs in a world beyond October 2025? Microsoft’s announcement that free security updates for Windows 10 Home and...

Microsoft’s approach to browser choice in Windows 11 has long been a sore point for users who value autonomy over their computing experience. This week, the company took a major step in realigning its practices—at least in the eyes of European regulators—by announcing sweeping changes aimed at...

As privacy concerns grow in the digital age, Windows users find themselves questioning exactly what information their PCs transmit back to Microsoft. Scrutiny of Windows' data practices is both justified and increasingly common, with valid concerns around the nature, scope, and controllability...

As Microsoft’s official support lifecycle for Windows 10 draws to a close, millions of PC users are confronted with a crucial decision: whether to abandon otherwise functional hardware, hand over more control to Microsoft’s relentless upgrade cycles, or chart their own path toward digital...

For years, the divide between our smartphones and our computers has served as a notable technical boundary—one that users and IT professionals alike have longed to bridge. Microsoft’s Phone Link, formerly called “Your Phone,” stands as the latest milestone on the journey toward seamless device...

Microsoft’s recent move to restrict its C/C++ extension for Visual Studio Code (VS Code) exclusively to its first-party products has stirred significant concern and debate throughout the developer community. As of version 1.24.5 released on April 3, 2025, the extension now refuses to work on...

Microsoft's recent enforcement of licensing restrictions on its C/C++ extension for Visual Studio Code (VS Code) has stirred significant controversy among developers relying on open-source VS Code forks like VS Codium and commercial derivatives such as Cursor. This move, which first became...

SQL Server 2019 Web Edition is making waves among web application developers and IT decision-makers looking for a robust, scalable, and cost-effective relational database solution. As businesses continue to rely on data-driven insights, this edition of Microsoft SQL Server steps up to offer a...

If you recently fired up your favorite Visual Studio Code fork and saw your trusty C++ extension suddenly waving the white flag, it’s not a bug—it’s Microsoft… enforcing the fine print with surgical precision. License Terms Go From Sleep Mode to “Blue Screen of Enforcement” This April, Microsoft...