Windows Archives

Winsage

May 16, 2026

Announcing new builds for 15 May 2026

The Windows Insider Program is expanding the rollout of its revamped Beta Channel experience to devices. New Windows 11 Insider Preview Builds are being released, with release notes available for all Insiders. Existing Beta Channel Insiders on Windows 11 version 26H1 will receive the same build version as Experimental (26H1) for now, but distinct builds will be introduced in the coming weeks. Users transitioning from the default 25H2 core version to 26H1 may experience a delay in the new version uptake. Notable new features include: - Taskbar Improvements: Users can reposition the taskbar to the top, bottom, left, or right of the screen. A smaller taskbar option is also introduced for better screen space utilization. - Widgets: Taskbar badging color will now align with the Windows accent color, and user experience will be tailored based on engagement levels. - Windows Search Box: Enhancements are being made to prioritize files and apps over web suggestions for improved relevance.

Winsage

May 16, 2026

Microsoft is making Windows 11’s Start menu resizable after years of complaints, adds Small and Large options

Microsoft is updating the Start menu in Windows 11 based on user feedback about its size and functionality. The new Start menu will feature a categories layout and enhanced customization options. Users will soon be able to choose between two layouts: small and large. Additionally, users can hide specific sections within the menu, such as the Pinned section or the Recommended feed, to create a more streamlined experience. The Recommended feed can be disabled without affecting the Recent section in the taskbar or File Explorer. Users will also have the option to hide their name and profile picture in the Start menu. These updates will be rolled out in the coming weeks, with plans for further enhancements, including a movable and smaller taskbar and up to 18 major changes to Windows 11.

Winsage

May 16, 2026

Microsoft reverses course on Edge password handling but denies users were ever at risk

Microsoft Edge will implement a change in password management by no longer loading passwords into memory at startup, as part of an update to version 148. This change is already operational in the Canary Channel and will soon be available to all users.

Winsage

May 16, 2026

Windows 11 tests an adjustable taskbar and resizable Start menu

Windows 11 Insiders can now reposition the taskbar to the bottom, top, left, or right side of their screens. Users can adjust the size of the Start menu with "Small" and "Large" options, and customize the alignment of icons within the taskbar. The Start menu will feature a new layout with toggles to show or hide sections like “Pinned,” “Recommended” (rebranded as “Recent”), and “All.” Users can also hide personal details from the Start menu during presentations or screen sharing. These features will roll out in the coming weeks to the Experimental Channel.

Winsage

May 16, 2026

Microsoft will soon automatically uninstall bad Windows drivers and this new tool could be a game changer for your PC

Microsoft has introduced a tool called Cloud-Initiated Driver Recovery, which allows the company to remotely roll back problematic Windows drivers after they have been distributed via Windows Update. This tool aims to reduce the need for manual intervention from hardware manufacturers and end-users by replacing faulty drivers with the last known stable version. Additionally, Microsoft is working on enhancements for Windows 11, including a redesigned Start menu and a comprehensive reset feature. At the WinHEC 2026 conference, Microsoft also announced a new Driver Quality Initiative to maintain high standards in driver performance and reliability, which will support the effectiveness of the recovery tool.

Winsage

May 15, 2026

Windows 11’s May update is causing install failures and slow internet — here’s what we know

Microsoft's Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11, KB5089549, released on May 13, 2026, has caused installation issues for some users, who receive an error message indicating a rollback. Additionally, a smaller group has reported decreased internet performance after the update. Users facing installation failures may see the system revert to the previous version automatically and can attempt to reinstall the update or troubleshoot by clearing the SoftwareDistribution cache or using the Windows Update troubleshooter.

Winsage

May 15, 2026

Microsoft fixes a major BitLocker bug… but leaves Windows 10 users hanging (for now)

Microsoft confirmed a BitLocker-related issue caused by the April 2026 Security Update (KB5083769) for Windows 11, which led some devices to boot into the BitLocker recovery screen. A fix has been released, but it is currently available only for Windows 11, version 25H2, with Windows 10 and Windows Server users awaiting a solution. Administrators are advised to remove the "Configure TPM platform validation profile for native UEFI firmware configurations" Group Policy setting before installing the April 2026 update. Additionally, a security researcher named Chaotic Eclipse has developed a zero-day exploit called YellowKey, which can bypass BitLocker security using a USB stick, affecting Windows Server 2022 and 2025 but not Windows 10.

Winsage

May 15, 2026

For May, Patch Tuesday means 139 updates

Microsoft has released an extensive update for Azure Linux 3.0 and CBL Mariner 2.0, addressing 191 open-source Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) across various technologies, including the Linux kernel, Go runtime, Apache httpd, PHP, CoreDNS, Valkey, Ruby, GnuTLS, Apache Thrift, Node.js, Rust, Java implementations, Vim, Postfix, Expat, Nmap, Prometheus, KEDA, and PgBouncer. Additionally, Microsoft has fixed a critical vulnerability (CVE-2026-41103) in its Single Sign-On (SSO) Plugin for Jira and Confluence, which allows an attacker to forge a Microsoft Entra ID identity through a manipulated SAML response; however, patching this vulnerability is the responsibility of the users of Atlassian's platforms.

Winsage

May 15, 2026

Improving Windows quality: Making Taskbar and Start more personal

Microsoft is enhancing the Windows experience by focusing on performance, reliability, and craftsmanship, with a commitment to transparency about updates. The Start menu and taskbar are receiving particular attention, with new customization options being introduced for users in the Experimental channel. Users can now reposition the taskbar to any edge of the screen, customize icon alignment, and view every window at a glance with ungrouped icons. A more compact taskbar option will also be available for smaller screens. The Start menu will feature section-level toggles for easier customization, separate controls for file recommendations, size settings, and the option to hide user names for privacy. The Recommended section will be renamed Recent to better reflect its purpose. These features will be gradually rolled out, with user feedback being encouraged through the Feedback Hub.

Winsage

May 15, 2026

Lilbits: A RISC-V router (crowdfunding), an E Ink color dev kit, and Windows 11 taskbar customization

Microsoft is reintroducing the option to reposition the taskbar in Windows 11, currently available only to Windows 11 Insider Preview program members using an experimental build. Additional customization options for the Start Menu are also being rolled out to Insiders. A crowdfunding initiative has launched for a WiFi router powered by a RISC-V processor and a modified version of OpenWrt, featuring a SpacemiT K1 RISC-V processor, 4GB of RAM, and 16GB of storage, priced at 9, with no delivery guarantee. M5Stack has launched a development kit with a 4-inch E Ink Spectra 6 color display, priced at , which includes a 1250 mAh battery, microSD card reader, speaker, microphone, and buttons. GEEKOM has upgraded its mini PC lineup with the A9 Max 2026 Edition, featuring a Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 chip for improved AI and CPU performance compared to the HX 370. Pine64 has warned of a defect in a batch of its PinePower V2 power supplies, which may display a 0V output under certain conditions, assuring users that the issue will be fixed in the next production batch.