accessibility issues Archives

Winsage

March 17, 2026

Windows 11 March Update Blocks C: Drive Access for Some Users

The March 2026 Windows 11 update (KB5079473) has caused significant issues for users, including inaccessible C: drives, system crashes, and freezing. Reports indicate that Samsung Galaxy Book device owners are particularly affected, with complete blockage of access to the C: drive. Microsoft acknowledges the "C: is not accessible - Access denied" issue, linking it to the Samsung Galaxy Connect application, and is working on a resolution. The affected devices include various models of the Samsung Galaxy Book 4 and certain Samsung Desktop models running Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. While Microsoft claims only Samsung users are impacted, it is unclear if other manufacturers are experiencing similar problems. The update has raised concerns about the quality assurance processes prior to releases.

Winsage

March 16, 2026

Windows 11 KB5079473 is not causing BSODs or an inaccessible C: drive and app failures, says Microsoft

The March 2026 Patch Tuesday update, KB5079473, is not causing significant issues like BSODs or reboot loops, according to Microsoft. Reports of an inaccessible C: drive and application malfunctions on Samsung PCs are linked to a recent update of the Galaxy Connect app, not the Windows update. Microsoft confirmed no known connections between the March update and major system failures. The update includes over a dozen security fixes and introduces new features, such as improvements to the File Explorer search bar and a Bing-based Internet speed test tool. Specific Samsung models are experiencing C drive accessibility issues due to the Galaxy Connect app, which has disrupted permissions.

Winsage

March 6, 2026

Microsoft finally gets around to fixing Windows 10 Recovery Environment after breaking it in October

Microsoft addressed an issue in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) that arose after the final update for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, which disrupted WinRE functionality on some devices. The same update also caused accessibility issues for USB devices in Windows 11's recovery environment. Microsoft released an out-of-band patch, but some Windows 10 users continued to experience WinRE problems. The fix, KB5068164, targets Windows 10 versions 21H2 and 22H2 and aims to resolve the issue preventing WinRE from starting after the October 14 update. Concerns about Microsoft's quality control have been raised due to the timing of the failure and the delay in providing a solution. Users of Windows 10 can rely on Microsoft's Extended Security Updates program, although the situation has caused doubts about the reliability of Microsoft's updates.

AppWizard

January 26, 2026

Want to block ads on Android? Here’s why I use an app over Private DNS

A recent poll showed that 65% of Android users block ads using the Private DNS feature, 19% use third-party apps like Blokada, 12% do not block ads at all, and 5% employ alternative solutions. The Private DNS feature allows users to specify a DNS provider for content control but may face challenges like website accessibility issues. In contrast, ad-blocking apps like Blokada use multiple blocklists and Android's VPN service for real-time filtering, offering more customization and control over ad-blocking preferences, though they may consume battery and require manual restarts on some devices. The choice between Private DNS and ad-blocking apps depends on individual user preferences and needs.

AppWizard

December 25, 2025

Steam and Valve’s online games are down

On December 24, around 1 PM ET, Steam users experienced significant disruptions, affecting access to the game store and online gaming. SteamDB's status page indicated that the Steam Store, Steam Community, and Steam Web APIs were offline. By 1:15 PM ET, DownDetector recorded over 6,000 outage reports. Valve's mobile applications were also inaccessible, impacting popular games like Team Fortress 2, Dota 2, and Counterstrike 2. Recovery began around 4 PM ET, and by 6 PM ET, the platform had largely returned to normal, although some services remained sluggish and many online games were still experiencing partial outages or were down. This incident follows a previous significant disruption in October and accessibility issues during the launch of Hollow Knight: Silksong in September.

AppWizard

July 23, 2025

Google Photos could soon get a surprising third-party integration (APK teardown)

Google is experimenting with a new feature in its Google Photos app that allows users to edit their Memories using CapCut, a video editing tool owned by ByteDance. An "Edit in CapCut" button has been found in version 7.38 of the Google Photos app, enabling users to edit auto-generated highlight reels of past photos and videos. If CapCut is not installed, tapping the button prompts a download from the Play Store; if it is installed, the memory is sent to the CapCut editor. However, CapCut is not available in certain regions, such as India, where this feature was first discovered. The integration raises questions about Google's promotion of a non-Google app, especially one owned by a company facing scrutiny. The feature has not yet been broadly rolled out or included in the app's beta version.

Winsage

July 18, 2025

Microsoft blocked some SMB shares on Windows, but here’s how you can fix it

Microsoft has introduced significant changes to SMB shares with the rollout of Windows 11 version 24H2, primarily enhancing security protocols. SMB shares now require SMB signing, and guest access has been disabled for most editions of Windows 11, necessitating a username and password for connection. These changes aim to address security risks associated with unauthorized data access. Users with Network-Attached Storage (NAS) setups may face accessibility issues due to these modifications. To regain access, users should enable SMB signing on their NAS and disable guest access. If necessary, users can disable security protections using Windows PowerShell, but this is not recommended.

AppWizard

June 14, 2025

PlayStation Appears To Be Removing Region Restrictions For Its Games On PC

PlayStation is porting its first-party, console-exclusive games to PC, aiming to expand access to these titles. However, the strategy has faced challenges due to the requirement of linking Steam accounts with PlayStation Network accounts, which has restricted access to certain games in over 100 countries without PSN availability. The release of Helldivers 2 highlighted these accessibility issues, but recent reports indicate that PlayStation is lifting regional restrictions for several titles, including God of War Ragnarok, The Last of Us Part II Remastered, Marvel's Spider-Man 2, and Helldivers 2. The launch of Days Gone Remastered without regional locks suggests a shift towards a more inclusive approach, potentially ending the era of regional limitations for PlayStation games on PC.

Winsage

April 23, 2025

Microsoft fixes Windows Server 2025 blue screen, install issues

Microsoft has addressed issues affecting Windows Server 2025 for systems with more than 256 logical processors, which could lead to installation failures, slow start-up times, and blue screen errors. These problems have been resolved through updates since the KB5046617 cumulative update released in November. IT administrators are advised to install the latest security updates, which include essential fixes. A temporary workaround involves limiting the number of logical processors to 256 or fewer by adjusting settings in the UEFI Setup. Additionally, Microsoft warned of potential accessibility issues with Windows Server 2025 domain controllers post-restart and reported login difficulties with Windows Hello after the April 2025 updates. A bug causing authentication issues with Credential Guard has been fixed, and a new safeguard hold for Windows 11 24H2 has been introduced due to compatibility problems with the SenseShield Technology's sprotect.sys driver.

TrendTechie

April 15, 2025