activation Archives

Winsage

August 3, 2026

Microsoft warns Windows 11 Insiders of crucial mandatory upcoming deadline

Microsoft is updating Secure Boot certificates for Windows 11 PCs, as the previous certificates are 15 years old and nearing expiration. Users can check their certificate status easily. An advisory was issued in early September regarding changes for Windows Insider channels, particularly affecting the Experimental and Beta channels, with a deadline for certificate updates set for August 11, 2026. The Release Preview builds will not be affected by this update requirement. Users in the impacted channels must update to specific builds to obtain the new certificates, or they may stop receiving updates after the deadline. The minimum build requirements for each channel are outlined, and users can check their current Windows 11 Insider build by using the winver command. Microsoft has confirmed that these updates will not impact activation or licensing status.

Winsage

August 2, 2026

Windows 11 Search is fixing its biggest annoyance, will find files in folders you actually use

Windows 11 Search is a crucial tool for users who create and download files, but it often struggles to find recently accessed files due to its indexing limitations. Microsoft is introducing a feature called “Automatically find additional relevant locations,” which will automatically identify and index folders based on user activity, reducing the need for manual indexing. Currently, Windows Search maintains an index focused on specific folders, which can lead to frustrations when files are not found. Users can manually add locations or switch to Enhanced mode for broader indexing, though this may result in irrelevant search results and increased resource usage. The new feature aims to streamline the search process by making significant folders searchable automatically while allowing users to block any unwanted folders. Additionally, Microsoft is enhancing Windows Search to better recognize typos and plans to disable Bing search and ads in results. These updates are expected to be rolled out later this year.

Winsage

August 1, 2026

Unexpected item in the bagging area as Windows Activation error pops up at check-in

A flight information display at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 showed a Microsoft activation watermark, which hindered its functionality. The issue was noted by a traveler, Mrs. Ethel Grapefruit. While the watermark may cause some annoyance, it is not expected to significantly impact the display's core functions, which still guide passengers to check-in. This incident is part of a series of IT-related issues faced by Heathrow and British Airways, raising questions about the airport's technology management.

Winsage

July 31, 2026

Microsoft Ended Windows 10 Support, but You Don’t Necessarily Need a New PC

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft ceased support for Windows 10, which means it will no longer receive technical assistance, feature updates, or security patches. Microsoft has introduced the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which has been extended to October 2027, allowing users to continue receiving essential security updates if their device meets specific criteria. Eligibility for ESU includes running Windows 10, version 22H2 Home, Professional, Pro Education, or Workstations edition, having the latest Windows update installed, being signed in with an administrator Microsoft account, and enabling Windows Backup. ESU is free for users utilizing Windows Backup; otherwise, a one-time fee or redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points is required. For devices not qualifying for ESU, alternatives include installing third-party antivirus software, upgrading to Windows 11, or switching to Linux. To enroll in ESU, users can navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, where an Enroll Now link will appear if eligible.

Winsage

July 30, 2026

How to remap the Windows 11 Copilot key and restore your missing Right Ctrl button

The Copilot key, introduced by Microsoft on Windows laptops over two years ago, is located to the right of the spacebar and provides access to Microsoft's Copilot AI. This key has been adopted by various manufacturers, including Lenovo, Dell, and HP, and is now found on many laptops even if they are not labeled as Copilot+ models. The key can replace the Right Ctrl key or the Context menu key, which may disrupt users' workflows. Microsoft plans to release an update for Windows 11 that will allow users to remap the Copilot key to function as the Right Ctrl key or the Context menu key. Two methods to remap the Copilot key include using Windows settings and Microsoft's PowerToys Keyboard Manager. Users can test the remapped functionality and revert changes if needed.

Winsage

July 29, 2026

Microsoft will make it harder to illegally activate Windows and close a popular piracy loophole

Microsoft is requiring the use of TPM 2.0 security modules for Key Management Service (KMS) activation servers to combat unlicensed software and corporate piracy. KMS, used by organizations for mass activation of devices, has been targeted by hackers who create counterfeit servers. The new protocol mandates that KMS hosts validate their hardware credentials through the TPM 2.0 chip before activating client devices. This initiative will mainly affect illegal infrastructures in the corporate sector, while legitimate PC users will not be impacted. Starting in August 2026, Windows Server 2025 will introduce hardware readiness alerts to help system administrators prepare for these changes. TPM 2.0 has been required for Windows 11 since 2021, and its application is being expanded to address vulnerabilities in volume licensing.

Winsage

July 29, 2026

Windows 11 is quietly installing OneDrive Photos, another image viewer that nobody asked for

In 2026, Windows 11 users noticed the unexpected addition of OneDrive Photos to the Start menu, a photo viewer and editor installed through a Windows Update or an update to the OneDrive sync client. OneDrive Photos is integrated into the existing OneDrive installation and operates via the executable file located at C:Program FilesMicrosoft OneDriveOneDrive.App.exe. It can scan local files for photos without requiring a Microsoft account and offers functionalities similar to the Microsoft Photos app. Users cannot remove OneDrive Photos independently from OneDrive, and to prevent its installation, OneDrive must be uninstalled entirely. The app includes features like AI-driven cloud search, Optical Character Recognition (OCR), and a People section for organizing faces in images, with privacy assurances regarding facial data.

Winsage

July 29, 2026

Microsoft reportedly using TPM chips to weed out Windows piracy

Microsoft's Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 has been integral to Windows 11's security since its launch in 2021. TPM is now standard in most CPUs, allowing Microsoft to enhance device activation security. The current Key Management Service (KMS) model has vulnerabilities that hackers exploit, prompting the need for stronger device identity and activation integrity assurances. TPM provides a hardware-level security mechanism for the activation process, where KMS hosts must present TPM credentials to validate their hardware identity and confirm they are uncompromised. Starting with upcoming Windows Server releases, KMS hosts will be required to prove they run on verified hardware before activating clients. By August 2026, Windows Server 2025 will help administrators prepare for these changes.

Winsage

July 29, 2026

The latest Windows 11 update highlights the part of Microsoft I genuinely enjoy covering the most

Windows Insiders can explore a new build of Windows 11 that enhances accessibility features, particularly the upgraded Voice Access with Voice Isolation, which filters background noise for better voice command control in noisy environments. This update allows users to navigate their devices using voice commands alone, with a dock displaying spoken commands for immediate feedback. Voice Access now offers three speech recognition modes: Voice Isolation, which requires a one-time voice setup; Remove background noise only, which eliminates non-speech sounds without additional setup; and No filtering, the default mode. Additionally, the Narrator feature has improved support for HID-compliant braille displays, enabling plug-and-play connectivity via USB or Bluetooth, including during the initial Windows setup for users who are deaf-blind. Compatible HID displays include the Orbit Reader 20, Orbit Slate 340, Freedom Scientific Focus 40, and APH Mantis Q40. Customization options for braille input and output are available in the Accessibility settings under Narrator.

Winsage

July 28, 2026

Your Windows Recycle Bin is a privacy risk—here’s how to actually delete your files

The Recycle Bin in Windows, introduced in 1995, serves as a temporary storage for deleted files rather than permanently removing them. When a file is deleted, it is moved to the Recycle Bin, which requires manual emptying or activation of a Storage Sense policy to clear its contents. This can lead to reduced hard drive space for users unaware of its behavior. The Recycle Bin can contain sensitive information, and if someone gains access to a Microsoft account, they can view its contents. Even after emptying the Recycle Bin, data can be recovered unless overwritten, with different recovery processes for solid-state drives (SSDs) due to maintenance routines like the TRIM command. Risks extend beyond physical access, as compromised accounts or malware can access deleted files. To securely delete sensitive files, users can use the Shift + Del shortcut, file shredding applications, and consider encrypting their drives with BitLocker. Specialized shredders for SSDs exist, and users can optimize drives through Windows settings to manage data recovery risks.