Active Directory Archives

Winsage

April 17, 2026

Microsoft’s April patch puts Windows domain controllers into reboot loops — third known issue from KB5082063 is affecting Windows Server 2016 through 2025

Microsoft has acknowledged that the April 2026 security update for Windows Server, patch KB5082063, has caused significant disruptions for some enterprise domain controllers, leading to continuous reboot cycles in non-Global Catalog domain controllers used in Privileged Access Management (PAM) deployments. This has resulted in the unavailability of Active Directory authentication and directory services on affected servers. Additionally, the installation of KB5082063 may fail on some Windows Server 2025 systems. This issue marks the third consecutive year that April security updates have caused problems for Windows Server domain controllers. In previous years, Microsoft issued emergency fixes for similar issues, including crashes and complications with NTLM authentication. Administrators currently have limited options, including delaying the update, isolating a test domain controller, or engaging with Microsoft Support for tailored mitigation steps.

Winsage

April 9, 2026

You Can Get Windows 11 Pro on Sale for A$18 Right Now

Windows 11 Pro is currently available for a reduced price of A, down from A8. Key features include Windows Copilot, a redesigned user interface, new productivity tools, remote desktop access, TPM 2.0 support, Smart App Control, biometric login options, BitLocker device encryption, Azure Active Directory integration, Hyper-V, and Windows Sandbox. The minimum system requirements are a processor of at least 1GHz, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of hard disk space. The offer is provided by a trusted Microsoft partner.

Winsage

March 24, 2026

When Windows 11 sneezes, Azure catches cold

The short-term effects of Windows 11 on Azure's performance are muted due to many Azure customers operating in mixed environments that often include Linux-based systems and cross-platform tools. This shift reflects a move away from the idea of "run Windows everywhere" to "meet customers where they are." The introduction of Windows 11 could damage Microsoft's credibility and influence purchasing decisions, leading to skepticism from CIOs and architects regarding broader Microsoft platform investments. Historically, Microsoft's strength has been in stack continuity, with seamless integration across its products, but the company now faces the challenge of maintaining ecosystem cohesion while adapting to diverse customer needs.

Winsage

March 20, 2026

Microsoft breaks Microsoft account sign-ins in Windows 11 with latest update

Microsoft is facing a significant issue affecting account sign-ins for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2 due to a recent update. Users signing in with Microsoft accounts may receive error messages indicating a lack of internet connectivity, despite being online. This issue does not affect businesses using Entra ID for authentication. Microsoft has acknowledged the problem and suggested that it may resolve on its own, with a device restart often helping if the device is connected to the internet. However, restarting without an active connection may perpetuate the issue. Microsoft is working on a resolution and may release an out-of-band update to address the complications from the March 10 update. Additionally, enterprise users have reported Bluetooth problems with hotpatching enabled.

Winsage

March 20, 2026

Microsoft: March Windows updates break Teams, OneDrive sign-ins

Microsoft has acknowledged that the March update for Windows 11 (KB5079473) has caused sign-in complications with Microsoft accounts in various applications, including Teams, OneDrive, Microsoft Edge, Excel, Word, and Microsoft 365 Copilot. Users may receive error messages indicating a lack of Internet connection during sign-in attempts, despite being online. This issue affects Microsoft account sign-ins but does not impact businesses using Entra ID for app authentication. Microsoft is working on a fix and suggests users restart their PCs while connected to the Internet as a temporary workaround. If restarted without an Internet connection, the sign-in problem may persist. Additionally, Microsoft has released two emergency out-of-band updates for Bluetooth visibility issues and security vulnerabilities in the Routing and Remote Access Service. Guidance has also been provided to resolve access issues related to the C: drive and app failures on certain Samsung Windows 11 laptops due to a problematic version of the Samsung Galaxy Connect app.

Winsage

March 11, 2026

How to disable Hyper-V for Windows 11

Microsoft's Hyper-V is a hardware virtualization platform integrated into Windows 11 Professional, Enterprise, and Education editions, allowing users to host multiple virtual machines (VMs) on a single computer. It operates using a type 1 hypervisor directly on hardware, enabling VMs to share resources like CPU, memory, and storage. Hyper-V includes features such as dynamic memory allocation, software-defined networking, and saved checkpoints. IT administrators may need to disable Hyper-V due to compatibility issues with third-party virtualization software, high-precision applications, or driver conflicts. Disabling Hyper-V can also affect security features reliant on it, such as virtualization-based security (VBS) and Device Guard. Methods to disable Hyper-V include: 1. Using the Windows Features dialog. 2. Executing a PowerShell command: Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Hyper-V-All, HypervisorPlatform, VirtualMachinePlatform. 3. Running a DISM command:

dism /Online /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:Microsoft-Hyper-V-All /FeatureName:HypervisorPlatform /FeatureName:VirtualMachinePlatform

. 4. Using the bcdedit command: bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off. 5. Modifying Group Policy to disable VBS. 6. Editing the Windows Registry to disable VBS or Credential Guard. For multiple managed computers, administrators can create and execute a PowerShell script or use Group Policy Objects to streamline the process. Testing in a controlled environment is recommended to ensure desired outcomes without compromising security or functionality.

Winsage

March 4, 2026

You Can Get Windows 11 Pro on Sale for A$18 Right Now

Windows 11 Pro is currently available for a reduced price of A, down from A4, until March 8 at 11:59 PM PT. This version includes features such as Windows Copilot, remote desktop access, TPM 2.0, Smart App Control, biometric login support, BitLocker encryption, Azure Active Directory integration, Hyper-V, and Windows Sandbox. The offer is valid for updating a single PC, and the minimum requirements are a processor speed of at least 1GHz, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of hard disk space. No coupon is needed to access this offer.

Winsage

February 28, 2026

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1673 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1673 has been released to the Canary Channel. Key updates include: - Emoji 16.0 release with new emojis available in the emoji panel. - Introduction of a sign-in restore experience for Windows Backup for Organizations, reinstating user settings and Microsoft Store apps. - Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) is now automatically enabled for enterprise-managed Windows Professional devices. - A built-in network speed test accessible from the taskbar for measuring network performance. - Enhanced account menu in the Start menu directing users to Microsoft account benefits. - Pan and tilt controls for supported cameras available in the Settings app. - Widget Settings have been updated to a full-page experience. - Search function in the taskbar now displays group headers with the number of results and allows previewing results. - Support for Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) on Windows 11 Arm64 devices. - Improvements to dark mode in File Explorer and fixes for unexpected window behavior. - Reliability improvements in Settings for Bluetooth & Devices options. - Enhanced reliability for sending larger files via nearby sharing. Features are gradually rolled out, and a clean installation is required to exit the Canary Channel.

Winsage

February 18, 2026

Releasing Windows 11 Builds 26100.7918 and 26200.7918 to the Release Preview Channel

Windows 11 Builds 26100.7918 and 26200.7918 (KB5077241) have been released for Insiders in the Release Preview Channel, covering versions 24H2 and 25H2. The update features a gradual rollout method for updates and includes various new features and enhancements: - Emoji 16.0 introduces a selection of new emojis. - Windows Backup for Organizations now includes a first sign-in restore experience. - Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) is activated for non-domain joined Windows Professional devices. - A built-in network speed test is accessible from the taskbar. - Taskbar improvements enhance the visual experience of the overflow area. - A new entry point in the account menu directs users to the Microsoft account benefits page. - Windows supports Microsoft Entra ID group and role SID resolution. - Users can control pan and tilt for supported cameras in the Settings app. - Sysmon functionality is now included natively in Windows for capturing system events. - Widget Settings now opens as a full-page experience in the Widgets app. - Users can set .webp image files as their desktop background. - The search process icon in Task Manager has been updated. - Storage Settings dialogs have been modernized, and performance for scanning temporary files has improved. - Enhancements have been made to Windows Update Settings for better responsiveness. - Reliability improvements have been implemented for the login screen and Nearby Sharing. - The Windows print service has been optimized for smoother performance during high-volume tasks. - File Explorer has received several improvements, including an extract all option for non-ZIP archive folders and enhanced reliability for displaying devices on the Network page. - Performance enhancements have been made to reduce resume-from-sleep time on heavily loaded systems. - Minor visual issues related to the taskbar, Windows Security pop-up credential fields, and the print dialog have been addressed.

Winsage

January 30, 2026

Microsoft to disable NTLM by default in future Windows releases

Microsoft will disable the NTLM authentication protocol by default in the next major Windows Server release and associated Windows client versions. NTLM, introduced in 1993, has been vulnerable to various cyberattacks, including NTLM relay and pass-the-hash attacks. The transition plan includes three phases: enhanced auditing tools in Windows 11 24H2 and Windows Server 2025, new features like IAKerb and a Local Key Distribution Center in late 2026, and eventually disabling network NTLM by default in future releases. NTLM will remain in the operating system but will not be used automatically. Microsoft deprecated NTLM authentication in July 2024 and has encouraged developers to transition to Kerberos or Negotiation authentication.