administrator account Archives

Winsage

October 10, 2024

New Windows Feature Limits Admin Privileges

Microsoft has introduced a security feature called Administrator Protection in its latest Windows preview version, aimed at enhancing local administrator privileges and reducing the risk of privilege escalation exploits. This feature changes the elevation of privileges from an unrestricted process to a controlled "just-in-time" event, utilizing an isolated, ephemeral shadow administrator account that disappears after use. This approach replaces the previous split-token model governed by User Account Control (UAC) and complicates attempts by cybercriminals to misuse elevated privileges. The feature is designed to hinder attackers who exploit common applications and administrative privileges for lateral movement within networks. It is disabled by default and requires activation via group policy. Additionally, it improves monitoring capabilities for organizations by allowing better oversight of short-lived privileged accounts.

Winsage

August 31, 2024

Ryzen 9000 performance boost now available to all Windows 11 users

AMD's Ryzen 9000 series initially received mixed reviews due to performance issues attributed to their testing methodology, which involved using Super Admin mode. A recent Windows update has been released to standard Windows 11 builds, allowing users to access performance enhancements without needing an administrator account. This update, available for Windows 11 23H2, includes necessary changes to unlock the full potential of the Ryzen CPUs, with AMD confirming the integration of performance improvements. Users can check for Build 22621.4112 or 22631.4112 to experience these enhancements.

Winsage

August 31, 2024

Following Windows updates, new AMD AGESA further boosts Ryzen 9000 performance with 105W TDP

AMD's Ryzen 9000 series has received mixed reviews, with a modest performance gain attributed to the new Zen 5 architecture. The company acknowledges optimization issues in Windows and plans to release a performance patch. Early testing suggests that the upcoming Windows 11 24H2 patch could provide an 11% performance boost in gaming. AMD will also release new firmware to increase the thermal design power (TDP) of the Ryzen 9000 X-series from 65 watts to 105 watts, potentially enhancing performance. MSI has released the AGESA firmware update, which allows users to enable the "TPD to 105W" feature, resulting in a 13% performance uplift in multi-core performance for the Ryzen 9700X. A list of compatible MSI motherboard models supporting the new firmware has been provided.

Winsage

August 22, 2024

AMD explains, promises partial fixes for Ryzen 9000 performance problems

AMD has launched its Ryzen 9000-series processors, introducing the Zen 5 CPU architecture. Reviewers have faced challenges in achieving expected performance levels, prompting AMD to clarify discrepancies noted before the launch. The upcoming Windows 11 24H2 update will include optimized AMD-specific branch prediction code, expected to improve performance by 3 to 13 percent in various games, also benefiting Ryzen processors based on Zen 3 and Zen 4 architectures. This update is anticipated to be available this fall, with current builds allowing performance improvements in Administrator mode. AMD has indicated that an update to chipset drivers could resolve some performance issues, particularly related to a "core parking" feature in the Ryzen 7900X3D and 7950X3D processors. This feature aims to optimize performance by activating cores with access to the 3D V-Cache. However, the drivers may inadvertently keep parking cores across all Ryzen 9000 CPUs, and the only resolution currently is to reinstall Windows. AMD has also suggested adjusting the processor's SoC voltage and Infinity Fabric clock speed for optimal performance with DDR5-6000 memory. Additionally, AMD noted that performance discrepancies may arise from variations in testing configurations among reviewers.

Winsage

August 22, 2024

AMD admits its chips actually have gaming ‘parity’ with Intel’s 14th Gen, suggests lacklustre Ryzen 9000 performance could be because we’re not fiddling with Windows’ backend

AMD's 9000-series CPUs have not significantly outperformed the previous 7000-series chips, despite a price increase. The company initially claimed a 9% average generational uplift in 1080p gaming and a 6% performance advantage over competitors. AMD suggested using a "hidden Administrator account" for optimal performance, raising questions about the validity of performance testing under standard user accounts. Concerns were raised that this approach could inflate performance metrics. AMD has revised its gaming performance assessments and announced that optimized branch prediction code will be available in Windows 11, version 24H2, which may provide a modest performance boost of 2-3%.

Winsage

August 19, 2024

Windows bug? AMD’s Ryzen 9000 CPUs perform better on admin accounts

AMD's Zen 5-based desktop processors from the Ryzen 9000 series can enhance gaming performance by approximately 3.8 percent when using a Windows administrator account compared to a standard user account. This improvement was also noted with the previous generation Zen 4 CPUs, which showed a 2.8 percent increase. Walton's tests covered 13 different games, and while gaming performance varied with user account type, application benchmarks remained unaffected. AMD confirmed these findings but warned against using administrator accounts as a long-term solution due to security risks. Operating under an administrator account allows unrestricted actions, which can be exploited by malicious entities, making it advisable to use a standard user account for everyday tasks.

Winsage

August 16, 2024

Windows 11 ‘bug’ affects gaming performance in new Ryzen CPUs and the fix isn’t worth it

AMD has introduced two new CPUs from its Zen 5 Ryzen 9000 series: the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Ryzen 7 9700X. Initial reviews indicate mixed gaming performance, with some reviews suggesting that the Ryzen 7 9700X's gaming issues may stem from a bug in Windows 11. A review by Hardware Unboxed found that switching to a hidden administrator account improved the Ryzen 7 9700X's performance, achieving an additional 10 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty. There are concerns about security risks associated with running a PC in administrator mode. Reports suggest AMD may increase the default thermal design power (TDP) of both CPUs to 105W from 65W via a BIOS update, although this has not been confirmed. Additionally, AMD has launched the Ryzen 9 9900X and Ryzen 9 9950X, which are available for purchase.

Winsage

August 3, 2024

How to Set Up Windows 11 Without a Microsoft Account

The installation of Windows 11 requires a Microsoft account sign-in during the "Out of the Box Experience" (OOBE), but there are methods to bypass this requirement. Method 1 involves using the Command Prompt during installation: 1. Start the installation and select your language. 2. Click "Install now" and choose "I don’t have a product key" if necessary. 3. Select the Windows version and choose "Custom: Install Windows only." 4. After installation, press Shift + F10 to access Command Prompt. 5. Enter the command "oobebypassnro" to skip OOBE. 6. Disconnect your router to set up a local account. Method 2 uses Rufus to create a bootable USB drive: 1. Download and launch Rufus. 2. Insert your USB drive and select the Windows 11 ISO file. 3. Check options to remove the Microsoft account requirement and disable data collection. 4. Create the bootable USB drive. 5. Boot from the USB and complete the installation, setting up a local administrator account. These methods allow users to install Windows 11 without needing a Microsoft account.

Winsage

July 30, 2024

Why you should never connect a Windows XP PC to the internet

Windows XP, released in 2001, has not received significant updates since 2014, leading to increased security vulnerabilities. YouTuber Eric Parker conducted an experiment by connecting a Windows XP machine to the internet, resulting in the detection of malware within minutes, even without visiting any websites. He recorded eight instances of malware, including four Trojans, and noted that a new administrator account was created, allowing remote control of the system. Parker conducted the test without antivirus software or an intermediate router, highlighting that the Windows Firewall alone was insufficient for protection against cyber threats. He advised that such experiments should only be done in controlled environments to avoid exposing vulnerable systems to the internet.

Winsage

July 25, 2024

Windows gets Linux’s sudo superpower: Here’s how to turn it on

Sudo allows users to execute programs with the security rights of another user without needing full administrative rights for the entire system. Microsoft is introducing Sudo for Windows in Windows 11 version 24H2, providing finer control over permissions and logging compared to the RunAs command. Sudo must be enabled in Windows 11 version 24H2 before use.