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Winsage

January 1, 2026

Microsoft’s 2026 end-of-support wave includes Windows 11 24H2, Office 2021, and more

Microsoft will discontinue support for Windows 11 24H2 on October 4, 2026. Windows 11 23H2 Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise support ends on November 10, 2026. Office 2021 support will conclude on October 13, 2026. Upgrading from Office 2021 to Office 2024 will require purchasing a new license. The following products will also lose support in 2026: .NET 9 (November 10), .NET 8 (November 10), PowerShell 7.4 (November 10), and Windows Server 2012/2012 R2 (October 13).

Winsage

November 17, 2025

Windows 11 KB5068861 won’t install, File Explorer SMB search not working on network shares, and other issues

Windows 11 users are facing installation issues with the KB5068861 update from the November 2025 Patch Tuesday release, which addresses 63 critical security vulnerabilities. Errors reported include 0x80070306, 0x800f0983, and 0x800f081f. Affected users can wait for an optional release or use the Media Creation Tool, which downloads the same patch. Some users have reported a malfunctioning SMB search feature after the update. The installation errors have prompted reports of specific error codes, and attempts to resolve them through SFC scans or health checks have been largely ineffective. Downloading the .msu package from the Microsoft Update Catalog is recommended, followed by an installation attempt. If unsuccessful, the Media Creation Tool can be used while retaining user data. The November 2025 Update includes enhancements like a revamped Start menu, improved battery icons, and performance improvements, particularly for gamers. However, some users have encountered Bluetooth connectivity issues, especially on AMD PCs, with a temporary fix involving adjustments in Device Manager. The KB5068861 update has also caused a bug affecting search functionality over shared networks, leading to slower search results or empty listings for businesses. This issue arises from a breakdown in communication between the Windows client and the server’s search index. Users can restore functionality by restarting the Windows Search service or rebuilding the index. Additionally, the remote search functionality over SMB is compromised, preventing the Windows client from utilizing the server’s index. Users may need to uninstall the update to restore functionality, which requires disabling the Sandbox feature first. Specific DISM commands can be used to identify and remove the update, or it can be uninstalled through the Settings menu.

Winsage

November 17, 2025

Fortnite creator & Elon Musk urge Windows 11 to add vertical taskbar, remove MSA amid Copilot AI push

Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, criticized Microsoft for its Copilot feature and the removal of the option to reposition the taskbar, which many users miss from Windows 10. He also expressed disdain for Microsoft's requirement of Microsoft Accounts (MSA) for Windows 11, which has frustrated users who prefer local accounts. Elon Musk supported Sweeney's concerns about the Windows account requirement. Microsoft's Copilot ads have received overwhelmingly negative feedback from the public, with users expressing their discontent about intrusive pop-ups and errors in the AI's recommendations. Despite Microsoft citing a lack of demand, many users desire more customization options for the taskbar. Windows 11 mandates an internet connection and MSA during setup, with limited options for local accounts in the Pro version, leading to increased frustration among users.

Winsage

November 12, 2025

Windows 11 KB5068861 & KB5068865 cumulative updates released

Microsoft has released cumulative updates KB5068861 and KB5068865 for Windows 11 versions 25H2, 24H2, and 23H2, addressing critical security vulnerabilities, bugs, and introducing new features. The updates are mandatory and include the November 2025 Patch Tuesday security patches. Users can install the updates via Start > Settings > Windows Update or download them from the Microsoft Update Catalog. The build number for Windows 11 25H2 will change to Build 26200.7019, and 23H2 will update to 226x1.6050. New features include: - A revamped Start menu UI allowing removal of the Recommended feed. - Updated lock screen battery icons with color indicators and battery percentage. - A dedicated Microsoft 365 Copilot page for commercial devices. - Rebranding of the “Email & accounts” section to “Your accounts.” - Refreshed taskbar battery icons with clearer visual cues. - New Administrator Protection Preview feature for safeguarding admin rights. - API support for NIST post-quantum cryptography algorithms. Fixed issues include: - Taskbar app icon hover behavior. - Display issues in apps and browsers. - Context menu behavior in File Explorer. - Pen and handwriting input responsiveness. - Narrator launch issues during Windows setup. - Performance improvements in taskbar loading after sleep. This update is the final release for Windows 11 23H2, as support for this version ends today, and no optional updates will be released in December.

Winsage

October 30, 2025

Windows 11 KB5067036 issue: Task Manager won’t close and duplicates, may hurt performance

Windows 11 KB5067036 has a bug causing the Task Manager to duplicate itself every time it is closed, affecting about 30% of 100 tested virtual machines. The update, released on October 28, includes features like a refreshed Start menu and new battery icons, but also has issues with the Task Manager's close button, leading to multiple instances running in the background. Users can check for this bug by reopening Task Manager after closing it and observing the number of entries in the Processes tab. If affected, users are advised to use the End task option or the command taskkill /im taskmgr.exe /f to close all instances. Additionally, October 2025 has been problematic for Windows 11, with issues related to LocalHost connections and the Windows Recovery Environment, raising concerns about the stability of updates.

Winsage

October 29, 2025

Microsoft Issues Week D Preview Updates for Windows 11

Microsoft has released the Week D preview updates for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, introducing Preview Update KB5067036, which upgrades version 25H2 to build 26200.7019 and version 24H2 to build 26100.7019. Key features include: - Copilot+ PCs: Improvements to Click to Do, allowing text translation, unit conversion, object selection, and interaction with Live Persona cards from Microsoft 365. Touchscreen access is available via a two-finger press. - File Explorer: Quick action commands in Home view for signed-in users, with future support for work and school actions. - Voice Access: Enhanced Fluid Dictation for grammar and punctuation, configurable command delays, and added support for Japanese. - Agent in Settings: Now supports the French language. - Windows Search: Enhanced semantic search available on all Copilot+ PCs. For all Windows 11 PCs: - Start Menu: Redesigned with a scrollable All section, responsive layout, and Phone Link integration. - Taskbar: Updated battery icon indicating status colors and an option to display battery life percentage. - File Explorer: Home view shows recommended files for MSA users and supports third-party cloud storage integration. - Lock Screen: Updated battery icons from the Taskbar are now visible. - Settings: The Email & accounts page has been renamed to Your accounts. - Administrator Protection: New security control available in Windows Security or through Microsoft Intune or Group Policy. - Quality Updates: Includes bug fixes, security enhancements, and new AI model versions for Copilot+ PCs. These features are part of a Controlled Feature Release (CFR) and will be rolled out gradually.

Winsage

October 24, 2025

Windows Weekly 955: Chewy Indifference

Microsoft has announced new Copilot and AI features for Windows 11, transitioning to Windows.ai. An emergency update was released for Windows 11 to address issues that disabled USB mouse and keyboard support in the Windows Recovery Environment. The Windows Insider Program is evolving with improvements to mobile device settings, File Explorer, and Drag Tray in the Dev and Beta channels, while a revamped Start menu and Copilot Vision integration are set for the Release Preview. Microsoft's annual report highlights three core business segments: Windows, Microsoft 365 Consumer, and Xbox/gaming, with Xbox/gaming having 500 million users but the highest engagement levels. Microsoft plans to launch Copilot for Education in December and integrate Anthropic Claude into Microsoft 365 commercial offerings. The Xbox president indicated that the next console will be "very premium," and new hardware options are available for purchase. The Xbox Development Kit has seen a 33 percent price increase due to U.S. tariffs. Many laptops are now designed to be end-user repairable and upgradeable, allowing users to swap out SSDs and other components.

Winsage

October 23, 2025

Windows 11’s Redesigned Start Menu is Now Available for Release Preview Testers

Windows Insiders in the Release Preview Channel can now access a redesigned Start Menu and several new features through the KB5067036 update for the 25H2 and 24H2 versions of Windows 11. Key enhancements include: - A redesigned Start Menu that adjusts to screen size, with a scrollable “All” section and two views: ‘Category’ and ‘Grid’. A new mobile device button opens the Phone Link sidebar. - New battery icons on the taskbar and lock screen, with a green icon indicating charging and a yellow icon for low battery (20% or below). Users can display battery percentage in the system tray. - Copilot Vision integration in the taskbar, allowing users to hover over an app icon for a thumbnail preview and a “Share with Copilot” button to analyze app content. - Improvements in File Explorer, with recommended files accessible for personal and local Microsoft accounts (excluding EEA users) and new commands like “Open file location” and “Ask Copilot”. - Fluid Dictation in Voice Access for Copilot+ PCs, providing real-time corrections for voice dictation. - Click to Do improvements for Copilot+ PCs, enabling translation of on-screen text, unit conversions, table detection for Excel, and a Freeform selection mode. These features are expected to be available to non-Insiders later this month with the optional October update and a public rollout is anticipated next month during the November 2024 Patch Tuesday updates.

Winsage

September 8, 2025

Microsoft begins preparing Windows 11 25H2 installation media ahead of public roll out

Windows 11 25H2 is expected to be a modest update with a broad rollout anticipated in October or late September, currently available in the Release Preview Channel. Microsoft has confirmed that ISO installation media files will be released soon, although their initial release was delayed. The ISOs for version 25H2 are expected to be substantial, similar to version 24H2, but users upgrading from 24H2 will have a seamless installation process of less than 5MB via Windows Update. The update uses an enablement package that requires a single restart to activate pre-existing features in version 24H2. Future cumulative updates will continue to introduce new features for both 24H2 and 25H2, with recent updates reduced in size by 40%. Users can access Windows 11 25H2 through the Release Preview Channel and will receive monthly cumulative updates after exiting the channel. The new Start menu and colorful battery icons will be available in version 25H2 and will also be rolled out to version 24H2 users over time.

Winsage

August 23, 2025

Windows 11 to get Android App continuity feature

Microsoft is testing a feature in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5761 that allows users to resume Android apps, starting with Spotify, on their PCs. When a user pauses playback on their Android device, a “Resume alert” appears on the Windows 11 taskbar, enabling automatic resumption of playback on the Spotify desktop app. If the app is not installed, it can be easily downloaded from the Microsoft Store. Users need to enable mobile device access on their PC, link their Android phone via the Link to Windows app, and ensure they are signed into the same Spotify account on both devices to utilize this feature. Microsoft is also inviting app developers to integrate with the Resume API for broader app continuity in the future. Additional enhancements in this build include new battery icons, touch gesture improvements, and various bug fixes.