BIOS update Archives

Winsage

May 26, 2026

A recent HP laptop BIOS bug is leaving high-end Windows 11 PCs stuck in an endless BitLocker recovery loop

HP laptop owners, especially those with EliteBooks, ProBooks, and ZBook workstations, are experiencing issues after a recent BIOS firmware update via Windows Update, leading to system freezes and Blue Screen of Death errors. HP has acknowledged the problem and is investigating it, noting that Microsoft’s 2023 certificates may not apply correctly during this issue. Users are advised to check the UEFICA2023Status and UEFICA2023Error registry values to assess the update process. If the UEFICA2023Status is "In Progress" for too long and UEFICA2023Error is greater than 0, the update has failed. HP recommends disabling automatic updates to avoid the problematic BIOS update and has provided a manual workaround for the BitLocker Recovery loop. Users can also revert to a stable BIOS version, though this may be challenging and may require specific hardware.

Winsage

May 14, 2026

Windows 11 26H1: Microsoft keeps the special branch on track for new hardware

Microsoft has released an update to Windows 11 version 26H1, OS Build 28000.2113, through cumulative update KB5089548 on May 12, 2026. This update includes essential security fixes and non-security enhancements from the previous month's optional preview. Windows 11 version 26H1 is specifically designed for new devices launching in early 2026 and will not be available as an in-place update for existing systems running versions 24H2 or 25H2. The update focuses on maintenance for this branch, with improvements in SSDP notifications and gaming compatibility. It also includes AI enhancements exclusive to Copilot+-enabled PCs. Microsoft continues to support versions 24H2 and 25H2 for enterprise deployments, while 26H1 is relevant only for new hardware platforms. Currently, there are no known issues reported for Windows 11 26H1 or update KB5089548.

Winsage

May 5, 2026

Windows 11 restarts several times after a recent update? Don’t panic

After the installation of the optional April 2026 update, users may experience multiple restarts of their PCs, which is normal due to the Secure Boot certificate refresh process. This behavior may also occur with future updates as Microsoft implements Secure Boot certificate refreshes. Windows updates typically require a single reboot, but significant feature updates or firmware and driver updates may necessitate two or three reboots. Many Windows devices manufactured before 2024 have outdated Secure Boot certificates that need updating, as these certificates will expire in June 2026. Microsoft began rolling out updated Secure Boot certificates in March, but this rollout is staggered. Users can check their PC's Secure Boot certificate status in Windows Security under "Device security." The status is indicated by colored icons: green (up to date), yellow (update pending), and red (action required). Older devices may face issues with the certificate refresh if they lack up-to-date firmware or compatible BIOS updates. If Windows reports an error, the device manufacturer is typically responsible for resolving it. Users should verify that Secure Boot certificates were installed correctly after updates to ensure continued secure booting beyond June.

Winsage

April 16, 2026

FAT32 breaks free from its outdated limitation in latest Windows update

The FAT32 file system, historically limited to a 32GB partition size due to a design choice by Microsoft engineer Dave Plummer, can inherently support volumes up to 2TB with a 512-byte sector size and theoretically up to 16TB with 4KB sectors. While Windows maintained this 32GB limit, motherboard manufacturers had already developed firmware to utilize larger FAT32 drives. Tools like Rufus and GUIFormat were used to format high-capacity media, as Windows did not allow direct FAT32 formatting for drives larger than 32GB. However, with the introduction of Windows 11 Insider Preview Builds 26220.8165 and 26300.8170, users can now format large flash drives and external volumes as FAT32 directly from the Command Prompt without third-party software.

Winsage

February 13, 2026

Microsoft Introduces New Secure Boot Certificates Before June Deadline

The foundational security certificates supporting Windows Secure Boot, introduced in 2011, will expire in mid-2026, specifically in June and October. Microsoft and PC manufacturers are updating the Windows ecosystem to address this. Devices that do not receive updated certificates may face security limitations and compatibility issues with newer operating systems and hardware. The transition is described as a "generational refresh" of the trust infrastructure for Windows. Systems failing to update will still function but may enter a "degraded security state," unable to install new security mitigations or newer operating systems. Most users will receive updates automatically through Windows Update, while older systems may require manual intervention. Systems at risk include those running unsupported Windows versions, with Secure Boot disabled, or not enrolled in Extended Security Updates. Users should check their Secure Boot status using PowerShell commands to ensure they are using the new certificates. The update affects not only Windows PCs but also other devices utilizing UEFI Secure Boot.

AppWizard

January 6, 2026

Meet the new fastest gaming CPU in the world, so far

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has been officially launched as a new gaming CPU, featuring an eight-core, 16-thread configuration and a peak clock speed of 5.6GHz, up from 5.2GHz of its predecessor, the 9800X3D. It utilizes the AMD Zen 5 architecture and 3D V-Cache technology, with a TDP of 120W. The CPU is compatible with existing AMD AM5 motherboards, requiring a BIOS update for recognition. Internal testing indicates a 27% average frame rate improvement over the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, while performance compared to the 9800X3D shows an estimated increase of around 8%. The launch is scheduled for Q1 2026, with expected pricing above the 9 MSRP of the 9800X3D.

AppWizard

October 22, 2025

Meet the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, a new 24-core Arrow Lake refresh gaming CPU, according to this benchmark leak

Intel is set to release the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus gaming CPU, featuring 24 total cores (8 P-Cores and 16 E-Cores) and a base clock of 3.7GHz, with a peak boost clock of approximately 5.5GHz. It utilizes the Intel Arrow Lake architecture and has a 36MB L3 cache, fitting into the Intel LGA1851 socket. The increase in core count compared to the Core Ultra 7 265K aims to enhance multi-threaded performance, although it may not immediately rank among the best gaming CPUs. Users with existing Intel Arrow Lake systems can upgrade without changing motherboards, requiring only a BIOS update.

Winsage

June 18, 2025

It’s time to update Asus Armoury Crate, folks—the latest vulnerability could allow hackers to compromise your Windows OS

A newly discovered vulnerability in Asus Armoury Crate, identified as CVE-2025-3464, has a severity rating of 8.4 out of 10 and allows hackers to gain low-level privileges on Windows systems. The affected versions of Armoury Crate range from V5.9.9.0 to V6.1.18.0. Researcher Marcin "Icewall" Noga from Cisco Talos highlighted this issue, prompting Asus to issue a product security advisory. Users are advised to verify their version of Armoury Crate and update to the latest version if necessary. No incidents of this exploit being actively used have been reported thus far. This is the second vulnerability found in an Asus utility within two months, following a separate issue with DriverHub reported in May.

Winsage

June 11, 2025

A worrying Windows SecureBoot issue could let hackers install malware – here’s what we know, and whether you need to update

Researchers at Binarly have identified a critical vulnerability in a widely trusted BIOS update utility that operates on most modern systems using UEFI firmware. This utility, signed with Microsoft’s UEFI CA 2011 certificate, contains a flaw that could be exploited by malicious actors to disable essential security measures and install bootkit malware on personal computers. Microsoft addressed the issue by including a fix in its June 2025 Patch Tuesday cumulative update. The UEFI Secure Boot process is crucial for maintaining system integrity by verifying the authenticity of bootloaders and operating systems.

Winsage

April 11, 2025

Windows 11 Update Issues and What To Do About Them

Windows 11 version 24H2 has introduced significant issues, including blue screens of death (BSOD) and device bricking associated with update KB5043145. Users have reported problems such as black screens, corrupted boot sectors, and non-functional system restore points. Businesses are facing complications like failed domain join operations, group policy errors, and stalled WSUS updates. Specific issues include Remote Desktop disconnections after update KB5050094, the removal of the Windows Copilot app in March 2025, blocked BIOS updates for Lenovo ThinkPad users, and gaming performance problems for titles like Star Wars Outlaws and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. Microsoft is aware of these issues but is slow to provide solutions. Users are advised to use built-in troubleshooters, roll back problematic updates, pause updates, manually update drivers, and back up their systems before major updates.