black screen Archives

Winsage

January 29, 2026

‘Crashing’—Microsoft Issues Critical Warning For Windows Users

Microsoft has acknowledged an issue affecting PCs after a mandatory security update in January, resulting in a new variant of the black screen of death. The crashes are linked to devices that did not successfully install the December 2025 security update and became unresponsive when attempting to roll back the update. Microsoft is working on a partial resolution to prevent further no-boot scenarios, but this fix will not stop devices from entering the problematic state or restore functionality to those already affected. The issue primarily impacts commercial devices running Windows 11 KB5074109 (25H2 Build 26200.7623 and 24H2 Build 26100.7623). Affected users experiencing the Black Screen of Death with the UNMOUNTABLEBOOTVOLUME error will need to manually recover their computers using the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).

Winsage

January 26, 2026

Some PCs can’t boot after latest Windows 11 security update, no fix in sight —mostly affects 24H2 and 25H2 versions

A segment of Windows 11 users has encountered an issue with the January 2026 security update, resulting in some devices displaying an “UNMOUNTABLEBOOTVOLUME” error and becoming unresponsive. Users see a black screen with a message prompting a restart. This follows previous complications from security updates, including problems with shutdowns, hibernation, and disruptions to cloud applications like Outlook, OneDrive, and Dropbox. Microsoft has released emergency updates, but the unbootable error persists. Affected users can only temporarily resolve the issue by accessing the Windows Recovery Environment to uninstall the problematic patch. Additionally, the August 2025 security update disrupted recovery tools, and an October update rendered USB keyboards and mice inoperable in the Recovery Environment, complicating troubleshooting efforts.

Winsage

January 26, 2026

Windows PCs ‘Suddenly’ Fail After Microsoft’s New Update

Microsoft has acknowledged an issue where certain devices fail to boot, resulting in a Black Screen of Death (BSOD) with the stop code UNMOUNTABLEBOOTVOLUME, affecting users of Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 who installed the KB5074109 update. This update was intended to address numerous security vulnerabilities. Users encountering the 0xED error code may face system corruption or hardware failures, and while Windows Recovery is usually effective, it may fail in some cases, requiring a clean installation of Windows using an ISO file. Microsoft describes the reports as limited but acknowledges the potential for the issue to expand as more users report their experiences.

Winsage

January 22, 2026

Microsoft needed a win with Windows’ latest update, but even its fix needed fixing

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella emphasized the company's commitment to an AI-driven future, urging against dismissing AI-generated content. Users have expressed frustration with Windows' increasing focus on AI, particularly with the Copilot feature, leading to attempts to disable AI functionalities, with reports of 114 such attempts. Recent Microsoft updates have introduced complications, including black screen errors for Nvidia GPUs, a bug in Outlook Classic affecting POP account users, and unexpected restarts in Windows 11 Enterprise builds. Microsoft released additional patches, including update KB5077797, to address the restart issue, but the Outlook bug remains unresolved. Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, acknowledged challenges but stated the gaming platform is strong. Last year's updates also caused significant disruptions, affecting essential OS functions and creative software. Some users found relief in the removal of Copilot through update KB5053602, while others are considering alternatives like MacBooks and Linux for a more streamlined experience.

Winsage

January 18, 2026

Microsoft Confirms Emergency Updates For Most Windows PCs

Microsoft has released emergency fixes in response to issues arising from January's Patch Tuesday security updates. Users experienced shutdown failures and Remote Desktop login difficulties after the updates. Microsoft has resolved two critical bugs: one related to shutdown failures on Windows 11 version 23H2 and another concerning Remote Desktop connection failures on versions 24H2 and 25H2. However, three issues remain unpatched: a black screen before the cursor appears, a glitch resetting the desktop background to black, and problems with the desktop.ini file in File Explorer. Additionally, there is an unresolved issue with Outlook Classic that may cause it to freeze for users with older POP accounts. Microsoft has provided two emergency updates: KB5077744 for Remote Desktop connection failures on versions 25H2 and 24H2, and KB5077797 for the shutdown issue on version 23H2.

Winsage

January 18, 2026

Windows 11 KB5074109 issues: black screen, freezes Outlook POP, breaks Azure Virtual Desktop, LocalizedResourceName (desktop.ini)

Windows 11 KB5074109 has caused several issues for users, particularly those with Nvidia GPUs, including black screens, Outlook freezing with POP accounts, and problems with File Explorer's desktop.ini settings. Users have reported random black screens and desktop freezes after installing the update, with some finding temporary relief by changing their monitor's DisplayPort mode. Outlook Classic has been problematic, remaining active in the background and freezing shortly after opening, prompting users to terminate the process in Task Manager or uninstall the update. Additionally, the update disrupts Azure Virtual Desktop functionality, leading to sign-in failures and connection issues. Microsoft has acknowledged these problems and is investigating solutions, including a Known Issue Rollback for AVD. The update also breaks the LocalizedResourceName directive in File Explorer, preventing folder name customization. Users can uninstall the update through Settings, but this may expose them to security vulnerabilities.

Winsage

January 17, 2026

How to fix Nvidia GPU FPS drop due to the Windows January 2026 update?

Users with Nvidia GPUs are experiencing decreased gaming performance after the January 2026 Windows update (KB5074109), which was intended to enhance security and address vulnerabilities. Reported issues include drops in frames per second (FPS), black screen freezes, display hangs, and driver crashes related to nvlddmkm errors. Nvidia has released a new GPU driver to address these problems. A temporary solution for affected users is to uninstall the KB5074109 update, although it is a security patch that may need to be reinstalled later. Users can also update their Nvidia drivers to the latest hotfix version and use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in Safe Mode for better results. It is recommended to pause Windows updates until a fix is provided by Microsoft.

AppWizard

December 13, 2025

I’m never getting any work done ever again, thanks to this website that lets me play thousands of user-made Doom levels in my browser

DoomScroll is a new website that allows users to browse and play thousands of user-created Doom WADs directly in their web browsers. The platform offers smooth gameplay with standard keyboard and mouse controls, but some maps may not function correctly due to emulator limitations. There are concerns about the redistribution of projects, as not all creators permit their work to be shared outside its original platform, and DoomScroll currently lacks a verification mechanism for the origins of these creations. Major Arlene, a prominent Doom modder, expressed enthusiasm for DoomScroll despite these issues. Additionally, the Doom franchise recently saw the release of Doom: The Dark Ages and faced shifts in its modding community with the departure of contributors from GZDoom. John Romero, co-creator of Doom, is working on a new indie first-person shooter project after the cancellation of his studio's main endeavor by Microsoft.

Winsage

December 4, 2025

Latest Windows 11 updates may break the OS’s most basic bits

Microsoft has acknowledged issues with Windows updates that affect key components like the Start menu and Explorer, primarily impacting enterprise environments using Windows 11 versions 24H2 or 25H2 after the July 2025 cumulative update. The problems arise from the failure to register certain XAML packages, leading to crashes or loading failures in XAML-dependent applications. Symptoms include black screens, startup crashes, and unresponsive Start menus and taskbars. Microsoft has not provided an immediate solution but suggests workarounds involving the Windows registry or PowerShell scripts. The issues are unlikely to affect personal devices but may occur if updates are installed before user logins on persistent or non-persistent OS installations.

Winsage

December 4, 2025

Microsoft finds an unlikely ally — Linux developer defends Windows against BSoD jokes

Windows has traditionally held a dominant market share in operating systems, but Linux is gaining traction, particularly after Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Zorin OS, a Linux distribution, attracted around 780,000 former Windows users within a month of this announcement. Bazzite delivered a petabyte of ISO files in one month, indicating a growing interest among Windows 10 users in alternatives to Windows 11. Linus Torvalds highlighted that many blue screen errors in Windows are linked to hardware issues rather than software bugs and recommended using Error-Correcting Code (ECC) memory for better stability. Microsoft has changed its error reporting from the blue screen of death to a black screen to enhance security and prevent destabilizing updates. There are three types of Blue Screen of Death errors: the Windows 3.1 Ctrl+Alt+Del screen, the Windows 95 kernel error, and the Windows NT kernel error.