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Winsage

April 25, 2025

Microsoft set to make huge Windows change — and it’s hoping you won’t notice

The Windows 11 Insider Preview Build (27842) will replace the Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) with a new error screen featuring a Medium Forest Green backdrop. This change is part of an effort to create a more streamlined user interface for unexpected restarts, although it may provide less context for troubleshooting. The new design is currently being tested in Microsoft's Canary Channel and is expected to become standard with the Windows 11 25H2 update later this year.

AppWizard

April 24, 2025

WhatsApp users ‘refuse’ to use app after new Meta AI tool can’t be removed

The Meta AI logo, a blue circle with pink and green hues, has launched for users in the UK on WhatsApp, allowing them to interact with a chatbot for assistance. A Meta representative stated that users can utilize Meta AI to settle debates or ask questions while ensuring privacy, as it can only read shared messages and keeps personal messages end-to-end encrypted. Users are encouraged to explore its capabilities, but reactions have been mixed, with some expressing a desire to remove the feature. Many users feel reluctant to abandon WhatsApp due to its widespread use among their contacts. Recent updates to WhatsApp include improvements to group chats, events, calls, and new functionalities like adding music to statuses and customizing chat themes.

Winsage

April 23, 2025

Microsoft fixes Windows Server 2025 blue screen, install issues

Microsoft has addressed issues affecting Windows Server 2025 for systems with more than 256 logical processors, which could lead to installation failures, slow start-up times, and blue screen errors. These problems have been resolved through updates since the KB5046617 cumulative update released in November. IT administrators are advised to install the latest security updates, which include essential fixes. A temporary workaround involves limiting the number of logical processors to 256 or fewer by adjusting settings in the UEFI Setup. Additionally, Microsoft warned of potential accessibility issues with Windows Server 2025 domain controllers post-restart and reported login difficulties with Windows Hello after the April 2025 updates. A bug causing authentication issues with Credential Guard has been fixed, and a new safeguard hold for Windows 11 24H2 has been introduced due to compatibility problems with the SenseShield Technology's sprotect.sys driver.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

How to unlock diving in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Players can unlock the diving ability with Esquie in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 by reaching relationship level 6 in act three. This level is achieved through hangout sessions at camp, which coincide with key story developments. During the final hangout, players learn that Esquie's neighbor, Francois, has been hiding the rock that grants the diving ability. Diving spots contain five Colour of Lumina, and one specific location in the final area leads to a special endgame zone.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

10 tips to conquer the continent in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a French JRPG-style game featuring real-time combat mechanics similar to rhythm games. Players engage in exploration, which reveals lore, powerful items, optional bosses, and quests. The game includes a lumina mechanic that enhances combat effectiveness by activating additional pictos. Combat features an elemental weakness system, requiring players to adapt their strategies based on enemy vulnerabilities. Quicktime dodging, jumping, and parrying are essential skills, and Gustave's gun offers versatile combat options, including targeting weak points and dismantling enemy shields. Many exploration upgrades are optional and require engaging in side quests. Building relationships with expedition team members unlocks new abilities, and managing action points effectively is crucial for maximizing damage output. Each character has a unique playstyle, encouraging players to experiment with combinations for optimal effectiveness in battles.

Winsage

April 23, 2025

Microsoft fixes Remote Desktop freezes caused by Windows updates

Microsoft has resolved an issue causing Remote Desktop sessions to freeze on Windows Server 2025 and Windows 11 24H2 devices. The initial fix was provided on February 25 with the KB5052093 optional update for Windows 11, followed by the KB5055523 Patch Tuesday cumulative update for Windows Server on April 8. Users of Windows Server 2025 who installed the February 2025 Security update (KB5051987) experienced freezing issues that rendered mouse and keyboard inputs unresponsive. Microsoft recommended installing the latest updates for improvements and resolutions. Additionally, Microsoft implemented a Known Issue Rollback (KIR) to address Remote Desktop and RDS connection problems stemming from Windows 11 24H2 updates since January 2025, which caused UDP connection interruptions to RDS hosts on Windows Server 2016. A permanent solution has been included in the recent cumulative updates. Microsoft also fixed a bug causing blue screen errors and installation issues on Windows Server 2025 systems with over 256 logical processors, included in updates since the KB5046617 cumulative update. However, users were warned of potential login issues with Windows Hello after the April 2025 security updates and that some Windows Server 2025 domain controllers may become unreachable after a restart.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

‘A Minecraft Movie’ Stays on Top as ‘Sinners’ and ‘The Penguin Lessons’ Lead Strong Easter Debuts at U.K. and Ireland Box Office

Warner Bros.’ “A Minecraft Movie” grossed £5.3 million over the Easter weekend in the U.K. and Ireland, accumulating a total of £15.2 million. “Sinners” debuted in second place with £3.2 million, while “The Penguin Lessons” opened in third with £2.4 million. “The Amateur” maintained fourth place with £1.2 million, bringing its two-week total to £2.2 million. A24’s “Warfare” debuted in fifth place with £7,470, and Disney’s “Snow White” added £4,461 to its total. Universal’s “Six The Musical” landed in seventh place with £3,106, raising its total to £1.7 million after three weeks. The thriller “Drop” slipped to eighth, contributing £0,326 to its total of £1.2 million. “The King Of Kings” earned £4,967 in its second weekend, totaling £1.3 million. “Kesari Chapter 2” debuted with £4,002. Upcoming releases include “Escape From Extinction: Rewilding” on April 22, “Macbeth: David Tennant and Cush Jumbo” on April 23, and several others on April 25, including “Pink Floyd at Pompeii – MCMLXXII” and “The Ugly Stepsister.” Reissues include “Miss Congeniality” and “Pride & Prejudice.”

Winsage

April 22, 2025

Critical Windows Update Stack Vulnerability Allows Code Execution & Privilege Escalation

A security vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-21204 has been discovered in the Windows Update Stack, allowing local attackers to execute unauthorized code and escalate privileges to SYSTEM-level access. This vulnerability, with a CVSS score of 7.8 (High), affects Windows 10 versions 1507, 1607, and 1809, among likely other supported Windows 10/11 and Windows Server versions. The flaw arises from a design issue where Windows Update processes do not properly follow directory junctions, enabling attackers with limited user privileges to redirect trusted paths to locations containing malicious code. Microsoft has introduced a mitigation strategy in its April 2025 cumulative update, which includes creating a new folder at the root of system drives and implementing detection rules for suspicious junction creations. Organizations are advised to apply the April 2025 security updates, restrict ACLs on specific directories, prevent symbolic link creation, and monitor file creation activities in certain directories.

Winsage

April 21, 2025

Intune flaw pushed Windows 11 upgrades on blocked devices

Microsoft identified a "code issue" within its Intune device management software as the reason for the unintended rollout of Windows 11 to devices not designated for the upgrade. The flaw triggered upgrades despite existing policies meant to prevent them. Microsoft is working on a fix and has advised organizations to pause Windows updates via Intune to avoid further issues. Devices that received the upgrade erroneously will need manual intervention to revert to their previous version. This incident follows a similar occurrence in November 2024, where customers experienced unexpected upgrades from Windows Server 2022 to Windows Server 2025. Microsoft attributed that incident to third-party products used for managing server updates. Additionally, a month prior, Microsoft retracted a preview update for Windows 11 due to severe issues causing crashes.

Winsage

April 20, 2025

Windows 11’s File Explorer is getting visual updates, and you probably won’t even notice them

Microsoft is piloting a feature for Windows 11 that allows users to apply their selected accent color to the selection box in File Explorer, moving away from the traditional gray or white. Users can modify their accent color through Settings > Personalization > Colors, choosing either automatic selection based on their background or a manual option. Additionally, Microsoft is refining the visual aspects of progress bars in File Explorer, with the storage progress bar now in a darker blue shade and the file transfer progress bar redesigned to a flatter, darker green tone.