Boot Archives

Winsage

January 19, 2026

Windows 11 Pro Upgrade Gains And Limits Revealed

Upgrading from Windows 11 Home to Pro does not significantly change the day-to-day experience, as both editions share a similar interface, performance, and core features like Copilot, File Explorer tabs, and enhanced Game Mode. Security features, including Secure Boot and Windows Defender, are consistent across both editions. The Pro edition offers additional administrative tools for enhanced security, remote access, and device management, making it suitable for users managing multiple PCs or needing corporate resource access. Key features of Pro include the ability to join Active Directory domains, centralized control over settings, full BitLocker capabilities, Remote Desktop hosting, and virtualization tools like Hyper-V and Windows Sandbox. Pro also supports higher hardware limits, accommodating up to 2TB of RAM and multiple CPU sockets. The pricing for Windows 11 Home is typically 9.99, while Pro is 9.99, with an upgrade fee of .99 from Home to Pro. Upgrading from eligible Windows 10 devices does not incur additional costs. Users who should consider upgrading to Pro include those managing multiple PCs, requiring Remote Desktop, or needing to comply with encryption policies. In contrast, gamers or casual users may find Home sufficient, as both editions provide the same gaming capabilities and interface without performance differences.

Winsage

January 17, 2026

Windows 11 shutdown bug: Microsoft confirms KB5073455 issue

Microsoft has acknowledged a shutdown issue affecting Windows 11 Enterprise and IoT editions after the January 13, 2026 security update (KB5073455) for version 23H2, which prevents affected systems from shutting down properly, causing them to either hibernate or restart instead. The problem is linked to the System Guard Secure Launch feature and does not affect Windows 11 Home and Pro editions. A temporary workaround involves using the command "shutdown /s /t 0" in an elevated Command Prompt to force a shutdown, but there is no workaround for hibernation functionality. Microsoft is working on a resolution and suggests that enterprise IT administrators consider pausing the deployment of the update on unaffected devices.

Winsage

January 17, 2026

Microsoft Confirms First Free Windows Update For 2026

Windows 10 will reach its end of life on October 13, 2026. Microsoft is encouraging users to enroll in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program before this date to avoid increased vulnerability to viruses and malware. Windows 10's market share has increased from 42% to 46%, while Windows 11 remains below 50%. The first Windows 10 ESU update for 2026, KB5073724, has been released, addressing 112 security issues, including 57 Elevation of Privilege vulnerabilities, 22 Information Disclosure vulnerabilities, and 5 Spoofing vulnerabilities. The January 2026 update will introduce new Secure Boot certificates to mitigate security risks. Payment options for the ESU include cash, Reward points, or a complimentary option for Microsoft account holders syncing settings via OneDrive.

Winsage

January 16, 2026

For January, Patch Tuesday starts off with a bang

Users accessing Azure Virtual Desktop or Windows 365 Cloud PCs through the Windows App may experience authentication errors and credential prompt failures after installing updates KB5074109, KB5073455, or KB5073724. Microsoft is preparing an out-of-band fix and advises affected users to connect via the Remote Desktop client for Windows or the Windows App Web Client. A minor subset of users may also find the password icon missing on the Windows login screen, an issue since the August 2025 update, for which Microsoft has introduced a Known Issue Rollback for Pro and Home users, while enterprise deployments should implement an updated Group Policy. Microsoft has removed legacy Agere and Motorola soft modem drivers to address CVE-2023-31096, a security vulnerability, which will render hardware reliant on these drivers non-functional after the January updates. Additionally, certificates from 2011 used by many Windows devices will begin to expire in June and October, potentially causing boot issues or loss of access to Secure Boot security fixes for devices not updated with 2023 certificates. A new section for resolved issues has been introduced in the monthly updates, addressing challenges impacting enterprise environments.

Winsage

January 16, 2026

Sorry Dave, I’m afraid I can’t do that! PCs refuse to shutdown after Microsoft patch

Microsoft's January Patch Tuesday update has caused shutdown and hibernation issues for some Windows 11 23H2 users, with devices refusing to power down despite user commands. The problem is linked to the Secure Launch feature, which prevents shutdown, restart, and hibernation attempts from functioning correctly. Microsoft has suggested a workaround using the command "shutdown /s /t 0" to force shutdown. They have not disclosed how many devices are affected or provided a timeline for a fix. Additionally, there is a separate issue affecting classic Outlook POP account profiles that may freeze or hang after the update.

Winsage

January 15, 2026

Speed Up Your Windows 11 Launch Time in a Snap. Here’s How to Do It

The delay in booting up a Windows 11 laptop can be caused by multiple applications that automatically launch at startup, which can hinder system performance. Common applications that may launch include antivirus programs, Microsoft OneDrive, Slack, gaming applications, backup tools, and webcam software. Users can manage these startup applications through three methods: Task Manager, Settings, or File Explorer. In Task Manager, users can view and disable startup applications by right-clicking on entries in the Startup apps menu. The impact of each application on startup time is categorized as high, medium, low, none, or not measured. In the Settings app, users can navigate to Apps and then Startup to toggle off applications they do not want to launch automatically. File Explorer can also be used to manage startup applications by accessing the shell:appsfolder and shell:startup or shell:common startup commands to view and modify the applications set to launch at sign-in. Users are advised to disable applications they rarely use while keeping essential security software enabled. Third-party startup managers like Autoruns and Startup Delayer can provide additional insights into startup applications. Similar management methods apply to previous Windows versions.

Winsage

January 15, 2026

This ideal distro for Linux newbies includes a bonus for Windows users

Q4OS is a Linux distribution built on Debian, designed for users transitioning from Windows. It features the KDE Plasma desktop environment, known for its balance of elegance and user-friendliness, and also supports the Trinity desktop environment. The Welcome app includes a Desktop Profiler tool for switching between different Q4OS versions and installing alternative desktop environments. Q4OS comes preinstalled with applications like LibreOffice, Chromium, Thunderbird, and VLC, and utilizes the Flatpak package manager for additional software. Users can access apps through KDE Discover and the Q4OS Software Center, which includes tools like LookSwitcher for changing KDE Plasma themes. Q4OS prioritizes stability by following the Debian development model, ensuring a reliable operating system. It is available for free download, and the q4os-winsetup tool allows Windows users to set up a dual-boot system.

Winsage

January 15, 2026

Windows info-disclosure 0-day bug gets a fix as CISA sounds alarm

Microsoft and the U.S. government have issued a warning about a vulnerability in Windows, designated CVE-2026-20805, which is currently being exploited. This flaw allows an authorized attacker to leak a memory address from a remote ALPC port, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. It has a medium severity rating of 5.5 on the CVSS scale. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has added this vulnerability to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog and requires federal agencies to implement a patch by February 3. Additionally, two other vulnerabilities were acknowledged: CVE-2026-21265, a secure boot certificate expiration bypass with a CVSS rating of 6.4, and CVE-2023-31096, an elevation of privilege flaw affecting third-party Agere Modem drivers, rated at 7.8. Two more vulnerabilities, CVE-2026-20952 (CVSS 7.7) and CVE-2026-20953 (CVSS 7.4), are use-after-free flaws in Office that could allow unauthorized code execution.

Winsage

January 14, 2026

Microsoft Fixes 114 Windows Flaws in January 2026 Patch, One Actively Exploited

On Tuesday, Microsoft released its first security update for 2026, addressing 114 vulnerabilities, including eight classified as Critical and 106 as Important. The vulnerabilities include 58 related to privilege escalation, 22 concerning information disclosure, 21 linked to remote code execution, and five categorized as spoofing flaws. A notable vulnerability, CVE-2026-20805, involves information disclosure within the Desktop Window Manager (DWM) and has a CVSS score of 5.5. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has added this flaw to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, requiring federal agencies to implement fixes by February 3, 2026. Additionally, Microsoft announced the expiration of three Windows Secure Boot certificates issued in 2011, effective June 2026, urging customers to transition to newer certificates to avoid disruptions. The update also removed vulnerable Agere Soft Modem drivers due to a local privilege escalation flaw (CVE-2023-31096) and addressed another critical privilege escalation flaw in Windows Virtualization-Based Security (CVE-2026-20876) with a CVSS score of 6.7. Other vendors, including Adobe, Amazon Web Services, and Cisco, have also released security patches for various vulnerabilities.

Winsage

January 13, 2026

New Windows updates replace expiring Secure Boot certificates

Microsoft is enhancing security for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 users by automatically replacing expiring Secure Boot certificates on eligible devices. Secure Boot protects against malicious software by ensuring only trusted bootloaders are executed during startup. Many Secure Boot certificates are set to expire starting in June 2026, which could jeopardize secure booting capabilities if not updated. The update includes a mechanism to identify devices eligible for automatic receipt of new Secure Boot certificates. IT administrators are advised to install the new certificates to maintain Secure Boot functionality and prevent loss of security updates. Organizations can also deploy Secure Boot certificates through various methods. IT administrators should inventory their devices, verify Secure Boot status, and apply necessary firmware updates before installing Microsoft's certificate updates.