boot issues Archives

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

December 28, 2025

Your Windows SSD Could Be Faster, Microsoft’s New Update Reveals Why

Microsoft introduced a native NVMe driver in Windows Server 2025 to improve SSD performance by eliminating bottlenecks associated with the SCSI translation protocol. This driver allows for direct communication between NVMe drives and Windows, resulting in substantial improvements in random IOPS and reduced CPU overhead for enterprise systems. Tech-savvy users have found a way to enable this driver on Windows 11, leading to reported increases in throughput of up to 45 percent in specific storage tests. The performance enhancements are particularly noticeable in random access workloads, although users should be cautious when modifying the Windows registry due to potential risks. Speed improvements may not be significant for average users but could benefit power users and those running IOPS-intensive applications.

Winsage

December 23, 2025

Windows 11 25H2 Includes a Faster NVMe Driver Needing Manual Installation

Windows has supported the NVMe storage media protocol since Windows 8.1, but the default driver, disk.sys, may not provide optimal performance. Microsoft has introduced a new driver, nvmedisk.sys, with Windows 11 25H2 and Windows 2025, aimed at improving NVMe performance. Users can check if they are using the older driver via Device Manager. The new driver has the potential to enhance performance for compatible NVMe drives in both sequential and random workloads. However, compatibility issues exist, as not all NVMe SSDs support nvmedisk.sys, which could lead to boot problems with Windows 11. Notebookcheck has published a guide on enabling nvmedisk.sys, which involves modifying three Windows Registry values, and it is advised that users back up their data before making changes.

Winsage

November 7, 2025

Microsoft testing faster Quick Machine Recovery in Windows 11

Microsoft is refining its Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) feature and updating Smart App Control (SAC) to enhance user experience by allowing toggling without a complete Windows reinstall. QMR enables IT administrators to address Windows boot failures remotely, eliminating the need for physical intervention. When Windows 11 encounters a startup failure, it automatically enters the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), activating the QMR Tool to send crash data to Microsoft and allow administrators to fix boot issues. The latest update changes the recovery process to execute a single scan for boot problems instead of multiple scans. If no immediate fix is found, QMR directs users to suitable recovery options. QMR was introduced in November 2024 as part of the Windows Resiliency Initiative following a significant outage in July 2024. Testing for QMR began in late March, and it is being rolled out to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel. The Smart App Control feature can now be toggled on or off via Windows Security settings. These enhancements are available to Windows Insiders with the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7070 (KB5070300). Additionally, a preview update was introduced to suggest running a memory scan after a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD).

Winsage

October 20, 2025

Windows 11’s October update causes a serious recovery mode glitch – but there’s a workaround

The October Patch Tuesday release from Microsoft on October 14, 2025 (KB5066835) addressed over 170 security vulnerabilities but introduced a glitch affecting the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), rendering USB devices non-functional for navigation. This issue impacts Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, as well as Windows Server 2025. Microsoft is aware of the problem and is working on a resolution. A workaround involves using an older PS/2 keyboard or mouse. Other reported issues include IIS websites failing to load on local machines and a malfunctioning File Explorer preview window for cloud or internal network files, with Microsoft acknowledging the IIS issue and working on a fix.

Winsage

October 19, 2025

Windows 11’s October update just broke the Windows Recovery Environment — USB keyboards and mice unusable in Windows RE after latest bug hits

The Windows Recovery Environment (RE) has become ineffective for many users due to a bug introduced in the October build of Windows 11 (KB5066835), which disables USB keyboards and mice in the recovery interface. Microsoft has acknowledged the issue and is working on a fix. Users with older PS/2-connected peripherals are not affected by this glitch. The bug impacts various versions of Windows 11 and has raised concerns among IT professionals, as it hinders critical system repairs.

Winsage

September 9, 2025

This Windows 11 repair trick fixes nearly every Windows problem

File corruption is a common issue in computing that can lead to problems such as the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) and slowdowns. Windows provides built-in tools like System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) to address these issues, which can function offline. Users are advised to download fresh Windows installation files as ISO images for Windows 10 and 11 for troubleshooting. DISM can assess and repair Windows image files using a live USB, with a specific command format to run it. After using DISM, it is recommended to run SFC at least twice to ensure all issues are resolved. DISM can also service and prepare .wim or .vhd/vhdx format Windows images for virtual environments. Using DISM and SFC offline can restore computer functionality more efficiently than a complete reinstallation.

Winsage

August 15, 2025

Windows 11’s new “Quick machine recovery” replaces Startup Repair, and it’s a game-changer

Over a year after the CrowdStrike incident, which exposed vulnerabilities in recovery processes, Microsoft announced the Windows Resiliency initiative in 2024, introducing Quick Machine Recovery in Windows 11. Quick Machine Recovery allows the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) to connect to the internet to download fixes from Microsoft’s servers when boot issues occur, potentially reducing recovery times significantly. This feature is enabled by default on Windows 11 Home editions and can be customized by Pro users. Quick Machine Recovery aims to facilitate faster resolutions during major outages, thereby minimizing downtime for critical services.

Winsage

August 13, 2025

Latest Windows 11 update packs a great new feature – but I hope I never have to use it

Windows 11's August update introduces several enhancements, including the Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) tool (KB5063878) to help users recover from boot failures by diagnosing and resolving issues. The update also addresses stability problems for gamers, particularly for popular games like Fortnite, reducing crashes and interruptions. An AI agent is added to the Settings app for Copilot+ PCs, allowing natural language queries to simplify navigation. Additionally, the update officially introduces the Black Screen of Death as a modern version of the Blue Screen of Death. QMR will be enabled by default for Windows 11 Home users, and while some users may have privacy concerns about sharing diagnostic data, the benefits of resolving boot issues may outweigh these apprehensions.

Winsage

July 30, 2025

Microsoft claims Windows 11 24H2 is the most reliable Windows version ever

Microsoft's Windows 11 24H2 is now recognized as the most reliable version of Windows, with a 24% reduction in unexpected restarts compared to Windows 10 22H2. The update includes improvements in crash dump collection, reducing recovery time from 40 seconds to two seconds. A new feature in Windows 11 automatically detects boot issues and applies fixes without user intervention, enabled by default in Windows 11 Home. The crash page has been redesigned for a more user-friendly interface. Support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025, prompting users to consider upgrading to Windows 11 for enhanced performance and security.