bootloader Archives

Winsage

May 29, 2025

Forced E-Waste PCs And The Case Of Windows 11’s Trusted Platform

The process of upgrading Windows operating systems was straightforward until Windows 11, which introduced a new requirement for a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), potentially rendering many capable PCs obsolete. The TPM is used for boot validation and storing biometric data, but it complicates data recovery and may lock out legitimate users. Users have found ways to bypass Windows 11's TPM and CPU restrictions, allowing installation on unsupported hardware. Microsoft’s enforcement of these requirements remains uncertain, raising concerns about system reliability and user access to updates. Many users are opting to stay on Windows 10 while advocating for continued support from developers.

AppWizard

May 27, 2025

Google Play’s latest security change may break many Android apps for some power users

Google's Play Integrity API has been updated as of May 2025 to include stricter security measures that verify app integrity on Android devices. The updated API aims to prevent abuse and protect sensitive information but excludes most custom ROMs, making it challenging for users who root their devices. This change means that many applications, particularly in banking, gaming, and medical services, may become inaccessible to rooted users. The new integrity verdicts—“basic,” “device,” and “strong”—now incorporate hardware-backed security signals, with the “strong” verdict requiring recent security patches. Developers will automatically transition to these stronger verdicts, enhancing security without additional effort. As a result, power users may be locked out of essential applications, and workarounds to bypass these restrictions are becoming less effective.

Winsage

May 17, 2025

9 Months Later, Microsoft Finally Fixes Linux Dual-Booting Bug

In August 2024, a security update aimed at improving Secure Boot disrupted dual-booting of Windows and Linux due to a vulnerability in the GRUB bootloader. This allowed malicious actors to bypass Secure Boot protections. Microsoft released a patch, KB5058385, on May 13, 2025, to resolve the issue by enhancing the Secure Boot Advanced Targeting (SBAT) system's ability to recognize legitimate Linux bootloaders, preventing them from being blocked. The patch is applicable to various versions of Windows, including Windows 11 (multiple versions) and Windows Server (multiple versions). The update will be automatically applied through Windows Update for affected installations.

AppWizard

May 7, 2025

Google’s May 2025 Pixel update is here with bug fixes and a critical security patch

The May 2025 security update for Google Pixel devices began deployment on May 6, addressing a critical zero-day security vulnerability (CVE-2025-27363) and including three bug fixes along with 28 security patches. The rollout may take about one week to reach all devices, depending on models and carriers. The update prevents devices from reverting to older, vulnerable versions of the bootloader. It also resolves specific issues for Google Pixel 6 and newer devices, including improvements in microphone recording quality, resolution of Bluetooth pairing issues with certain smartwatches, and correction of secondary language display issues in quick settings. Users are advised to check for the update in the Settings app under System > Software update.

Winsage

April 2, 2025

Someone just booted Windows on a Pixel Watch, and it actually (kind of) works

PhD student Gustave Monce has successfully run Windows for Arm on the Pixel Watch 3, utilizing its quad-core Snapdragon processor and 456×456 OLED display. He modified Qualcomm’s UEFI-based XBL bootloader to boot the Windows Preinstallation Environment (PE). Despite challenges from the release of Android 15, which disrupted his code-loading process, Monce adapted the stock kernel image to restore booting into Windows PE with limited functionality. He has achieved basic USB support for mass storage, highlighting the potential of modern mobile hardware.

Winsage

April 2, 2025

5 reasons I stopped dual-booting Windows and Linux on my PC

The author currently uses Windows 11 on most devices due to the lack of Linux alternatives for certain creative applications. They previously engaged in dual-booting Linux and Windows but have shifted away from this practice due to time and data management concerns. Storage issues were a significant challenge, particularly with drive partitioning on laptops. The author finds virtual machines (VMs) and Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) to be more accessible and practical solutions for their needs. They also mention that Windows 11's Secure Boot complicates dual-boot setups and that Windows updates often overwrite the GRUB bootloader, risking data integrity. Additionally, using BitLocker with GRUB can lead to complications. Ultimately, the author prefers a single operating system per device for a simpler and more efficient experience.

AppWizard

November 7, 2024

Gmail ‘Suddenly’ Stops Working—New Warning As Google Update Goes Wrong

Pixel users are experiencing significant app malfunctions on Android 15, particularly with Gmail, due to issues stemming from a recent Google Play update. Many users report that their devices indicate "Google Play Services is not supported," rendering both first and third-party applications inoperative. Error messages related to Google Play Services being unavailable or outdated have been noted, and the problems may extend beyond Pixel devices. Users have attempted various troubleshooting steps, including factory resets, with mixed results. Some users are advised to opt out of the Google Play services beta and restart their devices, but this solution has not been universally effective.

Winsage

September 27, 2024

Microsoft reveals how Windows 10 and Windows 11 block keyloggers

In the early 2000s, third-party antivirus solutions dominated Windows operating system security until Microsoft introduced Security Essentials in 2009, which evolved into a comprehensive security product. With the launch of Windows 8, Security Essentials transitioned to Windows Defender, which further developed into a suite of security products for Windows 10 and 11. Microsoft Defender Antivirus protects users against threats like keyloggers and screen scrapers using artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Microsoft Intelligent Security Graph. Key protection mechanisms include Secure Boot, Trusted Boot, and Measured Boot for system verification, multiple detection engines for malware identification, Tamper Protection to prevent malware from altering security features, and Microsoft Defender SmartScreen to block malware downloads. Microsoft recommends using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint for enhanced security.

Winsage

September 1, 2024

Rhino Linux 2024.2 horns in on Microsoft Windows 11

Rhino Linux has released version 2024.2, aimed at users considering a switch from Windows 11. Key updates include a new Unicorn theme that enhances the desktop environment, a revamped Setup Wizard with more options, containerization features, a new package manager, and a night shift mode. The package management system, Pacstall, has been updated with new commands and improved search capabilities. Additional enhancements include corrections to the GRUB bootloader display and updated Linux kernels for better hardware support, including for Pine64 and Raspberry Pi. The new version is available for download.

Winsage

August 22, 2024

Microsoft investigates a patch breaking dual-boot PCs

Microsoft is addressing issues from a security patch for a two-year-old vulnerability (CVE-2022-2601) in the GRUB open-source boot loader, which has caused crashes on dual-boot systems running Windows and Linux. The patch was intended to fix a buffer overflow vulnerability that could allow unauthorized access during system startup. Despite Microsoft's advisory stating that the latest Windows builds are not affected when using GRUB2, users reported problems booting their Linux distributions after the update. Microsoft acknowledged the issue and is working with Linux partners to resolve it. Users have shared workarounds, including disabling Secure Boot and deleting the SBAT policy. Separately, the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added the ProxyLogon vulnerability (CVE-2021-31196) in Microsoft Exchange Server to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, highlighting ongoing exploitation despite a patch released in July 2021.