clean installation Archives

Winsage

July 26, 2025

How to Fix Windows 11 24H2 BSOD and Crashes

The Windows 11 24H2 update has caused complications, leading Microsoft to compile a list of affected hardware and software along with potential fixes. Users experiencing crashes can try the following solutions: 1. Remove Windows Hello: Users with laptops that have integrated cameras may experience system freezes. To fix this, navigate to Settings > Accounts > Sign in options, expand the Facial Recognition section, and click Remove. Optionally, remove fingerprint and PIN settings and set up a password. 2. Change Registry Settings for SSDs: The update has made certain SSDs from Western Digital and SanDisk incompatible. A temporary fix involves modifying the registry. Open the Registry Editor, navigate to ComputerHKEYLOCALMACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlStorPort, locate or create the DWORD HmbAllocationPolicy, modify its value to 0 or 2, and restart the PC. 3. Perform Windows Updates Again: Subsequent updates may resolve existing issues. Check for updates in Windows Update, download all related to the 24H2 version, and restart the PC as necessary. 4. Reroll Windows 11: Users can revert to the previous version within 10 days of the update if the option is available. Go to Settings > System > Recovery and select Go back. If the option is greyed out, users can download Windows 11 23H2 from Microsoft’s website for a clean installation, ensuring to back up data first.

Winsage

July 13, 2025

These PowerShell scripts make it easy to migrate Windows installs

A PowerShell script developed by GitHub user Anduin2017 allows users to create a new Windows 11 installation on an empty physical drive while retaining access to files and applications from the existing installation. The process requires running the script in an elevated PowerShell window, providing inputs such as the location of the empty drive and the edition of Windows to install from an ISO file. Users can continue using their PC during the installation, and upon completion, they can choose between the existing and new installations upon reboot. To set up necessary applications, users can customize PowerShell modules using a sample install.ps1 file from the GitHub project. This method is particularly beneficial for users relying on cloud storage solutions like OneDrive, as it allows for a refreshed operating system with minimal downtime and easy access to data. The streamlined approach is designed for users who frequently encounter Windows issues and need clean installations, enabling rapid replication of a base system with essential programs.

Winsage

July 11, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27898 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27898 has been released to the Canary Channel. Key features include: - Taskbar Icon Scaling: Icons on the taskbar can automatically resize when the taskbar is full, with options to keep them at original size or always small. - Quick Machine Recovery: This feature identifies and resolves common issues automatically via the Windows Recovery Environment, reducing downtime. - Custom Words in Voice Access: Users can add custom words to the voice access dictionary to improve dictation accuracy. - Screen Curtain in Narrator: This feature blacks out the display for privacy while using Narrator. - Privacy Dialogs Update: Privacy dialogs for app permissions have been redesigned for better focus. - Accessibility Enhancements: Text descriptions for assistive technologies have been added to the Accessibility flyout. - File Explorer Improvements: Dividers have been added to the context menu for better organization. - Adaptive Energy Saver: An opt-in feature that manages energy saver settings based on power state and system load. - Windows Share Updates: Visual previews are now shown when sharing links or web content. - Expanded Voice Access Support: Voice access now supports Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Japanese. - Narrator Guidance: Narrator will guide users through its features with modal windows. - Settings Adjustments: The selected country or region during setup is now displayed in Settings. Fixes include performance improvements in File Explorer, resolution of input issues with the touch keyboard, and fixes for crashes in Settings. Known issues involve potential loss of Windows Hello PIN on new Copilot+ PCs and graphical issues with Remote Desktop on Arm64 PCs.

Winsage

July 8, 2025

Microsoft Deprecates PowerShell 2.0 in Windows 11 Over Security Flaws

Microsoft has rolled out Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27891 to the Canary Channel, which includes the removal of Windows PowerShell 2.0. The update features several critical system fixes, including: - Correction of the “Reset this PC” feature under Settings > System > Recovery. - Resolution of an issue affecting the taskbar's acrylic material effect. - Fix for Windows Update downloads that stalled at 2%. - Correction of character rendering problems for languages like Vietnamese and Arabic. Enhancements in File Explorer include a dropdown menu in the address bar that shows the complete folder path. Stability improvements in Settings aim to prevent crashes when accessing microphone properties or Bluetooth settings, although a new known issue may cause crashes in Settings > System > Power & Battery. Task Manager now features updated CPU utility calculations. The Microsoft Store has been updated to allow users to install apps and games directly from the top featured sections. Known issues include potential loss of Windows Hello PIN on Copilot+ PCs, graphical distortion for Remote Desktop users on Arm64 PCs, and incomplete localization of some features. Transitioning out of the Canary Channel requires a clean installation of Windows 11.

Winsage

June 27, 2025

Tested: Is reinstalling Windows to boost performance a modern PC myth?

Will Smith's investigation found that a fresh installation of Windows 11 is not essential for optimal performance. He compared his customized setup with a clean installation and observed almost no performance difference, with only a 3 percent difference in single-core tasks and slight variations in multi-threaded applications. In some cases, the older setup performed better, such as Adobe Premiere running 8 percent faster. Gaming performance showed mixed results, with slight advantages for the older setup in certain scenarios, although some games did perform better on a fresh installation. Overall, unless a computer has excessive startup programs and unwanted software, a Windows refresh may not provide significant performance improvements as it once did.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27881 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27881 has been released to the Canary Channel, with downloadable ISOs available. This build introduces a new profanity filter setting for voice typing, allowing users to manage the transcription of profane words. A new feature called speech recap has been added to Narrator, enabling users to track spoken content and access live transcriptions. General improvements include security certificate updates, a redesigned needy state pill on the taskbar, enhanced accessibility features, and new image editing capabilities in the Windows share window. A new FAQs section has been added to the Settings > System > About page, and various fixes have been implemented across different components. Known issues include problems with the taskbar display and the "Reset this PC" option not functioning after the upgrade. Users joining the Canary Channel on new Copilot+ PCs may experience loss of Windows Hello PIN and biometrics.

Winsage

June 10, 2025

6 essential steps that Windows 11 users often miss after a fresh install

Many users overlook crucial default settings after installing Windows 11, which can lead to performance issues, privacy vulnerabilities, and complications during recovery. Key settings to configure include: 1. System Restore: This feature is disabled by default and allows users to revert system files and settings to a previous state. To enable it, users must access the System Properties page, select the main drive, click Configure, and turn on system protection. 2. BitLocker Recovery Key: Windows 11 automatically activates BitLocker on new installations. Users should back up their recovery key in their Microsoft account to avoid issues during startup. 3. Power Settings: Users should adjust power settings to prevent underperformance. This includes selecting "Best Performance" for both "Plugged in" and "On battery" modes and configuring screen and sleep timeouts. 4. Privacy Settings: Windows 11 collects diagnostic data by default. Users can enhance privacy by turning off features like "Find my device," "Personalized offers," and "Advertising ID," as well as disabling optional diagnostic data transmission. 5. Device Drivers: Users should verify that all device drivers are correctly installed, as the operating system may not install drivers for critical components. This can be checked in Device Manager, and updates can be managed through Windows Update. 6. System Backup: Establishing a backup is essential for data protection. Users can set up regular backups using the "Backup and Restore" feature by connecting an external drive and following the setup process in Control Panel.

Winsage

May 29, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27868 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27868 has been released to the Canary Channel. There are no plans to release SDKs for the 27xxx series builds. The voice access feature has been enhanced with a new in-product experience to highlight new features. A fix has been implemented for pen input issues on certain PCs, and problems with launching applications like Spotify from the Microsoft Store have been addressed. A rendering issue in the Group Policy Editor for some display languages has been corrected, and a SYSTEMTHREADEXCEPTIONNOTHANDLED bugcheck issue has been fixed. Known issues include potential loss of Windows Hello PIN and biometrics for Copilot+ PCs transitioning to the Canary Channel, an Administrative Templates error in the Group Policy Editor, taskbar display issues after upgrading, and audio problems with high sampling rate devices. Applications reliant on virtualization will require the "Windows Hypervisor Platform" component when Virtualization Based Security is enabled. Search and filtering options in Task Manager are currently non-operational. Insiders in the Canary Channel should note that builds reflect early development changes and may not align with any specific Windows release. Features may not reach the general public, and a clean installation is required to exit the Canary Channel. The desktop watermark is standard for pre-release builds.

Tech Optimizer

May 27, 2025

Microsoft oversells Windows 11’s Smart App Control as a “top antivirus solution”

Microsoft's Smart App Control (SAC) is integrated into Windows 11 and requires a clean installation to function optimally. It is designed to enhance security by using artificial intelligence to proactively shield users from threats, working alongside existing antivirus software rather than replacing it. SAC aims to anticipate and block suspicious applications before they can cause harm, minimizing system performance impact by avoiding constant file scanning. However, the effectiveness of SAC and its claims of being a groundbreaking innovation have been questioned, as proactive security measures have existed for years, and modern antivirus solutions offer advanced features beyond basic scanning. Users are advised to consider independent testing platforms for reliable antimalware options.

Winsage

May 16, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27858 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27858 has been released to the Canary Channel. A new system tray icon for the emoji and more panel has been introduced, allowing users to access emojis, GIFs, and Kaomojis, with customization options available. Several fixes have been implemented, including resolving black screen issues during upgrades, enhancing accessibility in File Explorer, updating desktop icon logic, fixing voice typing initiation issues, resolving explorer.exe crashes related to snap layouts, addressing taskbar icon resizing problems in tablet mode, fixing night light functionality, and resolving MIDI device recognition issues. Known issues include potential problems with Windows Hello PIN and biometrics on new Copilot+ PCs and unresponsive pen input on certain devices. Insiders are reminded that builds in the Canary Channel are early development versions and may change. A clean installation is required to exit the Canary Channel, and a desktop watermark will be present in pre-release builds.