Command Prompt Archives

Winsage

March 26, 2026

Is It Time for a New Laptop Battery? This Secret Windows Report Will Let You Know

Windows laptops allow users to generate a battery report through Windows PowerShell. To create the report, users must open Windows Terminal as an administrator and enter the command powercfg /batteryreport /output "C:battery-report.html". This command generates an HTML file named battery-report.html saved in the C: drive. The report includes information about the laptop's battery health, recent usage, battery usage over the last three days, usage history, battery capacity history, and battery life estimates. The report shows the design capacity and full charge capacity of the battery, along with a comparison of expected and actual battery life. For example, a laptop designed for 6 hours and 2 minutes of battery life may currently last only 4 hours and 52 minutes.

Winsage

March 25, 2026

The 73 Essential Windows 11 Tricks That’ll Save You Hours Every Week

Windows 11 is designed for efficiency and speed, featuring numerous keyboard shortcuts and macros that enhance productivity. Key shortcuts include: - Basic Shortcuts: - Ctrl + A: Select all items - Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Insert: Copy - Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert: Paste - Ctrl + X: Cut - Ctrl + Z: Undo - Ctrl + Y: Redo - Ctrl + N: Open new File Explorer window - Windows key + F1: Open Bing search for help - Alt + F4: Close current app - Alt + Tab: Switch between apps - Shift + Delete: Permanently delete item - Start Menu and Taskbar Shortcuts: - Windows key or Ctrl + Esc: Open Start menu - Windows key + X: Open secret Start menu - Windows key + T: Cycle through taskbar apps - Windows key + [Number]: Open pinned app - Windows key + Alt + [Number]: Open right-click menu for pinned app - Windows key + D: Show/hide desktop - Screenshots Shortcuts: - PrtScn: Screenshot to clipboard - Windows key + PrtScn: Save screenshot to folder - Windows key + Shift + S: Open Snipping Tool - Emoji Shortcuts: - Windows key + .: Open emoji keyboard - Desktop Shortcuts: - Windows key + M: Minimize all windows - Windows key + Shift + M: Restore minimized windows - Windows key + Up arrow: Maximize window - Windows key + Left arrow: Snap window left - Windows key + Tab: Open Task view - Shortcuts Using the Windows Key: - Windows key + A: Open Action Center - Windows key + I: Open Settings - Windows key + L: Lock computer - Shortcuts Using the F Keys: - F2: Rename item - F3: Search in File Explorer - F5: Refresh active window - Command Prompt Shortcuts: - Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Insert: Copy text - Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert: Paste text - Ctrl + A: Select all text on current line

Winsage

March 23, 2026

Microsoft blocks registry trick that unlocked performance-boosting native NVMe driver on Windows 11 — workarounds still exist to enable support, however

Microsoft has disabled a registry modification that allowed Windows 11 users to activate native NVMe support. This change was noted in the latest Insider builds of Windows 11. The registry trick had previously improved random write performance by up to 85% and enhanced random I/O across various drives and CPUs. However, it caused compatibility issues with third-party SSD management tools and could trigger recovery prompts from BitLocker. Users can still enable native NVMe support using a third-party utility called ViVeTool, which requires an elevated command prompt and a system reboot. The timeline for official native NVMe support in Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 26H2 is uncertain.

Winsage

March 22, 2026

Microsoft could drop the forced Microsoft account sign-in during Windows 11 setup

Microsoft is advocating for a login experience for Windows 11 that does not require a Microsoft account (MSA), as influential engineers within the company express dissatisfaction with the current mandatory sign-in during the out-of-box experience (OOBE). Despite recent updates emphasizing performance and user experience improvements, the option to use Windows 11 without an MSA remains absent. Workarounds exist, but the official guidance still encourages MSA sign-ins. Senior executives, including Vice President Scott Hanselman, are working towards a more flexible setup. Microsoft has confirmed plans to streamline the OOBE, aiming for a quieter and simpler device setup process, with some changes expected to be introduced in April for Windows Insiders.

Winsage

March 19, 2026

Want to set up Windows like a power user? Start with these 4 tools

The command line on Windows can be intimidating for average users, but tools like Windows Terminal enhance its usability with features such as tabbed browsing and improved text rendering. Winget allows users to install multiple applications simultaneously in the background, streamlining the setup process for new PCs. Oh My Posh improves the PowerShell prompt by providing contextual information and customizable themes. Git enables users to track changes and revert mistakes in files, while the bat command allows for quick viewing of text files in the terminal with syntax highlighting. These tools collectively enhance the Windows user experience by making the command line more accessible and efficient.

Winsage

March 19, 2026

Windows 11 is quietly testing 10 upgrades you’ll actually notice

Microsoft has introduced several enhancements to Windows 11 through its Windows Insider Program in March 2026. Key updates include: - Users can now customize the profile folder name during the initial setup process. - The debloat policy for Enterprise and Education editions has been improved, allowing administrators to remove additional apps using MSIX and APPX packages. - The Point-in-time restore feature has been updated to allow users to view and edit restore point settings and specify reserved storage for restore points. - A new enforcement policy in the kernel will no longer trust cross-signed drives by default, enhancing security by ensuring only verified drivers are trusted. - An upgrade option for Microsoft 365 Family subscribers has been added to the Accounts page, which can be disabled if desired. - The Drag Tray feature has been renamed to "Drop Tray" and relocated within the "Multitasking" settings, with improvements to the peek view. - Pen settings now include an option for the pen tail button to launch the same app as the "Copilot" key. - The Administrator Protection feature has been re-enabled, creating a temporary, isolated account for elevation requests to enhance security. - File Explorer now supports Voice Typing for renaming files. - The "Cameras" settings have been updated in the Canary Channel to include new controls for pan and tilt, along with performance improvements.

Winsage

March 18, 2026

Researchers Reveal ‘RegPwn,’ a Windows Registry Vulnerability That Granted SYSTEM Privileges

A Windows vulnerability named "RegPwn" (CVE-2026-24291) allows low-privileged users to elevate their access to full SYSTEM privileges. Discovered by the MDSec red team, it has been in use since January 2025 and was addressed in a recent Microsoft Patch Tuesday update. The vulnerability exploits the management of Windows accessibility features, which generate a registry key that grants full control to low-privileged users. When a user activates an accessibility tool, the configurations are copied into the local machine registry hive, which remains writable by the logged-in user. This creates an opportunity for manipulation, especially when user-controlled settings interact with the Windows Secure Desktop environment. An attacker can exploit this by modifying their user-level accessibility registry key and using an oplock on a system file, allowing them to replace the local machine registry key with a symbolic link to an arbitrary system registry key. This process operates under SYSTEM privileges, enabling the attacker to write arbitrary values to restricted areas of the Windows registry. MDSec demonstrated this technique to gain access to a SYSTEM-level command prompt. Microsoft has released security updates to address this vulnerability, and MDSec has made the exploit code available on GitHub for research purposes.

Winsage

March 17, 2026

Windows 11 uses five letters of your email for the user folder, but Microsoft is fixing it

A recent update in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.8068 allows users to customize their User folder name during the out-of-box experience (OOBE). This feature enables users to input a folder name of their choice on the Device Name page, with names allowed up to 16 Unicode characters. If users do not select a name, the system will revert to the default naming scheme derived from the first five letters of their Microsoft email address. Previously, changing the User folder name required using the Command Prompt, which was not user-friendly. The update is aimed at improving the setup experience for new Windows users.

Winsage

March 16, 2026

Microsoft has lost the plot: 5 Windows “features” nobody asked for

Windows 11 has faced criticism for design choices that prioritize corporate interests over user experience, including aggressive monetization strategies and privacy concerns. The Recall app was designed to take frequent screenshots of the desktop but functioned like a keylogger, leading to privacy issues. Initially set to be enabled by default on new Copilot+ PCs, backlash prompted Microsoft to make it an opt-in feature during setup, allowing users to uninstall it. Microsoft also introduced biometric encryption and moved screenshot processing to secure enclaves for data protection. The Start Menu has shifted to include third-party advertisements in the "Recommended" section, turning it into a platform for promotions rather than a personal navigation tool. Microsoft replaced the right Control or Menu key with a dedicated Copilot key, disrupting standard keyboard layouts and complicating workflows for users. Setting up a new PC now requires an active internet connection and a Microsoft account, making it difficult to operate without relinquishing digital identity. This change illustrates a shift towards subscription revenue and data collection. Windows 11 often ignores users' default browser choices, defaulting to Microsoft Edge and Bing for web searches initiated from the taskbar, reflecting a trend of prioritizing Microsoft's ecosystem over user autonomy. These developments indicate a strategy by Microsoft to erode user control, suggesting users are becoming products rather than customers as the company focuses on data collection and subscription services.

Winsage

March 11, 2026

How to disable Hyper-V for Windows 11

Microsoft's Hyper-V is a hardware virtualization platform integrated into Windows 11 Professional, Enterprise, and Education editions, allowing users to host multiple virtual machines (VMs) on a single computer. It operates using a type 1 hypervisor directly on hardware, enabling VMs to share resources like CPU, memory, and storage. Hyper-V includes features such as dynamic memory allocation, software-defined networking, and saved checkpoints. IT administrators may need to disable Hyper-V due to compatibility issues with third-party virtualization software, high-precision applications, or driver conflicts. Disabling Hyper-V can also affect security features reliant on it, such as virtualization-based security (VBS) and Device Guard. Methods to disable Hyper-V include: 1. Using the Windows Features dialog. 2. Executing a PowerShell command: Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Hyper-V-All, HypervisorPlatform, VirtualMachinePlatform. 3. Running a DISM command:

dism /Online /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:Microsoft-Hyper-V-All /FeatureName:HypervisorPlatform /FeatureName:VirtualMachinePlatform

. 4. Using the bcdedit command: bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off. 5. Modifying Group Policy to disable VBS. 6. Editing the Windows Registry to disable VBS or Credential Guard. For multiple managed computers, administrators can create and execute a PowerShell script or use Group Policy Objects to streamline the process. Testing in a controlled environment is recommended to ensure desired outcomes without compromising security or functionality.