compatibility problems Archives

Winsage

April 25, 2025

Windows 11 25H2 shows signs of life: what can we expect?

The upcoming Windows 11 25H2 update is expected to be a modest enhancement rather than a major overhaul, continuing to use the Germanium codebase established with 24H2. A preview build, specifically build 27842 from the Canary Channel, has been identified, and references to GE25H2 were found in the AppraiserRes.dll file, which assesses PC compatibility for the new version. The update is anticipated to arrive in the latter half of the year, similar to previous incremental updates. Concerns exist regarding the stability of 25H2 compared to 24H2, which faced installation issues and compatibility problems. Windows 10 will reach the end of regular support on October 14, 2025, prompting users to transition to Windows 11. Smaller updates like enablement packages tend to present fewer stability risks, and Microsoft has not officially confirmed any details about 25H2 or its update process for versions 23H2 and 24H2. Speculation about Windows 12 continues, but its timeline remains uncertain.

Winsage

April 23, 2025

Microsoft fixes Windows Server 2025 blue screen, install issues

Microsoft has addressed issues affecting Windows Server 2025 for systems with more than 256 logical processors, which could lead to installation failures, slow start-up times, and blue screen errors. These problems have been resolved through updates since the KB5046617 cumulative update released in November. IT administrators are advised to install the latest security updates, which include essential fixes. A temporary workaround involves limiting the number of logical processors to 256 or fewer by adjusting settings in the UEFI Setup. Additionally, Microsoft warned of potential accessibility issues with Windows Server 2025 domain controllers post-restart and reported login difficulties with Windows Hello after the April 2025 updates. A bug causing authentication issues with Credential Guard has been fixed, and a new safeguard hold for Windows 11 24H2 has been introduced due to compatibility problems with the SenseShield Technology's sprotect.sys driver.

Winsage

April 18, 2025

Windows 11 24H2 Update Bug Triggers BSOD Error

Microsoft has acknowledged a significant bug in its Windows 11 24H2 updates, causing Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) crashes with the error code “SECUREKERNELERROR” (0x18B). This issue has escalated since the April 2025 Patch Tuesday update, affecting thousands of users globally. The bug leads to system crashes after installing the updates, resulting in persistent crash-restart loops or unbootable systems. Initially reported in March 2025, the problem gained traction following the April update, prompting Microsoft to confirm the bug and investigate its cause. Other issues include failures with Windows Hello and compatibility problems with games and software, particularly on ARM-based devices. To address the crisis, Microsoft has implemented a Known Issue Rollback (KIR) to disable the problematic code, which is being automatically pushed to affected devices, although users may experience a delay of up to 24 hours. Users are advised to keep their devices connected to the internet and restart their PCs multiple times to expedite the fix. For enterprise environments, IT administrators must manually deploy a specific Group Policy update. Microsoft is working on a permanent solution, expected in a future update, while also acknowledging related issues and committing to further fixes in the upcoming May 2025 update.

Winsage

March 27, 2025

10 pesky Windows 11 24H2 bugs still haunting PCs despite several patches

In October, Microsoft released the 2024 update for Windows 11, known as Windows 11 24H2, which enhances Copilot AI, refines File Explorer, and improves performance and stability. The update is available for users of Windows 11 23H2 and 22H2 through the Windows Update screen or Microsoft's official Download Windows 11 page. However, various bugs have been reported, leading Microsoft to temporarily pause the update for certain problematic PCs. Notable issues include: 1. AutoCAD 2022 may not open on some systems. 2. PCs with Citrix components may struggle with installation due to a glitch from the January Patch Tuesday update. 3. Compatibility issues with the Easy Anti-Cheat program can result in Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors, particularly on Intel Alder Lake+ processors. 4. Users report internet connectivity problems after the update, with some unable to receive a valid IP address. 5. Network sharing issues prevent devices from appearing in the network list. 6. Printer setup issues affect users of Copilot+ PCs from various manufacturers. 7. Audio output problems occur on PCs with Dirac Audio technology. 8. Outlook may fail to launch if Google Workspace Sync is installed. 9. Integrated camera issues affect the Windows camera app and Windows Hello facial recognition. 10. Compatibility problems with Intel Smart Sound Technology drivers may trigger blue screens on certain PCs. Microsoft has issued several patches to address these bugs since the update's launch, but some patches have introduced new issues.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

How to Uninstall Problematic Windows Updates Easily: Microsoft Customer Service

Windows updates can enhance performance and security but may also cause issues such as system crashes, compatibility problems, or decreased performance. If these problems occur, uninstalling the problematic update can restore system functionality. To uninstall a Windows update, users can follow these steps: 1. Access Windows Update History: - Open Windows Settings and select Update & Security. - Click on Windows Update and then View update history. 2. Uninstall the Problematic Update: - In the update history, click on Uninstall updates. - Select the problematic update and click Uninstall, then restart the computer. 3. Use Control Panel to Uninstall Updates: - Open Control Panel and click Programs. - Click on View installed updates, select the update, and click Uninstall. 4. Use Safe Mode to Uninstall Updates: - Boot into Safe Mode by navigating to Update & Security > Recovery and selecting Restart now under Advanced startup. - After restarting, follow the previous steps to uninstall the update. 5. Use the Windows Update Troubleshooter: - Open Settings, navigate to Update & Security, and select Troubleshoot. - Click on Additional troubleshooters, select Windows Update, and run the troubleshooter. 6. Use System Restore to Undo Updates: - Access System Restore by searching for Create a restore point. - Follow instructions to select a restore point prior to the problematic update. 7. Prevent Future Problematic Updates: - Pause updates temporarily in Windows Update settings. - Use the Show or Hide Updates tool to block specific updates from installation. For persistent issues, users can contact Microsoft support via phone, live chat, or their support website for further assistance.

Winsage

March 13, 2025

No, your printer isn’t possessed: a Windows 11 23H2 bug could be making it print random characters when connected via USB

Microsoft's Windows 11 24H2 update has numerous bugs, leading many users to stick with the earlier 23H2 version. A specific issue reported with the KB5050092 preview update in 23H2 involves USB-connected printers producing pages filled with random characters upon startup, and disconnecting the printer does not resolve the problem. Users not reliant on USB printers may prefer 23H2, which lacks severe bugs found in 24H2. Gamers have faced challenges with Bluetooth connectivity and game compatibility issues, particularly with Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed, which required a game update. Recent Nvidia Game Ready Drivers have further complicated the situation for gamers.

Winsage

November 28, 2024

Windows 11 Recall is misbehaving in testing, and the fix for the biggest issue is an age-old favorite: turn it off, then back on again

Windows 11's Recall feature is currently in the testing phase and has encountered several bugs, including a failure to save snapshots. Recall is intended to improve search capabilities on Copilot+ PCs by taking regular screenshots of user activity for natural language searches. Users have reported delays of several minutes between snapshots, leading to gaps in the timeline. Microsoft has suggested rebooting the PC as a remedy for these issues. Additionally, there are compatibility problems with certain accessibility applications and misleading notifications about snapshot saving. Even when snapshots are enabled, users may still receive prompts to confirm that saving is active.

Winsage

November 27, 2024

Windows 11 24H2 is now incompatible with USB scanning devices, too

Windows 11 version 24H2 has faced significant criticism due to security and reliability issues, with users reporting numerous critical bugs. Compatibility problems have been noted with cache-less WD SSDs, Ubisoft games, Asus devices, fingerprint sensors, USB scanners, and devices using the eSCL scan protocol. Microsoft has confirmed that after upgrading to 24H2, USB devices supporting eSCL may become undetectable, disrupting communication with networked scanners, printers, fax machines, modems, and other devices reliant on this protocol. Since the rollout on October 1, 2024, users have reported that their eSCL-compatible devices are inoperative in various environments. Businesses are urging Microsoft for a fix, and the company is working on a solution but has not provided a timeline. To address these issues, Microsoft has placed a "compatibility hold" on PCs connected to eSCL devices, preventing automatic upgrades to 24H2, and has advised users to avoid manual installation of the update until resolved.

Winsage

November 11, 2024

Microsoft shares policy after upgrade debacle around Windows Server 2025

Microsoft clarified its update policies after an unintended push of Windows Server 2025 to systems running Windows Server 2019 and 2022. The upgrade was intended to be optional, but some third-party products may have triggered automatic updates. This issue is linked to a common update known as KB5044284, which was misclassified by certain patch management systems, leading to unexpected upgrades. A system administrator from Heimdal Security raised concerns about the misclassification, while Heimdal attributed the issue to Microsoft. However, some users argued that the fault lay with Heimdal. Microsoft did not assign a KB number to Windows Server 2025, identified by build 26100.1742. The incident has raised concerns among system administrators about the risks of unscheduled upgrades, which can disrupt services and create licensing issues. Windows Server 2025 has encountered several significant problems, including installation text errors, startup issues in iSCSI environments, and compatibility problems with high-thread CPUs.

Winsage

November 5, 2024

Gamers are finally flocking to Windows 11 after 3 years

Windows 11 has reached a 51.97% adoption rate among gamers, a 4.28% increase from the previous month, while Windows 10 has declined to 45.95%, a decrease of 2.71%. Windows 11 first surpassed Windows 10 in adoption in August, and the gap is widening as users migrate. Windows 10 will be retired on October 14, 2025, with Microsoft offering an additional year of security updates for a fee. Recent performance issues with AMD’s Ryzen 9000 CPUs at launch were addressed in the 24H2 update. The Steam hardware survey also reported a 1.53% increase in RTX 3060 users, now at 7.24%. Windows 11 includes features like the Xbox Game Bar and DirectStorage to enhance gaming experiences.