concern Archives

Winsage

May 5, 2025

Microsoft Confirms You Cannot Cancel New Windows PC Update

Microsoft is urging Windows 10 users to transition to Windows 11 as support for Windows 10 is set to expire on October 14. The Windows 11 24H2 update has entered its final rollout phase and will be automatically downloaded for Home and Pro editions of Windows 11, specifically versions 23H2, 22H2, and 21H2 that are not managed by IT departments. Users will receive notifications for the upgrade, but cannot cancel the installation once downloaded. Currently, over 53% of users remain on Windows 10, highlighting the urgency to upgrade. Microsoft offers a free upgrade for compatible hardware and a 12-month security extension, though details on this option are limited.

Winsage

May 3, 2025

Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation Was Once The Cause Of Laptop Crashes

Janet Jackson's song "Rhythm Nation" caused laptops to crash due to its bass-heavy sound generating a resonant frequency that affected mechanical hard drives. Microsoft investigated the issue and found that the song could induce slight movements in the hard drives, leading to data corruption and system freezes. They implemented a "notch" filter to eliminate the problematic frequency from the launch of Windows XP in 2001 until Windows 7 in 2009. This issue was specific to laptop hard drives and did not affect external models. With the introduction of solid-state drives (SSDs), the problems associated with mechanical drives and resonance have been largely resolved.

Winsage

May 3, 2025

Microsoft’s Free Upgrade Offer Hits New High—Check Your Windows PC Now

Microsoft is alerting Windows users about a significant cyber threat as many PCs will stop receiving essential security updates. A free upgrade to Windows 11 is recommended, which offers enhanced security, but 240 million users remain at risk. Microsoft encourages users with outdated PCs to transition to Windows 11, which requires a TPM 2.0 security module. As of April, Windows 11's adoption has reached 44%, while 53% of users are still on Windows 10, though this percentage is declining. The gap between Windows 11 and Windows 10 usage has narrowed to within 10%. Users unable to upgrade may face security risks and should consider safer alternatives, including transitioning to passkeys instead of passwords for their Microsoft accounts.

Winsage

May 2, 2025

Windows 11 24H2: BitLocker Encryption Now Default

With the rollout of Windows 11 24H2, BitLocker and Device Encryption are now automatically activated by default for all editions, including Home. Microsoft enabled BitLocker without prior notification, raising concerns about drive performance and potential data loss if users lose access to their Microsoft accounts. Users can back up BitLocker recovery keys and disable encryption during installation using tools like Rufus. To turn off BitLocker in Windows 11, users can go to the Settings app, select Device encryption under Privacy & Security, and manage their encryption settings.

Winsage

May 1, 2025

Windows RDP has a major security problem, and Microsoft has refused to do anything about it

A security flaw in Windows RDP allows previously revoked credentials to remain functional after a password reset, enabling users to access their PCs with old passwords. Microsoft does not classify this issue as a bug, stating it is an intentional design to ensure at least one user account can always log in. This behavior is not flagged by Microsoft Defender, Azure, or Entra ID, and the company's documentation lacks clarity on the matter. Microsoft has been aware of this issue since at least August 2023 but has chosen not to modify the code, citing potential compatibility issues.

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

Epic isn’t going to be policing AI Fortnite thumbnails

Epic Games has adopted a relaxed stance on the moderation of thumbnails created using artificial intelligence, focusing on compliance with established guidelines rather than the tools used for creation. Dan Walsh, the product management director, stated that the company is more concerned with whether thumbnails meet their rules than with the methods of their creation. He noted that detecting AI-generated content will become increasingly challenging. In contrast, Epic Games maintains strict ethical standards for its own first-party content, ensuring that all generated material is properly licensed and ownership rights are respected, as emphasized by executive vice president Sax Persson.

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

Google Play shrinks by 47 percent following policy overhaul

The Google Play Store has seen a 47 percent decline in app offerings, dropping from 3.4 million to 1.8 million apps since early 2024. This reduction is a result of Google's efforts to enhance app quality and security, including a policy overhaul that introduced stricter minimum requirements and targeted low-quality applications. In 2024, Google blocked 2.36 million policy-violating apps and banned over 158,000 developer accounts. Despite the decline in app numbers, developer activity remains strong, with over 10,400 new apps released in early 2025, a 7.1 percent increase from the previous year. The European Union's "trader status" rule did not significantly impact the decline in app numbers, as Apple's app count remained stable under similar regulations.

Winsage

April 30, 2025

A mysterious new Windows 11 folder appeared – and now there’s a new exploit

Windows 11 users encountered the "inetpub" folder after the April 2023 update (KB5055523), which is a crucial component for addressing the security vulnerability CVE-2025-21204. Microsoft stated that the folder should not be removed, as it helps manage Windows Update security vulnerabilities by preventing unauthorized control through symbolic links. However, cybersecurity expert Kevin Beaumont revealed that the same patch introduced a new vulnerability that could allow remote exploitation, prompting Microsoft to acknowledge this issue with a "Moderate" status and indicate that a fix is forthcoming. Users are advised to keep their systems updated and not delete the "inetpub" folder. If the folder is deleted, it can be restored by enabling Internet Information Services in the Control Panel.

Winsage

April 30, 2025

Windows RDP lets you log in using revoked passwords. Microsoft is OK with that.

The ability to use a revoked password for Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) access on Windows machines linked to Microsoft or Azure accounts allows users to log in with either a dedicated password or the credentials from their online account. Even after changing the account password, the old password remains valid for RDP logins indefinitely, and in some cases, multiple previous passwords may still grant access. This behavior poses significant security risks, especially if the account has been compromised, as changing the password does not block access via RDP with the old password. The issue arises from credential caching on the local machine, where the initial login credentials are stored securely, allowing continued access without online verification.

BetaBeacon

April 30, 2025

Game of Thrones: Kingsroad Will be Out as a Free-to-Play Game on PC, iOS and Android on May 21

Game of Thrones: Kingsroad will have its full release on May 21 as a free-to-play game on PC, Android, and iOS. The game will feature field bosses with matchmaking for up to 12 players, and the frequency of boss spawns will be reduced. The developers are also planning to improve the RP system in response to player feedback, adding more content like exploration challenges and co-op content that won't require RP. The ultimate goal is to have the entirety of Westeros in the game, with the next major update focusing on bringing the Stormlands.