crashing Archives

Winsage

May 17, 2025

Why Windows 10 PCs are locking up and crashing after May update

Microsoft will end update support for Windows 10 in October 2025, but new patches are still being released. The latest cumulative update, KB5058379, has caused issues for users, especially those with devices from Dell, Lenovo, and HP. Microsoft is aware of the problems and has not yet deployed a fix as of May 16, but has provided a temporary workaround. For users affected by the BitLocker bug, Microsoft Support recommends the following steps to regain access: 1. Disable Secure Boot in BIOS/Firmware settings. 2. If issues persist, disable all virtualization technologies in BIOS/Firmware settings. 3. Check the Microsoft Defender System Guard Firmware Protection Status via Registry Editor or GUI method. 4. If firmware protection settings are restricted by Group Policy, disable them using Group Policy Editor or Registry Editor. A system restart is required for these changes to take effect, and these workarounds should only be temporary until a patched update is released. Disabling certain BIOS settings may compromise system security.

Winsage

May 16, 2025

Windows 10 PCs are locking and crashing after May’s security update

Microsoft's KB5058379 update has caused issues for Windows 10 users, prompting unexpected requests for the BitLocker recovery key during startup. This problem is affecting users in Germany and the United States, impacting both corporate and personal devices. Users without the recovery key find their systems locked, leading some to perform system recoveries. Additionally, some users experience blue screen crashes after booting into Windows 10. A potential workaround is to disable the “Intel Trusted Execution Technology (Intel TXT)” option in the BIOS/UEFI. The issue primarily affects devices from Dell, HP, and Lenovo running Windows 10 versions 22H2 or 21H2 Enterprise. Microsoft has not yet acknowledged these issues related to the update.

Winsage

May 13, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3964 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3964 (KB5058496) has been released for the Beta Channel, specifically for Windows 11, version 24H2. Users on version 23H2 can choose to upgrade to version 24H2 with this build. The update introduces a new AI-powered agent in Settings for easier navigation and task automation, currently available for Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, with support for AMD and Intel PCs coming soon. Enhanced intelligent text actions have been added to Click to Do for AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs, allowing users to summarize, create bulleted lists, or rewrite text. A dedicated FAQs section has been added to the Settings > System > About page. Several fixes have been implemented, including improvements to the Start menu, File Explorer, and voice access. Known issues include problems with PC reset display and Xbox Controller connectivity. Entra ID support for AI features in Paint and Notepad has been rolled out for IT-managed PCs.

Winsage

May 13, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5600 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5581 (KB5058493) has been released to the Dev Channel. New features include enhanced intelligent text actions in Click to Do for AMD and Intel™-powered Copilot+ PCs, allowing users to Summarize, Create a bulleted list, or Rewrite text. These features are available when the default language is English and at least 10 words are selected. For users with French or Spanish as their primary language, only Summarize, Create a bulleted list, and Refine options are temporarily available. Improvements include the ability to safely remove devices compatible with Dynamic Lighting and the introduction of a FAQs section in Settings to help users find information about their PC. Fixes have been made to the Start menu, File Explorer, Voice Access, Taskbar, Windows Spotlight, and Live captions. Known issues include problems with the PC reset option and Xbox Controller connectivity. Entra ID support for AI features in Paint and Notepad has been rolled out for IT-managed PCs, allowing access to tools like Cocreator and Generative Fill in Paint, and summarization or rewriting in Notepad. Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel receive updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2, and features may evolve or be removed based on feedback.

Winsage

May 6, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3950 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3950 (KB5055653) has been released to the Beta Channel for Windows 11, version 24H2. Insiders on version 23H2 can opt to upgrade to version 24H2 with this build. Key changes include the introduction of energy saver management in Microsoft Intune, allowing IT administrators to manage energy settings on Windows 11 PCs. Other updates involve UI experiments in Recall, taskbar enhancements, and graphics improvements for HDR capabilities. Fixes include resolving keyboard focus issues in the taskbar, startup sound playback issues, and scaling problems after sleep/resume. Known issues involve bugs with Xbox Controllers and live captions crashing. Insiders are reminded to keep their devices updated for optimal performance and access to features.

Winsage

May 6, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5581 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5581 (KB5055651) has been released to the Dev Channel, introducing new features, improvements, and fixes. Key updates include: - Energy Saver in Microsoft Intune: IT administrators can manage energy saver settings on Windows 11 PCs through group policies and MDM configurations, optimizing battery usage by limiting background activities and reducing screen brightness. - Taskbar Improvements: The needy state pill for apps has been redesigned, and administrators can allow users to unpin specific pinned apps. - Graphics Enhancements: Improved management of HDR capabilities, including refined wording for HDR settings and independent toggling of Dolby Vision mode. - Fixes: Resolved issues with taskbar keyboard focus, startup sound playback, scaling after sleep, and cumulative update errors. - Known Issues: Users may experience discrepancies in build version display after PC resets and issues with Xbox Controllers causing bugchecks. - Recall (Preview): Users can opt to remove Recall at any time, and intelligent text actions are now moderated locally. - Windows Search: For optimal performance, devices should be connected to power during initial search indexing. - Task Manager: Users may see the System Idle Process showing as 0 after the addition of a new CPU Utility column. Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel receive updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2, with features rolled out gradually.

AppWizard

May 3, 2025

Minecraft runs on 8MB of VRAM using a 20-year-old GPU

The gaming community has revived underperforming hardware, successfully running Minecraft on a 20-year-old GPU, the 3D Phantom XP-2800, with only 8MB of VRAM. A video from Budget-Builds Official details this achievement using an antiquated desktop with Windows XP. Initially, Minecraft Alpha 1.2.6 faced OpenGL compatibility issues, which were resolved by using Microsoft-provided SiS drivers for the card, allowing it to display the game on a CRT monitor. After updates, the game ran, but attempts to run Minecraft 1.6.4 resulted in it loading at one frame per second before crashing. The team optimized performance by removing visual effects, lowering the resolution, and hosting the world server on a nearby laptop, along with using an 8x8 texture pack to stabilize the game.

Winsage

May 3, 2025

Janet Jackson’s ‘Rhythm Nation’ crashed some Windows laptops for years

Playing Janet Jackson's 1989 hit "Rhythm Nation" near certain laptops manufactured from 2005 onward can cause malfunctions, particularly affecting their hard drives. This issue was highlighted by Microsoft employee Raymond Chen, who noted that a major computer manufacturer had to create a custom audio filter to address specific sound frequencies that could disrupt 5,400 RPM hard drives. The problem was serious enough to be listed in the NIST National Vulnerability Database. The audio filter remained in use until at least the Windows 7 era, and there was a hardware vendor that sought an exception to a rule requiring users to disable all audio processing, citing potential physical damage to computers if the audio processing was disabled. Chen expressed uncertainty about whether this rule still exists today.

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

April 29, 2025

Devs lament Oblivion Remastered’s surprise release as Todd Howard eats their lunch: ‘I noticed a complete stop in game sales from about 2 pm onward on Oblivion day’

Launching a video game is complex and challenging, especially for indie developers competing against major titles like GTA 6. Bethesda's announcement of Oblivion Remastered negatively impacted smaller developers, as its release on April 22 coincided with the launch of indie games like Post Trauma and Starless Abyss, leading to visibility issues. Developers reported significant revenue drops; Brian Bucklew estimated a 10-20% decrease in daily revenue, while Francisco González experienced a complete halt in sales after Oblivion's launch. This pattern of major releases overshadowing smaller games has been observed previously, such as with Monster Hunter Wilds in March.