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Winsage

January 19, 2026

Windows 11 shutdown bug forces Microsoft into out-of-band damage control

Microsoft released an out-of-band update for Windows 11, designated as KB5077797, on January 17 for version 23H2 to address a critical malfunction that prevented some systems from shutting down, restarting, or hibernating after the January Patch Tuesday update. This issue primarily affected systems with System Guard Secure Launch enabled by default. The update also resolves a separate authentication problem with Remote Desktop that caused credential prompts to fail or loop indefinitely. Additionally, Microsoft acknowledged a bug affecting classic Outlook POP account profiles, which has not yet been fixed. Users are urged to install KB5077797 to resolve these issues.

Winsage

January 19, 2026

Windows 11 PCs Fail To Shut Down After Update

Some users of Windows 11 have experienced a problem where their PCs reboot instead of shutting down after the Patch Tuesday security update KB5073455. This issue primarily affects devices with Secure Launch on Windows 11 version 23H2. Microsoft has confirmed this behavior, which disrupts the usual power-off sequence and can drain battery life for laptops and complicate remote management processes. An out-of-band update, KB5077797, has been released to restore normal shutdown and hibernation functionalities for affected systems. Users can check for this update in Windows Update or download it from the Microsoft Update Catalog. To determine if they are affected, users should look for immediate restarts when selecting Shut Down or Hibernate and check if Secure Launch is enabled in System Information.

Winsage

January 19, 2026

Copilot Uninstall Lands On Managed Windows But With Catches

IT administrators can now uninstall the Microsoft Copilot app from managed Windows devices under specific conditions. This option is available only for devices running an Insider Preview of Windows 11 and is designed for Enterprise, Pro, and Education editions. The Group Policy named RemoveMicrosoftCopilotApp allows this uninstallation, but it requires that the Microsoft 365 Copilot and the Microsoft Copilot app are installed, the app must not have been user-installed, and it must remain unopened for 28 days. The policy aims to prevent accidental removals and ensure organizations consider the app's deprecation thoughtfully. For unmanaged PCs, users can hide the Copilot button and disable it in Startup Apps to minimize its presence, but a straightforward uninstallation method is not yet available.

Winsage

January 19, 2026

I always make these 9 tweaks in Windows Terminal for a more readable and consistent experience on Windows 11 — and they’re for more than just aesthetics

Windows Terminal serves as a unified shell for various command-line tools, including PowerShell, Command Prompt, and WSL. Users can enhance their experience by customizing settings, which improves readability and consistency across devices. To back up Windows Terminal settings, users can export configurations to a JSON file by accessing the Settings option, opening the JSON file, saving it as backup-settings.json, and selecting a save location. To restore settings, users must locate the backup file, edit it in Notepad, copy the content, and replace the existing configuration in Windows Terminal before saving the changes. Additionally, users can set a different default shell in Windows Terminal.

Tech Optimizer

January 18, 2026

The best malware removal software of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

Cybercriminals use various tactics to infiltrate devices and accounts, spreading malware that can affect PCs, mobile devices, and smart home products. Signs of infection may include increased power consumption, unwanted pop-ups, and sluggish performance, while some malware operates stealthily. Default operating system protections are improving, and users can take proactive measures like installing malware removal applications. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is recommended for its real-time and on-demand scanning capabilities, effective malware detection, and cost-effective plans starting at a certain price per year. It includes features such as anti-phishing, anti-tracking, and a VPN, although the VPN has a daily traffic limit. Malwarebytes is another strong option, effective against various threats and offering a user-friendly interface, with paid plans starting at a certain price per year. Avast One Essential provides a free antivirus solution with strong scanning capabilities and additional security features, while ESET offers high-quality antivirus scans but lacks a fully free version beyond a trial. Emsisoft Emergency Kit is a portable scanning tool that operates from a USB drive and is free for personal use. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus features include: - On-access and on-demand scanning - Live customer support - Anti-phishing and anti-tracking features - VPN - Scam protection - Ransomware combat capabilities Malwarebytes features include: - On-access, scheduled, and on-demand scanning - Browser Guard extension - VPN - Multi-platform compatibility - Free or paid options - Scam and ad blocker Avast One Essential features include: - On-access, scheduled, and on-demand scanning - Multi-platform compatibility - Free or paid options - Strong antivirus scores - Anti-scam guidance - Ransomware protection - Cleanup options ESET Home Security Essential features include: - On-access and on-demand scanning - Real-time protection for financial transactions - Advanced security features - Multi-platform compatibility - Anti-phishing capabilities - Live customer support Emsisoft Emergency Kit features include: - On-demand scanning - Portable operation from a USB - Compatible with Windows - Free for personal use

Winsage

January 17, 2026

You can finally uninstall Microsoft Copilot on Windows 11, but there’s a catch

Microsoft has introduced a feature allowing certain users to uninstall Copilot from Windows 11 through a Group Policy setting named RemoveMicrosoftCopilotApp, available in the latest Insider builds for Developer and Beta channels. This option is accessible to IT administrators managing devices on Enterprise, Pro, or EDU versions of Windows. However, the ability to remove Copilot depends on specific conditions: both the free Microsoft Copilot app and the paid Microsoft 365 Copilot must be installed, the Copilot app must not have been user-installed, and it must not have been activated in the past 28 days. Users need to disable Copilot in Startup Apps and avoid opening it for nearly a month to qualify for uninstallation. The process can be initiated via the Group Policy Editor for those with administrative privileges, but it is a one-time event, with the option to reinstall Copilot later. There has been significant user demand for this uninstallation option, particularly after a bug in March 2025 that removed Copilot for some users, which was positively received on social media.

Winsage

January 16, 2026

Windows 11’s Notepad “Create a table” feature is now available, along with AI streaming results

Microsoft has launched the "Create a table" feature for Notepad, initially tested with Windows Insiders in November 2025, now available to all Windows 11 users. This feature allows users to create tables using Markdown-style formatting, storing them as plain text in .txt files. Users can add rows or columns easily, and a grid picker is available for selecting the number of rows and columns. The feature includes options for formatting text within table cells and managing tables through right-click controls. It is enabled by default, but users can disable it along with other markdown formatting options. Additionally, Notepad has introduced an AI text streaming capability for Copilot+ PC users, allowing real-time text generation, with plans to extend this feature to non-AI PCs in the future.

Winsage

January 15, 2026

This distro makes it easy to switch from Windows to Linux

VailuxOS is a Linux distribution built on a Debian foundation, featuring a user-friendly interface with the KDE Plasma desktop environment. It resembles Windows 11 in layout and includes a Computer icon for easy access to the Home directory. The installation process is straightforward, and it has a minimalist approach to preinstalled applications, allowing customization through the KDE Discover software center with Flatpak support. VailuxOS offers a graphical interface for setting up shared folders via Samba. A minor issue during setup involved a default German keyboard layout that affected password entry, which was resolved by switching to US English. Performance tests showed that VailuxOS can handle tasks like running the llama3.2r language model efficiently, demonstrating its capability for programming tasks.

AppWizard

January 14, 2026

Minecraft 26.1 Snapshot 3

In the latest Snapshot release, players can access game rules directly from the in-game pause screen via a new World Options button. The Data Pack version has been updated to 97, introducing new block and fluid tags, as well as modifications to the time command to integrate with new World Clocks. World Clocks maintain an internal time that progresses with each tick and can be paused or resumed. A new clock field links timelines to specific World Clock IDs, and Time Markers now assign names to designated points in time within a World Clock context. The time command is now based on World Clocks, and a new required field has been added to Game Test Environments for specifying World Clock IDs. New tags for blocks and fluids have been introduced, and the Tripwire texture has been updated for better visual clarity. Several bugs have been fixed in this release.

Winsage

January 13, 2026

CES 2026: Showcasing new Windows 11 PC innovations across the ecosystem

CES showcased significant advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) integrated into the Windows ecosystem, with various companies unveiling new products. Acer introduced the Copilot+ PCs, including the Swift 16 AI laptop with a haptic touchpad and Predator Helios Neo 16S AI gaming laptop. ASUS launched the Zenbook DUO, featuring dual OLED touchscreens, and the ROG Zephyrus Duo, a dual-screen gaming laptop. Dell refreshed its XPS brand with new laptops and monitors, while HP presented the EliteBook X G2 Series and the EliteBoard G1a Next Gen AI PC. Lenovo revealed several new Copilot+ PCs, and Samsung introduced the Galaxy Book6 series. AMD and Intel announced new processor lines, with AMD's Ryzen AI 400 Mobile Series and Intel's Core Ultra Series 3 processors. Qualcomm launched the Snapdragon X2 Plus for enhanced AI experiences in PCs.