enterprise customers Archives

Winsage

December 23, 2025

Windows activation phone line now redirects callers to the web, users report

Microsoft has discontinued phone activation for Windows products, redirecting users to an online portal for activation. The automated message informs callers that it is no longer possible to activate Windows or any Microsoft product over the phone. This change has been confirmed by users on social media, and the phone activation system was still operational as recently as October 2025. Users now must sign in with a Microsoft account to activate their products online, which poses challenges for those without internet access or using legacy systems. The official support documentation still mentions phone activation, causing confusion. Additionally, Microsoft has blocked the KMS38 activation method, further limiting activation options.

Winsage

December 17, 2025

Microsoft asks IT admins to reach out for Windows IIS failures fix

Microsoft has informed the business community about a known issue with Message Queuing (MSMQ) affecting enterprise applications and Internet Information Services (IIS) sites. This problem primarily impacts users on Windows 10 22H2, Windows Server 2019, and Windows Server 2016 who installed specific security updates (KB5071546, KB5071544, and KB5071543) released in December 2025. Symptoms include inactive MSMQ queues, applications unable to write to queues, IIS sites failing with "insufficient resources" errors, and misleading messages about disk space or memory. The issue stems from changes to the MSMQ security model that altered permissions on the C:WindowsSystem32MSMQstorage folder, requiring MSMQ users to have write access to a directory typically restricted to administrators. Microsoft has not provided a timeline for a fix and suggests affected IT administrators contact their support team for temporary workarounds or consider rolling back the updates.

Winsage

December 1, 2025

As Windows 11 turns into an AI OS, Microsoft Copilot boss does not understand how AI is underwhelming

Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft's AI CEO, noted user frustration with the aggressive integration of AI into Windows 11, despite the company's efforts to enhance user experience with features like Copilot, which operates on models similar to ChatGPT. Windows 11 includes various AI functionalities, such as Copilot Voice and Copilot Vision, and aims to transform the OS into an "agentic OS" with features like Copilot Actions in Microsoft Edge. Users have expressed dissatisfaction with AI being present in applications like Notepad and File Explorer, perceiving it as intrusive rather than beneficial. Microsoft 365 applications have also integrated Copilot functionalities, but concerns about safety and privacy persist. User feedback indicates a desire for more thoughtful AI integration, as many feel that AI is being applied to problems that do not exist, leading to stress and uncertainty regarding the operating system's control.

Winsage

November 24, 2025

How to get free Windows 10 security patches on your PC – from now to October 2026

Windows updates will roll out automatically on November 11. Official support for Windows 10 has ended, meaning PCs with default settings will no longer receive monthly security updates. Microsoft has introduced Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10, allowing users to receive security updates until October 2026. Any personal Windows 10 PC running version 22H2 can access free ESU subscriptions, excluding Enterprise and Education editions. Enrollment requires a Microsoft account and is available for up to 10 PCs. In Europe, customers in the EEA qualify for free ESU subscriptions without needing a Microsoft account. Enterprise customers will incur higher costs for commercial ESU subscriptions. Users must ensure they meet eligibility requirements to see the ESU offer.

Winsage

November 19, 2025

Windows 11 Adds New Recovery Tools to Minimize Downtime

Microsoft unveiled new Windows Recovery tools during the Ignite 2025 keynote to help IT teams reduce downtime and streamline remediation processes. Enhancements to Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) include WinRE networking support, which will initially support Ethernet and later add Enterprise Wi-Fi capabilities. Autopatch can now manage and approve QMR updates, currently in public preview. Microsoft Intune's remote recovery via WinRE allows IT administrators to monitor devices in recovery mode and deploy scripts directly from the console, extending to Windows Server VMs through the Azure Portal. New recovery options for Windows PCs include a point-in-time restore feature for reverting to previous states and a Cloud rebuild feature for remotely reinstalling Windows 11 on malfunctioning devices. These updates are expected to be generally available to commercial customers in the first half of 2026. Microsoft has also introduced Autopatch update readiness in preview, providing real-time insights into device update readiness through a unified Intune dashboard. Additionally, new tools for incident management include Mission Critical Services for Microsoft 365, allowing collaboration with Windows engineers, and Windows 365 Reserve, which offers secure temporary Cloud PCs. Microsoft Intune will issue alerts when devices enter WinRE to prioritize recovery efforts, and a Digital Signage mode will prevent error messages on non-interactive public displays.

Winsage

November 18, 2025

Microsoft: Windows 10 KB5072653 OOB update fixes ESU install errors

Microsoft released an emergency out-of-band update, KB5072653, on November 17, 2025, to address installation issues related to the November extended security updates for Windows 10. This update specifically targets the error code 0x800f0922 that prevented users from successfully installing the ESU update. To install this update, devices must be running Windows 10 version 22H2 and have the October 2025 KB5066791 cumulative update installed. Users can check for updates via Windows Update, where KB5072653 will be included. Microsoft plans to release a new Scan Cab with updated metadata to improve compliance update checks for organizations using WSUS and SCCM.

Winsage

November 17, 2025

You can still get free Windows 10 security patches – here’s how until October 2026

This month's Windows updates will roll out automatically on Patch Tuesday, November 11. Official support for Windows 10 has concluded, meaning PCs running this operating system with default settings will no longer receive essential monthly security updates from Microsoft. Microsoft has introduced options for users to continue receiving critical security updates until October 2026. The Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10 consumer PCs are available for free enrollment, particularly for those who do not qualify for a free Windows 11 upgrade. ESU coverage begins immediately and extends through October 13, 2026, for personal devices. Users must sign in with a Microsoft account to activate the subscription, which can be applied to up to ten PCs. The ESU subscription is available for personal Windows 10 PCs running version 22H2, excluding Enterprise and Education editions. Users in Europe qualify for free ESU subscriptions without needing a Microsoft account. Enrollment can be initiated through the Settings menu under Windows Update. Enterprise customers are not eligible for free ESU options and must pay a fee starting at per device per year. If the ESU offer does not appear, users should ensure all requirements are met, including the installation of the latest updates for Windows 10, version 22H2. Users should be cautious of the default 5GB storage limit on OneDrive when syncing settings to the cloud.

Winsage

November 13, 2025

Cameyo by Google Brings Virtual App Delivery to Chrome, ChromeOS Enterprise

Google has launched its Cameyo Virtual App Delivery service for enterprise customers using Chrome, ChromeOS, and ChromeOS Flex. This service focuses on delivering only the necessary applications rather than a full desktop environment, providing secure access across devices. Cameyo allows enterprises to stream legacy Windows and Linux applications as Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) within the Chrome web browser, integrating seamlessly with native ChromeOS and Android applications. Google acquired Cameyo in 2023 to enhance its virtualization offerings. The service also enables the integration of Gemini AI capabilities into legacy applications, improving productivity by summarizing documents and recalling user context.

Winsage

November 8, 2025

Still on Windows 10? Enroll in free ESU before next week’s Patch Tuesday

Users operating Windows 10 are encouraged to enroll in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program following the end of support for the operating system on October 14, 2025. The ESU program allows continued access to security updates for users unable to transition to Windows 11. To obtain extended security updates for an additional year, users can pay a fee, back up their Windows settings to their Microsoft account, or redeem 1,000 Microsoft reward points. In the European Economic Area, users can receive ESU for free by logging into Windows 10 with a Microsoft account or can opt to pay to continue using a local account. Enterprise customers can utilize the ESU program for a total of three years at a cumulative cost of per device. Users must be operating Windows 10, version 22H2 Home, Professional, Pro Education, or Workstations edition, and ensure all available updates are installed to qualify for ESU. Enrollment can be completed through the Windows Update settings. Microsoft frequently addresses security vulnerabilities, including a recent one tracked as CVE-2025-24990, which was exploited to gain administrative privileges on devices. Successful enrollment in the ESU program will provide updates until October 13, 2026. Organizations must acquire licenses through Microsoft Volume Licensing or Cloud Solution Provider partners, and each device must be activated with a unique ESU key. Windows 10 devices accessing Windows 365 Enterprise Cloud PCs can also benefit from free enrollment in the ESU program.

Winsage

November 6, 2025

Latest Windows Updates Trigger BitLocker Recovery

Microsoft has warned that its October 2025 security update may cause a BitLocker recovery prompt on certain systems, particularly affecting devices running Windows 10 version 22H2 and Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2. BitLocker, a security feature in Windows, encrypts drive contents to protect against unauthorized access. The issue arises when some devices inadvertently enter BitLocker recovery mode during startup. This is especially common with Intel-based devices that support Connected Standby. Affected users may need to enter a recovery key once, after which the device should boot normally. Microsoft has provided a fix that administrators must manually deploy, and users without their recovery key risk losing data. They are advised to try retrieving the key through their Microsoft account.