error Archives

Winsage

January 15, 2026

Windows App forgets how to log in with first security update of the year

Microsoft's January security update, released on January 13, 2026, has caused connection and authentication failures for users of Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365, particularly affecting those using the Windows App. The update has resulted in credential prompt failures during Remote Desktop connections across all supported Windows versions, from Enterprise LTSC 2016 to Windows 11 25H2, as well as Windows Servers from 2019 to 2025. Microsoft is investigating the issue and plans to release an out-of-band update soon. Users have been advised to either uninstall the update or use the Remote Desktop Client or the Windows App web client as workarounds. Reports indicate persistent issues, including an "Unable to Authenticate" error when attempting to connect via the Windows App. Microsoft has also made a Known Issue Rollback available to address these credential problems.

Winsage

January 13, 2026

Microsoft fixes 114 flaws in year’s first Windows 11 Patch Tuesday

Microsoft's January 2026 Patch Tuesday update, KB5074109, addresses 114 vulnerabilities, including a critical zero-day vulnerability (CVE-2026-20805) in the Windows Desktop Window Manager (DWM) that has been actively exploited. The update is applicable to Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 and includes security enhancements and updates to AI components. Other high-severity vulnerabilities addressed include CVE-2026-20816 (privilege escalation in Windows Installer), CVE-2026-20817 (elevation of privilege in Windows Error Reporting), CVE-2026-20840 (vulnerability in Windows NTFS), CVE-2026-20843 (flaw in Routing and Remote Access Service), CVE-2026-20860 (vulnerability in Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock), and CVE-2026-20871 (another DWM vulnerability). The update removes legacy modem drivers to minimize the attack surface and resolves reliability issues in Azure Virtual Desktop and WSL networking. It also changes the default setting for Windows Deployment Services (WDS) to disable hands-free deployment. Users can install the update through Windows Update, and a system reboot is required for full application.

AppWizard

January 13, 2026

Anthem is finally, officially dead

At approximately 2:05 PM EST today, players of Anthem were unexpectedly disconnected from EA's servers, marking the official end of the game after nearly seven years since its launch. The game had struggled with live service management and received a lukewarm reception, with a review rating of 55 in February 2019. Development issues and a lack of creative direction plagued Anthem, leading to abandoned plans for reinvention in February 2021. EA announced the game's closure in July, and in its final hours, the community engaged in a nostalgic farewell. Players expressed mixed feelings about the game's experience, highlighting both the thrill of combat and frustrations with its design.

Winsage

January 12, 2026

Windows 11 File Explorer Lag: Legacy XP Feature Fix via Registry Tweak

File Explorer in Windows 11 has been reported to have performance issues, particularly delays when navigating folders with many media files or documents. This problem is linked to the auto-discovery feature, which optimizes folder display settings based on content but incurs a significant computational burden. Disabling this feature through registry modifications can lead to improved performance, with users experiencing faster navigation and reduced folder load times. Microsoft has acknowledged these issues and plans to preload File Explorer for quicker launches, but the underlying problems remain largely unaddressed. Users have shared their experiences and solutions, including registry tweaks that set folder types to "NotSpecified" to eliminate scanning overhead. Despite some incremental updates from Microsoft, many users still face core lags, prompting ongoing community-driven fixes and discussions about the need for deeper audits of legacy code.

Winsage

January 11, 2026

Windows Media Player’s ‘find album information’ functionality has been removed — you’ll have to find other software for playing and ripping CDs with relevant track information

Microsoft has removed the 'find album information' and 'update album info online' functionalities from the Media Player applications in Windows 11. Neither the Windows Media Player Legacy nor the latest Media Player app can connect to retrieve data such as album artwork, track names, and details when an audio CD is inserted. The built-in 'Find Album Information' service, which relies on musicmatch-ssl.xboxlive.com, is unreachable. Users attempting to update album information in the latest Media Player app receive an error message indicating a connection issue, despite having a stable internet connection. The removal of these features is disappointing for users who still appreciate physical media, especially as optical drives are becoming rare in new computers.

AppWizard

January 11, 2026

When will Minecraft realms be back up? Frustrated users report ‘bedrock couldn’t load’ error

On Saturday, the Minecraft community experienced significant loading issues with Bedrock Realms starting around 12 p.m. EDT, leading to over 4,000 error reports logged on DownDetector. Users reported difficulties connecting to servers and accessing gameplay, with many expressing frustration on social media. Minecraft has not yet issued an official statement regarding the outage or provided a timeline for service restoration.

Winsage

January 9, 2026

Nothing to declare at border control except a Windows 7 certificate error

A glitch in the border control wait-time display at Birmingham Airport showed a security certificate error, leaving passengers unaware of their wait times. The display is running on Windows 7, which reached its end of life in 2020, and the error message resembles outdated technology from Windows Vista. Despite this, a traveler reported a quick passage through border control, taking only ten minutes. The ongoing certificate issue raises concerns about the reliability of the information provided to passengers.

Winsage

January 7, 2026

Hackers Use Fake Windows BSOD To Spread Malware

Security researchers have identified a social engineering campaign that mimics the Windows Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) to deceive users into installing a remote access Trojan (RAT). The campaign, named PHALT#BLYX, begins with phishing emails that appear to be legitimate cancellation notices from travel websites, leading victims to a fake login page and an interactive CAPTCHA. This culminates in a full-screen imitation of the BSOD, prompting users to follow instructions that ultimately allow attackers to gain control of their computers. The attackers use a “ClickFix” process that involves executing commands through native Windows tools like PowerShell and MSBuild, making detection more challenging. The malware delivered is an obfuscated version of DCRat, which provides attackers with remote control capabilities, keylogging, and the ability to download additional malware. The campaign primarily targets hotels and hospitality businesses in Europe, exploiting the urgency of front-desk staff to respond to apparent technical issues. Indicators of a fake BSOD include the ability to interact with the screen, requests to execute commands via Windows tools, and the presence of CAPTCHA prompts. Organizations are advised to train employees, implement application control, enhance email and web defenses, and prepare for incident response to mitigate risks associated with such attacks.

Tech Optimizer

January 7, 2026

Fake error popups are spreading malware fast

A new cybercrime tool called ErrTraffic has emerged, simplifying malware dissemination through deceptive fake error messages that prompt users to address non-existent issues. The attacks begin on compromised websites, where users encounter distorted text and pop-ups suggesting a browser update or font installation. Clicking the provided button copies a command to the clipboard, instructing users to paste it into PowerShell, which triggers the malware infection. ErrTraffic automates this process, requiring minimal investment for attackers to access a control panel and scripted payload delivery. It operates via JavaScript injection, adapting to the user's operating system and browser to display tailored messages. This method effectively bypasses traditional malware defenses, achieving high conversion rates, with nearly 60% of users following through with the instructions. Infected devices may deploy infostealers or banking trojans, with the system designed to evade law enforcement by excluding certain regions. To mitigate risks, users should avoid copying commands from websites, trust built-in update notifications, use robust antivirus software, and regularly remove personal information from data broker sites.

Winsage

January 7, 2026

DataVare Simplifies Access to Mac Outlook Data on Windows Outlook with Smart Migration

DataVare has launched a migration tool that enables the transfer of Mac Outlook OLM emails to Windows Outlook, allowing users to access their previous emails without data loss or disruption. The tool maintains the original email structure, supports bulk migration, and does not require an internet connection. It is compatible with all major Windows operating systems and offers a free trial version. DataVare specializes in email migration and data management software.