feature changes Archives

Winsage

January 19, 2026

The Last Windows Security Updates of January 2026 Are Here

Microsoft released its first set of security updates for the Windows operating system and various products in January 2026, addressing over 110 vulnerabilities. The updates are available for all supported versions of Windows, with Windows 10 receiving fixes only through the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 are the main consumer releases benefiting from these updates. Approximately 112–114 security updates were released, with around 8 rated as Critical. At least one zero-day vulnerability is actively exploited. The updates include security fixes for Windows, Office, Edge, Azure, and server components. Windows 11 versions 23H2, 24H2, and 25H2, as well as Windows Server 2023 and 2025, have known issues. Windows 11 version 24H2 and 25H2 received security fixes for multiple vulnerabilities, while version 23H2 continues to receive support through enterprise servicing channels. Windows 10 updates are limited to ESU-enrolled systems, with general support ending in October 2025. Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2025 received January security updates, addressing important vulnerabilities without disclosing any critical ones. Microsoft also released updates for Office products and SharePoint Server components. Known issues after the January updates include credential prompt failures and authentication issues in Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365, particularly affecting the new Windows App. Workarounds involve using the classic Remote Desktop client or the web-based RDP client. Additionally, devices with Secure Launch enabled may experience shutdown and sleep mode failures. Microsoft has provided out-of-band fixes for certain affected systems as of January 18, 2026. Users can manually install updates through the Windows Update feature, and it is recommended to create a full system backup before proceeding with updates.

Winsage

January 19, 2026

The Last Windows Security Updates of January 2026 Are Here

Microsoft released its first security updates for 2026 on January Patch Tuesday, addressing over 110 vulnerabilities across Windows, Microsoft Office, Edge, Azure components, and other services. The updates are available for all supported versions of Windows, with Windows 10 receiving security fixes only through the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 are the primary consumer releases receiving updates. Key details include: - Approximately 112–114 security updates were released. - Around 8 vulnerabilities are rated Critical. - At least one zero-day vulnerability is actively exploited. - Windows 11 version 24H2 and 25H2 received security fixes for multiple vulnerabilities, including remote code execution and privilege escalation. - Windows 11 version 23H2 (Enterprise & Education) continues to receive cumulative security updates. - Windows 10 updates are limited to ESU-enrolled systems, with no feature updates available. - All supported Windows Server versions received updates, addressing important vulnerabilities. - Known issues include shutdown and sleep mode problems for devices with Secure Launch enabled in Windows 11 23H2. - Microsoft Office updates were also released, including for Excel and Word 2016, and SharePoint Server components. Workarounds for known issues have been provided, and users can manually install updates through Windows Update.

Winsage

January 1, 2026

Microsoft’s ReFS File System Remains Inaccessible to Windows 11 Users

Microsoft's Resilient File System (ReFS) supports volumes up to 35 petabytes and offers robust data protection through checksums and continuous integrity checks, reducing the risk of data corruption. However, Windows 11 defaults to the NTFS file system, requiring users to use command-line tools to access ReFS features, which may deter average consumers. ReFS is primarily designed for Windows Server environments and has not gained popularity among general users. Testing shows that Windows 11 formats new drives as NTFS, making ReFS less accessible. ReFS can experience performance degradation on single-drive consumer PCs compared to NTFS and lacks features like file system compression, encryption, object IDs, and extended attributes, raising compatibility concerns. Microsoft has introduced the Agent Launchers framework for AI agent registration in Windows, amidst user backlash regarding the evolution of Windows into an "agentic OS." The Windows and Devices segment generated .3 billion in the last fiscal year, remaining flat over three years, while Gaming and LinkedIn generated higher revenues. Users have reported frequent feature changes and declining quality in Windows 11, with Microsoft's Controlled Feature Rollout system causing inconsistencies across devices. ReFS is accessible through the Dev Drive feature in Windows 11, which prioritizes performance over security. Microsoft faces competition from various fronts, including Valve's SteamOS, Apple's upcoming MacBook, and Google's Chrome OS, particularly in the education sector.

Winsage

November 9, 2025

How to let PowerToys handle your theme-switching on Windows 11 — light mode for work, dark mode for vibes

Windows 11 does not have a built-in feature to automatically toggle between light and dark modes, but users can achieve this functionality by installing the PowerToys app. To enable automatic switching, users must install PowerToys, open the app, navigate to System Tools, and activate the Light Switch feature. Users can choose to schedule the switch based on sunset or sunrise times or manually set a schedule. The app can also adjust color modes for the system or apps. A keyboard shortcut ("Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + D") is available for manual switching.

Winsage

August 29, 2025

Microsoft’s next annual update for Windows 11 is in Release Preview testing

The Windows 11 update 25H2 is available for testing in the Release Preview Channel and is expected to install quickly due to previously introduced features. It retains enhancements from version 24H2 but removes PowerShell 2.0 and WMIC. An addition for enterprise and educational customers is the ability for IT administrators to remove certain pre-installed Microsoft Store applications via Group Policy or MDM CSP. The update process from 24H2 to 25H2 requires only one restart, facilitated by a shared servicing branch. Users can access the update by joining the Release Preview Channel and navigating to the Windows Update section to install Build 26200.5074.