file corruption Archives

Winsage

May 30, 2025

Microsoft May Patch Tuesday fails on some Windows 11 VMs

Microsoft's recent Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11 has faced significant issues, particularly affecting users on versions 22H2 and 23H2. The installation of the May 13 update is failing on some machines, especially in virtual environments, leading to recovery mode entries and boot errors. Users are advised to avoid the update temporarily. The error message indicates a problem with the ACPI.sys file, which is crucial for managing hardware resources. Windows 11 Home and Pro users are likely unaffected, as virtual machines are typically used in enterprise settings. Microsoft has not provided the number of impacted users or a workaround beyond uninstalling the patches, but engineers are working on a resolution. This incident follows previous patching challenges faced by Microsoft this year, including an emergency update for Windows 10 and issues with Remote Desktop sessions in earlier updates.

Winsage

May 15, 2025

This hidden Windows 11 feature lets you force an emergency restart — how it works and where to find it

Windows 11 includes an emergency restart feature that serves as a safer alternative to forcefully pressing the power button when a PC is unresponsive, reducing the risk of file corruption and system instability. For installing Windows 11 on unsupported PCs, users should assess hardware compatibility, utilize workarounds, back up data, explore community forums, stay updated on patches, consider hardware upgrades, and familiarize themselves with new features. To enhance security, users should enable two-factor authentication, regularly update software, use strong passwords, install antivirus software, be cautious with email attachments, back up data, and educate themselves about phishing scams.

Winsage

February 10, 2025

5 built-in tools to use when troubleshooting Windows problems

Windows 11 is known for its stability and secure upgrade process, allowing seamless rollback to previous versions if issues occur. It includes troubleshooting tools like Event Viewer, which consolidates system event logs and helps identify causes of failures; Task Manager, which displays active applications and performance metrics; Resource Monitor, providing real-time data on resource usage; Command Prompt, enabling execution of diagnostic commands; and PowerShell, offering advanced scripting and automation capabilities. These tools assist users in diagnosing and resolving Windows-related issues effectively.

Tech Optimizer

December 4, 2024

How hackers are using corrupted Microsoft Office files to fool everyone

Corrupted Microsoft Office documents and ZIP files are being used in a phishing campaign that evades antivirus detection, as reported by cybersecurity firm ANY.RUN. This tactic, active since at least August 2024, involves corrupting files to bypass email security protocols while allowing harmful content recovery. The documents are designed to avoid detection by email filters and antivirus software, using QR codes to direct users to fake Microsoft account login pages. Analysis shows these attachments often do not trigger alerts on VirusTotal, as they exploit Microsoft Word and WinRAR's recovery features. This method is categorized as a potential zero-day exploit, aiming to deceive users into opening the files and activating the QR codes for credential harvesting or malware delivery. Security experts stress the importance of user awareness and training to identify phishing attempts, while organizations are enhancing email filtering to detect file corruption patterns. The rise of QR code phishing, or "quishing," adds complexity, as many users are unaware of the risks of scanning codes.

Winsage

October 30, 2024

Microsoft’s Windows 11 24H2 bug patch fixes some problems – and creates new ones

Microsoft launched the Windows 11 2024 update (24H2) on October 1, which has faced multiple complications. The KB5044384 update, rolled out on October 24 to fix various glitches, aimed to resolve issues such as incorrect file corruption flags, problems with the Disk Cleanup tool, and screen flickering during window switching. However, users have reported installation failures, with the process stalling at 40% or 90%-95%, and common error codes include 0x800f0922 and 0xc015001a. A workaround involves manually downloading the patch from the Microsoft Update Catalog, but even successful installations may lead to ongoing issues like inaccurate Task Manager counts and persistent Alt+Tab problems. Microsoft is implementing a gradual rollout of the update, and users may consider waiting until the next Patch Tuesday on November 12 for potential fixes.

Winsage

September 17, 2024

5 of the weirdest issues I was never able to fix on my Windows PC

- The author has experienced five persistent issues with their Windows PC setup over two decades of use. - The first issue is atrocious microphone quality on wireless headphones, specifically with Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connections, leading to audio delays and muffled voice during calls. - The second issue involves frequent file corruption on Windows 10, occurring every few months on a new WD Black SN770 SSD, resulting in boot failures and the need for SFC scans or system image restores. - The third issue is the disappearance of system restore points, which vanish within days despite sufficient drive space and proper functioning of the System Restore utility. - The fourth issue is a delay in LAN connectivity after waking the PC from sleep, taking 30-40 seconds to resolve, despite attempts to adjust power settings and update drivers. - The fifth issue is the PC entering a strange half-sleep mode, where it appears powered down but certain components remain active, requiring a hard reset to resolve.