incompatibilities Archives

Winsage

September 11, 2025

Microsoft Fixes 80 Flaws — Including SMB PrivEsc and Azure CVSS 10.0 Bugs

Microsoft addressed 80 vulnerabilities in its software, with eight classified as Critical and 72 as Important. None of these vulnerabilities have been exploited as zero-day threats. The vulnerabilities include 38 related to privilege escalation, 22 concerning remote code execution, 14 linked to information disclosure, and three associated with denial-of-service attacks. Notable vulnerabilities include CVE-2025-55234 (CVSS score: 8.8), which involves privilege escalation in Windows SMB, and CVE-2025-54914 (CVSS score: 10.0), a critical flaw affecting Azure Networking. Other significant vulnerabilities include CVE-2025-55232 (CVSS score: 9.8) in Microsoft HPC Pack and CVE-2025-54918 (CVSS score: 8.8) affecting Windows NTLM. Two additional privilege escalation vulnerabilities in Windows BitLocker were also identified. Microsoft recommends enabling TPM+PIN for BitLocker security and implementing the REVISE mitigation to prevent downgrade attacks. Other vendors, including Adobe, Cisco, and IBM, have also released security patches recently.

Winsage

September 9, 2025

Windows 10 KB5065429 update includes 14 changes and fixes

Microsoft has released the KB5065429 cumulative update for Windows 10 22H2 and 21H2, which includes fourteen enhancements and fixes. This mandatory update addresses two zero-day vulnerabilities and 81 other flaws, improving the security of the operating system. Users can install the update through Windows Update, and it will automatically begin installation after checking for updates. The update upgrades Windows 10 22H2 to build 19045.6332 and Windows 10 21H2 to build 19044.6332. Key fixes include resolving unexpected User Account Control prompts, performance issues with NDI streaming software, and various other bug fixes related to input methods, app compatibility, multimedia, and search functionality. There are no known issues with this update.

Winsage

August 25, 2025

I built a portable Windows 11 install on an external SSD, and you can do it too

Linux users can boot entire distributions from a flash drive, while Windows users lost the Windows To Go feature in 2020. The Rufus utility allows users to create a faux Windows To Go installation using a Windows 11 ISO. The process involves selecting the ISO and flash drive, adjusting the Image option, and starting the flashing process. A fast and large drive, such as a 128GB SSD, is recommended for better performance. Users may encounter driver issues and compatibility challenges across different devices. Despite initial setup hurdles, running Windows 11 from a flash drive can provide an efficient and portable workspace, with programs retaining settings across machines. A minimum of a 64GB USB drive is advisable for functionality.

Winsage

August 4, 2025

Millions still cling to Windows 10 as end of support looms

Windows 11 has a market share of 53.51 percent, while Windows 10's share is 42.88 percent, according to Statcounter data. Microsoft will cease support for Windows 10 in less than three months, yet many PCs remain on this older version. Organizations face challenges in transitioning to Windows 11 due to legacy applications and hardware incompatibilities. The Extended Security Update (ESU) program is seen as a temporary solution, and while consumers can secure a complimentary year of ESU, corporate customers using Microsoft 365 do not have this option. There are no plans from Microsoft to offer free ESUs for Windows 10. Despite the impending end of support, Windows 10 is expected to remain significant in enterprise planning for months or years to come.

Winsage

July 29, 2025

Microsoft Windows 11 update shows up on ‘incompatible’ PCs: Should you click upgrade or beware?

Microsoft is extending Windows 11 upgrades to computers that do not meet its official minimum requirements, prompting confusion among users. Reports indicate that users are receiving upgrade prompts despite lacking essential components like TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, or a modern processor. This change raises questions about whether Microsoft is relaxing its compatibility standards or if it is a technical oversight. Users are advised to exercise caution before upgrading unsupported machines, as this may lead to issues such as failed installations, unreliable performance, and lack of future security updates or customer support.

Winsage

July 27, 2025

I’m not upgrading to Windows 11, but I’m not tolerating Linux either

The author has been using an HP Pavilion laptop for a decade, but its performance on Windows 11 has declined due to modern applications and web standards. The laptop's 4th-gen i5 processor struggles with current operating system demands, leading to slowdowns during simple tasks. Attempts to optimize Windows 11 provided only marginal improvements. The author considered switching to Chrome OS Flex for its lightweight nature but found its reliance on web applications and lack of support for certain software limiting. Linux was also considered but deemed too complicated and incompatible with essential Windows-native applications. Ultimately, the author decided to install Chrome OS using the Brunch Framework, which allowed the aging laptop to run more efficiently and support the Google Play Store, improving overall performance and user experience.

AppWizard

July 18, 2025

Android’s Linux Terminal arrives on the Galaxy Z Flip 7, but Z Fold 7 users are left out

Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 7 is the first non-Pixel smartphone to support Google's Linux Terminal app, which allows users to run Linux programs within a virtual machine. This feature is not available on the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The Terminal app operates on a modified version of Debian within the Android Virtualization Framework (AVF), introduced with Android 13 and categorized as an Android 16 feature for Samsung devices. The app's availability is dependent on specific technical requirements related to the chipset; the Galaxy Z Flip 7 uses the Exynos 2500, which supports the necessary non-protected virtual machine, while the Galaxy S25 and Z Fold 7 use the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which is limited to secure virtual machines. Future updates from Qualcomm may address this limitation. The Terminal app currently does not support graphical applications, but there are indications that such features may be developed in the future.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

Windows 11 migration heats up… on desktops

Businesses are upgrading their desktop PCs in anticipation of the end of support for Windows 10, which is less than four months away. Recent data shows a 22 percent increase in desktop shipments to enterprise customers in Europe during April and May, with revenue rising by 17 percent. Desktops accounted for nearly 17 percent of total PC revenues in early Q2, the highest level in two years. Germany saw significant sales growth, leading to availability issues, while the UK and Poland also experienced increases in desktop sales. Despite this surge, Windows 10 still held a 53.9 percent share of the global desktop Windows market in May, compared to 43.22 percent for Windows 11, with some customers hesitant to adopt the new OS due to economic factors and hardware incompatibilities. Major PC manufacturers have noted a delayed refresh cycle, but signs of growth are emerging. Notebook sales have increased modestly, with unit sales up 2 percent and revenue up 7 percent, driven by AI-ready devices, though adoption is limited by application availability and higher prices. Desktops are crucial for businesses transitioning to Windows 11.

Winsage

May 21, 2025

Windows 11 Introduces Enhanced Administrator Protection to Strengthen Security Against Elevated Privilege Attacks

Microsoft has launched Administrator Protection for Windows 11, a feature designed to enhance cybersecurity by preventing privilege escalation attacks. This feature creates a security boundary around administrative operations, reducing the attack surface for cybercriminals. It introduces a hidden, system-managed local user account that generates isolated admin tokens, preventing user-level malware from compromising elevated processes. Administrator Protection eliminates auto-elevation functionality, requiring users to explicitly authorize administrative actions. It utilizes a System Managed Administrator Account (SMAA) that generates non-persistent admin tokens for specific tasks, which are discarded after use. The feature is currently available to Windows Insiders in the Canary channel and will expand to the Dev channel, with broader deployment expected in the 24H2 release. Compatibility challenges may arise in complex development environments, such as with Visual Studio.

Winsage

May 6, 2025

Microsoft: Windows 11 24H2 now ready to rollout to everyone

Microsoft has announced the rollout of the Windows 11 24H2 update, also known as the Windows 11 2024 Update, which is now available for all compatible PCs, except those with safeguard holds. The gradual rollout via Windows Update is nearing completion, and eligible users will see an option to download the update in their settings. Automatic updates will apply to Home and Pro editions of Windows 11 (versions 23H2, 22H2, and 21H2) not managed by IT departments. Upgrade blocks are in place for systems with incompatible hardware or software, including certain applications and drivers. Users can check compatibility using the PC Health Check app or Windows 11 specifications. The update introduces new features such as AI-powered capabilities, an energy saver, Wi-Fi 7 compatibility, Bluetooth LE audio support, HDR background support, natural language understanding in search, and a revamped Windows Recall feature. The rollout began in May 2024 for enterprise testing and transitioned to general availability in October. It will also be available to eligible PCs running Windows 10 22H2 in late January 2025, with a force-installation for unmanaged systems on Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2. Microsoft provides a guided walkthrough and support document for users during the upgrade process.