kernel Archives

Winsage

July 24, 2025

Windows 11 Gets New Black Screen of Death With Auto Recovery Tool

Microsoft has introduced enhancements to Windows 11's recovery capabilities, including a new restart screen that replaces the Black Screen of Death, reducing crash downtime to approximately two seconds. The Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) tool automatically resolves issues with unresponsive devices without manual IT intervention. The updated interface improves readability and retains essential technical details for troubleshooting. QMR will be available for all Windows 11 version 24H2 devices, enabled by default for Home users, while IT administrators can activate it for Pro and Enterprise systems. Additionally, antivirus software will now run in user mode to improve system stability.

AppWizard

July 21, 2025

Linux is the best thing to happen to PC gaming in years

PC gaming has experienced a notable shift due to the rise of Linux, particularly with the introduction of Valve's Steam Deck in mid-2021. The Steam Deck, built on a Linux foundation and utilizing Valve's Proton compatibility layer, has broadened the compatibility of games on Linux, allowing users to enjoy titles without dual-booting systems. This device has popularized handheld PC gaming, prompting other manufacturers to create similar devices. The Steam Deck's modest hardware has led to a trend of optimization among developers, resulting in better performance on lower-end systems. Valve's SteamOS has improved the user interface for both Linux and Windows users, making PC gaming more accessible. However, a significant challenge remains with anti-cheat software, which is difficult to implement across various Linux distributions. Despite this, the state of Linux gaming is strong for single-player experiences, and Valve is exploring solutions to enhance competitive gaming on Linux.

Winsage

July 16, 2025

Windows Secure Boot Certificate Expired in June, Microsoft Issues Warning

Microsoft has announced that Secure Boot certificates for Windows devices will begin to expire in June 2026, which may affect device functionality and security. An out-of-band update (KB5064489) was released on July 13, 2025, to address immediate security concerns and prepare systems for the certificate transition. This update includes essential quality improvements and fixes issues related to the startup of certain Azure Virtual Machines when Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) is enabled. The update is cumulative and incorporates previous security fixes. Users are advised to install the update promptly and review guidance for updating their certificates before the expiration deadline.

Winsage

July 16, 2025

Microsoft releases emergency fix for Azure Virtual Machines issue caused by Windows 11 update

Microsoft released the KB5062553 update for Windows, which caused boot failures in some Generation 2 Azure Virtual Machines (VMs) with Trusted Launch disabled. In response, Microsoft issued an emergency patch, KB5064489, applicable to Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025, to address these issues. Affected VMs may experience boot failures if Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) is enforced via registry key. Users are advised to check if their VMs are created as “Standard” and if VBS is enabled. The KB5064489 update is not automatically deployed and must be manually downloaded from the Microsoft Update Catalog, with specific installation methods outlined.

Winsage

July 15, 2025

Windows KB5064489 emergency update fixes Azure VM launch issues

Microsoft released an emergency update to address a bug affecting Azure virtual machines (VMs) that prevented them from launching when the Trusted Launch setting was disabled while Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) was enabled. This issue emerged during the July Patch Tuesday security updates and impacted Windows Server 2025 and Windows 11 24H2, specifically affecting VMs using version 8.0 with VBS provided by the host. The root cause was identified as a secure kernel initialization issue, which has been fixed with the KB5064489 out-of-band update. Administrators are advised to check if their VMs are created as "Standard" and if VBS is enabled. If affected, they should install the out-of-band update instead of the July 8th KB5062553 Patch Tuesday update and consider using the Trusted Launch security feature. Microsoft has also updated Windows Server 2025 VM images to include the latest cumulative update addressing this bug.

AppWizard

July 15, 2025

channelnews : Google Confirms ChromeOS and Android Merger in Major Software Overhaul

Google has announced plans to merge its operating systems, ChromeOS and Android, into a single platform. This decision was confirmed by Sameer Samat, President of Google’s Android Ecosystem, during an interview. The merger is seen as a response to Apple's iPad and its iPadOS, as Google has struggled in the high-end tablet market. In 2024, Google began integrating Android technology into ChromeOS, introducing desktop features to Android. The company is reportedly starting a multi-year initiative to integrate ChromeOS functions into Android, with a new Pixel Laptop expected to launch alongside the merged operating system. There are concerns about transitioning existing Chromebooks, which use x86 processors, to an Android-focused system that favors Arm architecture.

Tech Optimizer

July 14, 2025

The performance engineer: a detective licensed to kill… bottlenecks

A SQL query initially took fifteen hours to process, but after performance engineering adjustments by Vadim Laktushin, it was reduced to two minutes. Performance engineers (PEs) work to enhance IT system efficiency by identifying and resolving performance bottlenecks in application code, database management systems, configurations, and hardware. Vadim transitioned from a developer to a performance specialist at Postgres Professional after exploring benchmarks and system tuning. Performance issues often require complex solutions rather than straightforward fixes. For example, a client migrating from Oracle to PostgreSQL faced delays due to the Write-Ahead Log (WAL), which became a bottleneck during heavy write operations. PEs adhere to principles such as proactive analysis, reliance on data, and caution against quick fixes. Essential skills for PEs include programming, Linux expertise, understanding algorithms, statistical thinking, and effective communication. The future of performance engineering may involve specialization, and while AI can assist, it cannot replace human expertise in optimization tasks.

Winsage

July 9, 2025

Microsoft July 2025 Patch Tuesday fixes one zero-day, 137 flaws

A series of vulnerabilities have been identified affecting AMD and Microsoft products, with several classified as critical. For AMD: - CVE-2025-36357: A critical transient scheduler attack in the L1 Data Queue. - CVE-2025-36350: A critical transient scheduler attack in the Store Queue. For Microsoft Office: - CVE-2025-49697: A critical remote code execution vulnerability. - CVE-2025-49695: A critical remote code execution vulnerability. - CVE-2025-49696: A critical remote code execution vulnerability. - CVE-2025-49702: A critical vulnerability requiring urgent remediation. Additional important vulnerabilities in Microsoft components include: - CVE-2025-47988: A remote code execution vulnerability in the Azure Monitor Agent. - CVE-2025-49690: An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Capability Access Management Service. - CVE-2025-48816: An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the HID Class Driver. - CVE-2025-47178: A remote code execution vulnerability in Microsoft Configuration Manager. In the Windows ecosystem: - CVE-2025-49685: An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Windows Search Component. - CVE-2025-49666: A remote code execution vulnerability in the Windows Kernel. - CVE-2025-49688: A remote code execution vulnerability in the Windows Routing and Remote Access Service.

AppWizard

July 6, 2025

‘There are no plans to drop support for SteamOS’: The Finals devs commit to Steam Deck and Linux players despite new kernel-level anti-cheat

Embark Studios announced updates for their game, The Finals, focusing on enhanced security measures against cheating through the introduction of kernel-level anti-cheat technology in the 7.3 patch. This technology aims to combat cheats that use kernel-drivers to manipulate game memory. The developers confirmed their commitment to supporting players on Steam Deck and Linux platforms, stating there are no plans to drop support for SteamOS/Proton/Wine and/or SteamDeck. They have been collaborating with CodeWeavers since Season 5 to ensure quality assurance for each release. Players are encouraged to report any issues they encounter. The interest in SteamOS and other Linux distributions is rising as Windows 10 approaches its end of life. The Finals is currently in its seventh season since its launch in 2023.

AppWizard

July 5, 2025

Just days after joining Game Pass, the Xbox PC edition of Call of Duty: WW2 is taken offline for “an issue”

The PC version of Call of Duty: WWII has been taken offline due to security concerns related to remote code execution (RCE) hacks that allow unauthorized code execution on players' PCs. This issue has led to fears of malware installation and data breaches. The game's removal from online access has caused frustration among players, who criticize the lack of transparency from the Call of Duty team regarding the vulnerabilities. While the game is still available for installation on Xbox PC and the Microsoft Store, it is currently not accessible online. The Xbox version remains available, and concerns persist about the potential for similar vulnerabilities in other older titles.