malfunction Archives

Winsage

September 2, 2026

7 Ways Microsoft Is Finally Fixing Windows 11 In 2026

In 2025, Microsoft faced backlash from Windows users due to performance issues and the integration of Copilot, leading to dissatisfaction with the operating system. Users expressed concerns about bloat, sluggishness, and reliability. In response, Microsoft pledged to improve the user experience, implementing several changes: 1. Users can now pause updates for up to 35 days, allowing them to choose when to resume updates. 2. The taskbar can be positioned at the top, left, or right of the screen, with customization options for taskbar icons and labels. 3. Windows Search has been redesigned to focus on local search results, allowing users to disable web results. 4. The Start menu has been overhauled for greater customization, enabling users to prioritize their apps. 5. Microsoft is reducing the presence of Copilot by removing unnecessary buttons and allowing users to disable it. 6. The setup experience has been streamlined, allowing users to skip updates during installation for a faster process. 7. A point-in-time restore feature has been introduced, enabling users to create backups and recover their systems quickly in case of issues.

Winsage

August 30, 2026

Windows 11 is warning people that Defender Antivirus has been turned off, but don’t worry, says Microsoft

Windows 11 may display false alerts indicating that "Microsoft Defender Antivirus is turned off" after updates, despite the antivirus being active. Microsoft has identified this as a bug and confirmed that no action is needed beyond verifying that Defender is on. A fix is expected soon.

Winsage

August 27, 2026

The Windows 10 deadline most ISVs haven’t planned for yet

Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016 and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2016 LTSB will reach their end of support on October 13, 2026, after which they will no longer receive security updates. These operating systems are designed for fixed-function devices like kiosks and point-of-sale terminals, which are often not actively managed, posing risks if the end-of-support date is overlooked. Microsoft offers an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program as a temporary solution, with escalating costs over three years, but it is not intended as a long-term fix. Customers must decide whether to continue paying for ESU, upgrade to newer hardware, or transition away from Windows.

AppWizard

August 26, 2026

Beware of fake Indeed interview apps used to install spyware

Scammers are exploiting the Indeed platform to target job seekers by using counterfeit Android "interview" applications. Users in the UK and Brazil reported being instructed by supposed employers to download fraudulent apps like MyInterview, which compromised their devices. These scammers post fake job listings and prompt applicants to install apps that mimic Indeed's login page and establish a VPN connection. The malicious apps, classified as Trojan.Droppers, can install additional untrusted software and gain control over devices, complicating uninstallation efforts. Indeed confirmed that their interview process does not require downloading any separate app and warned job seekers against such scams. Indicators of compromise include specific MD5 hashes and package names associated with the Trojan droppers and dropped malware payloads.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

3 Apps You Can Sideload On Android Auto

Transforming an old tablet into an Android Auto head unit involves activating developer mode and enabling "Unknown Sources" to sideload applications. Alternatively, third-party tools like Android Auto Apps Downloader (AAAD) can be used to integrate unofficial apps. Sideloading carries risks, as these apps are not officially vetted and may malfunction after system updates. CarStream is a sideloaded app that allows users to access YouTube on their car display without rooting their phone, making it useful during parked moments. Fermata Auto is an open-source media player that plays local media files from a phone or hard drive, ideal for offline use. Screen2Auto mirrors a phone's display onto the car screen, allowing access to any app, but should be used with caution while driving.

Winsage

August 9, 2026

Dell is blaming Microsoft’s Windows 11 updates for a bug that broke 245+ PC models, but it’s all good now

Recent updates to Windows 11 have caused issues for users of Dell PCs, resulting in shutdowns, performance degradation, and overheating. Dell has released a list of approximately 245 affected models, including Alienware systems. Microsoft deployed an out-of-band update (KB5121767) to address these issues, which stemmed from an incompatibility between the Intel Innovation Platform Framework Processor Participant driver and the Windows USB-C Connection Manager. Affected devices could experience significant performance setbacks, unexpected shutdowns, increased heat output, and battery drain. Users are advised to install specific builds to avoid these problems, as rolling back the update is not an option. Microsoft is also working on improving driver quality through a new Driver Quality Initiative.

Winsage

August 6, 2026

VPN provider built a script to block Microsoft’s hidden GDID tracking on Windows — Windscribe’s “deGDID” erases existing identifiers and blocks new ones from being created

Microsoft's Global Device Identifier (GDID) was instrumental in the FBI's arrest of an alleged hacker, raising privacy concerns among advocates. In response, Windscribe launched an open-source project called "deGDID," which removes the GDID from users' PCs but may disrupt certain Microsoft cloud services. The deGDID script can be executed via PowerShell and includes three execution flags: –Status (checks if GDID is active), –Status –Redact (logs with GDID redacted), and –Protect (removes GDID and prevents new identifiers). Users have reported effective functioning of the script, though it can cause issues with Microsoft applications. Windscribe notes that deGDID is a research project that will evolve, but it may not eliminate all GDID instances, and Microsoft retains access to previous keys.

Winsage

August 2, 2026

Windows 11 Search is fixing its biggest annoyance, will find files in folders you actually use

Windows 11 Search is a crucial tool for users who create and download files, but it often struggles to find recently accessed files due to its indexing limitations. Microsoft is introducing a feature called “Automatically find additional relevant locations,” which will automatically identify and index folders based on user activity, reducing the need for manual indexing. Currently, Windows Search maintains an index focused on specific folders, which can lead to frustrations when files are not found. Users can manually add locations or switch to Enhanced mode for broader indexing, though this may result in irrelevant search results and increased resource usage. The new feature aims to streamline the search process by making significant folders searchable automatically while allowing users to block any unwanted folders. Additionally, Microsoft is enhancing Windows Search to better recognize typos and plans to disable Bing search and ads in results. These updates are expected to be rolled out later this year.

Tech Optimizer

July 15, 2026

Can Chromebooks Get Viruses? How to Protect Your Device

Chromebooks are designed with robust security features, including sandboxing, Verified Boot, automatic updates, data encryption, and Recovery Mode, which collectively reduce the risk of malware infections. However, they are still vulnerable to threats such as malicious Chrome extensions, scam Android apps from third-party stores, phishing attacks, and risks associated with using Developer Mode and cloud storage. Users can identify potential malware through signs like slow performance, unexpected pop-ups, and unusual battery drain. To remove malware, users should eliminate suspicious extensions, uninstall dubious apps, run antivirus scans, enable Google Play Protect, or perform a Powerwash to reset the device. To protect their Chromebooks, users should avoid Developer Mode, check app permissions, use two-factor authentication, verify website URLs, and use a VPN on public Wi-Fi.

Winsage

July 11, 2026

This Windows feature has been eating users’ RAM for years, Microsoft still hasn’t fixed it

Memory leaks have been reported with the Phone Link feature in Windows 11, specifically the Cross Device Service, which is consuming excessive amounts of RAM. Users have noted that this service can use between 15 to 30GB of RAM, leading to significant system slowdowns and reduced internet speeds. Complaints about this issue have been ongoing since early 2023, with users often needing to manually intervene via Task Manager to restore system performance. The Cross Device Service is intended to facilitate features like clipboard sharing and notification syncing but appears to malfunction and enter a loop that increases memory usage. Microsoft has not officially acknowledged the problem, and while generic troubleshooting steps have been suggested, they may not resolve the issue for all users. Disabling the Phone Link feature has been proposed as a potential solution to mitigate memory consumption.