malfunction

Winsage
July 11, 2026
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.
Winsage
July 8, 2026
Microsoft is previewing a recovery tool called Cloud rebuild for Windows 11, allowing users to reinstall the operating system from scratch even if it is unresponsive. This feature provides a clean version of Windows, free from previous drivers and files, and automatically includes the latest updates. Unlike the existing "Reset this PC" feature, Cloud rebuild does not retain personal files, settings, or applications, necessitating independent restoration of these elements. Users can test Cloud rebuild with the latest Windows 11 insider build (Preview Build 26300.8772 or higher) by navigating to Settings > System > Recovery. The timeline for broader availability is uncertain and depends on testing feedback. Other recovery options include recovery drives, resets, Quick Machine Recovery, and a preview feature called Point-in-Time restore.
Winsage
July 8, 2026
Microsoft is previewing a recovery tool called Cloud rebuild for Windows 11, which allows for a clean reinstallation of the operating system even if it fails to boot. This tool automatically downloads the latest updates and drivers, eliminating the need for manual installations after recovery. Unlike the existing "Reset this PC" feature, Cloud rebuild does not retain personal files, settings, or applications, requiring users to restore these independently. To use Cloud rebuild, users need the latest Windows 11 insider build (Preview Build 26300.8772 or higher) and must follow specific steps in the Windows Recovery Environment. The timeline for broader availability of Cloud rebuild is uncertain, depending on ongoing testing and feedback. Other recovery options in Windows 11 include recovery drives, reset functions, Quick Machine Recovery, and a testing feature called Point-in-Time restore.
Winsage
July 6, 2026
Microsoft introduced an update to the out-of-box experience (OOBE) for Windows 11, identified as KB5095189, targeting versions 25H2 and 24H2. This update includes enhancements and fixes, coinciding with additional updates KB5102558 and KB5095615 from the June C-release preview update (KB5095093). A major fix addresses a storage issue caused by the Capability Access Manager process, which was consuming significant disk space. Another fix resolves a malfunction affecting Shell components, impacting the Start menu, Search bar, Settings, Taskbar, and File Explorer, primarily on provisioned PCs due to compatibility issues with XAML. This bug had been present since July 2025 and is being resolved with updates released starting June 23, 2026 (KB5095093), with full deployment expected in the following month. Users are advised to use previous workarounds until the fix is fully available. Further details can be found in support article KB5072911 on Microsoft's website.
AppWizard
July 5, 2026
The author began their journey into video games with a Mega Drive controller given by their father, which sparked a lifelong passion for gaming and video game music. They highlight the influence of video game music on their identity, recalling their appreciation for the soundtrack of Killer Instinct Gold on the Nintendo 64 and the impact of Final Fantasy 10-2's "Real Emotion" during the mp3 era. The author expresses a desire to hear others' experiences with video game soundtracks.
AppWizard
July 4, 2026
A new mod for Fallout 4, titled Double Feature, is a collaboration between modders Kinggath and his team, and voice actor Wes Johnson, along with contributions from Fallout actors Jan Johns and Leer Leary. The mod is part of Kinggath's annual charity initiative, which has previously produced successful mods like Shady Motives and Trunk's Malfunction. The fundraising effort for Alzheimer's research has raised over ,000, surpassing the original goal of ,500, with a target of ,000 in sight. The total amount raised, including contributions from other modders, is ,895. Wes Johnson is involved in this mod as part of a larger initiative called Voiceapalooza, in collaboration with the Fallout For Hope charity. The Double Feature mod is available for free on its Nexus page and was developed in just a weekend. Kinggath Creations also highlights other projects, including the acclaimed Sim Settlements mod for Fallout 4.
Winsage
June 30, 2026
Recent reports indicate that AMD's driver is disabling Smart Access Memory (SAM) on Windows 10 systems, resulting in reduced gaming performance. Users have experienced issues such as game crashes and improper recognition of Radeon graphics cards. Many have uninstalled the AMD driver using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) and performed a clean installation, but SAM remains disabled in the Adrenalin software despite BIOS settings being unchanged. Notifications from Windows 10 suggest a conflict between the AMD driver and the operating system. AMD is investigating the issue and has released a preview driver version 26.6.3 to address compatibility problems for RX 7000 series GPUs. Temporary workarounds have been suggested by users, including checking monitor refresh rates and rebooting systems.
Winsage
June 24, 2026
Microsoft has rolled out the point-in-time restore feature for all Windows 11 users, including those on Enterprise, Pro, and Home editions. This feature automatically generates restore points, allowing users to revert their systems to a previous state quickly, improving system recovery times from hours to minutes. Users need to have Windows 11 version 26H2 installed to utilize this feature.
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