Microsoft Entra Archives

Winsage

January 31, 2026

Final day to get Windows 11 Pro for just $10

A promotion has reduced the price of Windows 11 Pro to a significant discount, making it an attractive option for users currently on Windows 10 or the Home edition of Windows 11. The offer represents a 94% discount from the standard retail price and is a rare opportunity for a current-generation Windows Pro license. Windows 11 Pro includes features such as Snap Layouts, multiple desktops, BitLocker device encryption, Windows Information Protection, Hyper-V virtualization, and Remote Desktop capabilities. It requires a compatible 64-bit CPU, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, at least 4GB of RAM, and adequate storage. Users are advised to purchase from reputable sellers to avoid issues with activation or legitimacy of the license.

Winsage

January 27, 2026

Turn complex ideas into clear visuals with this $10 Microsoft tool

Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional is currently available for a lifetime license at a price of .97, reduced from its regular price of 9, valid until February 8. The software includes features such as pre-made templates, flowcharts, organizational charts, floor plans, and access to over 250,000 shapes. It allows for custom shape creation on touch-enabled devices and offers brainstorming templates. Integration with other Microsoft products enables users to create organizational charts and process maps using data from Excel, Exchange, or Microsoft Entra ID. A Microsoft 365 or SharePoint subscription is required to use the software effectively.

Winsage

January 19, 2026

Windows 11 Home vs Pro: Expert Issues Upgrade Advice

Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro share consistent performance, with both versions offering the same kernel, gaming features, and applications. Key functionalities such as Copilot, Windows Defender, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0 protections are available on both editions, assuming hardware requirements are met. Windows 11 Home is simpler for most consumers, performing updates seamlessly and allowing free upgrades from eligible Windows 10 devices. Windows 11 Pro offers enhanced control capabilities through the Group Policy Editor, allowing for update deferrals and more extensive system management. Pro includes BitLocker device encryption, centralized management features, and the ability to join domains and integrate with Azure Active Directory. It also supports virtualization features like Hyper-V and Windows Sandbox, which are not available in Home. Pro can serve as a host for remote desktop connections, while Home can only connect to remote PCs. In terms of hardware limits, Windows 11 Home supports up to 128GB of RAM and one CPU socket, while Pro supports up to 2TB of RAM and two CPU sockets. The retail prices are approximately 9 for Home and 9.99 for Pro, with upgrade options available. For general users, Windows 11 Home is recommended, but Pro is advisable for those needing remote desktop hosting, BitLocker management, update deferrals, or virtualization capabilities.

Winsage

January 19, 2026

Windows 11 Pro Upgrade Gains And Limits Revealed

Upgrading from Windows 11 Home to Pro does not significantly change the day-to-day experience, as both editions share a similar interface, performance, and core features like Copilot, File Explorer tabs, and enhanced Game Mode. Security features, including Secure Boot and Windows Defender, are consistent across both editions. The Pro edition offers additional administrative tools for enhanced security, remote access, and device management, making it suitable for users managing multiple PCs or needing corporate resource access. Key features of Pro include the ability to join Active Directory domains, centralized control over settings, full BitLocker capabilities, Remote Desktop hosting, and virtualization tools like Hyper-V and Windows Sandbox. Pro also supports higher hardware limits, accommodating up to 2TB of RAM and multiple CPU sockets. The pricing for Windows 11 Home is typically 9.99, while Pro is 9.99, with an upgrade fee of .99 from Home to Pro. Upgrading from eligible Windows 10 devices does not incur additional costs. Users who should consider upgrading to Pro include those managing multiple PCs, requiring Remote Desktop, or needing to comply with encryption policies. In contrast, gamers or casual users may find Home sufficient, as both editions provide the same gaming capabilities and interface without performance differences.

Winsage

October 29, 2025

Windows 10 end of life has passed – here’s your business guide to Windows 11

Organizations are transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11, with major companies addressing potential deployment issues. Windows 10 mainstream support ended in October 2025, but users can access the Extended Security Update program for an additional 12 months of coverage. Windows 11 features a refined user interface with a centered taskbar, enhanced visual elements, and productivity tools like snap layouts and Cloud Clipboard. The Start menu has been simplified, and the File Explorer sidebar has been reorganized. Focus Assist is improved with direct settings and integrates with the Windows Clock app. Windows 11 includes Copilot for natural language queries and task automation, with enhanced features for devices with neural processing units. Security is strengthened with Windows Hello and optional integration with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. The minimum system requirements for Windows 11 include a 1GHz processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and TPM version 2.0. All editions of Windows 11 support encryption and biometric security, with Pro and Enterprise editions offering additional features. Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is typically free if the device meets the requirements, with prices for new purchases starting at around £119 for Windows 11 Home and £219 for Windows 11 Pro.

Winsage

October 20, 2025

Microsoft fixes Windows Server Active Directory sync issues

Microsoft is addressing an issue with Active Directory functionalities for certain Windows Server 2025 systems after the installation of the September 2025 security update (KB5065426). The problem affects applications using Active Directory directory synchronization (DirSync), particularly for large security groups exceeding 10,000 members, resulting in incomplete synchronization. To resolve this, IT administrators can implement the Known Issue Rollback (KIR) Group Policy on affected devices. For non-managed devices, a temporary fix involves adding a registry key at the specified path with a specific name, type, and value. Additionally, Microsoft is working on resolving a bug affecting Windows updates on Windows 11 24H2 and Windows Server 2025, as well as addressing smart card authentication issues and HTTP/2 localhost connection disruptions following recent security updates.

Winsage

October 16, 2025

Microsoft October 2025 Security Update Causes Active Directory Sync Issues on Windows Server 2025

Microsoft's security updates have caused synchronization failures in Active Directory environments on Windows Server 2025, acknowledged on October 14, 2025. The issue stems from the September 2025 security update KB5065426, affecting applications like Microsoft Entra Connect Sync, which struggle to replicate AD security groups with over 10,000 members. This problem leads to incomplete synchronization, particularly impacting large enterprises in sectors like finance and healthcare, resulting in access denials and compliance risks. A registry tweak can temporarily disable the problematic feature, but Microsoft warns of potential risks in modifying the registry. The company is investigating the issue and plans to release a fix in a future update, with client platforms remaining unaffected. IT teams are advised to monitor updates and test changes in staging environments before applying them in production.

Winsage

October 16, 2025

Microsoft’s October 2025 Patches Disrupt Active Directory Sync on Server 2025 Systems

Microsoft has acknowledged a significant issue affecting Windows Server 2025 systems, particularly after the installation of the October 2025 security updates. This issue disrupts Active Directory directory synchronization, especially impacting organizations with large security groups exceeding 10,000 members. The synchronization failures affect applications relying on DirSync for on-premises Active Directory Domain Services and particularly impact those using Microsoft Entra Connect Sync to link on-premises directories with cloud services. The problem was first noted on October 14, 2025, after the installation of the September 2025 Windows security update (KB5065426). A temporary workaround involves modifying the Windows registry by creating a DWORD value named 2362988687 with a value of 0 under the FeatureManagement Overrides section at HKEYLOCALMACHINE. Microsoft cautions that incorrect registry changes can lead to severe complications. There is no definitive timeline for a permanent fix, and the issue is limited to Windows Server 2025, with no similar problems reported for earlier server editions or client versions of Windows. Organizations using Windows Server 2022 or older are unaffected. Administrators should assess synchronization needs before deploying the October 2025 updates and monitor for updates regarding a permanent resolution.

Winsage

October 16, 2025

Microsoft has broken Active Directory for some Windows Server users

Microsoft's recent security update KB5065426 has introduced synchronization issues for Active Directory, specifically affecting applications that use the DirSync control for on-premises Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS). This problem occurs for large AD security groups with more than 10,000 members on Windows Server 2025 after installing the September 2025 update or later. Affected users can apply a registry modification to disable the changes from the update, with the following details: - Path: ComputerHKEYLOCALMACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetPoliciesMicrosoftFeatureManagementOverrides - Name: 2362988687 - Type: REG_DWORD - Value: 0 Microsoft is working on a comprehensive solution and has acknowledged the issue in the Known Issues section of the update.

Winsage

October 15, 2025

Microsoft: Sept Windows Server updates cause Active Directory issues

Microsoft has acknowledged that the September 2025 security updates are causing complications with Active Directory on Windows Server 2025 systems, particularly affecting Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) synchronization related to Microsoft Entra Connect Sync. Applications using the Active Directory directory synchronization control may face incomplete synchronization for large security groups exceeding 10,000 members. This issue is linked to the installation of the September 2025 Windows security update (KB5065426) or later updates. Microsoft's engineering teams are working on a resolution and have provided a workaround for IT administrators, which involves adding a specific registry key to mitigate disruptions. The registry key details are as follows: - Path: ComputerHKEYLOCALMACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetPoliciesMicrosoftFeatureManagementOverrides - Name: 2362988687 - Type: REG_DWORD - Value: 0 Microsoft cautions that improper registry modifications could lead to significant problems, including the potential need for a complete operating system reinstallation. The exact cause of the synchronization issues has not been disclosed, but support for Microsoft Entra Cloud Sync on Windows Server 2025 is expected in a future release. Additionally, Microsoft is addressing another known issue affecting Windows 11 24H2 and Windows Server 2025 devices, which causes update failures when installing updates from a network share using the Windows Update Standalone Installer (WUSA). Automatic mitigations are being implemented for home and non-managed business devices through Known Issue Rollback (KIR).