Microsoft releases Archives

Winsage

September 15, 2026

Microsoft Releases Emergency Windows 11 Updates to Address Security Vulnerabilities

Microsoft has released out-of-band updates for Windows 11 versions 26H1, 25H2, and 24H2 to address security vulnerabilities and improve system performance. The KB5129194 patch for version 26H1 fixes a critical elevation-of-privilege vulnerability (CVE-2026-62721) related to the Windows User-Mode Power Service (UMPS). The KB5129195 update for versions 25H2 and 24H2 also addresses a similar UMPS vulnerability and resolves a connection issue with Remote Desktop Services. Additionally, the updates fix problems with multichannel audio features on certain USB Audio Class 1.0 devices. These updates include enhancements from the September 2026 Patch Tuesday release, such as Taskbar customization, a faster Windows Search experience, and new Start Menu options. Users with unmanaged PCs will receive these updates automatically but can also check for updates manually.

Winsage

September 8, 2026

Microsoft Releases September 2026 Patch Tuesday Updates

Microsoft released its September 2026 Patch Tuesday updates for Windows 11, focusing on versions 26H1 and 25H2/24H2. Key features include: - Taskbar customization for versions 25H2 and 24H2, allowing users to choose the taskbar's location and size. - Faster Windows Search with options to hide web and Microsoft Store suggestions. - Touch scrolling support in the "Recommended" section of File Explorer. - Start Menu customization options for size and visibility of sections. - Stability improvements for Microsoft Teams and Outlook on Arm64 PCs. For version 26H1, updates include: - Improved app search and Settings relevance in Windows Search. - Voice Isolation technology in Voice Access. - Updated taskbar notification badges and Weather widget display on the Lock Screen. - New gesture controls for Precision Touchpads. - Enhanced Sign-in Security supporting peripheral fingerprint sensors. - Optimized Windows Update progression calculations and clean-up logic. - Power settings allowing users to set energy saver activation thresholds. Microsoft is using AI to identify vulnerabilities, with 997 Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures reported, including one actively exploited vulnerability (CVE-2026-81963). Windows 11 version 26H2 has been made available to Insiders, with a public rollout expected next month.

Winsage

September 8, 2026

Microsoft releases Windows security update addressing 723 flaws

Microsoft released its September 2026 security updates, addressing two critical Windows elevation-of-privilege vulnerabilities: CVE-2026-85880 and CVE-2026-81963. Both vulnerabilities were exploited before their public disclosure on September 8. CVE-2026-85880 involves a heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows Advanced Local Procedure Call (ALPC), allowing low-privileged attackers to gain SYSTEM privileges. CVE-2026-81963 affects the Windows Update Stack due to improper link resolution and access controls, enabling similar privilege escalation. The September release also includes 974 Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) across various Microsoft products, with 723 affecting Windows. Users of Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 receive updates via KB5124008, while Windows 11 26H1 receives KB5124012. Windows 11 24H2 Home or Pro editions will reach end of servicing on October 13, 2026. Users are advised to install the updates promptly and back up important data.

Winsage

September 1, 2026

Microsoft Releases Two New 26H1 Builds to the Windows Insider Program

Participants in the Windows Insider Program can now install new builds in the Beta (26H1) and Experimental (26H1) channels, specifically Beta build 28020.2818 and Experimental build 28120.2824. Key updates include: - Personalization enhancements with DIB image support for desktop backgrounds and improvements to the Background settings page, including slideshow support across multiple displays. - Windows Recovery Environment (WRE) enhancements allowing automatic reuse of saved Wi-Fi profiles. - Temporary removal of the modernized Print Management experience for refinement, while traditional tools remain accessible. - File Explorer improvements that retain the state of sections on the Home page. - Magnifier user interface updates with improved icons and spacing. - Inclusion of Emoji 17.0. - Taskbar reliability improvements. - The Experimental build introduces first launch reliability for the new WinUI-based Run dialog.

Winsage

August 29, 2026

Why does Windows constantly need to update?

Windows updates are released frequently to enhance performance, improve compatibility, fix bugs, and distribute critical security patches. Microsoft issues security updates every second Tuesday of the month, known as Patch Tuesday, which are cumulative, meaning the latest updates include all previous fixes. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issues warnings about vulnerabilities, and Microsoft maintains a security portal for documentation of these issues. Users on unsupported versions, like Windows 10 without Extended Security Updates (ESU), are at increased risk. In addition to security updates, Windows receives an annual feature update and occasional optional non-security updates that introduce new features and enhancements. An example is the Windows 11 February 2026 preview update, which added new features and improvements.

Winsage

August 28, 2026

Why Does Windows Constantly Need To Update?

Windows updates are issued regularly, primarily for performance enhancement and security reinforcement. They address bugs, improve compatibility, and distribute security patches to mitigate vulnerabilities. Security vulnerabilities are frequently discovered, with alerts issued by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and documented in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) program. Microsoft releases security fixes on Patch Tuesday, the second Tuesday of each month, and all updates are cumulative. Users of unsupported software versions, such as Windows 10, face increased security risks. Major feature updates occur annually, with optional non-security updates released periodically. For example, the Windows 11 February 2026 preview update introduced new features, although these are not part of the stable channel.

Winsage

August 21, 2026

Microsoft releases PowerShell scripts for IT admins to manage Windows settings backup data

Microsoft has released new PowerShell scripts to assist IT administrators in managing users' Windows settings backup data through the Microsoft Graph windowsSetting APIs. The scripts include: - View-WindowsBackup.ps1: Allows viewing and exporting backup data. - Delete-WindowsBackup.ps1: Enables irreversible deletion of backup data with confirmation prompts. Commands to utilize these scripts are: - Get-WindowsBackup - Get-WindowsBackup -UserId [email protected] - Remove-WindowsBackup -UserId [email protected] Viewing and exporting data does not require special permissions, but deleting data requires the Microsoft 365 Backup Administrator role. Prerequisites for running the scripts include Windows PowerShell 5.1 or PowerShell 7, the Microsoft.Graph.Authentication module, and internet access to specific Microsoft domains. Users can install the scripts from the PowerShell Gallery using the command Install-Module WindowsBackupAdmin -Scope CurrentUser. The scripts are built on Microsoft Graph beta APIs, which may change and affect functionality.

Winsage

August 20, 2026

ShieldBreak: The Windows Defender Zero-Day With No Patch — Detect It, Mitigate It, With Qualys

ShieldBreak, identified as CVE-2026-69414, is a zero-day vulnerability in the Microsoft Malware Protection Engine that allows low-privileged local attackers to escalate privileges to SYSTEM. The public proof of concept was released on August 12, 2026, and Microsoft recognized the CVE on August 14, 2026. No patch is currently available. ShieldBreak exploits an elevation-of-privilege vulnerability by manipulating file processing during the cloud-file hydration process in Microsoft Defender, allowing attackers to control processes with elevated privileges. The exploit is functional on Windows 11 25H2 and Windows Server 2025. Qualys VMDR can detect this vulnerability using a specific query, and organizations can use Qualys TruRisk™ Eliminate for mitigation until a patch is released.

AppWizard

August 20, 2026

Windows 11’s latest Patch Tuesday update is breaking games and turning off PCs — This temporary fix might get ARC Raiders and The Finals running again

A bug introduced in the Windows 11 update (KB5121003) has caused crashes for some users, specifically affecting installations of Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2 with OS builds 26200.9168 and 26100.9168. Embark Studios has acknowledged the issue, linking it to a change in the inpoutx64.sys file, and is working on a fix while providing a temporary workaround. The workaround involves stopping and deleting the inpoutx64 driver and removing the corresponding file from the system. Users can also choose to roll back to a previous version of Windows 11 until an official fix is released.

Winsage

August 16, 2026

Microsoft releases new Defender update for Windows 11, 10, Server ISO installations

Microsoft released its August 2026 Patch Tuesday updates, including the latest Defender package for ISO installations. The updates are aimed at combating malware threats and are issued approximately every three months for Windows installation images (WIM and VHD) and ISOs. The latest Windows 11 update is available through the Media Creation Tool (MCT). The security definitions were delivered through security intelligence update version 1.455.50.0, applicable to various platforms including Windows 11, Windows 10 ESU, Windows Server 2022, and others. The update includes enhancements to the anti-malware client, engine, and signature versions, with platform version 4.18.26070.9, engine version 1.1.26070.7, and security intelligence version 1.455.50.0. The previous security intelligence update was version 1.447.236.0, which introduced detections for various malware types. The most recent intelligence update is version 1.457.181.0.