Microsoft Archives

Winsage

July 17, 2026

Microsoft’s July update is blocked on some Dell PCs. Here’s why

Microsoft's July update, KB5101650, is temporarily withheld for certain Dell PCs using Intel Innovation Platform Framework (IPF) drivers due to compatibility issues. Affected devices are experiencing performance problems such as crashes, reduced efficiency, overheating, and battery drain. Microsoft has acknowledged the incompatibility and is working on a fix, expecting to release the update for affected devices soon. The issues may be linked to the optional June update, KB5095093, which was not widely adopted. Specific Dell models impacted by these issues have not been disclosed.

Winsage

July 17, 2026

Upgrade your PC with Microsoft Office and Windows 11 Pro for just $35 (Orig. $400+ value)

The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle is priced at .97, down from 9.99, offering savings of over 0. The bundle includes lifetime access to Microsoft Office 2021 and Windows 11 Pro until July 19. Key features of Office 2021 include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access. Windows 11 Pro features include biometric login, DirectX 12 Ultimate, Snap Layouts, Azure AD, Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, and BitLocker encryption. The offer is available through StackSocial, and prices are subject to change.

Winsage

July 16, 2026

Firefox vs Edge: fresh shots fired in browser wars as Mozilla report accuses Microsoft of using ‘harmful design’ to undermine choice in Windows 11

Mozilla's report raises concerns about Microsoft's practices regarding browser choice in Windows 11, alleging that Microsoft uses harmful design tactics to promote its Edge browser. Key strategies identified include trick wording, obstruction, visual interference, preselection, nagging, and forced action, affecting users at various stages of their experience. For example, users trying to download Chrome encounter pop-up banners encouraging them to use Edge, which is also pre-pinned to the Windows taskbar. Migration from Windows 10 to Windows 11 resets Edge as the default browser, ignoring user preferences. The report also highlights that Microsoft's AI, Copilot, opens links in Edge instead of the user's default browser, and minor consent requests may compromise user privacy by funneling data into Microsoft's advertising systems. Users in Germany face fewer issues due to stricter regulations. The report indicates that while Microsoft's promotion of Edge hasn't significantly impacted Chrome's dominance, it may have affected smaller competitors like Firefox. Mozilla calls for Microsoft to change its approach and urges regulators to take action to ensure fair competition in the browser market.

AppWizard

July 16, 2026

Minecraft 26.3 Snapshot 4 brings SDL3, and prefers Wayland on Linux

Minecraft 26.3 Snapshot 4 introduces significant technical advancements, including a transition from the GLFW library to the SDL3 library for improved window management, input handling, and platform integration. The update features Borderless Fullscreen as the default setting, allowing players to switch between Borderless and Exclusive Fullscreen without restarting the game. For Linux users, the game will now natively prefer Wayland when available, modernizing the experience on Linux platforms.

AppWizard

July 16, 2026

Free Play Days – GTA Online, Crisol: Theater of Idols, Planet Zoo, Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports, and Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2

This week, the Free Play Days lineup includes Crisol: Theater of Idols, Planet Zoo, and Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports for XBOX Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members from July 16 to July 19. Grand Theft Auto Online and Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 are available for all XBOX members from July 14 to July 21 without a Game Pass subscription. After the Free Play Days, players can purchase the games at a limited-time discount while retaining their Gamerscore and achievements. Crisol: Theater of Idols offers a survival horror experience optimized for XBOX Series X|S. Planet Zoo: Console Edition allows players to create and manage their own zoos. Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports features classic sports in a chaotic 4-player local co-op format. Grand Theft Auto Online allows up to 30 players to collaborate or compete in a dynamic universe, while Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 lets players train with iconic characters and tackle raid missions online.

Winsage

July 16, 2026

Windows 10 just got a big security update. Here’s who gets it

Microsoft released update KB5099539 for Windows 10, enhancing security and addressing vulnerabilities. This update is part of a broader initiative for Windows 10 22H2, Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021, and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021. It will be automatically installed on eligible systems, resulting in build number 19045.7548. The update resolves issues in File Explorer related to OneDrive shortcuts and erroneous error messages during file deletions, as well as fixes for keyboard shortcut malfunctions. Windows 10 PCs will receive updated Secure Boot certificates, which are essential for system integrity, with Microsoft actively rolling these out. Secure Boot certificates for most Windows devices are set to expire starting in June 2026. Users must be enrolled in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program to benefit from the KB5099539 update, which provides continued support until October 12, 2027.

Winsage

July 16, 2026

Microsoft blocks Windows 11 KB5101650 update for Dell PCs after reports of “unexpected shutdowns, poor performance, increased heat, and battery drain”

Microsoft has blocked the rollout of the Windows 11 July Patch Tuesday update (KB5101650) for Dell PCs due to reports of significant issues such as unexpected shutdowns, overheating, and diminished performance following a related preview update. The KB5101650 update, which started on July 14, aims to improve user experience but is currently unavailable to Dell PC users.

Winsage

July 16, 2026

Nightmare Eclipse Drops ‘LegacyHive’ Windows Zero-Day

A security researcher known as Nightmare Eclipse has revealed a new unpatched vulnerability in Windows, named LegacyHive, which is a local privilege escalation flaw in the Windows User Profile Service. This vulnerability allows attackers to access and load user hives of other accounts, including administrators. Nightmare Eclipse has provided proof-of-concept exploit code that works on systems with Microsoft's July 2026 patches. The exploit initially did not require user credentials but now necessitates them for accessing other hives. Nightmare Eclipse has previously disclosed over half a dozen zero-day vulnerabilities affecting Microsoft products. Microsoft has not yet acknowledged the LegacyHive exploit.

Winsage

July 16, 2026

Windows Netlogon Flaw CVE-2026-41089: CVSS 9.8 [2026]

CVE-2026-41089 is a critical vulnerability in the Windows Netlogon service, rated 9.8 on the CVSS scale, allowing unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM-level privileges on domain controllers. It affects all supported versions of Windows Server configured as domain controllers, from Windows Server 2012 R2 to the latest release. Microsoft addressed this vulnerability on May 12, 2026, during a broader update that included 138 fixes, but it went largely unnoticed until early June when active exploitation was confirmed. The vulnerability is characterized as a stack-based buffer overflow and is considered "wormable" due to its ability to self-propagate across systems without user intervention. Organizations are advised to patch all domain controllers and audit network access to mitigate exposure.

Winsage

July 16, 2026

The Xbox Ultimate Game Sale 2026 is live — it might be one of Microsoft’s best ever. Here are all of the deals.

- 1971 Project Helios - .74 (75% off) for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. - 34 Sports Games - World Edition - .49 (75% off) for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. - 60 Parsecs! - .99 (50% off) on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. - 80's OVERDRIVE - .99 (80% off) on Xbox and Windows platforms. - A Gummy's Life - .99 (75% off) on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. - Alan Wake - .99 (70% off) for Xbox 360 (Backwards Compatible). - Blasphemous - .24 (75% off) on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. - Cyberpunk 2077 - .99 (70% off) on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. - Resident Evil 2 - .99 (80% off) on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. - Wasteland 3 - .99 (70% off) on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.