Microsoft's response Archives

Winsage

November 16, 2025

Microsoft: Windows 10 KB5068781 ESU update may fail with 0x800f0922 errors

Microsoft has acknowledged an issue with the installation of the Windows 10 KB5068781 extended security update, which is causing 0x800f0922 errors on devices using corporate licensing. This update, released on November 11, is the first extended security update for Windows 10. Reports indicate that the update fails to apply after installation on some devices, despite users having the necessary ESU licenses. Microsoft is investigating the issue, which appears to affect devices activated through Windows subscription activation via the Microsoft 365 Admin Center. There is currently no estimated time for a resolution or any workarounds provided. Additionally, some Windows 10 devices are not recognized as needing the KB5068781 update, even when properly licensed.

Winsage

October 19, 2025

Windows 11’s October update just broke the Windows Recovery Environment — USB keyboards and mice unusable in Windows RE after latest bug hits

The Windows Recovery Environment (RE) has become ineffective for many users due to a bug introduced in the October build of Windows 11 (KB5066835), which disables USB keyboards and mice in the recovery interface. Microsoft has acknowledged the issue and is working on a fix. Users with older PS/2-connected peripherals are not affected by this glitch. The bug impacts various versions of Windows 11 and has raised concerns among IT professionals, as it hinders critical system repairs.

Winsage

October 16, 2025

£2B UK cloud licensing claim against Microsoft seeks backers

The ongoing legal challenge against Microsoft seeks £2 billion in damages for alleged overcharging of businesses using its software on competing cloud platforms. The case was filed with the UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) and highlights significant cost disparities when running Windows Server on rival clouds compared to Microsoft's own services. Dr. Maria Luisa Stasi is leading the initiative, which was officially filed in December 2024, following a 637-page report from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) that found Microsoft's licensing policies disadvantage customers using services from competitors. Key findings from the CMA's investigation include significant price discrepancies, restrictions on product availability through AWS and Google, and limitations on transferring licenses to these platforms. The CAT hearing in December will determine if the case proceeds to trial. Microsoft is also facing additional legal challenges, including a complaint from Google regarding its licensing practices and a ruling from Austria's Data Protection Authority about illegal tracking of students. The CMA has recommended leveraging digital market powers to address these issues, but no official actions have been announced.

Winsage

September 27, 2025

Microsoft agrees to 11th hour Win 10 end of life concessions

Microsoft will provide a no-cost Extended Security Updates (ESU) option for Windows 10 consumer users in the European Economic Area (EEA) in response to feedback from Euroconsumers. Previously, users could obtain a year of extended security updates for a fee after the end-of-life date of October 14, 2025. Euroconsumers expressed concerns that the earlier policy did not align with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) or the EU's sustainability goals. The revised ESU option will not require users to back up settings, apps, or credentials, or use Microsoft Rewards. However, Euroconsumers believe the one-year extension does not fully address broader issues related to the Digital Content Directive and sustainability goals, particularly since many users may face hardware limitations preventing them from upgrading to Windows 11. Over 850 million active devices still rely on Windows 10, with 22 percent of consumers using PCs or laptops from 2017 or earlier that cannot be upgraded. Euroconsumers plans to continue discussions with Microsoft regarding extended device protection for consumers. The implications for Windows 10 users in the UK remain unclear.

Winsage

August 13, 2025

Latest Windows patches cause false error to appear

Microsoft is addressing an issue with its Windows operating system where users see an event log message after installing the July 2025 non-security preview update or the August 2025 security update. The Event Viewer may show an error with ID 57 related to the CertificateServicesClient (CertEnroll), stating: "The 'Microsoft Pluton Cryptographic Provider' provider was not loaded because initialization failed." This error can be safely ignored, as it pertains to a feature under development, specifically the Pluton architecture for processor security, and affects users on Windows 11 24H2. Microsoft is working on a resolution and has indicated that there is no impact on Windows processes related to this event, advising users that no action is needed.

Winsage

August 1, 2025

Microsoft has fixed the only Windows bug I’ve ever liked: the Vista startup sound ‘unexpectedly’ playing on Win 11 machines

The Windows Insider program allows users to test new features before public release. Recently, some users experienced the Windows Vista start-up sound instead of the Windows 11 sound. Microsoft quickly addressed this issue in the Canary channel, reverting to the standard Windows 11 boot sound, noting that the Vista sound was used unexpectedly. The Vista sound, which is nostalgic for many, was also present in Windows 7. The latest update not only fixed the sound bug but also resolved issues with audio playback when casting to a TV and crashes in the power and battery settings menu. Users can customize their startup sounds by editing registry settings, although the option to revert to the Vista sound is not available in the sounds folder.

Winsage

July 31, 2025

Opera complains over Microsoft Edge persuasion tactics

Opera has filed a complaint with Brazil's Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) against Microsoft, alleging anti-competitive practices that favor the Edge browser. The complaint claims that Microsoft uses "all-or-nothing" bundled rebates to ensure PC manufacturers pre-install Edge as the default browser and employs "dark pattern tactics" that disregard users' browser choices and restrict switching from Edge in Windows "S mode." In Brazil, Opera's market share is 6.78%, compared to Edge's 11.52% and Chrome's 74.95%. Opera's General Counsel, Aaron McParlan, advocates for a browser choice screen similar to one previously mandated by the EU. Additionally, Opera has filed an appeal with the EU General Court regarding the European Commission's decision not to classify Edge as a gatekeeper under the Digital Markets Act. Microsoft has not yet commented on the complaint.

Winsage

July 29, 2025

Microsoft makes a nifty tweak to the Windows 11 taskbar – but it’s probably not the change you were hoping for

Windows 11 is introducing a feature in its latest preview build (26200.5722) that allows users to access the notification center and calendar flyout directly from the taskbar on secondary displays. This feature, previously available in Windows 10, was missing in the initial rollout of Windows 11. The update reflects Microsoft's response to user feedback regarding multi-monitor usage. The feature is currently in testing for Windows Insiders and may be included in the upcoming Windows 11 25H2 update later this year.

Winsage

July 9, 2025

Microsoft confirms Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) sync is broken

Microsoft has acknowledged a disruption affecting Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), preventing organizations from syncing with Microsoft Update and deploying the latest Windows updates. Reports indicate that synchronization has been compromised since last night, with error messages such as "A connection attempt failed" and ".NET errors indicating that 'The operation has timed out.'" Some administrators noted a brief resumption of synchronization around 12:30 am ET, but it was short-lived. Microsoft attributed the issue to a "problematic update revision in the storage layer," which affects devices trying to sync updates via WSUS. There are currently no workarounds available, and Microsoft is working on a resolution.

Winsage

July 3, 2025

A recent Windows update broke the Print to PDF tool, but don’t worry, there are fixes

The Microsoft Print to PDF feature has encountered issues for some users after the June 10, 2025, update (KB5060842), with the virtual printer missing from settings and error code 0x800f0922 appearing during attempts to enable it. Microsoft has acknowledged the problem and provided temporary fixes, including enabling the feature through the Windows Features dialog or using PowerShell commands. Users may experience the error code initially but should find the feature operational afterward. Additionally, users are encouraged to consider third-party PDF solutions as alternatives.

Microsoft’s response