Microsoft's response Archives

Winsage

February 26, 2025

Windows 11 24H2 now blocked on PCs running older AutoCAD software

Users of Autodesk’s AutoCAD 2022 are unable to upgrade to Windows 11 24H2 due to bootup complications. Microsoft has blocked the automatic delivery of this update for systems with AutoCAD 2022 installed, while users with other versions of AutoCAD can upgrade without issues. Microsoft has a history of implementing similar blocks for compatibility concerns and is currently working on a solution for the AutoCAD 2022 issue. Users can manually download and install Windows 11 24H2 on machines with AutoCAD 2022, but Microsoft advises against it.

Winsage

February 24, 2025

Microsoft launches a free version of Office, but with ads, report says

Microsoft is set to introduce a free version of its Office suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, which will allow users to create documents at no cost but will include limitations and advertisements. Users must save documents to OneDrive and create or use a Microsoft account to access the suite. This version will operate locally on PCs rather than through a web interface. Users can download the Office apps from Microsoft's website and can choose to skip the sign-in process to access the free version. Advanced features, particularly those powered by artificial intelligence, will be omitted, and users will experience persistent advertisements, including a web ad and occasional video interruptions.

Winsage

February 3, 2025

Microsoft is making Chrome work better on Windows 11 for streaming videos to Android TV

Windows 11 has introduced a power optimization feature that has caused audio distortion during media streaming on browsers like Chrome and Edge. Users report choppy, distorted sound when minimizing the browser or switching applications while casting to devices like Android TV via Chromecast. Microsoft has acknowledged the issue, attributing it to high-resolution timers being slowed down when the browser is not in focus. A fix is underway, which will allow Chrome to maintain high timer resolution even when minimized, improving the streaming experience. A new flag will ensure that casting services are not affected by power-saving features. The fix is expected to be released in the coming weeks.

Winsage

November 21, 2024

Can’t update or uninstall apps in Windows 10? Here’s why and what you can do

Since November 12, Windows 10 users have faced issues updating or uninstalling certain applications due to an update of the WinAppSDK 1.6.2 package. This problem affects applications relying on the WinAppSDK, including Microsoft Teams and various third-party apps on Windows 10 version 22H2, while other Windows versions remain unaffected. Microsoft is working on a fix, which will be released in the coming days, and a temporary workaround using PowerShell commands is available for users with administrator privileges.

Winsage

November 2, 2024

Windows 11 24H2 issue causes File Explorer menu to appear outside the screen

In the Windows 11 24H2 update, users have reported that the three-dot menu in File Explorer becomes unreadable in full-screen mode, appearing at the top of the screen instead of below the three dots. This misalignment makes it difficult to access menu options while in full-screen mode. Microsoft has acknowledged the issue and plans to address it in future updates, with a significant optional update scheduled for the last week of November and a Patch Tuesday update on November 12. These updates will also include fixes for other critical issues. Regular updates for Windows 11 24H2 will resume in January after a pause in December.

Winsage

October 18, 2024

Microsoft blames Disk Cleanup for Windows 11 24H2’s apparent gigabyte gobbling

Microsoft has acknowledged an issue following the installation of the Windows 11 2003 Update (Windows 11 24H2), where users encounter an unexpected 8.63 GB of undeletable data. The problem is attributed to a malfunction in the Windows Disk Cleanup tool, which is causing a reporting error rather than an actual loss of recoverable disk space. After running Disk Cleanup, it may inaccurately report an amount of space still available for cleanup in the 'Windows Update Cleanup' category, despite some files being cleaned up correctly during the initial run. Microsoft is working on a resolution for this issue.

Winsage

September 21, 2024

Microsoft delays plans to install cumulative Windows updates during OOBE on MDM devices

Microsoft announced modifications to the Windows enrollment experience for select computers, aiming to streamline the process by downloading and installing cumulative updates during the out-of-box experience (OOBE) for systems enrolled in mobile device management (MDM). However, due to mixed feedback from the IT community regarding the lack of controls for administrators, Microsoft decided to postpone these changes until a better solution can be developed. The updates will not be applied during OOBE for Autopilot devices until appropriate management mechanisms for IT admins are established. These changes specifically affect enterprise environments and do not impact regular consumers, who will still receive automatic updates during setup. Consumers can bypass this automatic process by pressing Shift + F10, entering oobebypassnro, and restarting Windows 11 without connecting to the internet or signing in with a Microsoft Account.

Winsage

August 27, 2024

Windows Downdate tool lets you ‘unpatch’ Windows systems

SafeBreach security researcher Alon Leviev has introduced a tool called Windows Downdate, which enables downgrade attacks on Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server systems, allowing malicious actors to revert updated devices to older software versions and exploit previously patched vulnerabilities. The tool is open-source and built on Python, facilitating the downgrading of system components such as the Hyper-V hypervisor and Windows Kernel. Leviev provided examples of reverting patches for vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-27090, CVE-2022-34709, CVE-2023-21768, and PPLFault. The tool exploits vulnerabilities CVE-2024-21302 and CVE-2024-38202 and operates undetected by endpoint detection solutions, misleading users into believing their systems are up-to-date. Leviev demonstrated methods to disable Windows virtualization-based security (VBS) features without physical access. Microsoft released a security update (KB5041773) on August 7 to address CVE-2024-21302, but a patch for CVE-2024-38202 is still pending. Microsoft advises customers to implement protective measures, including configuring "Audit Object Access" settings, restricting update operations, utilizing Access Control Lists, and auditing privileges.

Winsage

August 17, 2024

Microsoft patches TPM 2.0 bypass to prevent Windows 11 installs on PCs with unsupported CPUs | Tom’s Hardware

Many users with unsupported PCs have successfully upgraded to Windows 11 using a command line trick with the '/product server' directive, despite the operating system's stringent hardware requirements. Microsoft has patched this workaround in its latest Canary Build, which now requires the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 protocol. The current Windows 11 24H2 version still allows the bypass, but future updates may restrict it further. Users have been able to install Windows 11 on older CPUs, including Athlon and Core2Duo models, by circumventing TPM and RAM verification checks. The workaround has been particularly useful for systems capable of running Windows 11 but lacking TPM 2.0 support. Compatibility for adding a TPM module is limited to Intel's 8th generation and AMD's 2nd generation Ryzen CPUs. In enterprise editions, the CPU compatibility list starts with two-core CPUs at a minimum of 1 GHz, with TPM 2.0 being optional. As Microsoft continues to release patches, these bypass methods may soon become ineffective, leaving users with options to revert to older Windows versions, explore Linux, or upgrade hardware.

Winsage

August 16, 2024

Windows 10 users have pushed back against intrusive pop-ups to get them to upgrade to Windows 11 – and Microsoft has finally backed down

Microsoft will stop full-screen pop-ups encouraging users to transition to Windows 11 starting with the April 2024 monthly security update, responding to user feedback. However, Windows 10 Home users will still experience these pop-ups, while Windows 10 Pro and business edition users will not. Despite challenges, Windows 11 is gaining users, but many hesitate due to bugs, complicated updates, and strict system requirements. Microsoft's aggressive marketing tactics may have deterred potential users, similar to frustrations with pop-ups in the Edge browser.

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