optional update Archives

Winsage

June 3, 2025

Windows 11 news and updates: Sora video AI comes to Bing while USB-C changes will make all of our lives easier

Microsoft has made adjustments to Windows 11 and Windows 10 to comply with the Digital Markets Act for users in the European Economic Area, including stopping prompts to set Edge as the default browser and automatically pinning users' preferred browsers to the Taskbar. The optional update KB5058499 (OS Build 26100.4202) for Windows 11, released on May 28, 2025, improves gaming stability and includes upgrades to AI tools. OpenAI's Sora AI model is now available globally in the Bing Video Creator within the Bing mobile app. Notepad has added support for Markdown syntax. Microsoft has committed that all USB-C ports on Windows 11 will support data, charging, and display functionalities, with USB4 ports being compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and USB4 peripherals. The release date for Windows 11 version 25H2 is anticipated between September and October 2025.

Winsage

May 30, 2025

Still on Windows 11 23H2 because you’re worried 24H2 is a disaster for PC gaming? Microsoft’s latest update could persuade you to finally upgrade

The latest optional patch for Windows 11, identified as KB5058499, addresses critical issues affecting PC games, particularly those using Nvidia GPUs. It resolves problems such as games freezing upon launch and specific titles becoming unresponsive after upgrading to version 24H2. The patch also targets a memory leak within the ‘Input Service,’ which may contribute to input lag and blue screen crashes linked to ‘memory management’ errors. The root cause of the game lock-up problem was found to be within the Windows 11 kernel, not Nvidia's graphics drivers. Users can install the patch to potentially restore functionality to their games or wait for the full cumulative update scheduled for June 10.

Winsage

May 30, 2025

Windows 11 Version 24H2 Gets a Featured-Packed Optional Update

Microsoft has released the May optional update for Windows 11 version 24H2, introducing features such as the Win + C keyboard shortcut for quick access to Copilot, a drag tray feature, and cross-device resume notifications for OneDrive files. The Copilot+ feature is now available in the European Economic Area (EEA) and supports intelligent text actions in Spanish and French. Users can utilize the 'Ask Copilot' option to highlight text or images and open Copilot with the selected content. New text actions for summarizing, creating bulleted lists, or rewriting highlighted text are available for AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs. Pen users can configure a shortcut button for Click to Do, and Windows Search improvements allow direct typing of settings. The Narrator feature provides detailed descriptions of images for blind and low-vision users. Energy saver controls for IT admins have been introduced, along with HDR and Dolby Vision controls. A new FAQs section in Settings assists users with common inquiries, and mouse settings have been simplified. Users can now edit images shared through the Windows Share window, and a new drag tray area appears when dragging local files. Taskbar policies have been improved to allow unpinning specific apps. The features will roll out with the upcoming Patch Tuesday update, alongside the optional KB5058481 update for Windows 10, which reinstates the clock view displaying seconds on the calendar flyout.

Winsage

May 17, 2025

Microsoft is bringing back Windows 10’s second hand display after backlash

Microsoft removed the clock display from the flyout menu of Windows 10’s taskbar calendar to eliminate the seconds display, which was consuming additional processing resources. In response to user backlash, Microsoft plans to reintroduce the seconds display with the upcoming cumulative update for Windows 10, designated as Windows 10 22H2 Build 19045.5912 (update KB5058481), which is currently available to Windows Insiders and expected to roll out to all users later this month.

Winsage

May 4, 2025

Microsoft says it accidentally broke Windows 10 Start menu, taskbar recent files feature

On April 22, Windows Latest reported that the jump list feature for live tiles in the Start menu was missing, a situation confirmed by Microsoft. This issue arose after updates released post-February 25, disrupting users' access to recently opened files or photos. The problem was linked to Microsoft's integration of a new Microsoft account control experience into the Start menu, which began with the Windows 10 KB5052077 optional update. Microsoft stated that this was not an intentional change and was under investigation. Following the April 2025 Update, the issue became more widespread. However, Microsoft has since rolled back the changes to the Start menu UI, restoring the recent section for affected users, and tests indicated that the jump list functionality has been reinstated across most devices.

Winsage

May 3, 2025

Best Windows apps this week

This week, the optional update for Windows 11 introduces the Recall AI feature for Copilot+ PCs, set to roll out to all Copilot+ devices next month alongside a cumulative security update. New apps include: - Crapfixer: An open-source Windows tweaker that simplifies system settings analysis and application of recommended tweaks. - PhotoDemon: A free, open-source photo editor with over 200 tools, supporting various image formats and offering features like macro recording and batch processing. - Winhance 4: A system optimization software for Windows 10 and 11 that enhances performance by removing unwanted apps and providing customization options, with the ability to save configurations for multiple PCs.

Winsage

April 26, 2025

Windows 11 KB5055627 update released with 30 new changes, fixes

Microsoft has released the KB5055627 preview cumulative update for Windows 11 24H2, which introduces new features and bug fixes. This update is part of optional non-security preview updates and does not include security updates. Users can install it via Settings under Windows Update or download it directly from the Microsoft Update Catalog. The update elevates Windows 11 24H2 systems to build 26100.3915 and includes features such as Recall (preview), Click to Do (preview), improved Windows Search, Narrator enhancements, Phone Link, interactive Widgets, curated views in File Explorer, updated Settings for app recommendations, and Windows Studio Effects. It also addresses bugs related to blue screen errors, DHCP Client connectivity issues, Windows Hello functionality, and provides estimated offline times for updates. Notable issues include potential installation blocks for Citrix components and download issues for Roblox players on Windows Arm devices, with workarounds available.

Winsage

April 23, 2025

Microsoft fixes Remote Desktop freezes caused by Windows updates

Microsoft has resolved an issue causing Remote Desktop sessions to freeze on Windows Server 2025 and Windows 11 24H2 devices. The initial fix was provided on February 25 with the KB5052093 optional update for Windows 11, followed by the KB5055523 Patch Tuesday cumulative update for Windows Server on April 8. Users of Windows Server 2025 who installed the February 2025 Security update (KB5051987) experienced freezing issues that rendered mouse and keyboard inputs unresponsive. Microsoft recommended installing the latest updates for improvements and resolutions. Additionally, Microsoft implemented a Known Issue Rollback (KIR) to address Remote Desktop and RDS connection problems stemming from Windows 11 24H2 updates since January 2025, which caused UDP connection interruptions to RDS hosts on Windows Server 2016. A permanent solution has been included in the recent cumulative updates. Microsoft also fixed a bug causing blue screen errors and installation issues on Windows Server 2025 systems with over 256 logical processors, included in updates since the KB5046617 cumulative update. However, users were warned of potential login issues with Windows Hello after the April 2025 security updates and that some Windows Server 2025 domain controllers may become unreachable after a restart.

Winsage

April 18, 2025

Windows 11 Update Fiasco: Microsoft Confirms Blue Screen Of Death. Here’s What To Do

Reports of the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) have emerged following updates to Windows 11, with Microsoft confirming the issue in a support document. Users may encounter a blue screen exception with error code 0x18B (SECUREKERNELERROR) after installing the latest updates, specifically linked to the Windows 11 version 2H42 release and affecting updates KB5053598, KB5053656, and KB5055523. Microsoft is working on a fix and has deployed a server-side update to disable changes causing the BSOD. Affected users are advised to check for updates multiple times to receive the server-side patch quickly. Additionally, the April update has caused issues with Windows Hello functionalities, which Microsoft plans to address in a future update scheduled for May 2025.

Winsage

April 8, 2025

Windows 11 24H2 April 2025 Update fixes File Explorer menu opening in opposite direction

Patch Tuesday will bring a resolution to several issues in Windows 11 24H2, including a fix for a bug in File Explorer where the three-dot menu opens in the opposite direction, making options difficult to select. The update, KB5055523 (26100.3xxx), will be rolled out in phases. Other fixes in the April 2025 update address a problem with non-functional boot menu entries created during updates, the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) occurring when waking devices from sleep, and an issue with 2-in-1 devices where the screen orientation unexpectedly switches to portrait mode after sleep. The update is mandatory and will be available to users worldwide on Tuesday morning.