outages Archives

Winsage

April 2, 2025

Microsoft president reflects on 50-year anniversary, AI, innovation and community impact

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Winsage

March 31, 2025

Windows 11 quick machine recovery: Restoring devices with boot issues

Microsoft has launched a quick machine recovery feature in its Windows operating system to help IT administrators remotely execute fixes on machines that cannot boot, particularly during widespread outages. This feature allows devices to automatically enter Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) and connect with Microsoft’s recovery services for tailored remediations delivered via Windows Update. IT administrators can enable or disable this feature remotely and configure settings such as scanning intervals and restart timeouts. Currently, quick machine recovery is in testing and available to users in the Windows Insider Program, with plans for future accessibility to IT administrators managing Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise devices.

Winsage

March 31, 2025

A New Microsoft Tool Automatically Detects, Diagnoses, and Resolves Boot Issues in Windows

Microsoft has introduced a tool called "Quick Machine Recovery" to address boot failures in Windows devices. This feature automatically detects, diagnoses, and resolves critical system issues that prevent devices from starting correctly. It is currently available in the Windows Insider Preview Beta Channel for Windows 11, version 24H2. Quick Machine Recovery aims to reduce downtime by automating the diagnostic and remediation processes, allowing IT administrators to deploy targeted fixes directly to affected devices through the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE). Key capabilities include automated remediation based on real-time crash data, admin customization options, and a test mode for simulating recovery processes. The recovery process begins when a device enters Windows RE due to a boot failure, utilizing a network connection to communicate with Microsoft’s recovery services. Future updates are expected to enhance networking configuration support. The feature is enabled by default for Windows 11 Home users, while IT administrators for Pro and Enterprise devices can customize its deployment.

Winsage

March 30, 2025

Microsoft tests new Windows 11 tool to remotely fix boot crashes

Microsoft is testing a new tool for Windows 11 called Quick Machine Recovery, which aims to address issues related to buggy drivers and configurations that hinder the operating system's startup. This tool is part of the Windows Resiliency Initiative, designed to enhance system stability and minimize downtime by automating the detection, diagnosis, and rectification of critical failures. Quick Machine Recovery will allow Microsoft to deploy targeted remediations remotely during widespread outages affecting device startup, thus automating fixes without complex manual interventions. The tool will automatically initiate when a new driver or configuration change disrupts startup, establishing an internet connection to transmit crash data to Microsoft for analysis and remote fixes. Microsoft plans to enable this feature by default in Windows 11 Home editions, with customization options for enterprise users. A test remediation package will soon be released for Windows Insider Preview Beta Channel users to experience Quick Machine Recovery.

Winsage

March 30, 2025

Windows 11 gets Quick Recovery to fix computers that cannot boot

Microsoft introduced Quick Machine Recovery at the Ignite conference, a feature within its Windows Resiliency Initiative for Windows 11, aimed at improving user experience during system failures. This tool allows users to recover their systems when boot failures occur by transitioning into recovery mode and connecting to the internet to analyze crash data and retrieve fixes via Windows Update. Quick Machine Recovery is currently being tested in the latest Windows 11 Beta build, with plans for a broader rollout across all Windows 11 editions. IT administrators can enable or disable this feature and customize settings such as network credentials and scanning intervals. The feature is designed to help mitigate the impact of widespread outages and assist users with critical bugs and compatibility issues.

Winsage

March 29, 2025

Microsoft tests Quick Machine Recovery to restore PCs that can’t boot

A new feature has been introduced to enhance system reliability and mitigate the risk of widespread outages, following disruptions caused by a recent Crowdstrike update. This initiative aims to address vulnerabilities in complex software ecosystems, instill user confidence, and ensure operations remain resilient against unexpected challenges. Key benefits include enhanced reliability, proactive risk management, and increased user confidence. The development reflects a trend in the tech sector prioritizing reliability and user experience.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

An open-source Windows alternative you’ve probably never heard of just got updated

ReactOS 0.4.15 is the largest release to date, focusing on compatibility, bug fixes, and improved system stability. It introduces new features such as registry mechanisms, enhanced security, and improvements to system tools. The release supports 64-bit x86 architecture and includes significant updates to the Plug and Play Manager, audio enhancements, and better memory management. Users can now boot from USB devices and utilize more third-party drivers. The update also features quality-of-life improvements in tools like Notepad and Paint, and a new visual style. Future upgrades are promised, including power management and UEFI support. ReactOS 0.4.15 is available for download, but it remains in alpha status.

AppWizard

March 11, 2025

X is down and Elon Musk says it’s due to a ‘massive cyberattack’

Users of X, formerly known as Twitter, experienced significant disruptions on March 10, starting around 5 AM, with many reporting difficulties accessing in-app features. Downdetector indicated that approximately 58% of users in the U.S. and 56% in Canada faced access issues, with a peak of about 42,000 reports of service inaccessibility. CEO Elon Musk stated that the platform is undergoing a "massive cyberattack," which he believes may be the cause of the disruptions. Some users in Canada have reported a gradual return to normal functionality.

AppWizard

March 3, 2025

WhatsApp says technical issue reported by thousands now resolved

On Friday afternoon, WhatsApp experienced a disruption affecting users' ability to send messages, with Downdetector reporting over 50,000 incidents shortly after 15:30 GMT. A WhatsApp spokesperson confirmed the issue was resolved. While some users reported problems with Facebook and Facebook Messenger, the complaints were significantly lower than those for WhatsApp. WhatsApp, which has nearly three billion users, was previously affected by a mass global outage in December. CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressed optimism about the company's growth during a recent investor call. The recent issues were not as severe as the 2021 outage that lasted nearly six hours.

AppWizard

March 2, 2025

Breaking: WhatsApp and Messenger Crash in Multiple Countries, Panic Ensues at Meta

Users of WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger experienced significant outages globally, with over 4,000 reports in the U.S. for WhatsApp and more than 10,000 in India. Facebook Messenger had nearly 1,000 error reports in the U.S., while the U.K. saw over 50,000 complaints. Among the reported issues, 70% of users were unable to send messages, 22% faced connection troubles, and 19% experienced general app malfunctions. This incident follows a similar outage in December of the previous year, which garnered over 105,000 complaints for Facebook, 70,000 for Instagram, and 12,000 for WhatsApp. The hashtag #WhatsappDown became popular on social media, with users sharing humorous reactions.