Patch Tuesday updates Archives

Winsage

April 3, 2026

Microsoft now force upgrades unmanaged Windows 11 24H2 PCs

Microsoft has begun upgrading unmanaged devices running Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro editions to the latest Windows 11 25H2 version. Support for Windows 11 24H2 will end on October 13, 2026. The 25H2 version rollout started in September and is delivered through compact enablement packages. The update is now available for all unmanaged devices running Windows 11 24H2, and those devices will stop receiving critical updates. Users can manually check for the update or pause it through the settings menu. Microsoft has provided a support document and guide for the upgrade process.

Winsage

April 2, 2026

Don’t blame Windows 11 updates for every problem, Microsoft veteran says

Corporate clients often report to Microsoft that Windows updates disrupt their systems, particularly after Patch Tuesday. A 2026 report from Omnissa indicates that Windows environments experience more application crashes and forced shutdowns than macOS. However, Raymond Chen, a Windows expert, suggests that many systems are already compromised before updates are installed. Engineers at Microsoft frequently find that issues persist even after rolling back updates, and similar failures can occur on machines that haven't received the update yet. The actual triggers for system failures often stem from changes made by IT departments prior to updates, such as new drivers or configuration modifications. These changes may not show immediate issues until a reboot occurs during Patch Tuesday, revealing existing instability. Best practices for IT admins include controlled change management, validating drivers and policies before deployment, using staged rollouts, rebooting after major changes, and maintaining logging and monitoring systems. Microsoft conducts extensive testing of updates to ensure system security and stability, and delaying updates can increase risks.

Winsage

March 27, 2026

Microsoft Issues Windows 11 Preview Updates for Week D

Microsoft is rolling out a preview of April's Patch Tuesday updates for Windows 11, specifically for versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1. The Preview Update KB5079391 is available for versions 24H2 and 25H2, updating them to builds 26100.8116 and 26200.8116, respectively. Key improvements include rich image descriptions in Narrator, a toggle for Smart App Control, updates to pen settings, adjustments to the Settings interface, enhancements to voice typing, display reliability improvements, upgrades to natural voice in Narrator, and stability enhancements for the Windows Recovery Environment. For version 26H1, Preview Update KB5079489 is available, upgrading the system to build 28000.1764 and introducing features like Emoji 16.0, Quick Machine Recovery improvements, and a built-in network speed test, though many features have been seen in previous versions.

Winsage

March 20, 2026

Microsoft: March Windows updates break Teams, OneDrive sign-ins

Microsoft has acknowledged that the March update for Windows 11 (KB5079473) has caused sign-in complications with Microsoft accounts in various applications, including Teams, OneDrive, Microsoft Edge, Excel, Word, and Microsoft 365 Copilot. Users may receive error messages indicating a lack of Internet connection during sign-in attempts, despite being online. This issue affects Microsoft account sign-ins but does not impact businesses using Entra ID for app authentication. Microsoft is working on a fix and suggests users restart their PCs while connected to the Internet as a temporary workaround. If restarted without an Internet connection, the sign-in problem may persist. Additionally, Microsoft has released two emergency out-of-band updates for Bluetooth visibility issues and security vulnerabilities in the Routing and Remote Access Service. Guidance has also been provided to resolve access issues related to the C: drive and app failures on certain Samsung Windows 11 laptops due to a problematic version of the Samsung Galaxy Connect app.

Winsage

March 17, 2026

Samsung Windows 11 Bug Blocks Access to C: Drive on Some Laptops

Microsoft has identified the Samsung Galaxy Connect app as the source of a significant bug affecting Samsung laptops running Windows 11, which causes "C: is not accessible - Access denied" messages. This issue prevents users from accessing files, launching applications like Outlook and Office, and performing administrative tasks without specific user action. Initially suspected to be related to Samsung Share, the investigation confirmed the Galaxy Connect app as the culprit. The bug has been reported in Brazil, Portugal, South Korea, and India, particularly affecting the Samsung Galaxy Book 4 and other Samsung devices, though a comprehensive list of affected models has not been provided. In response, Microsoft has removed the Galaxy Connect app from the Microsoft Store and is working with Samsung to investigate the issue. Samsung has reintroduced a stable older version of the app to help users. Users are advised not to install or update the Galaxy Connect app and to wait for an official patch, as recovery options for affected devices are currently limited.

Winsage

March 12, 2026

Windows 11 KB5079473 & KB5078883 cumulative updates released

Microsoft has released cumulative updates KB5079473 and KB5078883 for Windows 11 versions 25H2, 24H2, and 23H2 as part of the March 2026 Patch Tuesday. These updates address security vulnerabilities, fix bugs, and introduce new features. Users can install the updates via Start > Settings > Windows Update or manually from the Microsoft Update Catalog. The build numbers will change to 26200.8037 for 25H2, 26100.8037 for 24H2, and 22631.6783 for 23H2. Key enhancements include improved device targeting data for Secure Boot certificates, better reliability in File Explorer searches, and various new features such as a curated selection of emojis, a new backup and restore experience, automatic activation of Quick Machine Recovery, a built-in network speed test on the taskbar, and the ability to set WebP images as desktop backgrounds. Additionally, improvements have been made to the Windows Update settings page and the reliability of waking from sleep. No new issues have been reported with this month's updates.

Winsage

March 11, 2026

I tested Windows 11 March 2026 Updates: Everything new, improved, and fixed

Microsoft has rolled out the March 2026 Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11 (KB5079473, Build 26200.8037) and Windows 10, focusing on enhancements and functional upgrades. The update applies to Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, introducing new features, security enhancements, system fixes, and reliability improvements. Key features include: - Support for Emoji 16.0, allowing users to insert new emojis through the Emoji panel. - Windows Backup restore adapted for organizational use, enabling restoration of user settings and applications during sign-in. - Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) enabled by default on more Windows 11 Pro PCs. - A Bing-powered Internet speed test tool accessible from the taskbar. - Sysmon included as a native component for system activity monitoring. - Support for WebP images as desktop wallpapers. - Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) supported on Windows 11 Arm64 devices. - Minor enhancements in Accounts and Camera settings. The update also includes reliability and stability improvements, such as enhanced responsiveness of the Windows Update settings page, improved sign-in screen reliability, and better performance for the Windows printing service. It lays groundwork for Secure Boot certificate updates and addresses BitLocker reliability issues. Additionally, internal AI components have been updated, and a servicing stack update (SSU) has been released to enhance Windows Update infrastructure reliability. Microsoft is also expanding the updated Start menu and battery icons to more devices and warns users about the importance of updating Secure Boot certificates before their expiration in June 2026.

Winsage

March 11, 2026

Microsoft Releases March 2026 Patch Tuesday Updates

Microsoft has released the March 2026 Patch Tuesday update, KB5079473, for all supported versions of Windows 11 (25H2 and 24H2). Key changes include: - A Network Speed Test Tool in the Taskbar for measuring Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and cellular performance. - New pan and tilt options for supported cameras in the Settings menu. - Built-in System Monitor (Sysmon) available as an optional feature; users should uninstall previous versions before enabling it. - Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) support for Windows 11 Arm64 devices. - Quick Machine Recovery tool enabled for Windows Professional devices not domain-joined or enrolled in enterprise management. - Ability to use .webp image files for desktop backgrounds. - Introduction of new emojis from Emoji 16.0, including a face with bags under the eyes and a fingerprint. - BitLocker improvements for device responsiveness after entering a recovery key. - Enhanced reliability of search functions in File Explorer. Additionally, Microsoft is publishing patch notes for the upcoming version 26H1, which is currently available to Windows Insiders on the Canary Channel but not yet public. The KB5079466 patch for version 26H1 includes features already seen in earlier Windows 11 versions.

Winsage

February 16, 2026

Windows 11 KB5077181 Security Update Causing Some Devices to Restart in an Infinite Loop

Microsoft's security update KB5077181, released on February 10, 2026, for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, has caused critical boot failures, leading to infinite restart loops for users. The update addresses 58 vulnerabilities, including six zero-day exploits, and introduces new Secure Boot certificates. Users have reported errors such as “a specified procedure could not be found” and DHCP failures, with installation errors like 0x800f0983 and 0x800f0991 affecting specific hardware. To resolve issues, users are advised to uninstall the update and pause Windows Update. Accessing the Windows Recovery Environment may also be necessary for persistent boot loops. While some users experienced improvements, the overall instability highlights risks associated with updates. Microsoft has not acknowledged any known issues related to this update as of February 15.

Winsage

February 15, 2026

Microsoft Blocks Credential Autofill to Fix Windows Hello Flaw

Microsoft has blocked credential autofill functionality in Windows 11 as part of the February 2026 Patch Tuesday updates to address the critical vulnerability CVE-2026-20804, which allows unauthorized access by tampering with Windows Hello authentication. This vulnerability was first identified in August 2025 and allows local administrators to inject biometric data. The restriction was documented in the January 2026 Patch Tuesday release notes. Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) operates at a hypervisor virtual trust level but is limited by hardware compatibility issues, particularly affecting AMD-based systems. Post-update, credential dialogs do not respond to virtual keyboard inputs from remote desktop or screen-sharing applications, preventing autofill during remote support sessions. Microsoft has provided a risky workaround that allows applications to operate with elevated administrator privileges, but this reintroduces the vulnerability. Organizations must now choose between disrupted remote support workflows or risking exposure to credential injection attacks, leading to operational challenges for IT teams and help desk staff.