printing Archives

Winsage

March 28, 2025

Windows 11 roadmap? Great for next week but not next year

Microsoft has released a roadmap for Windows 11 that outlines enhancements and features through April 2025, aiming to improve transparency in its development processes. The roadmap highlights the need for clarity on upcoming releases to help IT professionals manage changes, though the timeline for new features raises concerns due to their proximity to release dates. The Improved Voice Access feature is scheduled for a non-security update in April 2025. The Copilot+ PC platform, which will host these features, has not gained significant market traction, potentially leaving administrators unprepared for implementation. Several features, such as Click to Do and Recall, have remained in preview since November 2024 without clear timelines for general availability. The roadmap appears to focus more on consumer-oriented features, with IT professionals seeking clarity on enterprise-critical functionalities and issues like disruptions to printing capabilities. Microsoft has indicated that the roadmap's initial focus is on client devices, with future announcements anticipated, including a potential "Windows Server 2025 surprise installation" and the removal of the Windows 10 upgrade block around October 2025.

Winsage

March 28, 2025

Microsoft fixes «printer uprising» in Windows 11 and remote desktop

Microsoft has acknowledged a significant issue affecting the Remote Desktop Platform (RDP) in Windows 11 24H2, which began surfacing in February 2025. An emergency server update is being implemented to resolve these complications, with users expected to see improvements within 24 to 48 hours. The RDP issues arose after the optional January Update, leading to frozen login screens and blank interfaces for some users. Microsoft recognized the problem on February 25, initially claiming it was addressed in the February update (KB5052093), but subsequent updates worsened the crashes. A Known Issue Rollback (KIR) is being deployed in stages, and users are encouraged to reboot their devices. Additionally, update KB5053657 has been released to fix a printer issue affecting USB printers that emerged after the January 11 update. A similar fix for Windows 11 24H2 is anticipated on March 27, 2025, with both resolutions included in April's "Patch Tuesday" updates.

Winsage

March 27, 2025

Optional Windows 11 update fixes USB printers spitting out nonsense

Microsoft released the KB5053657 update on Tuesday to address an issue in Windows 11 where certain USB printers were printing random text. This update is applicable only to Windows 11 23H2 and 22H2 versions, while users of Windows 11 24H2 do not have an equivalent update yet. The USB printer issue originated from a problematic update released in January 2025, which affected multiple patches. Microsoft clarified that the update fixes issues with USB connected dual-mode printers that might output incorrect text. Additionally, complications from the January update for Windows 11 24H2 have caused Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) disconnections. Microsoft is implementing a Known Issue Rollback to revert the problematic changes, with a permanent solution expected in a future update for Windows 11 24H2.

Winsage

March 27, 2025

Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 update exorcises possessed printers that spewed out pages of random characters

Microsoft released an optional March update for Windows 11 on March 25, 2025 (KB5053657), which fixes a printer bug that caused USB-connected printers to produce pages with random characters. Users are encouraged to install this update as it resolves the printer issue and includes other improvements. The bug first appeared in a preview update at the end of January 2025, and while it was not considered severe, it resulted in wasteful printing. A cumulative update for Windows 11 23H2, which will also include the fix, is scheduled for release on April 7, 2025.

Winsage

March 27, 2025

Recent Windows Server 2025 updates cause Remote Desktop freezes

Microsoft has acknowledged a significant issue affecting Remote Desktop functionality on Windows Server 2025 systems, which arose after the installation of security updates released since February 2025. Users may experience freezes in Remote Desktop sessions shortly after connecting, with unresponsive mouse and keyboard inputs requiring a disconnect and reconnect to regain functionality. This issue also affects Windows 11 24H2 systems, but Microsoft addressed it for Windows 11 users with an optional update (KB5052093) released on February 25. A fix for Windows Server 2025 devices is planned for an upcoming update. Additionally, Microsoft has implemented Known Issue Rollback (KIR) to reverse problematic non-security updates related to Remote Desktop and Remote Desktop Services (RDS) connection issues from Windows 11 24H2 updates since January 2025. Users may experience Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) disconnections lasting up to 65 seconds when connecting from Windows 11 24H2 devices to RDS hosts on Windows Server 2016 systems. A permanent fix for RDP disconnection issues is planned for next month's cumulative updates. Microsoft is also investigating connection errors on Windows 11 24H2 systems related to restoring data from SMB network shares or Backup & Replication servers.

Winsage

March 27, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27823 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27823 has been released to the Canary Channel. There are no plans to release SDKs for the 27xxx series builds. The update includes general enhancements and fixes, a new feature called "top cards" under Settings > System > About that displays essential PC specifications (processor, RAM, storage, GPU), and various bug fixes across File Explorer, Input, Login and Lock, Settings, Printing, and other areas. Known issues include a potential loss of Windows Hello PIN for users transitioning from other channels and a visual issue with the update toggle in Settings. A fix is being worked on for taskbar icon sizing in tablet mode. Insiders are reminded that Canary Channel builds may change and are not aligned with specific Windows releases.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

Microsoft fixes printing issues caused by January Windows updates

Microsoft has resolved an issue affecting USB printers that began after Windows updates in January 2025, which caused printers to produce random text. This fix is included in the March 2025 non-security preview updates KB5053643 and KB5053657 for Windows 10 (version 22H2) and Windows 11 (versions 22H2 and 23H2). The resolution will also be part of the cumulative updates for April 2025 Patch Tuesday. The problem was particularly noticeable when printers were powered on or reconnected, leading to erroneous outputs related to the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP). Microsoft acknowledged that the issue arose after the January 2025 preview update (KB5050092). Additionally, Microsoft has addressed another issue affecting Remote Desktop and RDS connections and is collaborating with Veeam to investigate connection errors on Windows 11 24H2 systems.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

Microsoft de-borks USB printing in Windows 11

Microsoft released an update, KB5053657, on March 25 to address printer issues caused by a previous patch in January that affected USB-connected dual-mode printers. Users reported printers producing random text and data, often starting with the header POST /ipp/print HTTP/1.1. The glitch was acknowledged in the March 11 update, which also unintentionally removed the Copilot application from some devices. Microsoft stated that the Copilot issue has been resolved without needing a patch. Additionally, users of version 2411 of the Citrix Session Recording Agent are still experiencing issues, and Microsoft is working with Citrix on a solution.

Winsage

March 13, 2025

No, your printer isn’t possessed: a Windows 11 23H2 bug could be making it print random characters when connected via USB

Microsoft's Windows 11 24H2 update has numerous bugs, leading many users to stick with the earlier 23H2 version. A specific issue reported with the KB5050092 preview update in 23H2 involves USB-connected printers producing pages filled with random characters upon startup, and disconnecting the printer does not resolve the problem. Users not reliant on USB printers may prefer 23H2, which lacks severe bugs found in 24H2. Gamers have faced challenges with Bluetooth connectivity and game compatibility issues, particularly with Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed, which required a game update. Recent Nvidia Game Ready Drivers have further complicated the situation for gamers.

Winsage

March 13, 2025

Windows update bug makes USB printers print gibberish, and the fix is a hassle

Users have reported that their printers are unexpectedly printing random text and IPP protocol headers instead of the intended document, primarily affecting USB-connected dual-mode printers. This issue is linked to Microsoft's K5050092 update released on January 29, 2025. The problem manifests when printers are powered on or reconnected after disconnection, impacting various Windows versions, including Windows 11 version 23H2, version 22H2, and Windows 10 22H2. A temporary workaround, Known Issue Rollback (KIR), has been provided for system administrators to revert affected machines to a previous state. A permanent fix is being developed by Microsoft.