process Archives

Winsage

May 14, 2026

‘Avoid Disruption’—Microsoft Updates Windows Before June Deadline

Microsoft has released a security update for Windows 10 users, identified as KB5087544, which includes dynamic status reporting for Secure Boot states. Secure Boot certificates, in place for 15 years, are set to expire next month, and Microsoft advises users to update their certificates to avoid security risks. All Windows 10 PCs will require new certificates, but only those in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program will be eligible for the update. Most Windows 11 devices will also need new certificates, except those purchased in the last two years. Failure to install the new certificates may affect device boot security. The update also addresses a security warning related to Remote Desktop Connection and may prompt some users to enter a BitLocker recovery key after restarting. New certificates will only be issued to devices that show successful update signals, and users should upgrade their Windows Security App to address potential issues. Notifications will be sent once new Secure Boot certificates are installed.

Winsage

May 14, 2026

Dell confirms its SupportAssist software causes Windows BSOD crashes

Dell's SupportAssist software is causing blue-screen crashes on certain Windows systems, attributed to a recent update to the SupportAssist Remediation service, specifically version 5.5.16.0. Users experiencing these crashes are advised to uninstall or disable the service to resolve the issue. Dell has acknowledged the problem and is working on a solution. Uninstalling the service may result in the loss of system repair points created by Dell OS SupportAssist Recovery. Users still facing issues after uninstallation should contact Dell support. This incident follows previous software challenges faced by Dell, including blue screens from earlier SupportAssist versions and BIOS updates that prevented some laptops from booting. Additionally, vulnerabilities have been identified in the BIOSConnect feature of Dell SupportAssist, posing security risks.

Winsage

May 14, 2026

Microsoft Fixes Windows Autopatch Bug Installing Restricted Drivers on Windows 11

Microsoft's Windows Autopatch service mistakenly deployed restricted driver updates to some managed Windows devices without proper approval, affecting Windows 11 versions 25H2, 24H2, and 23H2. This led to unexpected restarts and stability issues. Microsoft implemented a server-side fix to address this problem, confirming that only a limited subset of devices in the EU region was impacted and that no client-side action was required. Additionally, some users faced difficulties installing Office on Windows 365 machines due to a configuration change from a recent service update.

AppWizard

May 14, 2026

Google may be cutting free Gmail storage for new accounts down to 5GB

Google may reduce free account storage from 15GB to 5GB for users who do not link a phone number during signup. Users who connect a phone number can still access the full 15GB storage. Google has updated its support page to state "up to 15GB" of free storage instead of a guaranteed 15GB.

Winsage

May 14, 2026

Windows Update will soon automatically roll back faulty drivers

Microsoft is introducing a feature in Windows 11 that allows users to pause updates indefinitely, enhancing user control over their systems. Additionally, they are rolling out a "Cloud-Initiated Driver Recovery" feature that enables automatic reversion of problematic drivers installed via Windows Update, allowing Microsoft to replace faulty drivers directly from the cloud without user intervention. This updated Windows Update experience is currently being tested with hardware partners and is expected to begin a gradual rollout in September. Users will also gain the ability to extend pause dates, skip updates during device setup, and restart or shut down their PCs without needing to install pending updates.

AppWizard

May 14, 2026

A new Far Far West update slices its grind in half, and stamps out Joker hoarding

The developer Evil Raptor has released a significant update for the team shooter Far Far West, which includes an overhaul of the Prestige system to reduce grind time by halving the required experience gains and restructuring the unlocking process for Joker and upgrade slots. Players can now prestige heroes and weapons up to level 15 and unlock an additional bonus upgrade slot, totaling six. Jokers will now be instanced per player to improve resource distribution, and players can share Jokers without triggering healing effects. The drop rate of Jokers has been adjusted based on team size. Balance changes include increased ammo for the Bow, a damage buff for Dual Revolvers, and a doubled Fire Rate upgrade for the Minigun. The Overblast modifier has been nerfed, and adjustments have been made to enemy types for better balance. The update also features bug fixes, quality-of-life improvements, and new options for players in the lobby. The update is now live, and players are encouraged to provide feedback through official channels.

AppWizard

May 14, 2026

Galaxy Tab S12 series? Samsung app reveals Dimensity 9500 device is coming (APK teardown)

Samsung plans to use the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chip in its upcoming Galaxy Tab S12 series, moving away from the traditional Snapdragon processors. The Dimensity 9500, identified by its model number MT6993, is linked to various innovative features in Samsung's AI core application, including AI-generated wallpapers, image expansion capabilities, generative editing tools, and image harmonization techniques. While the Dimensity 9500 may not match the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in CPU performance, it is noted for its gaming performance and lower temperatures during extended use, making it a suitable choice for Samsung's new devices.

Winsage

May 14, 2026

Windows Zero-Days Expose BitLocker Bypasses And CTFMON Privilege Escalation

An anonymous cybersecurity researcher disclosed two new zero-day vulnerabilities affecting Microsoft systems: YellowKey and GreenPlasma. YellowKey is a BitLocker bypass that operates as a backdoor within the Windows Recovery Environment, impacting Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022/2025. Exploiting YellowKey involves copying specially crafted files to a USB drive, connecting it to a Windows computer, and rebooting into WinRE. The researcher expressed skepticism about Microsoft's response time to this vulnerability, noting that using TPM+PIN does not mitigate the risk. GreenPlasma is a privilege escalation vulnerability that allows an unprivileged user to obtain a shell with SYSTEM permissions through arbitrary section creation in Windows CTFMON. The proof-of-concept for this exploit is incomplete but indicates potential manipulation of trusted privileged services or drivers. Additionally, a related attack against BitLocker was detailed by French cybersecurity firm Intrinsec, which exploits a boot manager downgrade using CVE-2025-48804 to bypass encryption protections on fully patched Windows 11 systems. This method allows attackers to boot from a controlled WIM while the boot manager checks the legitimate one, executing with the decrypted BitLocker volume. Despite Microsoft releasing fixes for this defect in July 2025, a flaw in Secure Boot verification allows a vulnerable boot manager to bypass BitLocker safeguards. To mitigate these risks, enabling a BitLocker PIN at startup and migrating to a new boot manager certificate is recommended.

AppWizard

May 14, 2026

Samsung may be working on its most aggressive anti-distraction tool yet

Samsung is developing a feature for One UI 9 called “Network management for concentration,” which aims to help users manage distractions by controlling internet access for specific app categories, including Browser, Game, Social, Streaming, and Other. This feature is found in the hidden Connectivity Labs menu and allows users to restrict internet access without manual intervention. It includes a six-digit PIN system for security, ensuring only authorized users can modify settings, and features a “Downtime” mode to schedule automatic activation of restrictions. The feature is currently in the experimental phase, with its public release uncertain.

Winsage

May 14, 2026

Windows 11 Emoji Picker Search Box Disappears in Some Builds, Restarting Explorer Restores It

A glitch in Windows 11 has caused the search box in the emoji picker to disappear, affecting users' ability to search for emojis by name. This issue has been reported by multiple users and confirmed by Windows Central in the Insider Beta channel, but Microsoft has not acknowledged it or provided a fix. A temporary solution involves restarting Windows Explorer through Task Manager, which can restore the search box functionality. The bug's prevalence varies among users, and it is unclear if it affects stable releases of Windows 11.