recovery operations Archives

Winsage

April 23, 2026

Engineering secure passkey sync in Microsoft Password Manager

Passkeys are a new form of authentication that replace traditional passwords, providing a phishing-resistant and streamlined sign-in process. Microsoft Password Manager allows users to save and synchronize passkeys across devices linked to their Microsoft accounts, enhancing accessibility. The architecture for passkey syncing includes confidential computing for sensitive operations, hardware-rooted key protection for encryption keys, tamper-evident recovery storage, and encrypted synchronization across devices. Sensitive passkey operations are executed in Azure's confidential computing environments, ensuring cryptographic materials are processed securely. The encryption keys are protected using Azure Managed HSM, with access governed by attestation-based mechanisms. Registration and recovery processes require user authentication and enforce security measures within confidential computing boundaries, including a lockout state after consecutive incorrect PIN attempts. The system aims to provide a secure and user-friendly experience as part of a transition to a passwordless future.

Winsage

April 18, 2026

OWC MacDrive 12– One Solution for Complete Mac Disk Access on Windows

OWC has launched MacDrive 12, which allows Windows users to access various Mac formats such as HFS+, APFS, APFS Encrypted, SoftRAID, and Apple RAID through Windows Explorer. Key features include full read/write access to Mac formats, disk management tools for creating and repairing Mac disks, professional performance for demanding tasks, native integration with Windows, enterprise-grade security for encrypted volumes, RAID array support, and advanced APFS crash protection. Use cases include support for creative professionals, production companies, business users, IT administrators, data recovery specialists, and remote teams. MacDrive 12 will be available at the end of April for .99, with upgrade pricing for existing users at .99.

Tech Optimizer

March 29, 2026

Announcing Lakebase Public Preview

At the Data and AI Summit, Databricks announced the Public Preview of Databricks Lakebase, a fully-managed Postgres database designed for data applications and artificial intelligence. Lakebase addresses challenges in operational databases by merging operational and analytical data, offering a scalable architecture that separates compute from storage. It supports popular Postgres extensions and features low latency and high concurrency transactions. Lakebase includes multi-zone high availability, encrypted storage with point-in-time recovery, and copy-on-write branching for isolated testing. It integrates seamlessly with the Databricks lakehouse, enabling efficient data synchronization and unified governance. Lakebase is accessible across multiple cloud providers and is currently in Public Preview, with hundreds of customers already using it for various applications.

Winsage

November 19, 2025

Windows 11 Adds New Recovery Tools to Minimize Downtime

Microsoft unveiled new Windows Recovery tools during the Ignite 2025 keynote to help IT teams reduce downtime and streamline remediation processes. Enhancements to Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) include WinRE networking support, which will initially support Ethernet and later add Enterprise Wi-Fi capabilities. Autopatch can now manage and approve QMR updates, currently in public preview. Microsoft Intune's remote recovery via WinRE allows IT administrators to monitor devices in recovery mode and deploy scripts directly from the console, extending to Windows Server VMs through the Azure Portal. New recovery options for Windows PCs include a point-in-time restore feature for reverting to previous states and a Cloud rebuild feature for remotely reinstalling Windows 11 on malfunctioning devices. These updates are expected to be generally available to commercial customers in the first half of 2026. Microsoft has also introduced Autopatch update readiness in preview, providing real-time insights into device update readiness through a unified Intune dashboard. Additionally, new tools for incident management include Mission Critical Services for Microsoft 365, allowing collaboration with Windows engineers, and Windows 365 Reserve, which offers secure temporary Cloud PCs. Microsoft Intune will issue alerts when devices enter WinRE to prioritize recovery efforts, and a Digital Signage mode will prevent error messages on non-interactive public displays.

Winsage

October 1, 2025

Microsoft fixes Windows DRM video playback issues for some users

Microsoft has acknowledged an issue affecting Windows 11 24H2 systems related to the playback of DRM-protected video content in Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital TV applications. Users reported freezes, black screens, and playback disruptions after installing the August 29, 2025 Windows non-security preview update (KB5064081) or later updates. The issue particularly affects applications using Enhanced Video Renderer with HDCP enforcement or DRM for digital audio, leading to copyright protection errors. Microsoft released KB5065789, the September 2025 Windows preview update, which has "partially resolved" these playback issues for some users, but some DRM-related challenges may still persist. Additionally, Microsoft addressed other problems from the August 2025 updates, including installation issues for non-admin users and severe lag in NDI streaming software on Windows 10 and 11. They also fixed a known issue causing security updates via WSUS to fail and released emergency updates for bugs affecting Windows reset and recovery operations.

Winsage

September 23, 2025

Microsoft says recent updates cause DRM video playback issues

Microsoft has acknowledged an issue affecting certain applications that use Digital Rights Management (DRM) for video playback and live TV on Windows 11 24H2 systems after the August 29, 2025, non-security preview update (KB5064081) or later updates. Users may experience freezes, black screens, and playback problems, particularly with Digital TV and BluRay/DVD applications. Applications using Enhanced Video Renderer with HDCP enforcement or DRM for digital audio may encounter copyright protection errors and frequent playback interruptions. Microsoft is working on a solution to be rolled out in future updates. Additionally, Microsoft has addressed other issues related to the August updates, including app installation problems for non-admin users and lag with NDI streaming software. Previous similar challenges have also been resolved by Microsoft, including a bug affecting video recording and playback on Windows 10 and 11 systems.

Winsage

September 10, 2025

Microsoft fixes streaming issues triggered by Windows updates

Microsoft has resolved lag and stuttering issues with NDI streaming software on Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems that occurred after the August 2025 security updates. Users reported severe performance problems, particularly with RUDP connections, linked to updates KB5063878 and KB5063709. Microsoft released updates KB5065426 and KB5065429 to fix these issues and recommended users install them. A temporary workaround involves changing the NDI Receive Mode to TCP or UDP. The September 2025 updates also addressed additional issues related to User Account Control prompts and app installation difficulties for non-admin users, as well as problems with security updates failing via WSUS and disruptions to Windows reset and recovery operations.

Winsage

August 23, 2025

Microsoft: August Windows updates cause severe streaming issues

Microsoft has acknowledged significant performance issues related to the August 2025 security updates, particularly affecting NDI streaming software on Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems. Users have reported severe lag and stuttering when using streaming applications like OBS. The issues include "severe stuttering, lag, and choppy audio/video" during streaming or transferring audio/video feeds after installing the updates KB5063878 for Windows 11 24H2 and KB5063709 for Windows 10 21H2/22H2. The NDI team confirmed that these updates cause unexpected drops in NDI traffic, specifically affecting RUDP connections. A temporary workaround involves changing the NDI Receive Mode to TCP or UDP. Additionally, Microsoft recognized other issues from the updates, including failures in security updates via WSUS and problems with Windows reset and recovery operations. Feedback has also been solicited regarding failure and data corruption issues affecting SSDs and HDDs on Windows 11 24H2 systems after the updates.

Winsage

August 20, 2025

Microsoft Confirms Emergency Windows Update—Your PC ‘Might Fail’

Microsoft has acknowledged a significant issue affecting the Reset and Recovery operations on Windows 11 23H2/22H2 and Windows 10 following the August security updates (KB5063875). Users may experience failures when attempting to reset or recover their devices. Windows 11 24H2 is unaffected. An emergency out-of-band update (KB5066189) was released on August 20 to resolve the issue, superseding all prior updates for the affected versions. Users are advised to install this new update instead of KB5063875, which does not introduce additional security enhancements. The updates are distributed via Windows Update and specifically address failures associated with the “Reset this PC” feature. The updates include Windows 11 23H2 KB5066189 and Windows 10 KB5066188.

Winsage

August 20, 2025

Microsoft Confirms Windows Is Broken—Emergency Update On Way

Microsoft has acknowledged a significant issue affecting the Reset and Recovery operations on Windows 11 23H2/22H2 and Windows 10, following the installation of update KB5063875. Users are advised to refrain from using the built-in Reset and Recovery feature due to potential failures. An out-of-band update is expected to address this problem, with a possible release as early as today. Windows 11 24H2 is not affected, but Windows 10 users are awaiting the emergency update. Additionally, there are reports of another August update causing corruption in PC SSDs during large file writes. Currently, Windows does not warn users about the potential failure of the Reset and Recovery feature, which may lead to unintended resets.