Registry Archives

Winsage

January 15, 2026

How to remove Copilot from Windows 11

Microsoft has introduced Copilot on Windows 11, which has generated mixed reactions from users. Many users express a preference for operating without it, and the difficulty of uninstalling Copilot, which often reinstalls itself, has contributed to dissatisfaction. Microsoft is working on a solution for permanent removal in future updates. A guide has been created to assist users in removing Copilot, which includes three steps: 1. Preventing auto startup by disabling it in Task Manager. 2. Preventing auto installation by modifying the Registry Editor to create a DWORD value named TurnOffWindowsCopilot and setting it to 1. 3. Uninstalling Copilot through the Settings app. Following these steps allows users to effectively remove Copilot from their systems.

AppWizard

January 14, 2026

Minecraft 26.1 Snapshot 3 Unveiled: Latest Updates

Minecraft has released the 26.1 Snapshot 3 update, which includes several new features and improvements: - Players can access Game Rules from the in-game pause menu via the new World Options feature. - A search bar has been added to the Game Rules screen for better usability. - The difficulty button has been moved to the World Options screen. - World Clocks have been introduced, allowing players to create an internal time system that progresses with each tick. - Time Markers enable players to set specific points in time linked to World Clocks. - The Data Pack version has been updated to 97, and the Resource Pack version to 78. - Minor adjustments have been made to blocks, items, and entities, including rendering changes for the Tripwire texture. - The commands system has been refined to work with World Clocks, with the time command defaulting to the World Clock for the specific dimension. - Various bugs have been fixed, including issues with Z-fighting on the debug crosshair, crashes related to item enchantment functions, and inconsistencies with villager variants and wandering traders' item offerings. Players can install the update through the Minecraft Launcher by enabling snapshots in the “Installations” tab and are advised to back up their worlds.

AppWizard

January 14, 2026

Minecraft 26.1 Snapshot 3

In the latest Snapshot release, players can access game rules directly from the in-game pause screen via a new World Options button. The Data Pack version has been updated to 97, introducing new block and fluid tags, as well as modifications to the time command to integrate with new World Clocks. World Clocks maintain an internal time that progresses with each tick and can be paused or resumed. A new clock field links timelines to specific World Clock IDs, and Time Markers now assign names to designated points in time within a World Clock context. The time command is now based on World Clocks, and a new required field has been added to Game Test Environments for specifying World Clock IDs. New tags for blocks and fluids have been introduced, and the Tripwire texture has been updated for better visual clarity. Several bugs have been fixed in this release.

Winsage

January 13, 2026

New Windows updates replace expiring Secure Boot certificates

Microsoft is enhancing security for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 users by automatically replacing expiring Secure Boot certificates on eligible devices. Secure Boot protects against malicious software by ensuring only trusted bootloaders are executed during startup. Many Secure Boot certificates are set to expire starting in June 2026, which could jeopardize secure booting capabilities if not updated. The update includes a mechanism to identify devices eligible for automatic receipt of new Secure Boot certificates. IT administrators are advised to install the new certificates to maintain Secure Boot functionality and prevent loss of security updates. Organizations can also deploy Secure Boot certificates through various methods. IT administrators should inventory their devices, verify Secure Boot status, and apply necessary firmware updates before installing Microsoft's certificate updates.

Winsage

January 12, 2026

EDRStartupHinder Disables Antivirus and EDR Protections During Windows 11 25H2 Startup

A new tool named EDRStartupHinder was unveiled on January 11, 2026, which allows attackers to inhibit the launch of antivirus and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions during the Windows startup process. Developed by security researcher Two Seven One Three, it targets Windows Defender and various commercial security products on Windows 11 25H2 systems by redirecting essential system DLLs during boot using the Windows Bindlink API and Protected Process Light (PPL) security mechanisms. The tool employs a four-step attack chain that includes creating a malicious service with higher priority than the targeted security services, redirecting critical DLLs to attacker-controlled locations, and modifying a byte in the PE header of the DLLs to cause PPL-protected processes to refuse loading them. This results in the termination of the security software. EDRStartupHinder has been tested successfully against Windows Defender and other unnamed antivirus products, demonstrating its effectiveness in preventing these security solutions from launching. The source code for EDRStartupHinder is publicly available on GitHub, raising concerns about its potential misuse. Security teams are advised to monitor for Bindlink activity, unauthorized service creation, and registry modifications related to service groups and startup configurations to detect this attack vector. Microsoft has not yet issued any statements regarding patches or mitigations for this technique.

Winsage

January 12, 2026

Windows 11 File Explorer Lag: Legacy XP Feature Fix via Registry Tweak

File Explorer in Windows 11 has been reported to have performance issues, particularly delays when navigating folders with many media files or documents. This problem is linked to the auto-discovery feature, which optimizes folder display settings based on content but incurs a significant computational burden. Disabling this feature through registry modifications can lead to improved performance, with users experiencing faster navigation and reduced folder load times. Microsoft has acknowledged these issues and plans to preload File Explorer for quicker launches, but the underlying problems remain largely unaddressed. Users have shared their experiences and solutions, including registry tweaks that set folder types to "NotSpecified" to eliminate scanning overhead. Despite some incremental updates from Microsoft, many users still face core lags, prompting ongoing community-driven fixes and discussions about the need for deeper audits of legacy code.

Winsage

January 9, 2026

A Free Script Disables Built-In AI Features Across Windows 11

Windows 11 has integrated AI features, including Copilot, which is pinned to the taskbar and embedded in applications like Notepad and Paint. Users cannot universally disable these features, although individual toggles exist. A community script called RemoveWindowsAI has been created to disable Windows AI features at the system level and modify Windows Update settings to prevent reinstallation. The script targets Copilot, Recall, and their integrations, allowing users to disable all features or select specific components. It operates by making registry changes and aims to eliminate visible AI entry points while maintaining their disabled status across updates. When executed, RemoveWindowsAI removes Copilot from the taskbar, uninstalls the app, and disables AI functionalities in applications. Users run the script through Windows PowerShell 5.1, and it can be rerun to re-enable features. The tool provides a consistent experience but has limitations, as it may not address new AI features or changes from major Windows updates.

Winsage

January 9, 2026

Is turning off Windows Security a bad idea in 2026? A PC expert’s bottom line

Windows Security is a comprehensive security suite for Windows users that monitors downloads, blocks threats, and quarantines malware. Users may need to disable it temporarily to install third-party software or games that are mistakenly flagged as threats. Permanent deactivation is typically for advanced users who may replace it with another security suite, but it increases vulnerability to online threats. To temporarily disable Windows Security, users can toggle off Real-time protection in the Windows Security app. For permanent deactivation, Windows 11 Pro users can use the Local Group Policy Editor, while Home users must edit the Registry. Creating a restore point before making changes is recommended for safety. Disabling Windows Security, even temporarily, should be done with caution to avoid increased risk of infections.

Winsage

January 9, 2026

Use These Windows Registry Hacks to Tame the Disruptive Windows Updates

Many users are frustrated with Microsoft's management of Windows updates, which can disrupt workflows during critical tasks. While completely disabling updates poses security risks, users can modify the Windows Registry to regain control. To prevent automatic downloading and installation of updates, users can create a key in the Registry at HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows, naming it WindowsUpdate, and then create another key named AU. A DWORD value named AUOptions can be set to 2 to prompt for permission before updates. To stop automatic restarts during logged-in sessions, users can navigate to HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsUpdateAU and create a DWORD value named NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers, setting its value to 1. To lock Windows to a specific version and avoid feature upgrades, users can access HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsUpdate and create a DWORD value named TargetReleaseVersion set to 1, along with two String values: ProductVersion for the current version and TargetReleaseVersionInfo for the desired version. To prevent automatic driver updates, users can go to HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsUpdate and create a DWORD value named ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate, setting its value to 1. To extend the pause limit for updates beyond five weeks, users can access HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsUpdateUXSettings and create a DWORD value named FlightSettingsMaxPauseDays, setting its value to 365 or any preferred duration. These modifications allow for greater control over Windows updates, although emergency updates may still occur.

Winsage

January 8, 2026

Windows can never be an immutable OS, and that might be a problem

"Immutable" operating systems are designed with a read-only core that is updated comprehensively, allowing user data and applications to exist independently from the base system, reducing risks of corruption and configuration drift. While macOS is largely immutable, Windows cannot transition to an immutable model due to its design based on mutability, which allows for continuous modification and backward compatibility. Windows 11's flexibility leads to a cumulative change model, making it increasingly difficult to troubleshoot and maintain. Microsoft has made some improvements within the mutable framework, but challenges remain, such as dependency control and application integration. Users expect seamless updates, but Windows is perceived as high-maintenance, leading to performance issues. A truly immutable version of Windows would conflict with user expectations and require significant software rewrites. Consequently, Windows is likely to remain in a hybrid state, adopting some immutable features while still facing issues related to its mutable architecture.