Registry Editor Archives

Winsage

June 18, 2025

What version of Windows is on your PC? Here’s how to find out

To check your Windows version and build number, you can use the following methods: 1. Winver Tool: Type “winver” in the taskbar search bar and select the command to display your version and build number in a pop-up window. 2. Windows Settings: Go to the start menu, select “Settings,” then navigate to “System” and click on “About” to find your version and build number under “Windows specifications.” 3. Registry Database: Type “regedit” in the taskbar search field, open the Registry Editor, and navigate to HKEYLOCALMACHINE->SOFTWARE->Microsoft->Windows NT->CurrentVersion to find the version number under “ReleaseId” and “DisplayVersion.”

Winsage

June 17, 2025

5 registry tweaks I made to instantly speed up my Windows PC

Disabling animations and visual effects can improve the responsiveness of Windows 11. To disable visual effects, navigate to HKEYCURRENTUSERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerVisualEffects, create a DWORD value named VisualFXSettings, and set its value to 2. To allocate fewer resources to background apps, go to ComputerHKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionMultimediaSystemProfile, double-click on SystemResponsiveness, and change the Base Decimal value from 20 to 10. To speed up shutdown, navigate to ComputerHKEYLOCALMACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControl, double-click on WaitToKillServiceTimeout, and set the value from 5,000 milliseconds to 2,000 milliseconds. To reduce startup delays, go to HKEYCURRENTUSERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorer, create a new key named Serialize, then create a DWORD (32-bit) Value named StartupDelayInMSec and set its value to 0. To prioritize applications and enhance system responsiveness, navigate to HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionMultimediaSystemProfile, double-click on SystemResponsiveness, and adjust it from 14 to 10.

Winsage

June 14, 2025

6 registry tweaks every tech-savvy user must apply on Windows 11

Windows 11 provides customization tools such as the Settings app, Control Panel, and Group Policy Editor, but advanced users often utilize the Registry Editor for deeper control. Key Registry tweaks include: 1. Disable the Home page in Settings: Modify the Registry to revert the Settings app to open directly to the "System" section instead of the "Home" page by creating a string value named SettingsPageVisibility and setting it to hide:home. 2. Disable automatic Windows Update: Prevent automatic downloads and installations by creating a key named WindowsUpdate under Policies, then a subkey AU, and a DWORD value NoAutoUpdate set to 1. 3. Disable the Lock Screen experience: Expedite the sign-in process by creating a key named Personalization and a DWORD value Nolockscreen set to 1. 4. Enable automatic Registry backup: Restore automatic Registry backups by creating a DWORD value EnablePeriodicBackup set to 1 and scheduling a task to run daily for backup. Editing the Registry carries risks, and it is advised to back up the PC before making changes.

Winsage

May 17, 2025

Why Windows 10 PCs are locking up and crashing after May update

Microsoft will end update support for Windows 10 in October 2025, but new patches are still being released. The latest cumulative update, KB5058379, has caused issues for users, especially those with devices from Dell, Lenovo, and HP. Microsoft is aware of the problems and has not yet deployed a fix as of May 16, but has provided a temporary workaround. For users affected by the BitLocker bug, Microsoft Support recommends the following steps to regain access: 1. Disable Secure Boot in BIOS/Firmware settings. 2. If issues persist, disable all virtualization technologies in BIOS/Firmware settings. 3. Check the Microsoft Defender System Guard Firmware Protection Status via Registry Editor or GUI method. 4. If firmware protection settings are restricted by Group Policy, disable them using Group Policy Editor or Registry Editor. A system restart is required for these changes to take effect, and these workarounds should only be temporary until a patched update is released. Disabling certain BIOS settings may compromise system security.

Winsage

May 16, 2025

Microsoft released one of its final updates for Windows 10 — and it has broken things

Microsoft is winding down support for Windows 10 this October and has released update KB5058379, which has caused unexpected BitLocker recovery prompts for some users after a restart. This issue has been confirmed by Microsoft representatives on forums, although it is not mentioned in the update's release notes. The problem predominantly affects devices from manufacturers like Dell, HP, and Lenovo, and the specific cause is unclear. Microsoft has provided workarounds, including disabling Secure Boot and virtualization technologies, checking Microsoft Defender System Guard Firmware Protection status, and disabling firmware protection via Group Policy or Registry Editor.

Winsage

May 16, 2025

Windows 10 KB5058379 update triggering BitLocker Recovery after install

The Windows 10 KB5058379 cumulative update, released on May 13, 2025, has caused unexpected BitLocker recovery prompts for some users after installation and reboot. Reports indicate that affected devices, including those from Lenovo, Dell, and HP, automatically boot into the Windows Recovery Environment and display the BitLocker recovery screen. Users have experienced various issues, such as needing BitLocker keys to start up or devices refusing to start. A workaround involves disabling Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) in the BIOS. Microsoft has not publicly acknowledged the issue but support representatives are aware and working on a resolution. Microsoft has provided steps to resolve the issue, including disabling Secure Boot and virtualization technologies, checking Microsoft Defender System Guard Firmware Protection status, and disabling firmware protection via Group Policy or Registry Editor.

Winsage

May 12, 2025

Windows 11 gets a new context menu item, and people already want it removed

Microsoft has added an "Ask Copilot" option to the context menu in Windows 11 as part of update 1.25044.93.0, allowing users to right-click on a file and send it to Copilot for insights. Users have expressed dissatisfaction with this addition, citing an already crowded context menu, and some have found ways to remove the feature via a registry edit. The feature aims to boost the usage of Copilot, which has reportedly plateaued, by keeping it visible to users.

Winsage

May 12, 2025

Do these five important things after installing Windows 11

- After setting up Windows 11, it is recommended to back up your BitLocker key to prevent access issues, as drives are encrypted by default without user notification. - To back up the BitLocker key, sign in to your Microsoft Account, navigate to the "Devices" tab, and manage recovery keys. - Context menus in Windows 11 can be cleaned up by uninstalling unnecessary applications or modifying the system registry to remove unwanted entries. - The "End Task" feature can be enabled by navigating to Settings > System > For developers and toggling on the feature. - To reduce notifications and ads, users can disable various settings in the Personalization and Privacy & Security sections of the Settings app. - OneDrive auto-backup is enabled by default, and users can disable it by accessing OneDrive settings and turning off backup options.

Winsage

May 9, 2025

How to upgrade your ‘incompatible’ Windows 10 PC to Windows 11

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will stop providing security updates for Windows 10 unless users enroll in the Extended Security Updates program. Upgrading to Windows 11 may be difficult for PCs older than five or six years due to strict compatibility requirements, including a CPU on the approved list and a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. Users may encounter error messages if their hardware does not meet these criteria. There are workarounds for some users, particularly those with PCs designed for Windows 10, but older devices, especially with AMD processors, may face significant challenges. To upgrade, users must ensure their PC is configured to start with UEFI, supports Secure Boot, and has an enabled TPM. A registry edit can allow bypassing CPU checks and accepting older TPM versions. Alternatively, a clean installation of Windows 11 can be performed using installation media, which bypasses CPU compatibility checks but still requires TPM and Secure Boot support. Microsoft has introduced new restrictions with the Windows 11 version 24H2 update, requiring CPUs to support specific instructions (SSE4.2 and PopCnt). For those opting to use the Rufus utility to create installation media, it is essential to use version 4.6 or later to bypass compatibility checks. Users must download the Windows 11 ISO, prepare a USB drive, and follow specific steps to initiate the upgrade process.

Winsage

May 6, 2025

BitLocker is Locking Out Windows 11 Users; Here’s How to Recover and Prevent It

Microsoft's Windows 11 24H2 update enables BitLocker (Device Encryption) by default, encrypting the entire drive to protect user data. BitLocker is automatically activated during a clean installation when users sign in with a Microsoft account, and manufacturers will have it enabled by default on new PCs with this version. Microsoft has relaxed certain hardware requirements to increase accessibility. Users have reported being locked out of their PCs due to a lack of communication about BitLocker's activation process. The BitLocker recovery key can be found by signing into the Microsoft account linked to the PC at account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey. To disable BitLocker, Windows 11 Home users can go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Device Encryption, while Pro users can search for Manage BitLocker in the Start menu. To prevent automatic BitLocker encryption during installation, users can modify settings in the Registry Editor.