reinstallation Archives

Winsage

January 11, 2026

Microsoft Permits Admins to Uninstall Copilot With Conditions

Microsoft has introduced a policy allowing Windows administrators to remove the Microsoft Copilot app from managed devices running supported Windows 11 builds (Enterprise, Pro, and Education versions). This ability is not available for consumer devices or managed Home PCs. The app can only be uninstalled if it was pre-installed by Microsoft and has not been accessed in the past 28 days. Administrators can find the setting in the Group Policy Editor under User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows AI > Remove Microsoft Copilot App. Organizations can reinstall Copilot if needed. The policy aims to provide greater control over AI integration in response to user feedback and compliance considerations.

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 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.

Winsage

December 29, 2025

Windows 11’s Point-in-Time Restore: A Quiet Safety Net for When Things Go Wrong

Windows 11 Point-in-Time Restore is a recovery feature that captures snapshots of the system's state, including system files, applications, settings, and user data, allowing users to revert to a recent stable state when issues arise. It operates automatically once activated, using Volume Shadow Copy technology for comprehensive backups. The feature can quickly reverse changes made within the last 72 hours, addressing problems like faulty driver installations without requiring a complete reinstallation of Windows. However, it has limitations, such as storing restore points locally for a maximum of 72 hours, not recovering long-deleted files, and requiring significant storage space. To enable it, users must use ViveTool to unlock the feature, configure settings for snapshot frequency and retention, and access restore options through the Windows Recovery Environment if needed. It is particularly useful for casual users who frequently modify their systems but may not suffice for power users needing comprehensive backup solutions.

Winsage

December 22, 2025

Steam Client Officially Moves to 64-bit on Windows 11 and Windows 10

Valve has officially concluded support for the 32-bit Steam application on Windows 10 and Windows 11 as of December 19. Updates for the 32-bit Steam client will continue until January 1, 2026. Users are encouraged to migrate to 64-bit operating systems, as the number of users on 32-bit systems is low. Those remaining on a 32-bit OS will need to upgrade their hardware or reinstall a 64-bit operating system to continue accessing the official Steam Client. The gaming community may create unofficial backports for 32-bit builds, but using older software carries security risks. Valve ceased support for Windows 7 SP1 x64 and Windows 8.x x64 in early 2024.

Winsage

December 19, 2025

Automatically Remove AI Features From Windows 11

The 'Remove Windows AI' project on GitHub, developed by zoicware, aims to simplify the process of disabling AI features in Windows 11 for users who find them unwelcome. It requires a Windows 11 system running at least version 25H2 and a PowerShell script with Administrator privileges to manipulate the Windows Registry and prevent Windows Update from reversing changes. The script automates the disabling of features such as Copilot, Recall, AI Actions, and integrations within applications like Edge and Paint. A graphical user interface (GUI) is also available for easier toggling of settings. The project includes a custom package to prevent the reinstallation of removed components and provides a list for manually toggling settings that cannot be disabled automatically. Alternatives for further customization include Winaero Tweaker and Open-Shell, which offers a Windows 2000-style start menu.

AppWizard

December 18, 2025

What replaced secret conversations? Is Messenger encrypted?

Facebook Messenger has discontinued its “secret conversations” feature as part of its transition to default end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for eligible one-on-one chats. E2EE now protects personal messages and media shared within those conversations, including audio and video calls, while standard encryption is still used for business chats, Marketplace messages, and community chats. E2EE on Messenger utilizes the Signal Protocol for message encryption and the Labyrinth Protocol for encrypting messaging history across devices. Users can verify E2EE status by checking chat settings and can manage their E2EE conversations through the app's privacy settings. Disappearing messages remain available, and while Messenger shares E2EE features with WhatsApp and Signal, it currently applies this encryption solely to personal, one-on-one chats.

Winsage

December 10, 2025

This Nuke Microsoft Windows 11 AI Tool Has Gone Viral

In July, rumors about a hack involving the Amazon Ring doorbell were found to be unfounded. In October, a significant leak of Gmail passwords affected 183 million accounts. A developer named zoicware created a tool called "RemoveWindowsAI" that aims to eliminate Microsoft Windows 11's AI features, including Copilot and Recall, to enhance user experience, privacy, and security. The tool disables Windows registry keys, turns off AI functionalities, and prevents the reinstallation of AI packages through a custom Windows Update package. Although the script cannot disable all features, a guide is provided for manual removal. Users are advised to exercise caution when using the script, which is open-source, and to create backups beforehand. The community on X has reacted with humor and skepticism, with some users suggesting alternative solutions. Inquiries to Microsoft regarding the script received no response.

Winsage

December 8, 2025

Script to Nuke AI Features from Windows 11 Goes Viral Amid Privacy Backlash

A script named "RemoveWindowsAI," hosted on GitHub by developer zoicware, allows users to disable or remove AI features in Windows 11, such as Copilot and Recall. It modifies registry keys, removes AppX packages, and installs a custom update package to prevent reinstallation. The tool supports Windows 11 versions starting from 25H2 and includes options for user interaction and backups. Interest in the script increased significantly after a post on X, leading to over 12,000 likes and 300,000 views. The repository has received 938 stars and 25 forks. Microsoft has integrated AI features into Windows 11 but faces user concerns regarding privacy and performance, with some users expressing dissatisfaction over resource consumption and data harvesting.

Tech Optimizer

December 7, 2025

How to find and remove viruses on your Windows PC – 12 free methods that I can attest to

Modern antivirus solutions have reduced PC infections, but risks persist as cybercriminals develop stealthy methods to infiltrate systems. Signs of infection include unfamiliar programs, missing files, slow performance, and disabled security settings. If infection is suspected, disconnect from the internet, boot into Safe Mode, and run a full system scan with Windows Security or Microsoft Defender. To enhance cybersecurity post-infection, users should clear temporary files, reset browser settings, uninstall suspicious applications, scan external drives, keep Windows updated, use strong passwords, and verify sources before engaging with links or attachments. Tools like VirusTotal can help scan files from unverified sources. If performance issues continue, a complete reinstallation of Windows 11 may be necessary, ensuring essential files are backed up first.