rendering Archives

Winsage

August 18, 2025

Windows 11 Latest Update: More Critical Issues Now Emerging, Report Claims

The Windows 11 update (KB5063878) released on August 12 has caused significant issues, particularly with solid-state drives (SSDs) failing after large data writes. Initially, installation errors were reported mainly among enterprise users, but concerns have since spread to home users as well. An emergency update was issued to address the problems. Users have experienced SSDs becoming non-functional during substantial file transfers, with reports of drives disappearing from the operating system and SMART data becoming unreadable. Experts suggest the failures may be linked to a storage driver or kernel-level regression in the update that mishandles long sequential writes, potentially causing controller lock-ups. Users are advised to avoid long sequential write operations, especially on affected drives.

Winsage

August 18, 2025

Microsoft’s Windows Update ‘Failure’—Do Not Save These Files

Microsoft's recent Windows 11 update has been linked to multiple SSD failures, particularly during large data writes, causing drives to become non-functional. Users have reported that affected drives "disappear from the OS," making SMART data unreadable, and leading to potential file corruption due to a suspected malfunction in the drive cache. SSDs with over 60% usage may be particularly susceptible after about 50GB of continuous writing, with issues also observed in some HDDs. SSDs utilizing Phison NAND controllers, especially DRAM-less models, are noted to be more prone to these problems. The affected SSDs include Corsair Force MP600, Phison PS5012-E12 controller-equipped SSD, KIOXIA EXCERIA PLUS G4, Fikwot FN955, and SanDisk Extreme PRO M.2 NVMe 3D SSD. The root cause may be a storage driver or kernel-level regression introduced with the update, which mishandles long sequential writes. Users are advised to avoid executing long sequential write operations until Microsoft provides official guidance.

Winsage

August 17, 2025

Windows 11’s Latest Security Update Is Reportedly Causing Several SSD Failures When Writing a Large Number of Files at Once

The latest Windows 11 update, specifically the 'KB5063878' security update, has caused significant issues for solid-state drives (SSDs) with Phison controllers, rendering them non-functional after large data writes. Users have reported that after approximately 50GB of continuous writing, the operating system fails to recognize the SSD, making the drive's partition inaccessible upon reboot. Affected SSD models include Corsair Force MP600, Phison PS5012-E12, KIOXIA EXCERIA PLUS G4, Fikwot FN955, and SanDisk Extreme PRO M.2 NVMe 3D SSD. Preliminary analysis suggests that a storage driver or kernel-level regression introduced with the update may be mishandling long sequential writes, leading to controller lock-ups. Users are advised to avoid long sequential write operations, especially if their drives are among those listed or utilize Phison controllers.

Winsage

August 15, 2025

I replaced my Windows PC with Lenovo’s SteamOS handheld – and didn’t regret it

Lenovo has launched the Legion Go S, a handheld gaming device running on SteamOS, priced at 9. It features an 8-inch display, ergonomic design with textured grips, and hall-effect analog sticks. The device is powered by an AMD Ryzen Z2 Go processor, AMD Radeon GPU, and 16GB of RAM, performing well with lightweight games but struggling with demanding AAA titles. Battery life lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes for intensive gameplay and about two hours for lighter games. The Legion Go S competes with the Steam Deck, offering a touchscreen and 120Hz refresh rate, while the Steam Deck has a 7.4-inch OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate and is lighter at 1.4 pounds compared to the Legion Go S at 1.62 pounds.

AppWizard

August 15, 2025

Minecraft Snapshot 25W33A Patch Notes – Minecraft Guide

Snapshot 25W33A introduces several features in Minecraft Java Edition, including: - The End dimension now has a skylight that produces occasional purple light flashes. - Iron Golems can plant decorative flowers on Copper Golems, which can be removed with Shears. When a Copper Golem becomes a Copper Golem Statue Block, the flower drops. - Unsent chat messages are saved as drafts if the chat closes unexpectedly, and players can restore these drafts upon reopening the chat. - Players in the game world are displayed in the Social Interactions screen, even if offline. - Shelf updates include central rendering of items and adjusted item sizes for better fit. - Players can initiate chat while inside a Nether Portal, with the chat remaining open if they were chatting before the transport.

AppWizard

August 15, 2025

Epic Games adds Easy Anti-Cheat for ARM devices — Feature unlocks support for Windows, Linux, and Switch 2

Epic Games has introduced ARM compatibility for its Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) system, as noted in the patch notes for EOS 1.17.1.3-CL44532354, benefiting both Windows and Linux-based ARM operating systems. Game developers are encouraged to update EAC to the latest version to utilize this compatibility. EAC's support for Linux ARM devices is significant, especially with Valve's integration of ARM support for Proton. Easy Anti-Cheat is now among the few anti-cheat solutions available for ARM versions of Windows 11, alongside Battleye, Denuvo, and Wellbia Uncheater. Additionally, the update includes official compatibility for the Nintendo Switch 2, allowing developers to adapt their existing EOS SDK for the new hardware with minimal changes. Microsoft is also enhancing the gaming experience on ARM PCs with improved anti-cheat support and the Prism x86 to ARM emulation tool, as well as introducing Auto SR for better performance.

Winsage

August 14, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27924 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27924 has been released to the Canary Channel, with ISOs now available for download. New features include the rollout of Copilot+ PC experiences, which will gradually introduce improvements to Windows Search and Settings. Advanced settings have been redesigned, now allowing users to enable long paths, manage virtual workspaces, and view Git information in File Explorer. Changes include adjustments to the pointer indicator and a temporary change in the keyboard shortcut for it. The Windows MIDI Services have undergone a breaking change requiring updates for applications using the MIDI 2.0 SDK. Fixes have been made for issues related to upgrades, widgets, remote desktop, and webauth.dll crashes. Known issues include problems with Windows Hello PIN and Group Policy Editor. An update for the Snipping Tool introduces window mode screen recording. Insiders are reminded that Canary Channel builds are early development versions and may not align with future Windows releases.

AppWizard

August 14, 2025

Japan’s PC gaming population has decreased by 3 million in the past decade, studies suggest

The Famitsu Game Hakusho 2025 report indicates that the Japanese gaming market grew by 3.4% from 2023 to 2024, reaching 2,396 billion yen. The domestic gamer population has decreased to 54.7 million from 55.5 million the previous year. Mobile gaming leads with 42.77 million users, followed by console gamers at 29.51 million, and PC gamers at 14.52 million. Although active PC gamers increased slightly from 14.45 million to 14.52 million in 2024, this number is down from 17.49 million in 2015. Console users rose from 26.12 million to 29.51 million, and mobile users increased from 14.11 million to 42.77 million over the same period. The PC gaming population has not surpassed 17.49 million since 2015, and hardware pricing has significantly increased, with a 40% rise in pre-built desktop PC prices over six years. JEITA reported a decline in domestic PC shipments, with 6.667 million units sold in 2023, marking a 2.9% decrease and the lowest sales since 2007. The global PC gaming landscape is shifting towards gacha and free-to-play games, leading players to prefer mobile devices.

Winsage

August 12, 2025

Windows 11 KB5063878 (24H2) boosts performance, direct download links (.msu)

Windows 11 KB5063878 is a mandatory update that introduces features such as Quick Machine Recovery, improved stability, and enhanced system performance. The update will automatically download and install, identified as the 2025-08 Cumulative Update for Windows 11 Version 24H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5063878), advancing systems to Windows 11 Build 26100.4946. It addresses stability issues reported after the May 2025 updates, particularly in gaming scenarios. Direct download links for offline installers (.msu) are available on the Microsoft Update Catalog. The update includes a new Settings UI with an AI-powered search bar, enhancements for handheld gaming, a redesigned Black Screen of Death (BSOD), and Quick Machine Recovery for unbootable systems. Users in Europe with Copilot+ PCs gain new AI features like Recall, which can be disabled through Privacy & Security settings. Fixes in this update include resolving Windows Firewall errors, issues with the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS), visibility problems in File Explorer, and bugs affecting the Settings app and laptop lid options. Microsoft is unaware of any current issues with the update and will continue testing.

Winsage

August 11, 2025

Win-DoS’ Zero-Click Exploit Could Weaponize Windows Infrastructure for DDoS Attacks

Security researchers have identified a "zero-click" denial-of-service (DoS) exploit that can covertly turn Microsoft Windows Domain Controllers (DCs) into a global botnet. DDoS attacks increased by 56% year-over-year in late 2024, with Cloudflare blocking an attack that peaked at 7.3 Tbps in 2025. The average minute of downtime from these attacks costs businesses approximately ,000, with incidents for small and midsize firms exceeding 0,000. The exploit, known as Win-DDoS, leverages the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) client in Windows, allowing DCs to automatically target victim servers through LDAP referrals without user interaction. This results in thousands of DCs inadvertently overwhelming a target with TCP traffic. Four vulnerabilities (CVEs) related to this exploit were disclosed to Microsoft in March 2025 and addressed in subsequent patch releases in June and July 2025. These vulnerabilities include: - CVE-2025-32724: LSASS (LDAP client) - None needed, causes memory exhaustion/DC crash, patched June 2025. - CVE-2025-26673: NetLogon (RPC) - None needed, causes TorpeDoS memory crash, patched May 2025. - CVE-2025-49716: NetLogon (RPC) - None needed, causes Stateless RPC DoS, patched July 2025. - CVE-2025-49722: Print Spooler (RPC) - Authenticated user needed, causes any Windows endpoint crash, patched July 2025. The vulnerabilities indicate significant architectural flaws in the LDAP client’s referral logic and RPC interfaces. SafeBreach advises administrators to apply patches promptly and limit DC exposure to the Internet. The emergence of Win-DDoS marks a shift in attack strategies, utilizing legitimate servers for amplification without leaving malware traces, complicating detection and response efforts. Enterprises are urged to enhance their threat models and implement DoS hardening measures.