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Winsage
July 4, 2025
Many users wish to replicate the aesthetics of Windows 10 while using Windows 11. Adjustments can be made using built-in settings without additional software: - Start menu alignment: Users can change the Start menu from center to left by navigating to Settings -> Personalization -> Taskbar -> Taskbar behaviors. - Classic File Explorer: Users can access the classic File Explorer interface by pressing the Windows key and searching for Windows Tools, then clicking on Home or This PC. - Return app labels: Users can enable app labels on the taskbar by going to Settings -> Personalization -> Taskbar -> Taskbar behaviors and selecting Never next to “Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels.” - Always show scrollbars: Users can make scrollbars always visible by navigating to Settings -> Accessibility -> Visual Effects and toggling on the “Always show scrollbars” option. - Change the color scheme: Users can modify the color scheme by going to Settings -> Personalization -> Colors, selecting Custom for “Choose your mode,” and opting for Dark for “Choose your Windows mode.” - Desktop icons: Users can restore legacy desktop icons by navigating to Settings -> Personalization -> Themes and clicking on Desktop icon settings. These adjustments help create a Windows 10-like experience within Windows 11.
Winsage
July 3, 2025
Microsoft temporarily halted the rollout of June's Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11 due to user complaints and issued an emergency patch. A new issue has arisen with the Print to PDF feature on Windows 11 24H2, where the option is missing from the Settings app and cannot be activated via PowerShell, primarily affecting corporate users. Microsoft is working on a solution through the optional preview update KB5060829, which has also introduced performance problems, including cursor delays in games and erratic Windows Firewall behavior. Users are advised to consider postponing the installation of KB5060829 and may roll back the update if they encounter issues.
Winsage
June 30, 2025
Microsoft has announced that Windows 11 25H2 is forthcoming, serving as a feature enablement update rather than a complete overhaul, sharing the same underlying source code as Windows 11 24H2. Windows Insiders have already gained early access to 25H2, which will introduce additional features activated through an enablement package. Jason Leznek, Principal Project Manager for Windows Servicing and Delivery, noted the seamless compatibility between the two versions, advising a focus on new features rather than a comprehensive review of the operating system. Windows 11 24H2 has faced various issues since its release in 2024, leading to compatibility holds from Microsoft. A significant change in Windows 11 25H2 includes the retirement of the Blue Screen of Death (BSoD), which will be replaced by a black "unexpected restart" screen, while still allowing users to view the stop error code. Microsoft is also introducing quick recovery options for PCs that have trouble restarting and enhancing its security framework by allowing antivirus and endpoint protection vendors to operate in user mode outside of the Windows kernel. The BSoD replacement is expected to roll out on Windows 11 24H2 devices over the summer and will be a key feature of Windows 11 25H2. Additionally, the Windows endpoint security platform will enter private preview in July.
Winsage
June 28, 2025
Transitioning from Windows to macOS can create nostalgia for the Windows interface, but many professionals still need access to Windows for work. Older machines may hinder performance, but improvements can be made without new hardware. To enhance the performance of an aging Windows PC: 1. Restart the system regularly to clear memory leaks and unresponsive processes. 2. Turn off visual effects to improve responsiveness, especially on older machines. 3. Delete unnecessary files and applications to free up storage space. 4. Uninstall third-party antivirus software in favor of Microsoft Defender, which is resource-efficient. 5. Disable unnecessary startup programs to enhance boot times and system responsiveness. 6. Close multiple browser windows and tabs to conserve RAM. 7. Regularly update the Windows operating system for speed and stability improvements.
Winsage
June 25, 2025
Microsoft is facing challenges due to a system takeover attack and a secure boot bypass vulnerability affecting Windows users. They have advised users to update their systems immediately. However, Windows 11 version 24H2 users may experience issues with the "Scan for Updates" function, particularly if they have not installed the May non-security preview update, KB5058499. Microsoft recommends installing KB5058499 or the KB5062324 configuration update, which is being rolled out gradually. Users can check for updates by adjusting their settings and restarting their systems.
Winsage
June 24, 2025
Microsoft is releasing a configuration update, KB5062324, to fix Windows Update failures on certain Windows 11 systems running version 24H2 that have not installed the May Windows non-security preview update or later. This update addresses an issue causing the Windows update scan to stop responding, with a permanent solution available in the May update (KB5058499) and later versions. Users can install KB5062324 by enabling 'Get the latest updates as soon as they're available' in Settings > Windows Update, followed by a system restart and checking for updates. The update is being rolled out gradually, so users may need to try multiple times to receive it. Recently, Microsoft also addressed a bug related to feature updates and acknowledged issues with unintended upgrades to Windows Server 2025 on certain devices. The company aims to unify the updating process for all software on PCs through a new orchestration platform.
Winsage
June 17, 2025
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 13, 2025
Microsoft is addressing an issue with Surface Hub v1 devices running Windows 10, version 22H2, where users encounter Secure Boot errors after installing the KB5060533 security update released in June 2025. The error message states: 'Secure Boot Violation. Invalid signature detected. Check Secure Boot Policy in Setup.' This issue is specific to Surface Hub v1 and does not affect Surface Hub 2S and Surface Hub 3 models. Microsoft implemented a mitigation strategy on July 11, 2025, to prevent further startup failures on additional Surface Hub v1 devices. The KB5060533 update aimed to fix issues with Hyper-V virtual machines and was part of a larger rollout addressing 66 vulnerabilities, including critical ones related to WebDAV and Windows SMB. Additionally, an emergency update for Windows 11 (KB5063060) was released to fix an incompatibility with Easy Anti-Cheat causing BSOD errors.
Tech Optimizer
June 12, 2025
To uninstall Avast Free Antivirus from a Windows computer, first disable the Self-Defense mode by opening Avast, clicking on Menu, selecting Settings, choosing General, then Troubleshooting, and unchecking the box next to Enable Self-Defense. Confirm the change by clicking OK. Next, open the Control Panel, select Programs and Features, find Avast Free Antivirus, click Uninstall, confirm by selecting Uninstall again, and then click Yes in the confirmation window. The uninstallation process will begin and may take some time. After completion, restart the computer to finalize the uninstallation.
Winsage
June 11, 2025
Microsoft addressed a significant issue with Windows Server 2025 domain controllers that made some servers unreachable after a restart, affecting applications and services reliant on them. The problem was due to servers loading the standard firewall profile instead of the intended domain firewall profile after a reboot, leading to improper network traffic management. This misconfiguration caused accessibility challenges for services and applications on affected servers. Microsoft released the KB5060842 security update to resolve this issue during the June 2025 Patch Tuesday. A temporary workaround involves manually restarting the network adapter on affected servers using the Restart-NetAdapter * PowerShell command, which must be done after each reboot until the update is installed. Additionally, Microsoft fixed another issue preventing some users from logging into accounts via Windows Hello after the installation of the KB5055523 April 2025 security update.
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