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Windows 11's February update breaks File Explorer and more
Winsage
February 18, 2025

Windows 11’s February update breaks File Explorer and more

The update KB5051987 for Windows 11 24H2 aimed to enhance security and user experience but has led to numerous issues. Users have reported unresponsiveness in File Explorer, with the application freezing or failing to open. Some users experience a black desktop, and attempts at system restoration or reinstallation have not resolved the problems. Many users are unable to install the update due to persistent error messages, leading to an endless update loop. Clearing the software distribution folder may help, but patience is required. Camera functionality has also been affected, with systems failing to recognize webcams. Additional issues include performance drops during gaming, installation errors in Windows Sandbox, glitches in taskbar preview animations, and some users being unable to boot into Windows. Uninstalling the update is an option for those facing severe issues, but it leaves systems vulnerable until Microsoft addresses the problems.
Nearly 50% of Steam users are still on Windows 10 despite its death date approaching
Winsage
February 17, 2025

Nearly 50% of Steam users are still on Windows 10 despite its death date approaching

Windows 10 will no longer receive support after October 14, 2025. Currently, 42.87% of users surveyed by Valve's Steam Hardware Survey are still using Windows 10, while Windows 11 has a market share of approximately 36.6%. Windows 10 commands 60.33% of the global market share. Among Steam users, 96.55% operate on a Windows platform, with 53.46% using Windows 11. The reluctance to adopt Windows 11 is due to stringent hardware requirements and a perceived lack of compelling features.
Nearly half of Steam's users are still using Windows 10, with end of life fast approaching
Winsage
February 14, 2025

Nearly half of Steam’s users are still using Windows 10, with end of life fast approaching

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, meaning users will no longer receive free software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes. Over 40% of users are still on Windows 10, according to Steam’s January 2025 Hardware & Software Survey. The hardware requirements for Windows 11 have deterred many users from upgrading, particularly those with older processors. Operating on an unsupported OS increases risks from malware and viruses due to the lack of security updates. Discussions among gamers suggest a potential interest in alternatives like SteamOS, which Valve plans to expand to more devices, although challenges remain for desktop users.
Don't ignore Microsoft's February Patch Tuesday - it's a big one for all Windows 11 users
Winsage
February 13, 2025

Don’t ignore Microsoft’s February Patch Tuesday – it’s a big one for all Windows 11 users

Microsoft's February Patch Tuesday updates, released on February 11, include KB5051987 for Windows 11 24H2 and KB5051989 for Windows 11 23H2. The updates introduce enhancements to the Taskbar and File Explorer, including improved previews and animations for Taskbar icons, a new icon in the System Tray for Windows Studio Effects, and a new simplified Chinese font named Simsun-ExtG. A feature allowing certain applications to automatically restart after signing back in has also been added. File Explorer now includes a "New Folder" command in the context menu and can restore previously open tabs at logon. The updates fix various bugs, including issues with Auto HDR in games, playback interruptions for USB audio devices, and problems with USB audio drivers. They also address issues from the January 2025 security update, such as USB camera recognition and slower shutdown processes with connected controllers. On the security side, the update resolves 56 vulnerabilities, three of which are critical. Notable vulnerabilities include CVE-2025-21391 (file deletion), CVE-2025-21418 (remote code execution), CVE-2025-21377 (authentication spoofing), and CVE-2025-21376 (malicious code execution). The updates are set to install automatically, but users can check for updates manually through Windows Update.
Windows 10 KB5051974 update adds a new app without asking
Winsage
February 12, 2025

Windows 10 KB5051974 update adds a new app without asking

Microsoft has released the KB5051974 cumulative update for Windows operating systems versions 22H2 and 21H2, which includes essential security fixes and addresses a memory leak issue. This mandatory update introduces the new Outlook for Windows app, which can run alongside the classic version, allowing users to transition at their own pace. The update resolves several issues, including: - Fixing the code 10 error message stating, “This device cannot start,” after the January 2025 security update. - Removing automatic suggestions from Bing in the search box for alternative search engines like Baidu. - Restoring functionality for USB audio devices using a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). - Correcting a problem where USB cameras failed to recognize when powered on. - Mitigating an issue that drained virtual memory, potentially causing applications to malfunction. The classic Outlook app is set to be retired in April 2026, prompting Microsoft's push towards the new app.
Microsoft Weekly: Xbox features for PCs, useful tools for Windows 11, and more
Winsage
February 10, 2025

Microsoft Weekly: Xbox features for PCs, useful tools for Windows 11, and more

Microsoft refreshed the Windows Health Dashboard, providing updated information on known bugs affecting Windows 11 version 24H2, including a fix for users unable to modify specific date and time settings and a workaround for difficulties with Windows updates via USB or CD media. A guide was shared on restoring Dolby Digital (AC-3) support in Windows 11 version 24H2, and two debloating applications, WinScript and NoBloatbox, were introduced for system optimization and bloatware removal. This week's preview builds for Windows 11 included a significant update for MIDI and allowed users to customize widgets on their lock screens. An update for the Microsoft Store now permits users to choose which components of games to download. Optical Character Recognition has returned in the Photos app for Windows Insiders with enhancements and bug fixes. Microsoft announced the dates for its upcoming developer conference, Build 2025, scheduled for May 19-22 in Seattle, Washington. Firefox 135 was released with a redesigned new tab page and privacy enhancements, while Microsoft Edge 133 launched with an updated downloads interface and an AI-powered scareware blocker. Chrome version 134 is set to enhance picture-in-picture mode. In gaming news, several Xbox titles, including Forza Horizon 5 and Age of Mythology: Retold, are being released for PlayStation 5. EA's Criterion Games is focused on the next Battlefield installment, leaving the future of Need for Speed uncertain. Microsoft will host the first ID@Xbox showcase on February 24, 2025. Valve updated Steam to include a banner for abandoned games, and Nvidia announced new games for the GeForce NOW streaming service. The Epic Games Store is offering two free titles, and Amazon Prime members have access to several free games.
Microsoft thinks it could stop this dangerous scam forever
Tech Optimizer
February 2, 2025

Microsoft thinks it could stop this dangerous scam forever

Microsoft has launched a new ‘Scareware blocker’ feature for Edge web browsers on Windows PCs, designed to enhance user protection against tech support scams. This machine learning threat detection software identifies signs of scareware in real-time and aims to reduce the prevalence of such scams, which cost victims millions annually according to the FBI. The technology analyzes new websites and uses a SmartScreen feature for global protection, processing information locally without uploading images to the cloud. When a potential threat is detected, Edge exits full-screen mode, stops aggressive audio playback, and alerts the user. Users can report malicious sites or inaccuracies to improve the model. The feature is available to all Edge users upon updating their browser.
If your Windows 10 PC can't be upgraded, you have 5 options before time runs out
Winsage
December 17, 2024

If your Windows 10 PC can’t be upgraded, you have 5 options before time runs out

The end-of-support date for Windows 10 is October 14, 2025, after which users will not receive any updates, including security fixes. Microsoft will not extend support, and the final version, 22H2, will receive monthly security updates until that date. Users can choose to continue using Windows 10, buy new hardware, transition to a Linux distribution, pay for Extended Security Updates (ESUs), or attempt to upgrade incompatible hardware to Windows 11. ESUs are available at a cost, with pricing increasing over three years. There are methods to upgrade to Windows 11 on incompatible systems, including registry edits and using tools like Rufus.
Understand the benefits of physical replication in Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL Blue/Green Deployments
Tech Optimizer
December 13, 2024

Understand the benefits of physical replication in Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL Blue/Green Deployments

Amazon RDS introduced Blue/Green Deployments for PostgreSQL in October 2023 to facilitate major version upgrades with minimal downtime. This feature uses community logical replication for data replication between different PostgreSQL versions, but has limitations such as inability to replicate schema changes. Physical replication is now an option for RDS Blue/Green Deployments, addressing constraints of logical replication and benefiting minor version upgrades, schema changes, and storage adjustments. Physical replication is the default method for blue/green deployments unless a major version upgrade is specified, in which case logical replication is used. Key benefits of physical replication include broad engine version support, no dependency on static parameter configurations, scalability for multi-tenant databases, simplified storage adjustments, no constraints on DDL operations, faster switchover without sequence sync delays, and efficient handling of large objects. To implement physical replication, users should ensure their deployment does not require a major version upgrade and follow specific steps for creating a blue/green deployment. For PostgreSQL versions 15.3 and lower, blue/green deployments default to physical replication, as major version upgrades are not supported. Users can perform a major version upgrade by first creating a deployment with a minor version upgrade, enabling logical replication, and then executing the switchover.
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