support documentation Archives

Winsage

August 15, 2025

Windows 11’s August update fails to install on some PCs. Here’s what you can do

Microsoft released the mandatory Windows 11 update KB5063878 for August, which includes the Quick Machine Recovery feature for remote troubleshooting of PCs. Users have reported installation issues, encountering error codes such as 0x80240069, 0x80240031, and 0x800f0922. Microsoft has acknowledged these as known errors, particularly affecting those using Windows Server Update Services (WSUS). The installation problems occur regardless of whether the system is newly installed or has been updated multiple times. Microsoft offers a temporary solution called "Known Issue Rollback" to revert the problematic update and suggests modifying the Windows registry or using a PowerShell script as a workaround. Users can also manually download the update from Microsoft's Update Catalog for immediate installation.

Winsage

August 14, 2025

Microsoft confirms CertificateServicesClient error in Windows 11 24H2, but you can ignore it

Users of Windows 11 24H2 may encounter an error message related to the CertificateServicesClient following the installation of the July 2025 non-security preview update and subsequent updates, including the August 2025 security patch. Microsoft has acknowledged that users might see an entry in the Event Viewer logs with Error ID 57, stating: “The ‘Microsoft Pluton Cryptographic Provider’ provider was not loaded because initialization failed.” This error does not affect active applications and is considered a false positive. Microsoft recognized this bug on August 11, but it could not be addressed before the mandatory Patch Tuesday update on August 12, leading to a broader impact on devices. Additionally, users have reported a separate issue causing a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) in VR gaming after repeated update reinstalls. Another issue involved the SgrmBroker service, which failed to start and generated unnecessary logs, but does not disrupt other system functions. The August 2025 Update has also introduced installation errors.

Winsage

August 12, 2025

Microsoft Extends Free Support For Edge On Windows 10 To 2028

Microsoft has announced that its Edge browser will continue to receive updates until at least October 2028, coinciding with the end-of-life of Windows 10. Users of Edge on Windows 10 will not need to purchase an Extended Security Updates (ESU) license to receive these updates, which will be available at no additional cost. To receive updates, users must be on the latest beta version or one of the three most recent stable builds of Microsoft Edge. Edge is currently the third most popular web browser, according to StatCounter.

Winsage

August 3, 2025

Microsoft Quietly Confirms It’s Killing Off A Version Of Windows 11

Microsoft will phase out support for Windows 11 SE in October 2026, with no further feature updates following version 24H2. Devices running Windows 11 SE will continue to function but will not receive software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes after this date. The Surface Laptop SE, priced at 9, will not support the full version of Windows 11.

Winsage

August 2, 2025

Microsoft is killing a special Windows 11 edition for low-cost PCs

Microsoft has announced the discontinuation of Windows 11 SE, its operating system for low-end computers, which will cease support, including software updates and technical assistance, by October 2026. Windows 11 SE will not receive the upcoming version 25H2 and will not have any feature updates after version 24H2. Users will no longer receive new features, fixes, or security patches, leaving their devices vulnerable. Windows 11 SE was designed for educational institutions and budget-conscious consumers, but it has not gained significant traction. The Surface Laptop SE, which primarily ran Windows 11 SE, has a support lifecycle ending in January 2028.

Winsage

July 29, 2025

Microsoft Windows 11 update shows up on ‘incompatible’ PCs: Should you click upgrade or beware?

Microsoft is extending Windows 11 upgrades to computers that do not meet its official minimum requirements, prompting confusion among users. Reports indicate that users are receiving upgrade prompts despite lacking essential components like TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, or a modern processor. This change raises questions about whether Microsoft is relaxing its compatibility standards or if it is a technical oversight. Users are advised to exercise caution before upgrading unsupported machines, as this may lead to issues such as failed installations, unreliable performance, and lack of future security updates or customer support.

Winsage

July 28, 2025

Microsoft confirms Windows 11 24H2 stability issues, affecting games, tests performance fixes

Microsoft has acknowledged stability issues with Windows 11 24H2, particularly after mandatory cumulative updates, leading to problems such as the Blue Screen of Death, installation errors (0x800f0922, 0x80070002, 0x80070306, 0x800f0991), unexpected reboots during gaming, taskbar freezes, misleading Windows Firewall Event 2042 warnings, and cursor lag during gaming sessions. Following updates in May 2025, users reported performance declines, including FPS drops in games like Fortnite and CS:GO, attributed to recent cumulative updates rather than GeForce drivers. Microsoft identified the root cause of these issues in update KB5062660, released on July 22, which addresses specific stability problems and introduces new features. A fix for these stability issues is expected in the August 2025 Patch Tuesday update on August 12, 2025, but KB5062660 is optional and requires manual download.

Winsage

July 27, 2025

Microsoft: Windows 11 24H2 now works with Easy Anti-Cheat (Fortnite), won’t cause BSODs anymore

Windows 11 24H2 is now available to users, with automatic updates for those on older versions like Windows 11 23H2. Initially, the update was blocked for some Intel PC users running games like Fortnite due to compatibility issues with Easy Anti-Cheat. Microsoft has resolved these compatibility concerns as of July 25, confirming that the upgrade is now accessible to all users after nearly ten months of collaboration with Epic Games. The block primarily affected Intel Alder and Intel vPro processors, and while the specific update that fixed the issues was not detailed, it is suggested to be included in the July 2025 Patch Tuesday (KB5062553). Users with Intel vPro (Core i7) systems reported that the update appeared automatically after this patch. Additionally, some users with Ryzen processors also faced similar problems, although this was not widely acknowledged. Users who experienced a Blue Screen of Death error (Memory_Management code) while installing Windows 11 24H2 with Fortnite are advised to uninstall Easy Anti-Cheat and reinstall drivers if issues persist. Support for Windows 11 23H2 will end on November 11, 2025, prompting users to prepare for the upgrade to Windows 11 24H2 proactively. The "Pause updates" feature has been reported to be unreliable, potentially allowing mandatory updates to install unexpectedly.

Winsage

July 22, 2025

Microsoft Documents How Windows Backup Will Help You Migrate to a New PC

Microsoft is introducing a new feature called “Transfer information to a new PC” within the Windows Backup utility for Windows 10 and 11. This feature allows users to automatically transfer files, settings, and preferences from an old PC to a new one. It is currently available for users who sign in with a Microsoft account and requires both PCs to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Users will launch Windows Backup on the old PC, select the transfer option, choose the destination PC, enter a one-time code, and select the data to be transferred. The transfer supports all files, including documents, photos, videos, and personalization settings. However, it does not include system and OS files, files stored in OneDrive, installed applications, saved passwords, or data on BitLocker-encrypted drives, which must be decrypted beforehand.

Winsage

July 19, 2025

Microsoft shuts down Movies & TV digital storefront on Xbox and Windows

Microsoft will discontinue its Movies & TV digital storefront on Xbox consoles and Windows devices on July 18, 2025, ending the ability to purchase new movies and TV shows through the Microsoft Store. Users will still have access to previously purchased content via the Movies & TV application on their devices. The closure will affect new entertainment content acquisitions on Microsoft.com and the Microsoft Store on Windows and Xbox, but users can continue to enjoy their existing digital libraries. The refund policy for movies and TV shows will remain unchanged, with purchases being ineligible for refunds. Content portability options are available through Movies Anywhere for U.S. residents, but direct migration to alternative services is largely unavailable. Third-party entertainment services will continue to be available on Microsoft's platforms for new content purchases. The Movies & TV storefront has been operational since 2015, evolving from earlier services. Microsoft will maintain server infrastructure for existing content libraries and provide ongoing support for previously purchased content. Content licensing agreements will dictate the availability of purchased titles.