system configurations Archives

Winsage

July 28, 2025

UpDownTool lets you move from Windows 11 to Windows 10 in just 5 clicks – without losing any data

A new application called UpDownTool allows users to revert from Windows 11 to Windows 10 without losing programs, files, drivers, or settings. Many users are dissatisfied with Windows 11 due to sluggish performance, a less intuitive interface, increased system requirements, and the removal of familiar features. Microsoft has limited options for downgrading, typically allowing a 10-day rollback period or requiring a clean install. UpDownTool simplifies the process by enabling users to transition to Windows 10 LTSC 2021 while preserving core data and configurations. Windows 10 LTSC 2021 is designed for long-term deployment and receives extended updates, with support for the IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 edition lasting until January 2032. The LTSC edition does not include preinstalled applications like the Microsoft Store and Cortana, making it appealing for users seeking a minimalist experience. UpDownTool can also repair existing Windows 10 LTSC installations or convert other editions to LTSC. Users must be cautious of licensing implications, as LTSC licenses are typically not available through consumer channels. The downgrade process involves downloading the installer and executing a batch script, with the system booting into Windows 10 LTSC 2021 upon completion. Users are advised to back up important files before proceeding.

Winsage

July 10, 2025

Windows BitLocker Bypass Vulnerability Let Attackers Bypass Security Feature

A security vulnerability, designated CVE-2025-48818, has been identified in Windows BitLocker encryption, allowing attackers to exploit a time-of-check time-of-use (TOCTOU) race condition to bypass encryption. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 6.8 and affects multiple versions of Windows, specifically targeting BitLocker Device Encryption. It requires physical access to the target system, has low attack complexity, and does not require user interaction. The affected Windows platforms include Windows 10 (versions 1607, 21H2, 22H2), Windows 11 (versions 22H2, 23H2, 24H2), and Windows Server editions (2016, 2022, 2025). Microsoft has released security updates to address this vulnerability, with key patches for specific Windows versions. System administrators are advised to install these updates and enhance physical security measures to prevent unauthorized access.

Winsage

June 24, 2025

Microsoft (MSFT) Launches a New Small Language Model Called Mu

Microsoft has introduced a small language model named Mu, designed to perform complex language tasks directly on devices like Copilot+ PCs, operating on a device's Neural Processing Unit. This model improves response times and reduces power and memory consumption compared to larger cloud-based AI models. Mu is developed using insights from Microsoft's Phi models and high-quality educational data, employing techniques such as distillation and low-rank adaptation for fine-tuning. Mu features an encoder–decoder architecture that separates input and output processes, enhancing speed and minimizing latency. It incorporates innovations like rotary positional embeddings, grouped-query attention, and dual LayerNorm. Microsoft also utilized quantization to reduce memory usage and improve speed without sacrificing accuracy, making Mu ideal for on-device applications. To enhance the AI agent in Windows Settings, Mu was fine-tuned with over 3.6 million examples, improving its ability to understand and manage system settings. The model addresses ambiguous commands and provides rapid assistance with precise multi-word commands, while maintaining a compact size that is one-tenth that of similar AI tools. Analysts on Wall Street have a positive outlook on MSFT stock, giving it a Strong Buy consensus rating based on 30 Buys and five Holds, with an average price target of 6.14 per share, indicating a potential upside of 6%.

Winsage

May 25, 2025

The Windows Performance Monitor is one of the best built-in tools you’re not using

Performance Monitor is an advanced tool in Windows 11 that provides detailed insights into system performance, allowing users to monitor resource usage in real-time. It offers various performance counters, including battery status and network adapter performance, and supports different visualization formats like line graphs and histograms. Users can display multiple graphs simultaneously and save specific settings as an HTML file for easier analysis. Additionally, Performance Monitor can generate detailed reports based on predefined Data Collector Sets, enabling tailored data collection for critical metrics such as CPU usage and processor interrupts. Users can access Performance Monitor via the Start menu or by typing "perfmon" in the Run dialog.

Winsage

May 18, 2025

Microsoft shares official guide for fixing every Windows 11/10 update download/install error

Microsoft has updated its official support article for Windows Update troubleshooting following the launch of Windows 11 24H2. The update includes new recommendations for resolving update-related challenges, such as using the built-in Windows Update Troubleshooter and clearing the Windows Update cache. To use the Windows Update Troubleshooter, users should: 1. Select Start > Settings > Update & Security. 2. Choose Troubleshoot from the left-hand menu, then click on Additional troubleshooters. 3. Select Windows Update under the Get up and running section and click Run the troubleshooter. 4. Follow the on-screen instructions. To clear the Windows Update cache, users should: 1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. 2. Locate the Windows Update service, right-click it, and select Stop. 3. Navigate to C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution and delete all files and folders within this directory. 4. Return to the Services window, right-click Windows Update, and select Start. Microsoft has also provided a list of common update-related error codes and their explanations, including: - 0x800705b4: Update took too long to install or was interrupted. - 0x80240034: Update process is stuck due to an incomplete update or connection issue. - 0x800f0922 or 0x8007000E: Unable to install the update due to insufficient disk space. - 0x800F081F, 0x80073712, or 0x80246007: Corrupted or missing system files or incomplete download. - 0x80070020: Another program or process is blocking the Windows update process. Additional error codes specific to Windows 11 include: - 0x8007000d: Issue with Windows Update files or corruption in the update cache. - 0xC1900101: Incompatible driver causing the update to fail. - 0x80070005: Access Denied error or insufficient permissions to install updates.

AppWizard

April 16, 2025

Forget FPS. Here’s why Frame Time is the PC gaming stat that matters most

Frame time measures the time interval between individual frames displayed on the screen, providing a more detailed view of frame consistency compared to frames per second (FPS). An ideal frame time for a game running at 60 FPS is 16.6 milliseconds per frame, and deviations can lead to stuttering. A frame time graph shows frame time in milliseconds on the vertical axis and frame number or recording time on the horizontal axis, with a flat line indicating optimal performance. Gamers often prefer consistent, lower FPS over fluctuating higher FPS for a better experience. Troubleshooting frame time issues involves examining CPU and GPU utilization and adjusting settings. Keeping video drivers updated is essential, and persistent issues may indicate problems with the game itself, as seen in titles like Gotham Knights and Elden Ring.

Winsage

March 24, 2025

Microsoft continues removing features from Windows Control Panel: Why?

Microsoft is gradually phasing out the Windows Control Panel, moving various system settings to the modern Settings app. Recent updates indicate that more mouse-related settings are being relocated, reinforcing this transition. While the timeline for the complete removal of the Control Panel is uncertain, the ongoing migration suggests that its disappearance is inevitable, prompting users to prepare for a full transition to the Settings app.