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Windows 11’s Point-in-Time Restore: A Quiet Safety Net for When Things Go Wrong
Winsage
December 29, 2025

Windows 11’s Point-in-Time Restore: A Quiet Safety Net for When Things Go Wrong

Windows 11 Point-in-Time Restore is a recovery feature that captures snapshots of the system's state, including system files, applications, settings, and user data, allowing users to revert to a recent stable state when issues arise. It operates automatically once activated, using Volume Shadow Copy technology for comprehensive backups. The feature can quickly reverse changes made within the last 72 hours, addressing problems like faulty driver installations without requiring a complete reinstallation of Windows. However, it has limitations, such as storing restore points locally for a maximum of 72 hours, not recovering long-deleted files, and requiring significant storage space. To enable it, users must use ViveTool to unlock the feature, configure settings for snapshot frequency and retention, and access restore options through the Windows Recovery Environment if needed. It is particularly useful for casual users who frequently modify their systems but may not suffice for power users needing comprehensive backup solutions.
See all the Windows 11 features that Microsoft has been testing so far in November — before the next big update
Winsage
November 27, 2025

See all the Windows 11 features that Microsoft has been testing so far in November — before the next big update

Microsoft has begun rolling out new features for Windows 11, including previews for versions 25H2 and 26H1, specifically build 28000.1199. Key updates include: 1. Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE): This feature is being tested for all PCs with build 26220.7271, transforming the desktop into a console-like interface and reducing memory consumption by approximately 2GB. Users can activate it via Settings > Gaming > Full screen experience, and it requires enrollment in the Xbox Insider program. 2. Point-in-time Restore: This feature allows users to revert their computer to a previous state, recovering from issues like buggy updates or malware. It uses the Volume Shadow Copy Service to create restore points and is enabled by default on devices with a minimum of 200GB storage running Home and Pro editions. Users can manage it via Settings > Recovery > Point-in-time. 3. Voice Typing with Fluid Dictation: The Fluid Dictation feature is now integrated into Voice Typing, automatically correcting grammar and punctuation. It is enabled by default on Copilot+ PCs. 4. Microsoft Store App Uninstall Option: An "Uninstall" option for apps is now available in the Microsoft Store through the app's context menu on the "Library" page.
Microsoft's new recovery tools rebuild Windows when it glitches
Winsage
November 19, 2025

Microsoft’s new recovery tools rebuild Windows when it glitches

Microsoft has announced two new tools for enhancing Windows PC recovery capabilities within organizations: point-in-time restore and cloud rebuild. Point-in-time restore allows users to revert their system to a previous state by taking snapshots of the Windows environment at various intervals, facilitating recovery from issues like update failures and driver conflicts. This feature will be available for testing by Windows insiders in an upcoming build. Cloud rebuild enables IT administrators to restore the operating system directly from the cloud, similar to the existing Reset feature. Administrators can select the Windows version and language through the Microsoft Intune portal, prompting the PC to download the necessary installation media. This tool resets Windows while allowing for the restoration of personal files, applications, and settings using OneDrive and Windows Backup for Organizations. Both tools are designed for businesses using Microsoft Intune and are expected to be integrated into Intune in the first half of 2026 as part of Microsoft's Windows Resiliency Initiative. Additionally, Microsoft is introducing Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) to address boot-up problems and enhance Windows driver resilience.
Windows 11 gets new Cloud Rebuild, Point-in-Time Restore tools
Winsage
November 19, 2025

Windows 11 gets new Cloud Rebuild, Point-in-Time Restore tools

Microsoft introduced two recovery features for Windows 11 at the Ignite developer conference: Cloud Rebuild and Point-in-Time Restore (PITR). PITR allows users to revert a Windows 11 system to a previous stable state in minutes by capturing comprehensive snapshots of the system, restoring the operating system, settings, and files. This feature will enter preview with an upcoming Windows 11 Insider preview build. Cloud Rebuild enables complete reinstallation of Windows 11 from the cloud for devices with persistent issues, using the Intune portal for selection of the Windows release and language. It employs Autopilot for zero-touch provisioning and streamlines user data restoration through OneDrive and Windows Backup for Organizations, reducing downtime significantly. Both features will be integrated into Microsoft Intune in the first half of 2026, allowing remote recovery actions and management of Windows Recovery Environment functionalities. Additionally, Microsoft is testing an updated version of Quick Machine Recovery (QMR), which helps resolve Windows boot failures without physical access. QMR engages the Windows Recovery Environment during boot failures, analyzes crash data, and allows Microsoft to implement remote fixes. The latest version improves the boot-repair process by conducting a single scan to resolve issues.
PC Matic Pricing and Review 2025
Tech Optimizer
October 31, 2025

PC Matic Pricing and Review 2025

PC Matic features a whitelisting security model and robust protection against fileless malware, which embeds in legitimate programs to evade detection. It offers various scanning options: full scan, quick scan, selective scan, and scheduled scans, with competitive scan durations. The software is compatible with multiple operating systems, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, although the free version is limited to Windows. Automated updates monitor and install updates for all applications and drivers to enhance security. PC Matic includes a VPN service with AES-256 encryption and a no-logs policy, supporting up to 10 devices. Dark web monitoring alerts users to potential identity theft by scanning for personally identifiable information. It features ad blocking to filter intrusive ads and includes optimization tools like registry cleaning, junk file removal, and performance benchmarks, though these tools are only available for Windows devices.
4 reasons why you might want to roll back to a previous Windows update
Winsage
October 9, 2025

4 reasons why you might want to roll back to a previous Windows update

Microsoft’s August 2025 update (version KB5063878) caused significant issues for Phison-branded drives, leading to data loss, drive disappearance, and permanent corruption, attributed to a pre-release firmware issue. The 2018 Windows 10 update (version 1809) also resulted in users losing large amounts of files. Smaller problems, such as performance issues with gaming due to a new security feature in Windows 11, are common after updates. Compatibility issues, like the TPM 2.0 requirement, can force users to upgrade hardware. Updates can lead to performance problems, including slow application launches and crashes. Rolling back updates is often a solution, and users are advised to back up important files and create a System Restore snapshot before doing so.
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