temporary solution Archives

Winsage

June 13, 2025

Data Doctors: How to work safely in a Windows 10 environment when security updates stop

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, ceasing all security updates, bug fixes, and technical support. Users have several options for transitioning to Windows 11: 1. Upgrade to Windows 11 if the PC meets compatibility criteria (TPM 2.0 chip and newer processor). 2. Replace the computer with a new one that comes pre-installed with Windows 11. 3. Use an unofficial workaround to install Windows 11 on noncompliant systems, which carries risks such as lack of future updates and system instability. 4. Pay for Extended Security Updates (ESUs) after the deadline, primarily for business customers but potentially available for individuals. Running an unsupported operating system after 2025 is not advisable.

Winsage

June 1, 2025

A week of hell with my Windows 11 PC really makes me appreciate the simplicity of Google’s Chromebook laptops

The author's PC experienced significant issues while trying to run DOOM: The Dark Ages, primarily due to problems with NVIDIA RTX graphics drivers on a system equipped with an Intel Core i7-14700K and NVIDIA RTX 5080. The Windows 11 Start Menu became unresponsive, leading to a complete system failure despite attempts to roll back and update drivers. The author used a USB drive with a Linux installer as a temporary solution but continued to face crashes. Attempts to reinstall Windows were complicated by an incorrectly formatted USB stick, which needed to be exFAT. Ultimately, the author resolved the issues by wiping both SSDs and creating fresh partitions. The author also noted the complexity and bloat of Windows 11 compared to the simplicity of ChromeOS, which has become a reliable alternative for tasks and gaming.

Winsage

May 29, 2025

Windows 10 KB5058481 update brings seconds back to calendar flyout

Microsoft has released the optional KB5058481 preview cumulative update for Windows 10 22H2, which includes seven changes, notably the restoration of seconds to the time display in the calendar flyout. This update is part of the routine "optional non-security preview updates" and does not address security vulnerabilities. Users can install the update by navigating to Settings and manually checking for updates. Upon installation, Windows 10 22H2 will be updated to build 19045.5917. The update also includes enhancements for user experience and addresses a known issue with NOTO fonts appearing blurry at 96 DPI, particularly affecting CJK text in Chromium-based browsers. A temporary solution is to adjust the display scaling to 125% or 150%.

Winsage

May 28, 2025

The Windows File Explorer is still so bad when it comes to networked drives

File Explorer in Windows 11 has usability issues, particularly with sluggish search functionality and problems accessing networked drives. Users often experience drives disappearing after reboot, inaccessibility to files, and freezing of File Explorer, with error codes like c0000375 indicating deeper issues. The networked drive feature relies on outdated technology, as Microsoft has deprecated older protocols like SMBv1, complicating file sharing. Users can mitigate freezing by restarting File Explorer and ensuring network settings are correctly configured, such as setting Wi-Fi to private and enabling file sharing options. Excessive pinned items in Quick Access can cause crashes, and clearing the cache may resolve these issues. Alternatives to File Explorer, like XYplorer and File Pilot, can provide better access to networked drives. Overall, the challenges stem from outdated technology and the corruption of the Quick Access cache, with third-party solutions available for relief.

Winsage

May 16, 2025

Windows 10 PCs are locking and crashing after May’s security update

Microsoft's KB5058379 update has caused issues for Windows 10 users, prompting unexpected requests for the BitLocker recovery key during startup. This problem is affecting users in Germany and the United States, impacting both corporate and personal devices. Users without the recovery key find their systems locked, leading some to perform system recoveries. Additionally, some users experience blue screen crashes after booting into Windows 10. A potential workaround is to disable the “Intel Trusted Execution Technology (Intel TXT)” option in the BIOS/UEFI. The issue primarily affects devices from Dell, HP, and Lenovo running Windows 10 versions 22H2 or 21H2 Enterprise. Microsoft has not yet acknowledged these issues related to the update.

Winsage

May 10, 2025

Windows 10 End of Support: Should Developers Be Concerned?

Developers using older machines may struggle as Windows 10 approaches its end of support, with many unable to upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware limitations. Microsoft encourages upgrades but acknowledges the challenges posed by older systems. While some users can still perform daily tasks on Windows 10, workarounds exist for installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware. The conversation around transitioning to Linux has gained traction, with user-friendly distributions like Ubuntu and Linux Mint offering alternatives that can run alongside Windows. Users can explore various platforms, as many services now operate seamlessly across different systems. For those sticking with Windows 10, Extended Security Updates are available but come with risks of security vulnerabilities. Users with older machines face several choices: hack the system, invest in new hardware, explore Linux, pay for updates, or ignore the warnings.

Winsage

April 15, 2025

Windows Server 2025 may lose DC connectivity after restart

Microsoft has warned about potential accessibility issues with Windows Server 2025 domain controllers after a restart, where affected servers revert to the default firewall profile, disrupting applications and services. A temporary workaround involves manually restarting the network adapter on the impacted servers using the PowerShell command: Restart-NetAdapter *. This workaround needs to be reapplied after each restart of the domain controller, and Microsoft recommends setting up a scheduled task to automate this process. Windows Server 2025, launched earlier this year, introduced new features and security enhancements but has faced previous issues, including freezing Remote Desktop sessions and accidental upgrades from Windows Server 2022. Developers are currently working on a permanent solution for the domain controller issue.

Winsage

April 14, 2025

Windows 10 PC can’t be upgraded? You have 5 options and 6 months to take action

The official end-of-support date for Windows 10 is October 14, 2025, after which all editions will cease to receive technical support and security updates. Users can choose to continue using Windows 10 without updates, buy a new PC or rent a virtual PC, switch to a Linux distribution or ChromeOS Flex, pay Microsoft for Extended Security Updates (ESUs), or upgrade incompatible hardware to Windows 11 through specific methods. Microsoft will offer ESUs for Windows 10 at a cost, with reduced rates for educational institutions and higher prices for business customers. Users can bypass compatibility restrictions to upgrade to Windows 11 by making registry edits and using tools like Rufus for clean installations.

Winsage

April 10, 2025

Windows Hello is the latest casualty of Microsoft’s buggy update history

Users are experiencing a bug related to the Windows security patch KB5055523, affecting those on Windows 11 24H2 and Windows Server 2025. The issue arises when users with Dynamic Root of Trust for Measurement (DRTM) or System Guard Secure Launch enabled use the “Reset this PC” feature while selecting “Keep my Files,” resulting in lockouts and error messages during login. Microsoft has provided workarounds to regain access to PINs and facial recognition settings. Additionally, there is a separate issue with the uninstallation of Copilot on some PCs due to a Windows update bug, and a safeguard hold is causing blue or black screen errors on devices using SenseShield’s sprotect.sys driver.

Winsage

April 8, 2025

Microsoft listens to users and revises its WSUS driver synchronization deprecation plans

Microsoft has decided to postpone the removal of Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) driver synchronization, which was initially scheduled for April 18, 2025, due to user feedback. WSUS will continue to synchronize driver updates from the Windows Update service and import them from the Microsoft Update Catalog. Microsoft is encouraging administrators to consider alternative technologies such as Windows Autopatch, Microsoft Intune, and Azure Update Manager.