troubleshooting Archives

Winsage

August 28, 2025

Windows Update Preview brings Windows backup for organizations

Microsoft has released update preview versions for Windows 11 23H3 and Windows 10 22H2. This is the final update preview for Windows 10. The Windows 11 23H2 update (KB5064080) raises the build to version 22621.5840 and includes improvements to the "Copilot key," mobile provider profiles, and fixes for USB stick access issues. The Windows 10 update (KB5063842) raises the version to 19045.6282 and introduces a new licensing feature for blocking outgoing network traffic, along with mobile provider profile updates and removable disk access policy fixes. The Windows Backup for Organizations tool is now available, designed to simplify device management and troubleshooting, and facilitate migration from Windows 10 to Windows 11. Devices must be connected to Microsoft Entra and running at least Windows 11 22H2 to utilize this backup solution. Access to Intune service admin or global admin is required for activation. Microsoft has also reminded users about the expiration of Windows Secure Boot certificates in June 2026, advising timely updates to maintain secure booting capabilities.

Winsage

August 27, 2025

Windows Update Preview brings Windows backup for organizations

Microsoft has released update preview versions for Windows 11 23H3 and Windows 10 22H2, marking the final update preview for Windows 10. The new Windows Backup for Organizations feature aims to enhance productivity and streamline device management, allowing easier troubleshooting and device resets. This feature requires devices to be connected to Microsoft Entra and to run at least Windows 11 22H2. Compatibility includes Windows 11 22H2 Build 22621.3958, Windows 11 23H2 Build 22631.3958, and Windows 11 24H2 Build 26100.1301 and newer. Access to an Intune service admin or global admin is necessary, and IT managers must opt-in for this functionality. Additionally, Microsoft has warned that Windows Secure Boot certificates will expire in June 2026, and timely updates are needed to maintain secure booting capabilities.

Winsage

August 27, 2025

Phison Dismisses Reports of Windows 11 Updates Bricking SSDs, Runs Rigorous Tests Involving 4500 Hours on Drives But Unable To Reproduce Errors

Phison conducted over 4,500 hours of testing and more than 2,200 test cycles on SSDs potentially impacted by Windows 11 updates 'KB5063878' and ‘KB5062660’, finding no evidence of issues. Neither partners nor customers reported problems related to these updates. Phison has released a "Best Practices" guide recommending the use of appropriate heatsinks and thermal pads to maintain optimal operating temperatures for SSDs. Additionally, there are concerns about a counterfeit document circulated among customers, which may have contributed to misinformation regarding the impact of the updates on Phison SSDs.

Winsage

August 27, 2025

Phison Posts Latest Update on SSD Controller Stability

On August 18, Phison became aware of the KB5063878 and KB5062660 updates for Windows 11, which raised concerns about their potential impact on various storage devices. The company conducted over 4,500 cumulative testing hours and more than 2,200 test cycles but could not replicate the reported issues. There have been no indications from partners or customers that their drives have been adversely affected by the updates. Phison is committed to ongoing monitoring and collaboration with industry partners. They recommend users utilize a proper heatsink or thermal pad for extended workloads to maintain optimal operating temperatures and performance. Users can contact Phison's support team for inquiries or troubleshooting.

Tech Optimizer

August 26, 2025

How we loaded a petabyte into PostgreSQL before New Year — and what happened next

A team decided to test PostgreSQL's capabilities with a one-petabyte database, setting a challenge for December 10, with a report due by January 20. They initially sought cloud storage but found no provider could meet their requirement for a single chunk of storage, leading them to rent physical servers. They used Shardman, a distributed database engine, to manage the database across seven servers. They employed the YCSB benchmark for performance testing and faced various challenges, including data loading issues and hardware problems. By January 15, they reached 863 terabytes of data generation, falling short of their petabyte goal, and documented their findings for future reference.

Winsage

August 24, 2025

Sorry, Bill Gates: I haven’t used Windows for years, and I don’t miss it one bit

The author transitioned from Windows to Linux nearly two decades ago, prompted by frustrations with Windows Vista. They appreciate Linux for its diverse distributions catering to various user needs, with user-friendly options like Ubuntu and Linux Mint for beginners and more customizable options like Arch Linux for experienced users. The author enjoys experimenting with different distros, particularly Fedora and Arch Linux. Gaming on Linux has improved significantly, with Valve's Proton enabling seamless play of Windows games, including titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and X4: Foundations. The installation process for Linux is simpler and less intrusive than Windows, which requires a Microsoft account and involves privacy-related choices. Linux also supports older hardware better than Windows and Apple, promoting sustainability. The author does not miss Windows and views Linux as the superior operating system.

Winsage

August 23, 2025

Troubleshooting File System Errors on Windows 10/11 Drives

File system errors on Windows 10 and 11 can occur due to corrupted system files, faulty updates, bad sectors on the drive, malware infections, hardware issues, or application conflicts. Common error messages often include numeric codes indicating the type of problem. To fix these errors, users can follow several methods, starting with simpler solutions: 1. Restart the Computer: A simple restart can resolve temporary glitches. 2. Uninstall Problematic Windows Updates: If an error follows a recent update, uninstalling it may help. 3. Run DISM and SFC Commands: These commands repair the Windows system image and verify system files. 4. Run CHKDSK Command: This scans for bad sectors and repairs the file system structure. 5. Reset the Microsoft Store Cache: This clears the cache for Store-based apps without affecting installed apps. 6. Reinstall the Problematic Application: Uninstalling and reinstalling specific applications can resolve app-related errors. 7. Reset this PC: As a last resort, this option reinstalls Windows while allowing users to keep personal files or remove everything. Each method is arranged from least to most disruptive, allowing users to stop once the error is resolved.

Tech Optimizer

August 22, 2025

pgEdge updates Postgres Cloud for higher resilience and faster Sync

pgEdge has launched the latest version of pgEdge Cloud, a Database as a Service (DBaaS) based on open-source PostgreSQL, optimized for multi-cloud region deployments. Key features include multi-availability zone support for enhanced fault tolerance and high availability, expanded automatic conflict resolution capabilities, and performance improvements such as in-memory exception handling and expedited replication processes. pgEdge has also achieved SOC 2 Type II certification for security and compliance. The new pgEdge Cloud is available for free sign-up, allowing developers to build enterprise-class distributed Postgres applications globally.

Winsage

August 22, 2025

Linux Fu: Windows Virtualization The Hard(ware) Way

The Linux community faces challenges when certain applications are only available on Windows, despite solutions like Wine and virtual machines. A new approach using hardware instead of virtualization has emerged. The author received a Surface Laptop 2 that was non-functional until the keyboard was removed, revealing it was operational. While transitioning Windows installations from VirtualBox to KVM, the author discovered WinApps, a script that allows Windows applications to run on a Linux desktop via a virtual machine. However, this setup caused performance issues due to constant disk activity. The author experimented with connecting WinApps to a physical Windows machine on the network, successfully running Windows software directly on their desktop. The setup required executing an installation script on the Windows machine and making registry changes to enable RDP applications. Minor hurdles included compatibility issues with a dual-monitor setup and user permission bugs. Ultimately, Microsoft Word ran smoothly on the author's KDE desktop, demonstrating the potential for utilizing older computers for occasional tasks.

Winsage

August 21, 2025

Microsoft quietly updated Windows 10 — here’s what’s new in 2025

Microsoft has continued to enhance Windows 10 with cumulative updates since the release of version 22H2 in October 2022. Notable updates include: 1. A redesigned "About" page in the Settings app that displays key technical specifications and includes a FAQ section. 2. Introduction of a System Components page that consolidates essential OS components. 3. Relocation of the Optional features page for better accessibility. 4. A new Manage devices feature that enhances connectivity with mobile devices. 5. Updates to the Taskbar Calendar, including the display of seconds and expanded calendar views. 6. Enhancements to the Windows Backup app that allow file transfer to a new PC during setup. 7. Updates to the File Explorer context menu, including an Ask Copilot option. 8. Redesign of icons on the Settings home page to feature solid colors. 9. Improvements to Windows Search for European users, allowing changes to the default web search provider. 10. Changes to the default browser configuration process for European users, allowing broader link types and the option to uninstall Microsoft Edge. Support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025, with an option for users to enroll in the Extended Security Update program until October 2026.