update installation Archives

Winsage

February 18, 2025

Windows 11 update breaks File Explorer

Microsoft's February Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11, identified as KB5051987, aimed to fix various bugs and enhance user experience but has resulted in numerous user complaints. Issues reported include difficulties with File Explorer, such as the inability to open folders and launch the application, as well as installation problems where updates halt or freeze. Additional glitches reported include mouse stuttering, undetectable cameras, issues with .NET app installations, malfunctioning Taskbar animations, decreased battery life, and clipboard history failures. Some users have experienced delays in the Windows desktop appearing after login and context menu issues. Despite some users not facing these problems, the overall feedback indicates that the 2024 version of Windows 11 has more issues than previous versions.

Winsage

February 12, 2025

Windows 11 KB5051987 & KB5051989 cumulative updates released

Microsoft has released two cumulative updates for Windows 11, KB5051987 and KB5051989, for versions 24H2 and 23H2, respectively. These updates are mandatory and include the February 2025 Patch Tuesday security enhancements. The build number for Windows 11 24H2 will be updated to Build 26100.3194, and for 23H2 to 226x1.4890. Key features and fixes include: - Taskbar: Enhancements to app previews and animations. - Windows Studio Effects: New system tray icon for compatible applications using a neural processing unit (NPU). - Fonts: Introduction of Simsun-ExtG, a new simplified Chinese font with 9,753 ideographs. - File Explorer: New "New Folder" command, restoration of previously open tabs, and automatic activation of specific settings. Several issues fixed, including search behavior and file properties. - HDR: Fixed oversaturation issues in some games with Auto HDR. - USB audio devices: Resolved issues with USB 1.0 DAC audio drivers and fixed code 10 error messages. - Chinese Pinyin IME: Bing will stop providing automatic suggestions for specific search engines. - USB cameras: Fixed recognition issues post-January 2025 security update. - Passkey: Removed the one-minute timeout for mobile usage. - Power: Addressed slow shutdown issues with connected controllers. - Wi-Fi: Fixed unresponsiveness in Windows Security dialog when signing into certain networks. Microsoft reports no new issues following these updates. Users can check for updates manually to receive the latest enhancements.

Winsage

December 16, 2024

“Reinventing the Wheel: New Computing Concepts Using Windows NT Architecture and PowerShell”

The Windows NT architecture continues to support a significant portion of global IT infrastructure, with millions of installations across Windows Server, Windows 10, and Windows 11. It can be leveraged alongside modern PowerShell techniques to create next-generation computing solutions. A secure and distributed file system can be implemented using Windows NT's Distributed File System (DFS) with encryption capabilities through PowerShell scripts. This allows organizations to create a secure, fault-tolerant file-sharing mechanism. PowerShell scripts can also be used to establish a real-time health monitoring dashboard that aggregates data from event logs, system performance counters, and custom triggers, enabling system administrators to swiftly identify failures and monitor system health. Automating patch management can be achieved through PowerShell by utilizing Windows Update Services (WSUS) to streamline the detection of missing updates, apply patches, and audit systems for compliance. PowerShell can enhance identity and access management (IAM) processes by automating compliance and monitoring permissions, ensuring continuous auditing of user access rights and adherence to corporate policies.

Winsage

December 10, 2024

Windows 11 KB5048667 & KB5048685 cumulative updates released

Microsoft has released two cumulative updates for Windows 11: KB5048667 for version 24H2 and KB5048685 for version 23H2. These updates are mandatory and include December 2024 Patch Tuesday security enhancements. The build number for Windows 11 24H2 will change to 26100.2605, and for 23H2 to 226x1.4602. Key changes include the removal of the bell icon from the taskbar, a shortened date and time display, and support for jump lists in the Start menu. New features include: - A section for touchscreen edge gestures in Settings. - The IME toolbar will hide in full-screen mode for Chinese or Japanese typing. - Users can share content to an Android device via File Explorer if Phone Link is configured. - New directional options for the Wave effect in Dynamic Lighting Settings. - Administrative privileges for jump list items when holding Shift and CTRL. - Enhancements to speech-to-text and text-to-speech functionalities. - Fixes for excessive spacing in File Explorer, search box truncation, app window clustering, Mica rendering issues, lag on secondary displays, pointer location circles, clipboard history accuracy, and new functions in Narrator scan mode. The updates are being rolled out gradually.

Winsage

November 15, 2024

Windows 11 freaks out 23H2 users by making them think their OS suddenly ran out of support

Users of Windows 11 have encountered a glitch after installing the KB5046633 update, which incorrectly indicates that their operating system version is outdated. Notifications in the Windows Update panel falsely claim that Windows 11 23H2 and 22H2 have reached their end of service. This issue is identified as a visual bug rather than a real problem, and users are advised to disregard the notifications. One user who took the warning seriously experienced a failed installation process that removed the November cumulative update from their history. Microsoft is expected to resolve this bug, alleviating the misleading alerts for users.

Winsage

October 30, 2024

Microsoft’s word-soup has made Windows 11 updates noticeably quicker via the ‘parallel processing of component manifests’ complementing ‘the parallel hydration of newly serviced components using reverse and forward differentials’

Microsoft's Windows 11 24H2 update has significantly improved update installation speed, with internal tests showing a 44 to 46% increase compared to the previous 22H2 version. Restart times during updates are also 34 to 40% quicker, depending on hardware. The enhancements are attributed to technical innovations such as parallel processing of component manifests and caching information about update packages, which utilize CPU capabilities more effectively. Additionally, some update packages have been reduced in size by up to 200 MB.

Winsage

October 28, 2024

Microsoft heard you like Windows updates, so it updated how updates update

Microsoft has unveiled Windows 11 version 24H2, also known as the Windows 11 2024 Update, which includes improvements to the update installation process, resulting in a 45.6% faster installation, 39.7% quicker restart times, and a 15.3% decrease in CPU consumption compared to version 22H2. Key enhancements include parallel processing of component manifests, optimized reading and parsing of component manifests, and scalable use of available RAM. Traditional feature updates are now approximately 200 MB smaller due to certain inbox applications being updated through the Microsoft Store. Notable features in the update include: - Integration of Phone Link with the Start menu. - Simplified layout for the taskbar system tray. - Revamped Quick Settings for improved speed and customization. - Windows Spotlight image as the default wallpaper. - Animated taskbar app preview thumbnails. - Support for HDR images as desktop wallpapers. File Explorer updates include: - Updated home tab layout with shared documents. - Ability to duplicate tabs via right-click. - Enhanced context menu layout. - Support for .7z and .TAR archive formats. - Direct viewing of Android phone file systems. New apps and features include: - A new Outlook app for email, calendar, and contacts. - Updated Copilot as a standalone web application. - AI features in Photos for generative erase and background editing. - A new Recall app for information retrieval using AI. - Paint with generative AI capabilities. Settings updates include: - Windows Update with checkpoints and hot patching. - Voice Clarity using AI to eliminate background noise. - Simultaneous configuration of power settings. - A new Energy Saver mode. - Configurable mouse scroll wheel direction. - Support for Wi-Fi 7 hardware. - A new PRISM emulation layer for x86 apps on Arm devices. - Enhanced performance for Arm-based devices. - AutoSR using AI to improve gaming performance. - Live Captions translating languages into English in real-time. - Advanced Windows Studio Effects for webcam enhancement.