user frustrations Archives

Winsage

April 8, 2025

Microsoft testing a redesigned Windows 11 start menu; here’s what it means for users – The Times of India

Microsoft is enhancing the user experience of Windows 11 with a redesigned Start menu that is larger and more customizable. A Windows leaker, phantomofearth, shared a video on Bluesky showcasing the new design, which allows users to disable the recommended feed of files and applications. The updated Start menu features a spacious layout with a scrollable page, where the 'All' list is positioned below recommendations that can now be turned off. The pinned list is limited to two rows but can be expanded. Microsoft is testing this revamped Start menu in the 24H2 builds of Windows 11 and has backported the feature to the 23H2 versions, indicating a near-future rollout for all users. The new design aims to address user frustrations by consolidating elements into a single page and enhancing the “All apps” view for easier access, allowing applications to be displayed in categorized or list formats and accommodating up to eight pinned apps per row.

AppWizard

March 29, 2025

Quiet Wear OS 5.1 QoL update brings app icons to Pixel Watch tiles

The Wear OS 5.1 update for Pixel Watch users enhances app visibility by adding a small circular app icon to the top of each tile. This update, part of the March feature drop and based on Android 15, was initially rolled out for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi-enabled Pixel Watches and later made available for LTE-capable devices, including Pixel Watch, Pixel Watch 2, and Pixel Watch 3. It includes features like the FDA-approved Loss of Pulse safety function, menstrual cycle tracking, and improved step tracking. However, the update has caused issues such as delayed notifications and battery performance problems, prompting user frustrations and temporary solutions like restarting or factory resetting watches. Google has acknowledged these problems affecting a small subset of users.

Winsage

March 21, 2025

Windows 10 KB5053606 issues, install fails, printer spooler buggy and more

Windows 10 KB5053606 update, released on March 11, has caused installation issues for users, including failure to install and bypassing user-set upgrade blocks. Reports indicate that the update attempts to install automatically, leading to frustration among users. Common error messages, such as 0x80070020, have been reported, with some systems stuck on the logo screen. The update has also resulted in disappearing taskbar icons, reverted desktop personalization settings, and sluggish system performance. Additionally, printer spooler problems have been noted by system administrators after the update, causing slow loading and program crashes. There are speculations that Microsoft may be destabilizing Windows 10 to encourage users to switch to Windows 11, which has its own issues.

Winsage

February 23, 2025

Microsoft Update Fails—How To Stop New Install Breaking Windows

A recent update for Microsoft Windows, specifically Windows 11 KB5051987, has caused issues for users, including installation failures and problems with File Explorer becoming unresponsive when accessing folders like Desktop, Documents, or Pictures. Users can see File Explorer in Task Manager, but it remains largely nonfunctional. Other issues include an inoperable sidebar. The recommended solution is to uninstall the update via the Windows Update section in Settings. Users should locate the update, click 'Uninstall', and reboot the system. After uninstalling, they will revert to the January 2025 Update. If problems persist upon reinstalling KB5051987, users are advised to pause updates for a few weeks. This update is mandatory and installs automatically, making it necessary for users to manually uninstall it if they encounter issues. Microsoft is expected to address these problems in an optional update scheduled for February 2025.

Winsage

February 19, 2025

Windows 11 update is reportedly breaking the operating system’s most vital tool

The recent 24H2 update (KB5051987) for Windows 11 has caused significant disruptions, particularly affecting File Explorer, leading to user frustrations. Many users report that File Explorer has become unresponsive, preventing access to commonly used folders. The issue has been confirmed to occur even on fresh installations of Windows 11, indicating a problem with the update itself. Some users are also experiencing Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) errors and complete operating system corruption. Microsoft has not yet provided a definitive solution, but users can temporarily revert to the previous January 2025 update to resolve File Explorer issues. There is hope that a fix will be included in the upcoming February 2025 optional update.

Winsage

November 4, 2024

Microsoft warns dreaded ‘blue screen of death’ bug plaguing computers

Microsoft's latest Windows update for Windows Server 2025 is causing significant issues, including the blue screen of death (BSOD) for users. Multiple bugs are leading to software failures or excessively long restart times. Microsoft is working on a fix expected within a month and advises users to check system settings to mitigate BSOD risks by reducing the number of logical processors to 256 or fewer. Users have reported being locked out of their PCs for hours due to BSOD errors, with some considering switching to alternative operating systems. Microsoft has provided guidance on adjusting logical processor settings through the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) setup to prevent instability. DailyMail.com has sought clarification from Microsoft regarding the impact and timeline for updates.

Winsage

October 30, 2024

5 reasons I’m never upgrading to Windows 11

Over seven years have passed since the installation of Windows 10, which began with a gaming PC using AMD's Ryzen CPUs and a GTX 1050 Ti. Many users feel upgrading to Windows 11 is unnecessary due to a strong attachment to Windows 10. Windows 11 has been criticized for its pervasive ads, privacy issues, and the integration of Copilot+ features that have not significantly improved the user experience. Current Windows 11 users report dissatisfaction with unexpected functionality, compatibility issues, and frequent updates introducing new bugs. Complaints about driver compatibility and blue screens of death (BSOD) are common. The latest 24H2 update has also caused problems, prompting user frustrations. A brief experience with Windows 11 revealed issues like changes in the Start menu, missing context menu options, and the presence of bloatware. Concerns about future bugs, particularly related to specific WD SSDs, contribute to reluctance in upgrading. Users appreciate the familiarity and efficiency of Windows 10, with its intuitive Start menu, accessible settings, and absence of forced Microsoft account usage. As Windows 10's lifespan decreases, many users are cautious about navigating Windows 11, weighing risks against potential rewards.

Winsage

October 28, 2024

You can’t remove your Android phone from Windows 11’s Phone Link app anymore

Windows 11 Phone Link has introduced a new settings page that restricts users from removing existing Android devices from the connection list. The previous three-dot menu for device disconnection has disappeared, leading to user frustrations reported on platforms like XDA Developers and the Windows Feedback Hub. Currently, users can only sign out of Phone Link entirely to disconnect a device, which may be inconvenient for those with multiple devices. The reason for this change is unclear, and there has been no communication from Microsoft regarding a potential fix.

Winsage

October 23, 2024

Not just Western Digital – Windows 24H2 BSODs Asus kit

Microsoft has issued a cautionary note regarding compatibility issues with the Windows 11 24H2 update affecting certain Asus systems, specifically the X415KA and X515KA models, which may encounter a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) during the update process. The update has led to user dissatisfaction due to the removal of features like WordPad and VBScript, as well as an unexpected accumulation of 8.63 GB of unnecessary data in the "Windows Update Cleanup" folder, which Microsoft has addressed with a fix. Western Digital also released an urgent fix for its hard drives experiencing BSOD incidents post-update. Microsoft advised administrators to verify safeguard ID: 54157480 to ensure their systems remain unaffected, while users of Voicemeeter should be aware of potential BSOD errors linked to the update.

Winsage

October 7, 2024

Microsoft Windows

Rove Monteux presents a series of conceptual artworks exploring the User Experience with Microsoft Windows, focusing on aspects such as the Blue Screen of Death, Windows Update, and various system errors. Each artwork reflects on user frustrations and experiences with technology, highlighting the unpredictability of the operating system and the resilience of its users.