Windows 10 Archives

Winsage

September 15, 2026

Microsoft issues emergency Windows 11 update to fix its record-breaking patch

Microsoft has rolled out an emergency out-of-band update to address issues from its September Patch Tuesday update, which affected nearly 1,000 vulnerabilities and caused bugs in folder shares on Hyper-V-based Linux virtual machines, Remote Desktop Services sessions, and certain USB audio devices. The new update targets multiple versions of Windows 11 (26h1, 25H2, and 24H2) and also includes updates for Windows Server 2025, 2022, and LTSC versions of Windows 10 and Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2. In 2023, Microsoft has increasingly issued out-of-band updates, including four in January, two in March, and one in July, to resolve various issues.

Winsage

September 15, 2026

Microsoft tried to kill Paint in Windows for a successor nobody wanted, then killed the successor

Microsoft's Paint has been a popular tool since its launch in Windows 1.0 in 1985, with over 100 million monthly users reported in 2017. Paint 3D was introduced as part of Microsoft's vision for "3D for everyone," featuring tools like 3D Doodle, Brushes for 3D surfaces, Magic Select, and Mixed Reality Viewer. However, it struggled to resonate with users due to a cumbersome interface and a lack of necessity for 3D capabilities, leading to its deprecation in 2024. By 2021, Paint 3D was no longer preinstalled on new Windows 10 devices, and Microsoft shifted focus back to the original Paint, enhancing it with features like background removal and AI-driven tools. Despite its potential, Paint 3D failed to bridge the gap between casual users and professional 3D software, and an open-source approach could be a way to revitalize it.

Winsage

September 14, 2026

September Patch Tuesday: 963 CVEs, 2 exploited flaws, 1 message

Microsoft has addressed 24 Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) in its developer tooling, with 23 classified as important and one as critical. The critical entry, CVE-2026-34182, has a CVSS score of 9.1 and affects CMS AuthEnvelopedData processing in Visual Studio versions 2017 to 2022. The highest-scoring entry is CVE-2026-81376, a security feature bypass in Visual Studio Code, with a CVSS score of 9.6. Visual Studio Code and its Copilot extensions account for ten of the CVEs, primarily related to security feature bypasses. The .NET framework has updates for SDK versions 8.0.131, 8.0.425, 9.0.121, 9.0.318, 10.0.112, and 10.0.401. Monthly rollups for the .NET Framework have been released for various operating systems, including Windows Server 2012 and Windows 10 versions. Adobe has released 963 CVEs, with 55 flagged by Microsoft as high risk, primarily in printing and fonts.

Winsage

September 14, 2026

Windows 11 Update Finally Fixes A Classic Feature That Should Have Never Been Changed

Many users are transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11 but are facing issues, leading some to consider alternatives like Linux due to performance, privacy, and AI integration concerns. The right-click menu in Windows 11 has been criticized for being cluttered and slow. Microsoft is addressing these issues with an update to streamline the context menu, making it more organized and faster-loading. This redesigned menu is currently available to users of the Windows 11 Insider Experimental Preview Build 26340.9212, released on August 17, 2026, with broader availability expected in the upcoming Windows 11 version 26H2 or later updates. The new context menu will feature a lighter design with frequently used functions like Cut, Copy, and Rename at the top, and options will be simplified and reorganized. Users will also be able to customize their right-click menus through the Settings menu and revert to the traditional Windows 10 context menus if desired.

Winsage

September 13, 2026

Microsoft Windows 11 and Office for Mac deals plunge to as low as $9.97

StackSocial is offering discounts on Microsoft Windows and Office licenses, with Windows 11 priced at .97 and Office Home 2024 for Mac at .97, down from 9.99. The Windows 11 license is for PCs needing a new license and is not suitable for systems that can upgrade from Windows 10 via Windows Update. The Office Home 2024 license is linked to a Microsoft Account for installation on one supported Mac or PC for non-commercial use. This is a standalone license, separate from the Microsoft 365 subscription, and will be supported for five years, retiring on October 10, 2029. The codes must be redeemed within 7 days of purchase.

Winsage

September 13, 2026

4 classic Windows tools that did things Windows 11 still can’t

Several utilities have been left out of Windows 11, including: - Windows Easy Transfer: A tool that allowed users to transfer files and settings between PCs using a USB flash drive. It was not included in Windows 10 and remains absent in Windows 11. - Windows Media Center: An application that transformed PCs into media hubs for watching movies, listening to music, and recording television shows. It did not transition to Windows 10 and is also missing in Windows 11. - Taskbar Toolbars: A feature that enabled users to pin folders to the taskbar for quick access. This feature is not present in Windows 11. - Steps Recorder: A troubleshooting tool that recorded screen actions and documented steps taken during processes. Although initially available in Windows 11, it has been deprecated. These omissions have disappointed users who valued the functionality these tools provided.

Winsage

September 12, 2026

Microsoft admits Windows 11’s biggest September update is breaking multiple features, days after it warned users not to delay updates

Windows 11 KB5124008, released on September 8, has caused various issues, including disruptions to WSL-based applications and Remote Desktop sessions. Users have reported problems with File History backups and instability in Explorer.exe, leading to system and GPU crashes. Microsoft confirmed a bug affecting applications using HCS-managed Linux virtual machines, particularly Claude Cowork, which is experiencing connectivity issues. Remote Desktop Services (RDS) are malfunctioning, leading to connection failures and sign-in problems. Additionally, some users face black screens upon sign-in due to Explorer.exe crashes. Reports indicate that File History is not recognizing external backup drives, and serious GPU issues have been reported on AMD Radeon systems, including driver timeouts and system freezes.

Winsage

September 11, 2026

ReProgman – The Windows 3.1 interface on PC and Mac

Developer Mayuki Sawatari has created ReProgman, a modern homage to the Windows 3.1 Program Manager, which operates on both Windows 11 and macOS. The application mimics the early '90s interface, scanning the Start menu on Windows or the Applications folder on Mac to organize programs into groups without altering actual shortcuts. Users can drag and drop icons, utilize classic window arrangements, and experience a recreated exit dialog box. The project was initially developed in just an hour, with a detailed specification document available in its git repository. ReProgman is released under the MIT license and is available as a standalone binary, though Mac users need to adjust permissions to run it. Currently, it supports only Windows 11 on x64 and Arm architectures and macOS on Apple Silicon, excluding Windows 10 and Intel Macs.

Winsage

September 10, 2026

Windows users are getting Harry Potter ads as their Bing Wallpaper, and they aren’t happy

Microsoft's Bing Wallpaper app has faced backlash after users discovered that their daily wallpaper, typically featuring serene landscapes, was replaced by an advertisement for the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts film collection. This change has frustrated users, with some questioning the presence of ads and considering uninstalling the app. Social media reactions have been critical, with users expressing disappointment over the shift from nature images to promotional content. The choice of a Harry Potter-themed advertisement has also drawn ire due to the controversial views of series creator J.K. Rowling. This incident follows a history of Microsoft integrating advertisements into its Windows ecosystem, starting with ads in Windows 10 in 2016 and continuing with various promotional content in Windows 11.

Winsage

September 10, 2026

Windows 11’s desktop is now a full-screen ad for Harry Potter movies

The Bing Wallpaper app displays different images based on geographical location and user preferences, resulting in varying advertisements for users. For example, one user noted that only one out of four PCs showed the Harry Potter theme, while the others displayed a serene view of Bamberg. Microsoft has the right to display ads within these wallpapers, a detail that may not have been clearly communicated to users. The app is integrated into both Windows 10 and 11 and aims to enhance user experience with daily updates to desktop backgrounds, though it now includes promotional content.