Windows 11 systems Archives

Winsage

May 6, 2025

My week with Linux: I’m dumping Windows for Ubuntu to see how it goes

BitLocker encryption is enabled by default on most Windows 11 systems, which can hinder the installation of Ubuntu. To proceed with the installation, BitLocker was temporarily disabled through the Control Panel. A bootable USB drive for Ubuntu was created using Rufus with an SK hynix Tube drive. The Ubuntu 25.04 ISO file, known as "Plucky Puffin," was downloaded at 5.8GB in about a minute. The decision was made to install Ubuntu 25.04 instead of the more stable Ubuntu 24.04 LTS due to a desire for the latest features. The installation was planned for both a ThinkPad X1 Carbon and a custom-built desktop with an AMD Ryzen 9 7950X CPU.

Winsage

April 26, 2025

Windows 11’s Recall AI is now rolling out on Copilot+ PCs

Microsoft has announced the rollout of Windows Recall, a feature for Windows 11 systems with KB5055627 on Copilot+ PCs. Recall uses AI to capture and store visual information from the screen, allowing users to find previously viewed content by describing it in everyday language. Initially unveiled in May 2024, Recall faced privacy concerns, leading Microsoft to pause its rollout for further testing. The feature is now optional and includes enhancements to filter out sensitive information. Recall is part of Windows 11 Build 26100 and will be widely available with the May 2025 Patch Tuesday Update.

Winsage

April 23, 2025

Microsoft fixes Remote Desktop freezes caused by Windows updates

Microsoft has resolved an issue causing Remote Desktop sessions to freeze on Windows Server 2025 and Windows 11 24H2 devices. The initial fix was provided on February 25 with the KB5052093 optional update for Windows 11, followed by the KB5055523 Patch Tuesday cumulative update for Windows Server on April 8. Users of Windows Server 2025 who installed the February 2025 Security update (KB5051987) experienced freezing issues that rendered mouse and keyboard inputs unresponsive. Microsoft recommended installing the latest updates for improvements and resolutions. Additionally, Microsoft implemented a Known Issue Rollback (KIR) to address Remote Desktop and RDS connection problems stemming from Windows 11 24H2 updates since January 2025, which caused UDP connection interruptions to RDS hosts on Windows Server 2016. A permanent solution has been included in the recent cumulative updates. Microsoft also fixed a bug causing blue screen errors and installation issues on Windows Server 2025 systems with over 256 logical processors, included in updates since the KB5046617 cumulative update. However, users were warned of potential login issues with Windows Hello after the April 2025 security updates and that some Windows Server 2025 domain controllers may become unreachable after a restart.

Winsage

April 21, 2025

April’s Windows 11 update is borking some PCs with CrowdStrike

The Windows 11 update KB5055523 has caused significant issues, including disruptions to Windows Hello logins, preventing users from using face recognition and PIN codes. It has also introduced bugs affecting business applications, particularly with SAP GUI, which may crash with error codes 0xc0000409 and 0x000b1c30 or fail to launch. These problems are linked to a conflict with the CrowdStrike Falcon Sensor security software, specifically when Additional User-Mode Data (AUMD) is activated. Users are advised to consider rolling back the update and postponing further Windows 11 24H2 updates until a solution is provided.

Winsage

April 14, 2025

There’s a quiet PC boom happening – thanks to Windows 10 and the tariffs

In the first quarter of 2025, PC shipments increased by 12.6% compared to the same quarter in 2024, with over 16 million computers dispatched. All six leading PC vendors in the United States reported growth in shipments: HP shipped 4.1 million PCs (25.1% market share), Dell shipped 3.9 million (23.9% market share), Lenovo shipped 3.1 million (19.2% market share), Apple shipped 2.6 million (15.9% market share), Acer shipped 944,000 (5.8% market share), and ASUS shipped 464,000 (2.8% market share). Globally, PC shipments reached 58.9 million units, a 4.8% increase from 56.2 million the previous year. Lenovo led the global market, followed by HP, Dell, Apple, Acer, and ASUS. In Japan, demand for PCs, particularly for replacing Windows 11 systems and the adoption of Chromebooks, drove a shipment growth of 15.6%.

Winsage

April 14, 2025

Microsoft shares several reasons to leave Windows 10 for Windows 11

This year, Microsoft is focusing on transitioning users from Windows 10 to Windows 11, implementing strategies such as reminder emails about the end of support for Windows 10 and promoting the benefits of Windows 11. A support page titled “7 tips to get the most out of Windows 11” has been published to encourage upgrades. Key features of Windows 11 include a new Start menu, Snap layouts, multiple desktops, a widget board, focus sessions, Windows Hello, and improved dark mode. Support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025, after which users will face security risks and miss out on updates. The upgrade to Windows 11 is free for compatible systems.

Winsage

April 10, 2025

What is the inetpub folder that’s suddenly appeared on Windows 11 systems?

Users of Windows 11 who installed the KB5055523 update have noticed the appearance of a folder named "inetpub." This folder is typically associated with Internet Information Services (IIS), a web server application, but its presence does not mean that IIS has been installed on the system. The inetpub folder is empty, poses no risk, and can be deleted without adverse effects. It is simply a quirk resulting from the recent update.

Winsage

April 2, 2025

Windows 11 Gets Quick Machine Recovery to Fix Boot Failures via the Internet

Microsoft has introduced Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) as part of its Windows Resiliency Initiative to improve the security and reliability of Windows 11 following a global incident with a faulty update. QMR addresses boot failures by allowing users to access the recovery environment, connect to the internet for automatic troubleshooting, and receive targeted fixes via Windows Update. Currently, it is being tested in the Windows 11 24H2 Insider Preview Build 26120.3653 and will be enabled by default for Home edition users. Users can access QMR by entering the recovery environment, selecting Troubleshoot, and then Advanced options. Additionally, an internet-based recovery option in Windows Settings can repair system components while preserving user data.

Winsage

March 31, 2025

A New Microsoft Tool Automatically Detects, Diagnoses, and Resolves Boot Issues in Windows

Microsoft has introduced a tool called "Quick Machine Recovery" to address boot failures in Windows devices. This feature automatically detects, diagnoses, and resolves critical system issues that prevent devices from starting correctly. It is currently available in the Windows Insider Preview Beta Channel for Windows 11, version 24H2. Quick Machine Recovery aims to reduce downtime by automating the diagnostic and remediation processes, allowing IT administrators to deploy targeted fixes directly to affected devices through the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE). Key capabilities include automated remediation based on real-time crash data, admin customization options, and a test mode for simulating recovery processes. The recovery process begins when a device enters Windows RE due to a boot failure, utilizing a network connection to communicate with Microsoft’s recovery services. Future updates are expected to enhance networking configuration support. The feature is enabled by default for Windows 11 Home users, while IT administrators for Pro and Enterprise devices can customize its deployment.

Winsage

March 27, 2025

Optional Windows 11 update fixes USB printers spitting out nonsense

Microsoft released the KB5053657 update on Tuesday to address an issue in Windows 11 where certain USB printers were printing random text. This update is applicable only to Windows 11 23H2 and 22H2 versions, while users of Windows 11 24H2 do not have an equivalent update yet. The USB printer issue originated from a problematic update released in January 2025, which affected multiple patches. Microsoft clarified that the update fixes issues with USB connected dual-mode printers that might output incorrect text. Additionally, complications from the January update for Windows 11 24H2 have caused Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) disconnections. Microsoft is implementing a Known Issue Rollback to revert the problematic changes, with a permanent solution expected in a future update for Windows 11 24H2.