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Windows 11 updates

Windows 11 AI components are getting their own changelogs (release history), as Microsoft plans model updates
Winsage
January 6, 2026

Windows 11 AI components are getting their own changelogs (release history), as Microsoft plans model updates

Microsoft has released a support document titled “Release information for AI components” that details the AI components integrated into Windows 11, which can be installed through Windows Update or accessed via the Microsoft Update Catalog. These components are essential for enabling various AI models to operate locally on devices, and installations typically occur automatically on compatible PCs with 40+ TOPs of NPU. The size of Windows 11 Patch Tuesday updates has increased significantly, now ranging from 4-5GB, compared to previous updates that were under 800MB. Users can manage AI components through Settings > System > AI Components, although this page is empty for older PCs. The changelog includes individual components like the Settings Model, Image Search, Semantic Analysis, and Content Extraction, as well as lower-level elements such as Execution Provider. Updates for these AI models occur every few weeks, often without visible changes.
Has 2025 seen a successful refresh to Windows 11?
Winsage
December 23, 2025

Has 2025 seen a successful refresh to Windows 11?

Windows 11 has a market share of 53.7%, while Windows 10 has 42.7%. Approximately 700 million devices are running Windows 11. Microsoft has urged users to upgrade from Windows 10, which officially ended support in October 2025, leaving users without updates or security patches. Users on Windows 10 may need to purchase an extended security package for protection until October 2026. Hardware compatibility issues, particularly with the Trusted Platform Module 2.0 requirement, may prevent some users from upgrading. The 25H2 update for Windows 11 introduced various enhancements but also created new issues. Windows 12's release is uncertain, with expectations for AI advancements, but details are speculative.
User reports claim December Windows 11 security update fixes AMD GPU hanging and driver crashing
Winsage
December 11, 2025

User reports claim December Windows 11 security update fixes AMD GPU hanging and driver crashing

Windows 11 has caused concerns among graphics card users, particularly Nvidia GPU owners, leading Nvidia to release a hotfix driver to address gaming performance issues from the October update. The December KB5070311 update reportedly resolved significant problems for AMD GPU owners, including driver crashes in games like Battlefield 6 and general instability. User feedback suggests improvements after installing the December update, which also eliminated the "unsupported graphics card detected" message for compatible GPUs. AMD's patch notes for the latest Adrenalin version mention various crashing issues, but only a few were addressed without attributing them to Windows. Reports of GPU hanging and driver instability have been common since the RX 9070 XT's launch in March 2025, with the RX 9000 series facing the most difficulties. Nvidia previously rolled out a hotfix driver to restore performance lost due to an October Windows update. The December Windows 11 security update is mandatory, and users may find it beneficial to install it, although there is no guarantee that specific issues will be resolved. Neither Microsoft nor AMD has officially confirmed any AMD-specific GPU fixes related to Windows updates.
Latest Windows 11 updates may break the OS's most basic bits
Winsage
December 4, 2025

Latest Windows 11 updates may break the OS’s most basic bits

Microsoft has acknowledged issues with Windows updates that affect key components like the Start menu and Explorer, primarily impacting enterprise environments using Windows 11 versions 24H2 or 25H2 after the July 2025 cumulative update. The problems arise from the failure to register certain XAML packages, leading to crashes or loading failures in XAML-dependent applications. Symptoms include black screens, startup crashes, and unresponsive Start menus and taskbars. Microsoft has not provided an immediate solution but suggests workarounds involving the Windows registry or PowerShell scripts. The issues are unlikely to affect personal devices but may occur if updates are installed before user logins on persistent or non-persistent OS installations.
Microsoft finds an unlikely ally — Linux developer defends Windows against BSoD jokes
Winsage
December 4, 2025

Microsoft finds an unlikely ally — Linux developer defends Windows against BSoD jokes

Windows has traditionally held a dominant market share in operating systems, but Linux is gaining traction, particularly after Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Zorin OS, a Linux distribution, attracted around 780,000 former Windows users within a month of this announcement. Bazzite delivered a petabyte of ISO files in one month, indicating a growing interest among Windows 10 users in alternatives to Windows 11. Linus Torvalds highlighted that many blue screen errors in Windows are linked to hardware issues rather than software bugs and recommended using Error-Correcting Code (ECC) memory for better stability. Microsoft has changed its error reporting from the blue screen of death to a black screen to enhance security and prevent destabilizing updates. There are three types of Blue Screen of Death errors: the Windows 3.1 Ctrl+Alt+Del screen, the Windows 95 kernel error, and the Windows NT kernel error.
Microsoft warns latest Windows 11 updates might break the Start menu, Taskbar, and other integral UI bits — here's what you need to know
Winsage
December 3, 2025

Microsoft warns latest Windows 11 updates might break the Start menu, Taskbar, and other integral UI bits — here’s what you need to know

Microsoft has acknowledged a challenge affecting Windows 11 PCs, particularly in enterprise environments, where essential user interface components like the Start menu and File Explorer may fail to load or crash after installing the latest security updates. This issue is primarily confined to enterprise PCs and arises after provisioning a PC with Windows 11, version 24H2, or the Windows 11, version 25H2 monthly cumulative update released on or after July 2025. XAML-dependent modern apps such as Explorer, the Start menu, SystemSettings, Taskbar, and Windows Search might experience difficulties due to this problem.
Microsoft needs to make it easier to disable automatic Windows 11 updates
Winsage
December 2, 2025

Microsoft needs to make it easier to disable automatic Windows 11 updates

Updates in the Windows ecosystem are essential for enhancing stability, performance, and security. However, users of Windows 11 have expressed frustration due to frequent updates disrupting functionalities like network connectivity and printer access. Automatic updates can interrupt productivity, with unexpected restart prompts leading to potential loss of unsaved work. Issues with third-party programs and drivers often arise post-update, and older PCs experience significant performance degradation due to background updates. Many users face limitations with internet access, as substantial update sizes can consume data quickly, especially under fair usage policies. Storage constraints on older devices can lead to operational issues, and attempts to pause updates may not always be effective. While updates are crucial for delivering new features and security fixes, their frequency can diminish their perceived importance, causing users to delay addressing issues. Disabling automatic updates can be complicated, requiring adjustments in the Windows Update service, Group Policy Editor, or Registry, which may not be accessible or user-friendly. A simple one-click "Disable" button in the Windows Update settings would enhance user control over update installations, allowing them to manage updates according to their schedules.
Microsoft Confirms Windows Password Failure—No Fix Available
Winsage
November 30, 2025

Microsoft Confirms Windows Password Failure—No Fix Available

Microsoft has issued guidance on workarounds for users experiencing issues with recent Windows 11 updates, particularly a missing password icon on the lock screen. The icon is functional but not visible, and Microsoft suggests users click randomly on the lock screen to potentially access it. This issue affects all PCs running specific update versions, including KB5068861, KB5067036, KB5070773, KB5066835, KB5065789, KB5068221, KB5065426, and KB5064081, released between August 29 and November 11. The problem has been described as widespread, though Microsoft has not disclosed the number of affected users.
Microsoft responds to push back from users — will listen to feedback regarding new simplified naming scheme for Windows 11 updates
Winsage
November 4, 2025

Microsoft responds to push back from users — will listen to feedback regarding new simplified naming scheme for Windows 11 updates

Microsoft introduced a new naming convention for Windows 11 updates, aiming to simplify the process for users by using clearer labels like "Security Update" or "Driver Update" without date prefixes or platform architecture. However, user feedback indicated confusion regarding the recency of updates, prompting Microsoft to reconsider these changes. The company announced it would reintegrate elements like the date into update names to provide users with a clearer understanding of the updates being installed.
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