Windows 11 Archives

Winsage

September 1, 2026

“More interruptions than necessary,” Microsoft on Windows 11’s forced reboots for updates, rolls out a fix

Microsoft is changing the Windows 11 update process to consolidate various updates into a single monthly restart, starting with updates released on or after July 28, 2026. This new system combines driver updates, .NET updates, and firmware updates with the monthly security update, allowing for one restart per month instead of multiple. Updates requiring a restart will wait until the scheduled monthly security update, which is typically released on the second Tuesday of each month. Users can find combined updates under Settings > Windows Update > Available updates and can choose to restart sooner if desired. Additionally, users can pause updates for up to 35 days through Settings > Windows Update.

Winsage

September 1, 2026

Microsoft explains that it’s fixing a bug in Windows 11’s antivirus that’s happening ‘intermittently’ and is likely to fool people into thinking that Defender is broken

Windows 11's antivirus, Microsoft Defender, is experiencing issues following recent updates, erroneously notifying users that it is turned off despite functioning normally. This glitch has led to persistent alerts prompting users to reactivate the antivirus, causing confusion and frustration. Microsoft has acknowledged the issue on its health dashboard, stating that notifications may appear claiming Microsoft Defender is disabled, even though it is active. This problem has been reported for over a week and may date back to early August, with users advised to check the operational status of their antivirus through Windows Security.

Winsage

September 1, 2026

Nvidia is cutting Windows 10 gamers down to security patches only

Nvidia will stop releasing performance updates and new features for its Game Ready Drivers and Nvidia Studio Drivers on Windows 10. Users with GeForce graphics cards will only receive quarterly security updates from October 2026 until October 2029, after which no updates will be provided. Existing games will continue to work, but new bugs will not be addressed, and gamers will miss out on optimizations for new titles. This situation may lead many users to consider transitioning to Windows 11 for continued support and features.

Winsage

September 1, 2026

Windows has been hiding these 4 powerful features in plain sight this whole time

Windows has several advanced features that can enhance productivity, including: - Clipboard History: Activated by pressing Windows+V, this feature stores the last 25 copied items and can be enabled through Settings > System > Clipboard. Users can pin frequently used items for easy access. - Virtual Desktops: Allows users to create multiple workspaces on a single monitor by pressing Windows+Ctrl+D. Users can switch between desktops using Windows+Ctrl+Left Arrow/Right Arrow or Windows+Tab. - Focus Sessions: A built-in Pomodoro timer in the Clock app that promotes productivity by working for 25 minutes followed by a 5-minute break. - Snipping Tool: Accessible via Windows+Shift+S, it allows users to capture screenshots and includes features like screen recording, a color picker, and a Text Extractor for converting text from images. - PowerToys: A suite of free and open-source tools from Microsoft that enhances Windows functionalities, including additional utilities and personalized templates.

Winsage

September 1, 2026

Windows 11 Updates Trigger False Antivirus Warnings & Cursor Glitches

Microsoft is addressing two notable issues in Windows 11. The first is a harmless glitch that falsely indicates "Microsoft Defender Antivirus is turned off," which does not impact the antivirus's functionality. Users are advised to wait for a Microsoft update to resolve this. The second issue involves mouse customization settings not saving correctly since the August 27th update, although it only affects cosmetic preferences and not critical settings like pointer speed. Additionally, Microsoft has identified a solution for a game-breaking bug related to the "inpoutx64" driver, which will now be automatically blocked when launching Arc Raiders, with plans to extend this block to Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls. Developers at Embark Studios have also implemented fixes for affected games, except for Tokon, for which players should use Microsoft's official workaround until a permanent solution is available.

Winsage

September 1, 2026

Don’t miss Windows 11 Pro for one PC for only $7.97

Windows 11 Pro is available for .97, reduced from its regular price of 9. This limited-time promotion expires at 11:59 p.m. PT on September 1. The upgrade offers a modern interface, improved multitasking, and robust security features, including Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, BitLocker encryption, and Azure AD integration. It also includes Copilot, an AI-powered assistant for various tasks. The offer is available through StackSocial.

Winsage

September 1, 2026

Windows 11’s latest optional update finally fixes search clutter

Microsoft has released KB5120998, an optional update for Windows 11 that includes a repositionable taskbar and an improved Windows Search functionality. The update eliminates mixed results from Bing, Copilot, and MSN, prioritizes relevant results over ads, and enhances clarity in search results. It also improves the search tool's ability to handle typos and incomplete terms.

Winsage

September 1, 2026

Microsoft extended Windows 10, but Nvidia just made the extension meaningless for gamers

Windows 10 will receive support until October 2027 under the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, with approximately 30% of PCs still operating on this system. Nvidia will stop releasing Game Ready Drivers for Windows 10 in October 2026, and from November 2026, users will not receive game-related fixes or optimizations. Security updates will remain available until at least October 2029, but the lack of patches for new bugs may affect gaming experiences. HP reports that around 30% of PCs are still running Windows 10, and the company expects these users to transition to Windows 11 or invest in new hardware. Microsoft acknowledges that the growth of Windows 11 has slowed and is focusing on enhancing its features.

Winsage

September 1, 2026

Why You Might Need to Roll Back Windows’ Latest Update

Windows 11 version KB5120998 was released as an optional update, introducing new customization features such as the ability to move and resize the taskbar and improvements to Windows Search. However, the update has introduced several bugs, including issues with the mouse cursor, which may not appear or may be incorrectly sized, and problems with wallpaper settings reverting to black after restarts. Users have also reported blurry fonts on high-resolution displays. Microsoft is aware of these issues and is working on a solution. Users experiencing these bugs can roll back the update by navigating to Settings > Windows Update > Update History > Uninstall and selecting KB5120998, without losing essential security patches.

Winsage

September 1, 2026

Windows 95’s taskbar didn’t come from Steve Jobs’ NeXT Dock, and a former Microsoft VP explains what did

The Windows 95 taskbar was not inspired by the NeXT Dock, as clarified by former Microsoft executives Joe Belfiore and Brad Silverberg. Instead, its design was influenced by a Microsoft project called Cairo, which aimed to provide users with easy access to information. The taskbar was created to address usability issues from Windows 3.1, specifically to help users keep track of minimized windows. In 2021, with the release of Windows 11, Microsoft introduced a centered taskbar and later allowed it to be repositioned to any edge of the screen, reflecting a commitment to user experience.