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Microsoft warns that killing VBScript could break Windows activation for businesses
Winsage
September 12, 2026

Microsoft warns that killing VBScript could break Windows activation for businesses

Microsoft is phasing out VBScript and urging organizations to transition to PowerShell. The Slmgr.vbs tool, used for managing Windows activation, will lose functionality as VBScript is deprecated. Slmgr.vbs allows users to install product keys, activate Windows, and check licensing status. VBScript will soon only be available as a Feature on Demand, requiring manual installation in future updates. PowerShell's OSLicense module offers similar capabilities to Slmgr.vbs for managing activation information. The OSLicense module is available for Windows 11 users after the August 2026 Preview update and will be supported in the next major release of Windows Server. Organizations are advised to review their existing scripts and tools to adapt to this transition.
Windows Activation Automation Must Move Beyond VBScript
Winsage
September 11, 2026

Windows Activation Automation Must Move Beyond VBScript

Many organizations still use legacy Windows activation scripts based on slmgr.vbs, which are integrated into deployment workflows and IT management tools. Microsoft is phasing out VBScript, which these automations rely on, leading to potential activation failures in newer Windows versions. Microsoft recommends transitioning to the OSLicense PowerShell module to replace slmgr.vbs functions. Organizations should identify dependencies on VBScript components and test replacement scripts before production deployment. Compatibility of OSLicense with various Windows releases must be confirmed, and organizations may need to invest time in testing, documentation, retraining, and fallback planning during the migration process. Proactive migration planning can ease the transition compared to delaying until VBScript is fully removed.
CVE-2026-85880 and CVE-2026-81963: Microsoft Patches Two Actively Exploited Windows Zero-Days
Winsage
September 10, 2026

CVE-2026-85880 and CVE-2026-81963: Microsoft Patches Two Actively Exploited Windows Zero-Days

Microsoft's Patch Tuesday on September 8, 2026, addressed two critical Windows privilege escalation vulnerabilities: CVE-2026-85880 and CVE-2026-81963, both with a CVSS score of 7.8. CVE-2026-85880 is a heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows Advanced Local Procedure Call (ALPC), allowing attackers with low-privilege local access to escalate privileges to SYSTEM. CVE-2026-81963 involves improper link resolution in the Windows Update Stack, enabling similar privilege escalation. Both vulnerabilities require no user interaction and have been actively exploited prior to the patch release. CISA added them to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on September 8, 2026, with a remediation deadline of September 22 for U.S. federal agencies. CVE-2026-85880 affects various Windows 10 and Server versions but excludes Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025. CVE-2026-81963 impacts newer Windows platforms, including Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025. Microsoft released security updates for both vulnerabilities on September 8, 2026, and organizations are advised to prioritize these updates. Security teams should monitor for signs of privilege escalation and unusual SYSTEM-level activities related to these vulnerabilities.
Announcing new builds for 8 September 2026
Winsage
September 9, 2026

Announcing new builds for 8 September 2026

New Insider Preview builds for Windows 11 are being released for the Beta and Experimental channels, featuring enhancements aimed at improving user experience. 1. Cross-device resume improvements: Users can now continue browsing on their PC from where they left off on their phone, with options to open the webpage in the PC's default browser or install the phone's browser if not already present. 2. Narrator: The Narrator feature has been upgraded to include math reading and navigation support, enhancing accessibility for users who are blind or have low vision, especially in STEM fields. 3. Magnifier: The Magnifier tool now allows each display to maintain its own zoom level, enabling users to set different zoom percentages for multiple screens, improving comfort and clarity when working across different resolutions.
Microsoft is giving users control over Windows 11 again, but it's not enough
Winsage
September 8, 2026

Microsoft is giving users control over Windows 11 again, but it’s not enough

Microsoft is prioritizing community feedback in the development of Windows 11 and is moderating its integration of artificial intelligence features due to user pushback. The company aims to enhance the overall efficiency of Windows 11, with a focus on improvements that can be realized both with and without AI. Despite these efforts, Windows 11 continues to be perceived as inferior to Windows 10, with many users remaining loyal to the older version due to its robust personalization options. Microsoft plans to restore some features from Windows 10, but upcoming personalization options for the Windows 11 Start menu will be limited to three fixed presets, unlike the more flexible options available in Windows 10.
Microsoft will expand Windows 11 Memory Integrity feature to more PCs starting in October — security feature reduces gaming performance on some systems
Winsage
September 2, 2026

Microsoft will expand Windows 11 Memory Integrity feature to more PCs starting in October — security feature reduces gaming performance on some systems

Microsoft will automatically enable its Memory Integrity feature on more eligible Windows PCs starting in October 2026, enhancing kernel-level protection. PCs with Memory Integrity currently disabled will retain their settings. Windows will also activate Virtualization-based Security (VBS) where necessary, which supports Memory Integrity. An automatic assessment will determine device eligibility based on hardware capabilities and compatibility. The rollout applies to Windows 11 installations meeting specific hardware specifications, including an 8th Generation or newer Intel processor or AMD Zen 2 or newer processor, at least 8GB of RAM, an SSD with a minimum of 64GB, compatible drivers, and enabled hardware virtualization. Memory Integrity, also known as Hypervisor-Protected Code Integrity (HVCI), has been part of Windows since the Windows 10 era and is now more integral to Windows 11 security for new installations. However, it may impact gaming performance, leading some gamers to disable it, which Microsoft has acknowledged in its recommendations.
Windows bug incorrectly tells users that Microsoft Defender Antivirus is turned off
Winsage
September 1, 2026

Windows bug incorrectly tells users that Microsoft Defender Antivirus is turned off

Microsoft Defender's reliability is under scrutiny due to a recent security alert that affects a wide range of Windows versions, including both Windows 11 26H1 and Windows Server 2012. Insurers will require more than verbal assurances about software performance in six months, necessitating the archiving of telemetry data, including sensor check-ins and Defender versions, by Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs). The alert's impact is significant, as a single flaw in Defender can affect various systems categorized into different patch rings, highlighting the need for vigilant monitoring and proactive management of security protocols.
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