Windows Hello Archives

Winsage

August 30, 2026

5 Windows Security Settings You Should Never Skip Over

Microsoft has over 1.4 billion active devices each month, making it a target for security vulnerabilities. Users can enhance their security using built-in features without third-party software. Key security measures include: - Windows Hello: Enables secure login via PIN or biometric methods. Activation steps: Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Select method > Set up. - Windows Firewall: Protects against malicious internet traffic. Activation steps: Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security > Firewall & network protection > Toggle on Microsoft Defender Firewall for Public, Domain, and Private networks. - Microsoft Defender: Pre-installed antivirus solution. Ensure it is operational by enabling Real-time protection and Controlled folder access. Activation steps: Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Manage settings. - Microsoft Account: Linking a Microsoft account provides benefits like cross-device syncing and advanced security features. Steps to link: Settings > Accounts > Your info > Sign in with a Microsoft account. - Device Encryption: Protects sensitive information using BitLocker. Activation steps: Settings > Privacy & security > Device encryption > Toggle on. - Find My Device: Allows users to locate their device if lost. Activation steps: Settings > Privacy & security > Location > Toggle on Location services > Find my device > Toggle on Find my device.

Winsage

August 29, 2026

Walmart’s bestselling $799 Windows 11 laptop is now 50% off

Walmart is offering the Sgin 15.6-Inch Windows 11 Laptop at a 50% discount, reducing the price from 9 to 9. The laptop features a 15.6-inch full HD display (1920 x 1080), an AMD Ryzen 5 3500U Quad Core Processor, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 512GB solid-state drive (SSD). It runs on Windows 11, which includes security features like Microsoft Defender and facial recognition through Windows Hello. The laptop has a battery life of up to six hours and is noted for its multitasking capabilities, quiet cooling fan, and lightweight design. However, it lacks expandable storage options and may still be considered pricey by some consumers.

Winsage

August 19, 2026

Everything you need to head back to school with a new Dell PC is here — fast Windows laptops with essential accessories on sale

Dell's official store is offering discounts on PCs, with back-to-school deals providing savings of up to 0. The new Dell XPS 13 laptop features a 13.4-inch 2.5K touchscreen display with a 120Hz refresh rate, weighs 2.2 lbs, and is powered by a standard 65W USB-C AC adapter. It includes a built-in webcam for Windows Hello face unlock and USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports. The student pricing for the XPS 13 is 9.99, while the standard price is ,199.99.

Winsage

August 18, 2026

Windows 11’s August update is crashing games and causing PC problems

Recent developments surrounding the Windows update KB5121003 have raised concerns among gamers due to its incompatibility with the driver inpoutx64.sys. Users are experiencing unexpected crashes during gameplay, which may include immediate Windows restarts and error messages such as “Hang detected on GameThread” or EXCEPTIONACCESSVIOLATION. Additional problems introduced by KB5121003 include unexpected drops in refresh rates, black screens, faulty HDR behavior, and other graphics-related issues. There are reports of Windows Hello via PIN leading to the deletion or corruption of the stored sign-in key upon restart. Microsoft has not publicly acknowledged these issues, but the developer Embark is aware and working on a long-term fix. Potential workarounds include stopping and deleting the inpoutx64.sys driver or uninstalling KB5121003, although the latter may compromise system security.

Winsage

August 17, 2026

Windows 11 KB5121003 now crashing games and causing Windows Hello issues

A surge of reports regarding game crashes and launch issues on Windows platforms has prompted Microsoft to provide resources through its Update Catalog to assist users. Players have faced unexpected crashes and difficulties launching games due to factors like software incompatibilities and outdated drivers. The Microsoft Update Catalog offers driver updates, patch releases, and guides to help users troubleshoot these gaming issues.

Winsage

August 16, 2026

This $10 Windows 11 Pro license adds security and power-user tools

Microsoft is offering a lifetime license for Windows 11 Pro for .97, down from the regular price of 9. This promotion includes advanced features such as BitLocker, Hyper-V, and Windows Sandbox, which cater to advanced users. Windows 11 Pro also retains user-friendly elements like Snap Layouts and virtual desktops, and supports modern security measures including Windows Hello. The license is non-transferable and tied to a single compatible PC, which must meet hardware requirements such as TPM 2.0, UEFI firmware, a minimum of 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. Microsoft provides a PC Health Check tool for compatibility verification.

Winsage

August 14, 2026

Microsoft Issues New Release Preview Channel Builds

The Windows Insider Program has released two new builds in the Release Preview Channel, introducing several enhancements for Windows 11. Key updates include: - Taskbar: Users can position and resize the Taskbar on any side of the screen. - Start Menu: The Start menu is now resizable and features a Recent section, replacing the Recommended section, with independent toggles for Pinned, Recent, and All items. - Windows Search: A streamlined home view allows users to choose whether to display web and Store results. - File Explorer: Improvements focus on performance and touch scrolling for smoother navigation. - Design: Updated progress indicators appear during startup, sign-in, restart, shutdown, and update installations. - Windows Share: A suggested app interface has been introduced for improved sharing options. - Administrator Protection: This feature returns but is disabled by default. - Additional Minor Updates: Enhancements have been made across multiple desktops, display settings, Task Manager, Setup, Windows Update, and more. Further refinements include: - File Explorer: Improvements in file size displays, middle-click support, and enhanced file thumbnails. - Windows Search: Adjustments for better accommodation of typos and partial app names, with results based on user Settings. - Additional Minor Changes: Updates across Start, Widgets, Touchpad, Windows Hello, and other components.

Winsage

August 13, 2026

Windows 11’s August update has arrived — here are 3 reasons to download it, including turbocharged app launching

Windows 11's August update introduces several enhancements, including the expansion of Launch Performance Optimization (LLP) to all applications, improving app launch speed by temporarily boosting processor performance. Voice Access now features Voice Isolation to filter out background noise, requiring a one-time setup for optimal performance. Precision touchpad users gain new gesture controls for zoom and scroll speed adjustments. The update reinstates the ability to manually set the threshold for the Energy Saver feature. Lock screen widgets now display only the weather by default, and notification badges in the taskbar have been visually updated to use the Windows accent color. Additional changes include support for peripheral fingerprint sensors in Windows Hello and a parental controls notice during setup.

Winsage

August 13, 2026

Your Windows 11 PC is getting a dozen small upgrades this week

Recent updates to Windows 11 have introduced several enhancements, including: - File Explorer now displays file sizes in more intuitive units (MB or GB for larger files, KB for smaller files). - Users can open folders in new tabs using the middle mouse button from the address bar and Start page. - Voice control improvements filter out background noise for clearer command recognition. - Windows Search provides smarter results even with typographical errors. - Touchpad gesture settings have been updated to adjust scroll and zoom speeds and enable accelerated scrolling. - Windows Hello now supports external fingerprint readers. - An expansion of updated Secure Boot certificates has been announced for more PCs. - After the August Patch Tuesday update, Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2 have build numbers 26200.9165 and 26100.9165, respectively, with features being rolled out gradually.

Winsage

August 12, 2026

Microsoft fixes 421 bugs and a Windows zero-day in August Patch Tuesday

Microsoft's August Patch Tuesday update addressed 421 vulnerabilities across various products, including multiple versions of Windows (11 25H2/24H2, 11 23H2, and 10). A critical zero-day flaw, the "Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability," allows attackers with lower-level access to gain system privileges without user interaction. Additionally, the update addresses two other zero-day flaws, including the "Windows User Profile Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability," which has not yet been exploited but was publicly disclosed. The update is mandatory and should automatically install on supported PCs, with users encouraged to verify its application. The update also includes minor improvements to Windows features, such as enhancements to File Explorer, Windows Hello, Voice Access, and touchpad controls.