Windows Insider Archives

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November 8, 2024

Watch out, Windows Notepad users: Here comes AI

Microsoft has introduced an AI-powered Rewrite feature for Notepad, available to Windows Insiders running Windows 11. Users need the latest Canary or Dev build of Windows 11 and must be signed in with a Microsoft account linked to the Insider program to access the feature. The Rewrite process allows users to modify text by selecting it and using the Rewrite button or shortcut Ctrl + I, generating three distinct versions of the text. AI credits are required for content generation, with initial allocations set at 50 credits for users in select countries and 60 credits monthly for Microsoft 365 subscribers. The Rewrite feature is currently limited to Dev or Canary builds of Windows 11 and may take time to reach the standard version of Notepad.

Winsage

November 8, 2024

The Windows 11 24H2 bug list grows again: 10 reasons to avoid this update for now

Microsoft released the Windows 11 24H2 update on October 1, 2023, which includes enhancements like an upgraded Copilot AI and a refreshed File Explorer. However, the update has several bugs, leading Microsoft to temporarily halt its rollout for certain problematic PCs. Key issues include: 1. The System File Checker (SFC) is caught in a loop of false positives, misidentifying WebView2-related files as corrupted. 2. An 8.63GB update cache cannot be deleted through standard methods, but can be removed using "Windows Update Cleanup." 3. The update conflicts with Easy Anti-Cheat software, causing blue screens for users with Intel's Alder Lake+ processors. 4. Blue screens can also occur due to driver incompatibilities with Intel Smart Sound Technology, certain Western Digital SSDs, and MSI Z890 motherboards. 5. The mouse pointer may disappear in Chromium-based applications when interacting with text input fields. 6. Users have reported erratic internet connectivity, with some unable to receive a valid IP address. 7. Fingerprint sensors may become unresponsive on some devices. 8. The clipboard history feature may malfunction, showing as empty despite copied items. 9. Devices may fail to appear in the network list, affecting file and printer sharing. 10. Users of Copilot+ PCs face difficulties with printer setup and usage, particularly with HP, Canon, and Brother printers. Due to these issues, users are advised to delay installation of the update until fixes are implemented.

Winsage

November 7, 2024

New Windows Build Brings AVX Support To Snapdragon X For Gaming And More

Recent evaluations of laptops with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite processors have praised their performance and battery life, but issues arose with the high-end Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100 chip in the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge, where certain applications were found incompatible due to limitations in emulation capabilities. The Windows operating system uses an emulation layer called Prism to run x86-64 applications on Arm architecture, but it initially lacked support for essential SIMD instructions like AVX2 and AVX. Microsoft announced an update in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27744 that enhances Prism by adding support for AVX, AVX2, and other instructions, allowing Snapdragon-based Windows machines to run x86 software requiring these instruction sets. However, only x64 applications will benefit from this update, leaving legacy 32-bit x86 applications unaffected. This is significant for gaming, as many recent titles utilize AVX for improved processing speeds, potentially increasing compatibility for previously unplayable games on Snapdragon devices. Despite these advancements, Microsoft has not addressed the potential performance implications of the emulation process. Initial observations suggest that while performance degradation from Prism emulation is less severe than expected, it still does not match that of native Arm applications. Qualcomm is tasked with improving Snapdragon X Elite gaming capabilities, facing challenges with Windows graphics drivers, particularly the Adreno graphics drivers, which may hinder its competitiveness against AMD and Intel in the Windows laptop market.

Winsage

November 6, 2024

Soon you can let Microsoft’s Notepad rewrite text for you

Microsoft is integrating AI-powered text editing capabilities into Notepad, introducing a feature called Rewrite, which is currently available for testing by Windows Insiders. Rewrite allows users to rephrase sentences, adjust tone, and modify content length. To use it, users highlight text, right-click, and select Rewrite, after which they can specify how to alter the text and receive three rewritten options. Accessing Rewrite requires signing in to a Microsoft account, and it is being rolled out in preview on Windows 11 in several countries, including the US, France, UK, Canada, Italy, and Germany. This update follows the introduction of spell check and autocorrect functionalities in July. Additionally, Microsoft is previewing new AI image editing tools in Paint, including the Generative Fill feature for adding elements to images and the Generative Erase tool for removing parts of images. The Generative Fill feature will initially be available to testers using Copilot Plus PCs, while the Generative Erase tool will be accessible to all Insiders on Windows 11.

Winsage

November 5, 2024

Microsoft confirms Windows Server 2025 blue screen, install issues

Microsoft has acknowledged bugs in Windows Server 2025 affecting systems with more than 256 logical processors, leading to installation failures, prolonged restarts, and Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors. Symptoms include unresponsive installation processes, server restarts taking over three hours, and blue screens during application launches. Not all devices are affected, and users can check their system's logical processor count via the Windows Task Manager. Microsoft is working on a fix for these issues, expected in a future update, and recommends limiting logical processors to 256 or fewer as a temporary solution. Additional problems include language discrepancies during installation and boot issues in iSCSI environments. Windows Server 2025, introduced in January to the Windows Insider program, includes features like next-gen Active Directory and hotpatching capabilities, and is now generally available with a 180-day trial.

Winsage

November 4, 2024

Windows Server 2025 released—here are the new features

Microsoft has launched Windows Server 2025, which will be generally available starting November 1, 2024. The new version includes features such as hotpatching, next-gen Active Directory, and SMB over QUIC alternative ports. Windows Server is available through the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) and the Annual Channel (AC). Key enhancements include: - Hotpatching enabled by Azure Arc for automatic updates and backup options. - NVMe storage performance improvements, offering up to 60% more IOPs compared to Windows Server 2022. - Block cloning support using the ReFS file system. - New Active Directory functionalities, including AD object repair and improved security. - Credential Guard for safeguarding against credential theft. - SMB hardening with secure access to file shares over the Internet. - Delegate Managed Service Accounts (dMSA) for automated password management. - Accelerated Networking (AccelNet) for reduced latency and CPU utilization. - DTrace for real-time system performance monitoring. - Virtualization-based security (VBS) enclaves for enhanced security. - Windows Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS) for unique password generation and management. Microsoft is investigating known issues, including installation failures and BSOD errors for systems with more than 256 logical processors, boot issues in iSCSI environments, and language display problems during setup. Windows Server 2025 will reach its end of support on October 10, 2029, with extended support ending on October 10, 2034. A free 180-day trial is available through the Microsoft Evaluation Center.

Winsage

November 4, 2024

Microsoft refreshes Windows Hello to make signing in with your face (or fingers) much more pleasant with Windows 11

Microsoft is updating its biometric authentication feature, Windows Hello, with a new Beta Channel preview build available to Windows Insider Program members. This update introduces a redesigned sign-in experience that aligns with the aesthetics of Windows 11 and aims to make the authentication process more intuitive. The Beta Channel Preview Build 22635.4440 (KB5045889) includes enhanced login options and permission management, along with various tweaks to improve the overall Windows 11 experience. Additionally, a new game controller keyboard feature has been temporarily disabled to address existing issues, with plans for its reintroduction in a future update. Feedback from Windows Insider members is being monitored during this testing phase.

Winsage

November 3, 2024

Microsoft confirms issues in Windows 10 KB5045594, KB5044273 (mandatory update)

Windows 10 users are experiencing new bugs as the operating system nears its end of support, scheduled for less than a year from now. Microsoft has acknowledged at least three issues related to recent updates KB5044273 and KB5045594. Users have reported installation problems with error code 0x800f0805 and significant challenges with applications failing to launch after the updates. Specific issues include: 1. Applications, such as those on Lenovo 20WE computers, fail to open after the KB5044273 update, with a workaround involving uninstalling the update. 2. Certain apps, including Wallpaper Engine and TranslucentTB, do not start automatically upon logging in. 3. Microsoft confirmed that applications like Teams, Narrator, and Quick Assist may crash when accessed by non-administrator users, particularly if launched with non-admin rights. 4. Enterprise customers using Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) may encounter a black screen upon login and issues with logging out, along with potential crashes of the Start menu. 5. Another black screen issue during the AVD login process can last from 10 to 30 minutes. Microsoft is working on fixes, expected to be released on November 12, and has announced an option to extend security updates for Windows 10 until October 14, 2026.

Winsage

November 3, 2024

Microsoft’s Recall feature for Windows pushed back again as privacy and security matters keep the AI tool on hold

Microsoft's AI-driven Recall feature, designed to capture and record desktop activity in Windows 11, has faced delays due to privacy and security concerns. Critics have raised alarms about the potential for sensitive personal information to be captured, highlighting vulnerabilities such as the lack of data encryption. Initially postponed to enhance privacy measures, Microsoft planned a testing phase for October 2024 but announced another delay on Halloween, pushing the release back to December 2024 for Windows Insider Program testers with Copilot+ PCs. The company is focused on improving data collection control and secure information storage. There are speculations that Recall could be abandoned if privacy and security issues are not adequately addressed.

Winsage

November 1, 2024

Microsoft delays rollout of the Windows 11 Recall feature yet again

Brandon LeBlanc, Senior Program Manager for Microsoft Windows Insider, stated that Microsoft is committed to delivering a secure experience with its upcoming feature, Recall, and is taking additional time to refine it before previewing it with Windows Insiders. Recall will utilize Windows' Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) features and Windows Hello authentication for enhanced user data protection. The feature will be opt-in by default and fully removable. Recall will require a Copilot+ PC, which must have at least 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of at least 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS). Users must enroll in the Windows Insider Program to access Recall, and speculation suggests that non-Windows Insider PCs may not receive it until 2025.