Windows Update Archives

Winsage

August 20, 2026

Upgrade your PC to Windows 11 Pro for less than $10

Windows 11 Pro is currently available for .97, reduced from its standard retail price of 9. This offer is valid until August 20. The operating system includes features such as snap layouts, DirectX 12 Ultimate, BitLocker device encryption, Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, Azure AD, biometric login, and an AI-powered assistant called Copilot. Users should verify their PC's compatibility with Windows 11 using Microsoft’s PC Health Check app before purchasing.

Winsage

August 19, 2026

Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro reach end of support in 2 months

As of October 13, 2026, updates for Windows 11 Home and Pro editions, version 24H2, and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016 will end. The Enterprise and Education editions of Windows 11 24H2 will continue to receive support until October 2027. Customers are encouraged to upgrade to Windows 11 25H2, which became available in September 2024. Devices running Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro editions will automatically upgrade to Windows 11 25H2, with users able to choose when to restart the update. Microsoft has stopped security updates for Windows 11 23H2 Home and Pro editions as of November 2025. The free Windows 10 Extended Security Updates program for consumers has been extended until October 2027. Windows Server 2022 will enter extended support in October 2026, continuing to receive security updates until October 14, 2031.

Winsage

August 19, 2026

Is VLC taking an agonizingly long time to start up on Windows 11? Microsoft Defender is to blame

Users of VLC on Windows 11 have experienced delays of up to 33 seconds for MP3 playback due to a bug in Microsoft Defender that interferes with VLC's plugin cache. VideoLAN has clarified that this issue is not a reflection of VLC's reliability. Affected users can resolve the problem by adding the VLC folder as an exception in Windows Defender or by regenerating the plugin cache. Jonathan Blow, a game developer, highlighted the issue in a tweet, prompting discussions about the state of open-source software. Other users have reported similar delays, even on Windows 10. VideoLAN emphasized that the problem lies with Microsoft Defender, not with VLC itself.

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 18, 2026

Upgrade your home PC with Windows 11 Pro for $10 (Reg. $199)

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is currently available for .97, down from its original price of 9, until August 20 at 11:59 p.m. PT. It includes features such as BitLocker for full-device encryption, Windows Sandbox for secure application testing, and Hyper-V for creating virtual machines. User-friendly upgrades include Snap layouts, virtual desktops, and voice typing. The installation requires specific hardware, including TPM 2.0 and a compatible processor. The standard version of Windows 11 may suffice for average users, but Windows 11 Pro is recommended for those needing enhanced security and virtualization options.

AppWizard

August 18, 2026

GameLoop Emulator Setup for PC Gaming: 15 Steps [2026]

Mobile gaming has shifted towards competitive play using keyboard and mouse with titles like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Free Fire. Tencent's GameLoop is a popular emulator for these games, offering seamless integration and features like pre-tuned graphics profiles and key-mapping templates. GameLoop is Windows-only and based on Android 7.1. Minimum system requirements include Windows 10 64-bit, a dual-core CPU, 4GB RAM, DirectX 11 support, and 10GB free storage. The installation process involves downloading from the official site, running the installer as an administrator, and completing first-time setup. Users can adjust graphics settings, configure key mapping, and enable FPS boost. GameLoop supports multi-instance functionality and has a built-in screen recording tool. Common issues include black screens and game crashes, which can often be resolved by updating drivers and checking settings. GameLoop is free to use, but users should verify game policies regarding emulator use for competitive play.

Winsage

August 16, 2026

Devs blame Windows for VLC media player bug that causes 33-second delay when playing MP3 files

VLC, the open-source media player, is experiencing delays of up to 33 seconds when playing MP3 files on Windows 11, attributed to a recent update to Microsoft Defender that conflicts with VLC’s plugin cache. Developer Jonathan Blow criticized VLC for this issue, prompting the VLC team to clarify that the problem stems from Microsoft Defender quarantining the plugins.cache file. Users can resolve the issue by reinstalling VLC or regenerating the plugin cache, although this will reset personalized settings. Adding an exception for VLC in Microsoft Defender may prevent future issues. Microsoft has not yet commented on the situation.

Winsage

August 16, 2026

Windows 11 Pro license deal: Get it for $9.97

The Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license is currently available for .97 if purchased before August 20. It includes features such as Snap Layouts for multitasking, DirectX 12 Ultimate for enhanced gaming, biometric login for security, and Copilot for assistance. Windows 11 Pro offers significant advantages over Windows 11 Home, including BitLocker Device Encryption, Hyper-V for virtual machines, Windows Sandbox for testing applications, and Azure AD for identity management. This is a lifetime license for a single PC, and users should check compatibility with the Microsoft PC Health Check app. If a system cannot upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 via Windows Update, the license will not be applicable.

AppWizard

August 16, 2026

Windows 11 KB5121003 is triggering game crashes and other issues on some PCs

Windows 11 update KB5121003, released in August 2026, addresses over 400 vulnerabilities but has caused crashes in games like ARC Raiders and The Finals. The game studio Embark has confirmed that the crashes are linked to the inpoutx64.sys driver, which has compatibility issues due to the update. Users have reported errors such as “Hang detected on GameThread” and “EXCEPTIONACCESSVIOLATION” after installing the update. Embark has provided a workaround to stop and delete the inpoutx64.sys service to resolve the crashes. Uninstalling the update also appears to fix the issue. Additional reports indicate crashes in other games and graphics-related problems following the update.

Winsage

August 15, 2026

Microsoft gears up to ship major Taskbar and Start menu updates for Windows 11

Microsoft is set to roll out significant updates for the Start menu and Taskbar in Windows 11 next month, which include the ability to move and resize the Taskbar and customize the Start menu. These features have recently transitioned to the Windows 11 Release Preview Channel, indicating they will be available to all users soon. Typically, features in this channel are released within two to three weeks. Users who have the "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" toggle enabled can expect the updates to begin rolling out later this month. Microsoft aims to make the transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11 easier by incorporating familiar functionalities. Additional quality of life improvements for Windows 11 are planned for release towards the end of this year and into 2027.