Windows updates

Winsage
July 25, 2025
Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10, prompting users to consider upgrading to Windows 11, though many older PCs may not meet compatibility requirements. Flyby11 is a utility that helps users bypass these restrictions by making the system appear as if it is running on Windows Server, thus avoiding checks for processor compatibility, TPM, and Secure Boot. Flyby11 is free but does not guarantee a smooth upgrade experience, and users are advised to back up their data before proceeding. To use Flyby11, users must download and unzip the latest version, check their system's compatibility, and initiate the upgrade process by dragging and dropping a Windows 11 ISO file into the interface. Potential issues include hardware and applications not functioning correctly, persistent notifications about incompatibility, and lack of support from Microsoft for incompatible devices. Users may also miss out on updates, although they can manually retrieve some from the Microsoft Update Catalog. Alternatives to upgrading include purchasing a new PC, continuing to receive Windows 10 updates for another year, or switching to a different operating system like Linux, which is compatible with older hardware.
Winsage
July 21, 2025
Windows administrators need to keep their systems updated for security and performance, with control over the timing and type of updates being crucial. There are three primary methods for managing Windows updates: 1. Per-client updates: Default for standalone clients, offering minimal control. 2. Windows Server Update Services (WSUS): Centralized management since 2005, allowing extensive control but requiring more administrative effort. 3. Windows Update for Business (WUfB): A cloud-based model providing greater control through tools like Group Policy and Mobile Device Management (MDM). WUfB offers several advantages, including policy-based management, granular control over deployments, and the elimination of on-premises WSUS servers. To implement WUfB, organizations must meet specific requirements, including using Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, or Team editions, Azure AD joining, and having the necessary licenses such as Microsoft 365 Business Premium. Administrators can defer feature updates for up to 365 days and quality updates for up to 30 days using Group Policy. They can create servicing rings for managing update deployments, such as testing, pilot, and rollout rings. Configuration involves creating Group Policy Objects (GPOs) linked to the appropriate Organizational Units (OUs) and setting relevant policies. WUfB reporting is available through the Azure Portal, allowing administrators to monitor update statuses and troubleshoot devices.
Winsage
July 16, 2025
Microsoft has announced that Secure Boot certificates for Windows devices will begin to expire in June 2026, which may affect device functionality and security. An out-of-band update (KB5064489) was released on July 13, 2025, to address immediate security concerns and prepare systems for the certificate transition. This update includes essential quality improvements and fixes issues related to the startup of certain Azure Virtual Machines when Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) is enabled. The update is cumulative and incorporates previous security fixes. Users are advised to install the update promptly and review guidance for updating their certificates before the expiration deadline.
Winsage
July 14, 2025
Microsoft has announced the retirement of the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) after nearly forty years, transitioning to a new error screen called the Black Screen of Death. The new screen will feature a black background, replacing the blue, and will provide clearer error messages, such as "Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart." This change is part of a broader initiative to improve user experience during critical failures, including a significant reduction in reboot times to approximately two seconds. The redesign was influenced by the CrowdStrike outage and aims to enhance clarity and efficiency in troubleshooting. The rollout will begin with Windows Insiders and expand to millions of PCs globally.
Winsage
July 13, 2025
In April, Microsoft released dynamic updates for Windows 10, including KB5057589, which was intended for the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). Users faced issues with the 0x80070643 error code despite having sufficient disk space. Microsoft decided not to reoffer this update to users who installed it and promised a more reliable update. In July 2025, Microsoft released a new WinRE update, KB5063523, which automatically applies the Safe OS Dynamic Update (KB5062691) to enhance recovery features. This update resolves the previous installation issue, although the error code may still appear. Additional dynamic updates released on July 8, 2025, include KB5062682, KB5062787, KB5062788, KB5062691, KB5062689, and KB5062692, all aimed at improving Windows setup and recovery environments. These updates will be automatically downloaded and installed via Windows Update.
Winsage
July 10, 2025
Microsoft is introducing a black version of the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) for Windows operating systems, marking the first major redesign since Windows 8. This new BSOD is currently being rolled out to Windows 11 Release Preview users, with a wider release expected soon. The updated design focuses on clarity, providing essential information such as the stop code and faulty system driver to help users and IT administrators identify issues quickly. This change follows previous experiments with a black BSOD in 2021 and coincides with the introduction of the Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) feature in Windows 11, aimed at improving system resilience.
Winsage
July 10, 2025
Microsoft has acknowledged ongoing issues with Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) that are affecting the synchronization and deployment of updates, leading to significant challenges for businesses. Users have reported synchronization failures and timeout errors, with many expressing frustration over the lack of communication from Microsoft. The affected platforms include various versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11, as well as multiple Windows Server versions. Error logs indicate problems such as "Unable to connect to the remote server." Currently, there is no workaround available, and Microsoft is working on repairs related to a problematic update revision. Reports of the issue have emerged globally, with some users experiencing new errors and an overwhelming number of updates being downloaded.
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