Windows 11 24H2
Microsoft now lets admins choose pre-installed Store apps to uninstall
Microsoft has updated a Windows 11 in-box app removal policy introduced in October to include a dynamic list that lets IT admins choose which preinstalled Store apps to uninstall. The updated RemoveDefaultMicrosoftStorePackages policy enables admins to remove any preinstalled MSIX/APPX app by referencing its Package Family Name (PFN) using Group Policy Object (GPO) or a custom OMA-URI […]
April KB5083769 Windows 11 update causes backup software failures
The April 2026 KB5083769 security update breaks third-party backup applications from multiple vendors on systems running Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2. According to user reports, first spotted by Microsoft MVP Susan Bradley, this issue affects software using VSS (Volume Shadow Copy Service) snapshots and causes failures due to a VSS service timeout. Microsoft VSS was introduced in Windows […]
Microsoft now force upgrades unmanaged Windows 11 24H2 PCs
Starting this week, Microsoft has begun force-upgrading unmanaged devices running Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro editions to Windows 11 25H2. According to the company’s Lifecycle Policy site, Windows 11 24H2 will reach end of support in roughly six months, on October 13, 2026. Also known as the Windows 11 2025 Update, Windows 11 25H2 began rolling […]
New KB5085516 emergency update fixes Microsoft account sign-in
Microsoft has released an emergency update to address a major issue that breaks sign-ins with Microsoft accounts across multiple Microsoft apps, including Teams and OneDrive. This issue appears after installing the KB5079473 cumulative update that Microsoft released as part of this month’s Patch Tuesday, and it warns users that the affected devices are not connected to the […]
Microsoft rolls out new Secure Boot certificates before June expiration
Microsoft has begun rolling out updated Secure Boot certificates through monthly Windows updates to replace the original 2011 certificates that will expire in late June 2026. Introduced in 2011, Secure Boot ensures that only trusted bootloaders can load on computers with UEFI firmware, helping block malicious software, such as rootkits, from executing during system startup by verifying […]
Microsoft: Windows 11 update causes Outlook freezes for POP users
Microsoft is investigating widespread reports that a January Windows 11 security update is causing the classic Outlook desktop client to freeze and hang for users with POP email accounts. POP (Post Office Protocol) is an email retrieval protocol used for downloading emails from a server to a local device. While POP isn’t as widely used […]
New Windows updates replace expiring Secure Boot certificates
Microsoft has started automatically replacing expiring Secure Boot certificates on eligible Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 systems. Secure Boot is a security feature that blocks malicious software (like rootkit malware) from executing during the system startup sequence by ensuring that only trusted bootloaders can load on computers with UEFI firmware. This is done by checking the software’s digital signature […]
Microsoft: KB5070311 triggers File Explorer white flash in dark mode
Microsoft has confirmed that the KB5070311 preview update is triggering bright white flashes when launching the File Explorer in dark mode on Windows 11 systems. “After installing KB5070311, you might experience issues when opening File Explorer in dark mode. The window might briefly display a blank white screen before loading files and folders,” Microsoft says in a […]
Windows 11 KB5070311 update fixes File Explorer freezes, search issues
Microsoft has released the KB5070311 preview cumulative update for Windows 11 systems, which includes 49 changes, including fixes for File Explorer freezes and search issues. KB5070311 is an optional preview update that delivers updates at the end of each month, enabling IT admins to test Windows bug fixes, improvements, and new features that will roll out during next […]
Microsoft: Windows updates make password login option invisible
Microsoft warned users that Windows 11 updates released since August may cause the password sign-in option to disappear from the lock screen options, even though the button remains functional. On Windows 11, the password icon appears only if multiple sign-in options (e.g., PIN, security key, password, fingerprint) are available. If you only use a password, […]