Microsoft

Microsoft has reportedly discontinued its telephone activation service for Windows. This change effectively eliminates the last official method for users to activate their operating system without an active Internet connection. For many years, phone activation served as a crucial alternative for users in areas with limited connectivity or for those installing Windows on machines that were not yet connected to a network. It was also a solution for people who either wanted or were required to run a computer without an Internet connection for security reasons (known as an "air gap" approach.) ...view more

Microsoft has removed a key feature for some Windows 10 users by disabling their ability to pause system updates. It could mean some computers may even try to update to Windows 11 without the user's intentional consent. The change primarily affects those not enrolled in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program and coincides with the OS's end-of-support date. A Loss of User Control Affected users on Windows 10 Home and Pro, version 22H2, now find the "Pause updates" button in their settings greyed out and unusable. This affects machines that have passed their official end-of-service date, ...view more

Microsoft has confirmed that a recent Windows security update is triggering some computers to demand a BitLocker recovery key upon startup. This issue primarily affects users on Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, as well as Windows 10 version 22H2, who have installed updates released on or after October 14, 2025. Upon restarting their devices, affected users are confronted with a prompt asking for their BitLocker recovery key. BitLocker is a security measure that encrypts a hard drive to make it more secure if somebody steals a computer or gets unauthorized physical access. Microsoft says ...view more

Microsoft has confirmed it has fixed a long-standing and frustrating bug within its Windows operating system that caused computers to restart when users selected the "Update and shut down" option. This correction addresses an issue that has affected users of both Windows 10 and Windows 11 for years. Battery Problems For many years, users intending to power down their machines for the day would select "Update and shut down," only to discover later that the computer had actually rebooted to the login screen. This bug was particularly problematic for laptop owners, who would often find their ...view more

Microsoft is partially reversing its recent decision to simplify the naming scheme for Windows 11 updates after facing significant backlash from users, particularly IT administrators. The company has confirmed that it will reintroduce dates into update titles, acknowledging that the initial change made it difficult for technical users to manage system updates effectively. The controversy began when Microsoft announced a new, streamlined naming convention for various updates. The goal was to make the information clearer for everyday users by removing what Microsoft considered "unnecessary ...view more

Microsoft is working to address multiple serious bugs introduced by its October, 2025 security update for Windows 11 (dubbed KB5066835 ), which has left users unable to fix their computers when problems occur. The bug disables many keyboards and mice at the worst possible moment. The most critical issue affects the Windows Recovery Environment, a built-in troubleshooting tool that automatically appears when a computer fails to start normally. After installing the update, USB keyboards and mice stop working entirely in this repair mode, leaving affected users with no way to click buttons or ...view more

Microsoft is intensifying its long-standing push to require a Microsoft account for Windows 11 (a sign on with an email address) versus using a local account which does not require an email address. It's reportedly disabling popular workarounds used to create local accounts, an option many users prefer for privacy and simplicity. In a recent preview build released to developers, the company has removed methods that allowed users to bypass the mandatory online sign-in, signaling a stricter enforcement of its policy. Closing Installation Loopholes According to reports on the latest Windows ...view more

Windows 10 users can now sign up for free security updates from Microsoft after it removes standard support in October. It's an option for people who can't or won't upgrade to Windows 11. Officially Microsoft will no longer update Windows 10 as standard after October 25, the system's end of life date (it originally debuted back in July of 2015). This means no technical support, no new features and no security patches. (Source: windowscentral.com ) As we've covered, that went down particularly badly with people whose machines don't meet the hardware specifications for Windows 11. This includes ...view more

Infopackets Reader George L. writes: " Dear Dennis, I was reading online that Microsoft's latest Windows 11 update ( KB5063878 ) is breaking NVMe and SSD drives, causing catastrophic data loss. I have Windows 11 on my laptop and I'm terrified - does this mean my NVMe could stop working at any moment? Should I uninstall the update or stop using my computer until this is fixed? Please help me understand what's really going on, because I'm not very tech-savvy and I don't want to lose my family photos and documents. " My response: Thanks for your message. You're not alone - many people have seen ...view more

Microsoft is adding new features to Microsoft 365 for Windows 11 users. They are described as "Companion" or "mini apps" and will be built into the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. The features are only for Microsoft 365. That's the subscription version of the Office package where users get updates for as long as they are paying the annual fee. They won't be available on the standalone Office or on Windows 10. The idea of the mini-apps is to make it easier to carry out core tasks without the need to open up full-blown apps or visit a web page. Calendar Tool Enhanced The File Search ...view more