All articles tagged with #windows 11
Microsoft's Windows 11 KB5089549 patch is designed to fix taskbar freezing and blank desktop issues by improving explorer.exe reliability and startup performance, but some users can't install it due to error 0x800f0922; on systems where it installs, users report smoother log-in, faster app launches, and a more responsive taskbar.
Microsoft’s Windows 11 KB5089573 May preview update is now generally available as an optional upgrade focused on performance and reliability. It introduces a Low Latency Profile that temporarily boosts CPU frequency to speed up actions like app launches and shell flyouts (Start, Search, etc.), and it includes reliability improvements on sign-in, lock screens, File Explorer, touch gestures, and theme changes. New features also aim to enhance usability, such as naming your device during setup and improved Task Manager behavior, plus Bluetooth sharing with two devices. The rollout is gradual, and users may not notice improvements immediately. To get it, go to Windows Settings > Windows Update > Optional updates and install KB5089573, ensuring you have the option enabled to get latest updates as soon as they’re available.
Microsoft explains that the original Secure Boot certificates (2011) expire in June 2026 and will be replaced by 2023 certificates through a phased CFR/LCU rollout. Legacy BIOS devices won’t be updated, and Secure Boot must be enabled; the process may involve several reboots and resealing BitLocker keys. If you ignore the deadline, Windows will boot but security will be degraded because boot-critical updates and DBX revocation lists won’t be applied, potentially blocking future OS upgrades that rely on the 2023 chain. Enterprises should test deployments, monitor Secure Boot status in Windows Security, and plan PXE/boot-manager changes accordingly. Servers require manual intervention, and the 2023 certs are projected to last until 2038 with further shifts toward post-quantum certificates later on.
As Windows 10 reaches its end of life with no future security updates, Tiny11 offers an unofficial, stripped-down Windows 11 that can run on older hardware by removing bloat. It isn’t endorsed by Microsoft, lacks regular updates, and requires a valid Windows 11 license. You can obtain or build a Tiny11 ISO (Internet Archive or tiny11maker.ps1 from GitHub), then use Rufus to create a bootable USB and install. Be mindful of caveats and consider alternatives like Linux or ChromeOS Flex.
Microsoft is reintroducing Copilot as a dockable Windows 11 sidebar (left or right) that expands the desktop when attached. The feature returns to Microsoft's original desktop-integrated design, and admins can remove Copilot via two methods: a registry edit (set RemoveMicrosoftCopilotApp to 1 under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsAI) or a Group Policy setting (User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows AI > Remove Microsoft Copilot App).
Microsoft is rolling out a new Copilot docking feature for Windows 11 that lets Copilot snap to the left or right edge (or stay on top as a small window), causing your open apps to resize and reflow around the AI pane. This returns Copilot to the original idea of living alongside your apps rather than as a separate window, following several redesigns, and is being rolled out gradually. The docked Copilot is accessed via a title-bar menu and may be backed by an Edge-based wrapper, with Windows Latest noting the new snapping as a distinct option from the native Snap Layouts.
Windows 11’s 25H2 preview (build 26300.8493) brings back taskbar repositioning on any screen edge and a 'show smaller taskbar' resize option, but the experience isn’t as flexible as Windows 10: you must adjust settings instead of dragging the bar, auto-hide is still buggy, vertical layouts show quirks like a shortened year and no seconds, and multi‑row taskbars remain missing.
Microsoft's May 2026 Update for Windows 11 (KB5089549) patches reliability issues in explorer.exe that caused taskbar freezes, unresponsive right-clicks, sign-in delays, and non-responsive Task View, and also improves startup-app launch timing and system-tray performance; changes may not show up for all devices immediately.
A Windows 11 bug from the January Preview Update has blocked all updates since February for some devices, preventing monthly security patches and Secure Boot certificate updates. Affected systems show update attempts failing with error 0x80010002 due to download timeouts and firewall rules. Microsoft recommends a Known-Issue Rollback (KB5083806 for 26H1 and KB5083631 for 24H2/25H2/Server 2025) to revert the faulty update; IT admins can apply KIR, and home users can try removing the January preview update. With Secure Boot certificates expiring in June, the rollback should be applied promptly to restore updates and security fixes.
Microsoft unveiled a Surface Laptop for Business 13-inch variant with 8GB RAM priced at $1,299, marketed as a Copilot+ PC, despite Microsoft's own 16GB minimum RAM guidance for Copilot+ and ongoing AI ambitions. The piece argues this pairing of premium design and low RAM is misaligned with enterprise needs, especially given Windows 11’s memory footprint and the 50 TOPS NPU, and contrasts it with Apple’s $599 MacBook Neo to suggest a flawed pricing/RAM strategy for Surface. It calls for a RAM-rich or more affordable entry-level option to uphold Surface’s reliability and enterprise value.
Microsoft’s May 2026 Windows 11 Insider builds roll out 13 practical, quality‑of‑life changes that fix long‑standing friction and steer the OS through 2026: Taskbar repositioning returns; Run dialog gets a modern look; File Explorer and Search get local‑first improvements; Widgets become quieter and more adaptive; touchpad gestures, NPU‑aware Task Manager, Voice Typing on the touch keyboard, and a Windows Update overhaul add user control; K‑12 Pro Education upgrades are free; and Shared Audio enables two devices to listen to the same audio.
Microsoft is rolling out improvements to Windows 11 Search to prioritize local files and apps over web results in most preview builds. Tests show that local results now outrank web suggestions when there’s a strong match, though web results remain. A registry method to disable web search exists today, with Settings control potentially coming later. Microsoft also plans broader search enhancements across the Taskbar, Start, File Explorer, and Settings, including a faster UI and better cross-component consistency, along with features like a native Start menu and Low Latency Profile.
Microsoft will stop using SMS verification for personal Microsoft accounts, phasing out SMS as a method for two-factor authentication and account recovery in favor of passwordless options like passkeys, authenticator apps, and verified backup emails. Microsoft argues SMS is insecure and a frequent fraud vector (including SIM-swaps), and promotes passkeys that rely on device biometrics and hardware-backed keys. The transition is cross-device compatible but may cause friction for power users and scenarios like virtual machines where a hardware-based sign-in isn’t available.
Microsoft is rolling out an Insider Preview (Build 26300.8493) that reinstates a resizable taskbar and configurable Start menu on Windows 11, letting users move the taskbar to the top or sides, enable smaller icons, and tailor Start menu content and size, while maintaining a list of recently installed apps; the company also teases a modern Run dialog and broader performance and UX improvements.
Microsoft acknowledges that faulty third-party drivers have silently drained Windows 11 batteries and degraded performance for years. It will overhaul driver evaluation to assess power usage, heat generation, and performance, introduce automatic rollbacks to block problematic drivers, and shift away from crash-only criteria by incorporating telemetry to detect everyday usability issues.