All articles tagged with #windows update
Microsoft’s September Windows 11 update adds the ability to move the taskbar to any screen edge, resize it, and adjust Start menu layouts, while cleaning up Windows Search by hiding Bing and Store results; it also removes WMIC, introduces Autopilot-related protections and container isolation, with features rolling out to eligible devices over the coming days.
Microsoft has confirmed that the Windows 11 optional update KB5120998 can alter or revert mouse cursor personalization to a standard oversized default, with reports of color and size not sticking and some wallpaper issues. The problem appears to affect certain hardware/display setups. Microsoft is investigating, and the recommended workaround is to uninstall the update via Settings > Windows Update > Update History; since it’s optional, removing it won’t affect security patches.
Microsoft's new Windows 11 update KB5120998 adds user-requested features like a movable/resizable taskbar and improved Windows Search, but it also ships with bugs that hide or distort the cursor, erase wallpaper settings, and blur fonts. The recommended fix is to roll back/uninstall the update via Settings > Windows Update > Update History > Uninstall; since the update was optional, doing so won’t remove security patches. Microsoft says it’s addressing the cursor issue on a support page.
Windows 11’s optional KB5120998 update (Build 26200.9278/26100.9278) is reportedly breaking mouse cursor customization (size/color and default schemes) and resetting wallpapers, with additional font issues; Microsoft says it’s investigating and notes the problem appears after installation, advising affected users to uninstall the update to restore cursor settings—the issue typically resolves upon removal and could be followed by a rollback or emergency fix.
Hackaday’s links for August 23, 2026 cover four tech notes: NASA’s Swift Observatory mission suffers a setback as the LINK spacecraft can’t safely dock, leading to an expected reentry; TechCrunch reports a class-action against Oura Ring over sleep-stage claims, with Oura defending its methodology; Microsoft investigates Windows August updates that disrupt certain games due to the inpoutx64 component, offering registry workarounds; and ASCII CITY releases a playable prototype of a single-file HTML‑5 3D cyberpunk city.
Windows Central reports that Microsoft is rolling out five major Windows 11 improvements this year as part of its Windows K2 effort: smarter Windows Update that batches driver/framework/security updates and lets users restart only once a month (with a postponable restart option); fewer ads and AI prompts across Widgets, Search, and the Start menu; a trimming of Copilot UI to fewer surfaces; notable performance boosts via a new Low Latency Profile and System Composer to reduce latency and memory use; and a more customizable Start/Taskbar with repositioning and the ability to hide certain sections. Some changes are shipping now or in preview, with Microsoft aiming to bring most updates by the end of 2026 (some possibly in 2027).
Microsoft’s July Windows 11 Insider updates introduce a slate of refinements: Windows Search now auto-discovers additional locations based on activity, Phone Link previews get easier, and adaptive hibernate policies optimize power. File Explorer gains performance boosts, Widgets get updated icons, and the overall update flow is becoming less disruptive with a unified monthly reboot. Start Menu customization, Taskbar positioning, and refreshed Account/ Narrator features also arrive, reflecting a broader push to align Insider channels ahead of a broader release. The changes are mostly incremental rather than groundbreaking, as Microsoft tightens consistency across builds.
Microsoft released the KB5101684 preview cumulative update for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2, adding 42 fixes and new features as part of the optional non-security preview. It can be installed via Settings > Windows Update or the Microsoft Update Catalog, updating 24H2 to build 26100.8973 and 25H2 to 26200.8973. Highlights include File History/DFS fixes, improved File Explorer usability (unit display and tabbed navigation), Voice Isolation for Voice Access (with Korean support), Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security support for peripheral fingerprint readers, and broader reliability improvements across Start, Taskbar, Search, and Widgets; no known issues are reported.
LG’s Monitor App Installer, which some LG gaming monitors install via Windows Update, is pushing McAfee ads (and occasional LG apps) on startup. After scrutiny, Microsoft said LG would disable the McAfee pop-up, highlighting broader worries about perimeter devices automatically installing software and potentially collecting data without explicit user consent. LG’s role and the scope of affected models remain under discussion as users report long-running ad prompts.
Microsoft intervened after backlash over LG's Monitor App Installer pushing a McAfee trial popup on Windows 11; LG says consent is required and blames the distribution process, while Microsoft confirms LG will disable the popup as part of a broader effort to curb bloatware with ecosystem partners.
LG’s monitor app updater uses Windows’ device metadata to silently install software via Windows Update, with LG’s changelog mentioning McAfee as an added app and a 30‑day trial, effectively serving adware without user consent. Microsoft’s Store policy notes the automatic app installation is by design. Users can block it via Group Policy or uninstall the app, but the incident highlights a broader OEM practice of bundling software through the update pipeline on Windows. There are no public statements from Microsoft or LG at the time of writing.
LG monitors reportedly auto-install a Windows driver that runs an LG Monitor App Installer without user consent, aggressively promoting McAfee subscriptions. The app, which gains broad permissions and displays ads after each boot, was independently tested by GamersNexus and flagged as spyware by Jiangmin. Removal is possible but preventing reinstallation requires complex manual steps or disabling the Windows Store. The controversy raises privacy concerns about data collection in LG’s software and may extend to other vendors pushing bundled software.
Gizmodo reports that LG monitors, including high-end UltraGear models, secretly push an 'LG Monitor App Installer' to PCs via Windows Update, installing adware that displays McAfee ads and may track usage; the app reportedly lacks an opt-out, has appeared on models dating back to 2024, and LG has not fully explained the scope of deployment or data collection.
Microsoft says a known WSUS synchronization issue has delayed metadata downloads and blocked deployment of the latest Windows updates via WSUS or Configuration Manager since around July 13, 2026. A mitigation was deployed to restore sync times for new WSUS installations and rebuilds, while engineers continue work to remove affected metadata from existing servers and help customers recover previously impacted environments.
Microsoft’s early July Windows 11 Insider builds add Cloud rebuild for a cloud-based reinstall, a redesigned account flyout and default backup settings for Entra ID devices, new Taskbar position options, a unified Windows Update cycle to reduce restarts, and revamped Windows Search that prioritizes local results and offers more control over search behavior, plus an expanded path to upgrade Windows 11 Home to Pro Education for K-12 schools.