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Windows Update

All articles tagged with #windows update

technology3 days ago•120 min saved

Cloud Rebuild: Windows 11’s USB-free path to a fresh OS

Microsoft’s Cloud rebuild for Windows 11, currently in preview, reformats the system drive and reinstalls Windows 11 by downloading the OS and drivers from Windows Update via WinRE, offering a USB-free recovery that can return a PC to a known-good state. It isn’t a repair tool: locally installed apps and settings on the system drive are erased (OneDrive-synced files can be restored later), and the process requires compatible hardware, internet access, and WinRE to work; enterprise-use scenarios with Windows Autopilot and Intune are planned for future releases.

via Windows Central|

#cloud-rebuild #technology #windows-11

technology6 days ago•4 min saved

Microsoft previews Cloud rebuild to reinstall Windows 11 from the cloud, even if the PC won’t boot

Microsoft is previewing Cloud rebuild, a Windows 11 recovery option that reinstalls the OS from the cloud even if the PC won’t boot. It downloads the Windows image and drivers from Windows Update and applies the latest updates, but personal files, settings, and applications aren’t restored. Accessed via WinRE in Insider builds (Preview Build 26300.8772+), with general availability expected after testing; other recovery options include Reset this PC, Quick Machine Recovery, and Point-in-Time restore.

via ZDNET|

#cloud-rebuild #microsoft #recovery-tool

technology8 days ago•87 min saved

Windows 11 gains USB-free Cloud Rebuild to reinstall OS and drivers over the internet

Microsoft is adding a new recovery option for Windows 11 called Cloud Rebuild. It lets you reinstall the OS and your device drivers via the internet (no USB drive), even if Windows won’t boot. The process downloads the Windows image and drivers from Windows Update and installs them as a clean slate, without preserving apps or personal files. It’s in preview for Windows Insiders and is expected to roll out to all users in coming months; Reset this PC remains the option to download a cloud OS with data retention, but Cloud Rebuild focuses on a full OS reinstall.

via Windows Central|

#cloud-rebuild #drivers #recovery

technology18 days ago•115 min saved

Windows 11 July 2026 update adds a safety net and daily-use refinements

Microsoft’s July 2026 Windows 11 quality update (for versions 25H2 and 24H2) focuses on reliability with features like Point-in-time Restore for automatic rollback via VSS, Screen tint accessibility overlays, and a new, more flexible Windows Update pause (up to 35 days). It also tightens daily-use polish—Widgets defaults become less disruptive, Magnifier gains precise zoom, File Explorer and printers see improvements, and Bluetooth, location, and networking get reliability tweaks. Additional enhancements cover Phone Link call handling, Voice Typing/Voice Access for Copilot+ PCs, and incremental touchpad and SR-IOV networking refinements, all delivered via CFR rollout to gradually reach users. Overall, the update emphasizes safer updates and smoother everyday use rather than flashy new features.

via Windows Central|

#july-2026-update #point-in-time-restore #technology

technology1 month ago•2 min saved

Microsoft rolls out new Secure Boot keys as 2011 certificates near expiry

Microsoft is replacing its 2011 Secure Boot certificates with new UEFI CA 2023 keys via Windows Update as expiry approaches. Most Windows 11 devices manufactured since 2024 are already updated, while older devices can check compatibility in Windows Security and may require OEM firmware updates. Devices that haven’t updated will still function but lack newer boot-time protections against bootkits and firmware threats, and legacy BIOS-only systems cannot receive the update.

via TechSpot|

#certificates #firmware #secure-boot

technology1 month ago•2 min saved

Windows 11 Patch Aims to Fix Taskbar, but Install Fails for Some

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.

via PCWorld|

#installation-issues #kb5089549 #taskbar

technology1 month ago•3 min saved

15‑character hostnames break domain controller lookups on Windows Server 2016 after May security update

Microsoft has confirmed a new known issue for Windows Server 2016 after the May 2026 KB5087537 security update: domain controller discovery can fail when the server hostname is exactly 15 characters, with DCLocator returning ERROR_INVALID_PARAMETER and potentially blocking admin tools and DFS Namespace tasks. Microsoft is investigating and has not provided a timeline for a fix.

via BleepingComputer|

#dclocator #domain-controller #kb5087537

technology1 month ago•2 min saved

HP BIOS Updates Through Windows Update Spark Boot Failures on Premium Laptops

HP’s firmware updates pushed via Windows Update have caused boot failures on certain premium HP laptops (e.g., ZBook Ultra G1a, EliteBook X G1a) with specific BIOS versions. The updates are marked critical and install automatically, making rollback difficult; some users have recovered using HP’s network BIOS downgrade with an HP USB-C-to-Ethernet adapter. HP has acknowledged the issue but offered no detailed guidance, while Microsoft reviews the reliability of third-party firmware updates in Windows Update. This echoes earlier firmware update problems in 2024 and highlights challenges in firmware testing and rollout.

via TechSpot|

#bios #firmware #hp

technology1 month ago•12 min saved

Legacy Secure Boot certificates set to expire, risking future boot security updates

Microsoft’s 2011-era Secure Boot certificates expire in 2026 (June 24 for KEK CA 2011, June 27 for UEFI CA 2011, October 19 for Windows Production PCA 2011). After June 24, devices will still boot but won’t receive new boot-level security updates or patches for boot vulnerabilities unless they’re on updated builds via the 2023 certificate rollout (KB5089549). Some older hardware may require OEM firmware updates to align with the new chain. Check KB5062710 for status and ensure the latest Windows updates are installed; Windows 10 users outside the Extended Security Updates program may have limited remediation paths.”,

via Notebookcheck|

#certificates #secure-boot #technology

technology1 month ago•92 min saved

Windows 11 May Insider roundup: 13 practical changes shaping 2026

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.

via Windows Central|

#file-explorer #taskbar #technology

technology1 month ago•3 min saved

Restricted Windows networks hit by Windows Update download timeouts after January 2026 previews

Microsoft says customers in air-gapped or strictly firewalled Windows environments may see Windows Update fail with error 0x80010002 after installing January 2026 optional non-security preview updates, due to changes in download timeout requirements. A workaround uses Known Issue Rollback via Group Policy (KB5083806 for 26H1 and KB5083631 for 24H2/25H2) and requires a restart to apply. The issue affects only the download of updates from the internet, not the installation itself, and Microsoft is continuing to work on a fix.

via BleepingComputer|

#download-timeout #error-0x80010002 #known-issue-rollback

technology1 month ago•85 min saved

Windows 11 May 2026 Patch Tuesday update causes install failures and slow internet on some PCs

Microsoft’s May 2026 Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11 (KB5089549) is reportedly failing to install on some devices and, for a smaller subset, slowing internet speeds after installation. Affected systems may rollback automatically with an “Something didn’t go as planned. Undoing changes.” message, but Microsoft hasn’t publicly acknowledged the issue and there are no known issues listed on the health dashboard yet. Troubleshooting steps include retrying the update, clearing the SoftwareDistribution cache, running the Windows Update troubleshooter, and unplugging nonessential peripherals; for internet slowdowns, restarting the network adapter or updating drivers may help. If the update continues to fail, the recommended course is to wait for the next cumulative update.

via Windows Central|

#installation-failure #kb5089549 #patch-tuesday

technology2 months ago•3 min saved

Microsoft to Auto-Roll Back Faulty Windows Drivers Through Cloud Recovery

Microsoft will test a Cloud-Initiated Driver Recovery feature that lets Windows Update automatically roll back faulty device drivers identified after release, with the remediation managed entirely by Microsoft and no action required from hardware partners or users. If a driver is rejected for quality during shiproom evaluation, Microsoft can revert to a previous stable version (or the next best available) via the Windows Update pipeline. The capability is being trialed May–August 2026 and will begin rolling back drivers rejected during Flighting or Gradual Rollout in September 2026, as part of broader Driver Quality and Windows Resiliency initiatives.

via BleepingComputer|

#cloud-initiated-driver-recovery #driver-quality-initiative #driver-rollback

news2 months ago•47 min saved

Cloud-powered driver rollback heads to Windows Update

Microsoft is testing a Cloud-Initiated Driver Recovery feature that can automatically replace faulty drivers installed via Windows Update with a known-good version from the cloud, eliminating manual rollbacks. The rollout is expected to begin in September, and Microsoft is also adding other update-improvement features like extended pause options to reduce disruption.

via The Verge|

#cloud #driver-rollback #microsoft

technology2 months ago•87 min saved

Five Windows 11 Update Rules You Should Know

Microsoft is rolling out five Windows 11 update changes aimed at reducing disruption and giving users more control: you can pause updates indefinitely with a re-schedulable calendar; the Power menu now separates update actions from regular reboot/shutdown; updates gain clearer visibility with detailed driver labels and a monthly single-restart cycle; there’s automatic background recovery to fix failed installations; and you can skip updates during the out-of-box experience, though drivers and patches may wait for manual or automatic resumption. Overall, the changes are incremental and reduce friction, but don’t fully hand back complete control over updates.

via Windows Central|

#microsoft #restart-management #technology