Latest news with #WindowsUpdate
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
A Windows 11 update failing to install is nothing new, but Microsoft has spectacularly dropped the ball with the latest patch for June
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Windows 11's June update is failing to install for some people It's complicated because Microsoft released an initial update this month – which was paused – and then a revised patch that replaced it This revised patch is also causing unfortunate bugs according to some reports Windows 11's latest update is proving problematic for some folks who can't even install it, and others are running into trouble with bugs in the patch – or the fact that it doesn't resolve the issues that it's supposed to. We need to rewind a bit here for context, and remember that Microsoft got off to a bad start with Windows 11 24H2's update for June. The initial patch (codenamed KB5060842) was paused after Microsoft discovered that it was clashing with an anti-cheat tool, meaning games using that system would crash. To resolve this, Microsoft released a second update (patch KB5063060) that replaced the first patch in Windows Update, but as Windows Latest reports, people are running into installation failures with that upgrade. Some users are encountering the usual nonsensical and unhelpful error messages (bearing meaningless error codes like '0x800f0922'), while others say that the revised update gets stuck downloading and never actually finishes. This is based on complaints from Microsoft's Feedback Hub, readers contacting Windows Latest directly, and posts on Reddit like this one, which describes a worrying boot loop (of three to four reboots) before the user got back into Windows 11 to discover the update installation hadn't worked. There are people also saying they've run into bugs with KB5063060. Those include reports of the taskbar freezing when the PC wakes up from sleep, and issues with external monitors going wrong and Bluetooth devices being forgotten (so you must rediscover them every time Windows 11 is restarted). There are some more worrying reports of PCs ending up freezing full-stop, so they need to be rebooted. And there are a few complaints (again on Reddit) that even after installing this second patch – which is supposed to work fine with games that use Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) – some games are still problematic. 'I still get the same problem playing Star Citizen," wrote one gamer. "Game freezing randomly and the Windows event log viewer showing the EAC error.' There are further reports of Fortnite and efootball25 (which used to be PES) still crashing, so it seems that not all the wrinkles have been ironed out. Analysis: a disappointingly messy rollout for June Installation failures are a long-running problem with Windows 11 (and Windows 10 for that matter). It's therefore no surprise that, given the misfire with the initial update, more issues are now cropping up. As Windows Latest points out, because there were two updates this time round, there may be issues with PCs that already grabbed KB5060842 and are now getting the second KB5063060 update, due to having a game with EAC installed that's affected by the anti-cheat compatibility bug in the first one. In such scenarios, it's possible that Windows 11 trying to overwrite the first patch with the second is causing Windows Update to fall over. Those in this situation should be limited in numbers, though, as Microsoft pulled the first patch quite swiftly (so it didn't get through to many PCs with games that use EAC, at least in theory anyway). That's just speculation, but whichever way you slice it, this has been a messy rollout of an update (well, a pair of updates technically). What can you do if you're stuck unable to install the revised June update? One approach is to download the update manually and install it directly, which you can do by grabbing the file from Microsoft's site (the x64 version, as the Arm-based one is for Snapdragon PCs). That should install successfully, but I'd be rather wary of taking this approach if you're not a reasonably confident computer user. Alternatively, you can simply wait until Microsoft hopefully sorts out any issue(s) behind the scenes on its side, and the update might just succeed under its own steam later this week. There's no guarantee of that, though, and you're very much in a less-than-ideal situation. Those who can install the revised update, but are still experiencing crashing with games (or elsewhere) can't do much except wait and pray any issues are resolved. The only other possible route is to uninstall the patch, but that's not recommended due to it leaving your PC without the latest round of security fixes provided with every cumulative update for Windows 11. (You also won't get the newest features either, some of which are nifty additions). You might also like... Windows 11's hidden PC migration feature proves Microsoft isn't messing around when it comes to killing off Windows 10 macOS Tahoe 26 is official - here's everything you need to know about all the new features Can't upgrade to Windows 11? This Linux project wants to save your old PC from the scrapheap when Windows 10 support ends
India Today
7 days ago
- India Today
This new Microsoft feature could give your Windows laptop more battery life
Microsoft is testing a new feature for Windows 11 laptops that could help users get more out of their device's battery. The feature is called adaptive energy saver, and instead of waiting for your battery to get low, it adjusts power-saving settings based on how your laptop is being newCurrently, Windows 11 has a regular energy saver mode that turns on when the battery drops below a certain percentage. It reduces screen brightness, stops apps from working in the background, and delays non-essential updates. But the new adaptive energy saver mode works of just relying on battery percentage, it looks at how much work your laptop is doing. If your system is not under heavy load, like when it's idle or running light tasks, this feature can automatically turn on energy-saving measures, even if your battery is still high. This helps reduce power usage in moments when your laptop doesn't need full performance. And unlike the regular energy saver, it doesn't dim your screen, which means users can continue working without any noticeable change in display it helpsThe biggest advantage here is subtle power management. Since the adaptive mode doesn't reduce screen brightness, you're less likely to notice that it's even active. But it still pauses non-critical updates, stops certain background apps, and disables visual effects like example, apps like OneDrive or Phone Link may not sync fully while the feature is running. Windows Update may also skip less important downloads temporarily. All of this adds up to lower power usage, helping the battery last longer, especially during periods of low feature is designed only for devices with batteries, such as laptops, tablets, and handheld PCs. It won't work on desktop PCs, although Microsoft had earlier extended basic energy saver tools to desktops as well to help reduce electricity it's availableMicrosoft has started rolling out this feature to testers in the Windows 11 Canary Channel, one of the early testing groups for new features. If the testing goes well, adaptive energy saver is likely to reach all Windows 11 users later this the feature is optional, meaning it won't turn on by itself. Users will need to go into settings and enable it manually. This gives users the freedom to decide if they want Windows to manage background power use even when battery is not running it mattersMost new laptops today already offer good battery life thanks to improvements in processors from companies like Intel and Qualcomm. But people who spend long hours working without charging still look for ways to get a little more time on battery. For them, this small change could make a real difference. Without affecting performance during heavy tasks or dimming the display, adaptive energy saver can quietly stretch your battery life in less demanding moments.- Ends
Mint
01-07-2025
- Mint
Microsoft rolls out Windows 11 25h2 preview build with smaller size and smoother updates
Microsoft has made the first release of Windows 11's 25H2 update available to Insider users. While many new features may arrive later, this preview focuses on streamlining how updates are delivered and supported across different editions. This build signals a reset in Microsoft's lifecycle approach. Enterprise and Education editions will now receive three years of support. Pro and related editions will continue with two years of updates. This renewal ensures all users remain secure and up to date with current improvements. The update installer is now much lighter than previous versions. With a 40 percent reduction in package size, downloads are faster and require fewer data resources. For those on slower sites or tight data plans this is a significant benefit. Behind this change is a clever update strategy called feature updates via servicing. Instead of major reinstallation, Microsoft is switching to enablement packages. These allow computers to update with just a single reboot, similar to normal monthly updates, reducing disruption and downtime. Interestingly, version 25H2 is built from the same source code as 24H2, reinforcing compatibility and reducing compatibility issues. It feels more like an upgrade than a completely new system. To begin testing, users must join the Windows Insider Programme and switch to the Dev Channel. Then navigate to Settings, tap on Windows Update and enable preview features. The 25H2 update will download and install, ready for users to explore. Although the full public release is slated for the second half of 2025, insiders can begin testing and preparing now. For those who prefer waiting, the public rollout of version 24H2 will begin on October 1, with 25H2 following later in the year. The roll-out of 25H2 demonstrates Microsoft's steady focus on performance, simplicity, and extended support. Reducing installation size, simplifying update processes, and offering a refreshed support schedule all indicate that this 2025 update is shaping up to be one of the most practical yet.
Forbes
28-06-2025
- Forbes
Microsoft's Free New Windows Upgrade: How It Works And How To Get It
Microsoft stops supporting Windows 10 in just over 100 days on Oct.14, 2025. But on June 25, the company introduced the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which will mean users will supported for an extra year, for free. Windows 10 and Windows 11 This is a big change: until a few days ago, to gain an extra year, you needed to pay the company $30. Now, there's a free option, but there are things you need to do. Essentially, you need to link your Microsoft account and sync Settings to the cloud. First, as Microsoft explains, you need to sign in to Windows on a device running Windows 10, version 22H2 Home, Professional, Pro Education, or Workstation edition with the latest update installed. To enroll your device in ESU, go to Settings, then Update & Security, then Windows Update. Assuming you meet the requirements, you should see a link to enroll. If you choose not to sync your PC settings, the $30 fee still applies. Windows Latest, ahead of the game as usual, has already done all this as part of the Insider Program, so has seen it in action. 'In our tests, it just takes a few seconds to extend support. You'll see the 'Enroll now' button on the right side of the Windows Update. On some installations, it also appears below the Check for updates button. I assume Microsoft is A/B testing the toggle, but once you click the 'Enroll now' button, it opens a pop-up window titled 'Enroll in Extended Security Updates.' The pop-up says it'll help you extend security updates support beyond October 14, 2025, when Windows 10 support ends,' Mayank Parmar explains. The wizard will check whether your PC meets the requirements which are not, of course, the same as those needed to upgrade to Windows 11. When it's all done, a success screen appears. 'You're enrolled in Extended Security Updates through Oct. 13, 2026,'it says. If you're really not interested in moving on from Windows 10, and that's the case for hundreds of millions of users, this is a simple way to keep your PC secure until late 2026 for free.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Yahoo
Windows killed the Blue Screen of Death
You're laughing. Windows killed the Blue Screen of Death and you're laughing. Yes, the iconic Windows error screen is getting a makeover nearly 40 years after its debut in the first version of Windows. Now, the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) will become the Black Screen of Death (BSOD). This change is related to other updates that Windows is making in the wake of the CrowdStrike outage last year, which affected 8.5 million Windows devices and took businesses, airports, TV stations, and government services offline. In the aftermath of the CrowdStrike outage, Microsoft announced the Windows Resiliency Initiative, which aims to more deeply embed security features into Windows to make a crisis like the CrowdStrike outage less likely. The initiative is also trying to make unexpected restarts less disruptive. Windows is adding a quick machine recovery feature, which helps PCs get back online if a restart is unsuccessful. Windows shared the new Black Screen of Death in a blog post, yet failed to even acknowledge the cosmic shift it has triggered. It simply calls this a 'simplified UI,' because a blue background with white text was apparently too complex. Why even change the blue screen to black? Did the viral images of Times Square rendered useless by the BSOD cause that much reputational harm? It's been a long time that we've come to know this cobalt harbinger of trouble. When the BSOD first appeared in the 1985 version of Windows 1.0, it was legal to smoke cigarettes on planes; Germany was two separate countries; HTML code had not been created; Mark Zuckerberg was a baby who likely had not yet grasped the concept of object permanence. But as we go on, we remember the decades of fun and frustration we've wrought together, the ominous sapphire screen reflected in our eyes, now but a sepia-toned memory. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
