Microsoft released an out‑of‑band (OOB) non‑security update on August 19, 2025 — KB5066189 for Windows 11 (OS Builds 22621.5771 and 22631.5771) — to repair a regression introduced by August’s cumulative updates that can block device reset and recovery operations, and to deliver a servicing stack...
Microsoft has quietly resolved a critical upgrade-path bug introduced with the August Patch Tuesday roll‑out that blocked many Windows 10-to-Windows 11 and several Windows Server upgrade paths, leaving administrators and end users scrambling for workarounds during a narrow migration window...
0x8007007f
august 2025
dism
enterprise it
esu
golden image
in-place upgrade
lcu
migration
patch tuesday
release health
sccm configmgr
setup logs
sfc
ssu
troubleshooting
upgrade path
windows 10
windows 11
windows server
Windows 11 includes a built-in Reserved Storage feature that can quietly hold back several gigabytes of your system drive for updates and system caches — and, if you urgently need every last byte, you can temporarily disable it to reclaim that space.
Background: what Reserved Storage is and why...
disable reserved storage
disk cleanup
disk space
dism
enable reserved storage
feature updates
onedrive files on-demand
os drive
powershell
reserved storage
storage optimization
storage sense
system volume
windows 11
windows updates
Microsoft’s latest cumulative for Windows 11 24H2 has been tied to a small but serious cluster of storage failures that can make NVMe SSDs disappear during heavy writes and, in a handful of cases, leave data unreadable — a scare that underscores why updating and backup discipline still matters...
24h2
26100.4946
august 2025 update
backup
data backup
data integrity
data recovery
dism
dram-less ssd
enterprise deployment
firmware
firmware update
hardware compatibility
heavy i/o workloads
host memory buffer
it admins
kb5063878
known issue rollback
large writes
nvme
nvme ssd
phison controllers
release health
rollback
sccm
ssd
ssd disappearance
ssd firmware
storage regression
support guidance
vendor diagnostics
windows 11
windows 11 24h2
windows updates
wsus
Windows 11’s built‑in antivirus, Microsoft Defender, is normally updated automatically through Windows Update — but when that pipeline falters, administrators and power users must know how to update Defender manually, safely, and at scale to avoid windows of exposure that attackers will happily...
The SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED blue screen is one of those Windows errors that looks frightening but, in most cases, can be diagnosed and fixed without replacing hardware — provided you approach it methodically and understand what the stop code is telling you. This article breaks down...
Windows 10 reaches its official end of support on October 14, 2025 — and if you intend to run, repair, or virtualize the OS after that date, downloading and archiving an official Windows 10 ISO today is the simplest, safest hedge against broken links, tampered images, and last‑minute panic...
backups
bootable usb
checksum
direct iso download
dism
end of support
esu
gold image
hyper-v
iso download
licensing
media creation tool
rufus
sha-256
slipstreaming
ventoy
virtualization
vm
windows 10
Over the years I’ve built a compact, free toolkit of Windows utilities that quickly expose the usual suspects when a PC slows down: low disk space, runaway background processes, flaky RAM, overheating hardware, or an aging storage drive. The MakeUseOf piece that started this conversation lays...
Microsoft’s long‑standing compatibility concession for legacy automation has come to an end: Windows PowerShell 2.0 is being removed from shipping Windows 11 and Windows Server images, beginning with Windows 11, version 24H2 in August 2025 and Windows Server 2025 in September 2025. This change —...
Microsoft released the August 12, 2025 cumulative security update for Windows 11, version 24H2 — KB5063878 (OS Build 26100.4946) — a combined LCU+SSU package that continues July’s quality fixes, delivers component updates for Copilot+ AI features, and reiterates a critical Windows Secure Boot...
Windows can report “No Internet access” while web pages and apps continue to load — a confusing UI mismatch that’s usually harmless but can mask real network problems and make troubleshooting harder. A recent Guiding Tech how‑to lays out the common quick fixes and three deeper repairs —...
active probing
captive portal
dism
dns probe
firewall
group policy
internet connectivity
ipv4
ipv6
microsoft connect test
ncsi
network reset
network troubleshooting
no internet
proxy vpn
registry edit
sfc
windows
windows update
winsock
Support for Windows 10 ends on October 14, 2025 — but you do not have to be left scrambling on day one: there are short-term safety nets (Microsoft’s consumer ESU options), practical archiving steps (download and verify an official ISO now), and longer-term migration choices (upgrade to Windows...
backup strategy
data protection
direct iso download
dism
esu
extended security updates
iso archive
media creation tool
ntlite
official windows 10 iso
os migration
secure boot
slipstream updates
tpm 2.0
virtualization
vm isolation
windows 10 end of life
windows 11 upgrade
windows security
windows support lifecycle
How to Permanently Disable the "Pick an App" Popup in Windows 11: Proven Methods, Deep Analysis, and Expert Fixes
Persistent system prompts can undermine even the smoothest user experience, and few Windows 11 behaviors are as frustrating as the incessant “Pick an app to open this file or folder”...
If you’re frustrated by Windows Update Error 0x80070643, you’re not alone. This error has become an all-too-common headache for Windows users, cropping up just when you’re hoping to keep your PC secure and up to date. While the error seems cryptic, there are several clear causes and equally...
.net framework
antivirus interference
disk check
dism
error 0x80070643
manual updates
microsoft support
pc maintenance
registry fixes
sfc
system files
system optimization
troubleshooting
update errors
windows 10
windows 11
windows repair
windows services
windows troubleshooter
windows update
Here is a summary of the update described in the Microsoft Support KB article for KB5062688 (Safe OS Dynamic Update for Windows 11, version 24H2 and Windows Server 2025, released July 8, 2025):
Summary
This update improves the Windows recovery environment (WinRE) for Windows 11 24H2 and...
arm64 devices
certificate expiration
device compatibility
device security
dism
event viewer
firmware security
it management
kb5062688
microsoft support
microsoft windows
os update guide
powershell
recovery environment
safe os dynamic update
safe os update
secure boot
secure boot certificates
security update
system recovery
system security
system stability
system troubleshooting
update installation
usb-c fix
windows 11
windows maintenance
windows recovery environment
windows server 2025
windows update
winre
Microsoft has released the KB5060843 Safe OS Dynamic Update for Windows 11, version 24H2, and Windows Server 2025 on June 26, 2025. This update enhances the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), ensuring a more robust and secure recovery process for users.
Key Highlights:
Enhanced Recovery...
automatic deployment
dism
dynamic update
kb5060843
microsoft support
microsoft updates
os enhancement
os update
recovery tools
security update
system maintenance
system recovery
troubleshooting
update installation
windows 11
windows recovery environment
windows server 2025
windows troubleshoot
windows update
winre
Windows 11 continues its rapid evolution, and with every update Microsoft aims to streamline both the user experience and the deployment process for IT professionals. The latest in a string of cumulative improvements is the release of KB5062197: Setup Dynamic Update for Windows 11, version 22H2...
auto deployment
deployment best practices
dism
enterprise windows
hardware compatibility
installation reliability
it infrastructure
it management
kb5062197
setup dynamic update
windows 11
windows 11 updates
windows customization
windows deployment
windows enterprise
windows imaging
windows security patches
windows servicing
windows setup
windows update
Microsoft has recently released a significant update to Microsoft Defender, enhancing security for Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows Server installation images. This update is crucial for IT administrators and organizations aiming to maintain robust security postures across their systems...
cybersecurity
deployment images
dism
it administration
it security
microsoft defender
official microsoft update
performance improvements
security fixes
security intelligence
security patches
system updates
threat detection
threat protection
vulnerabilities
webdav vulnerability
windows 10
windows 11
windows security
windows server
Encountering error code 0x800f0838 during Windows update installations, particularly when using .MSU (Microsoft Standalone Update) files, can be a significant hindrance. This error typically halts the update process, rolls back any changes, and displays a failure message accompanied by the error...
checkpoint updates
disk space
dism
error 0x800f0838
in-place upgrade
microsoft update catalog
msu files
offline update
sfc
troubleshooter
update cache
update cache reset
update dependencies
update troubleshooting
windows 11
windows fix
windows maintenance
windows repair
windows system files
windows update
The KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK_FAILURE error in Windows 10 and Windows 11 represents one of the more alarming encounters for everyday users and IT professionals alike. When this error surfaces—frequently signaled by the iconic Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)—it indicates that the Windows kernel has...
blue screen of death
bsod
device drivers
dism
driver update
hardware compatibility
kernel security check
malware removal
memory diagnostic
memory errors
sfc
system errors
system file corruption
system repair
system stability
tech support
troubleshooting
windows 10
windows 11
windows update