Previously, some users were offered Windows 11 22H2 when they checked updates on Windows 10. As a result, those users were forced to download Windows 11 22H2 and then perform another system reboot to install version 23H2.

I don’t know why Microsoft has been pushing Windows 11 22H2 over Windows 11 23H2 on some PCs, but the new server-side update finally skips version 22H2 to download and install 23H2 directly. It is worth noting that this was not the case for everyone, as some of you have always been offered Windows 11 23H2 directly.

I observed that Microsoft quietly started offering a direct upgrade to Windows 11 23H2 over the past few weeks. In the last week of April, my ASUS PC started seeing “Windows 11 23H2” on the Windows Update page.

Previously, the same device was offered to download the older version 22H2. Similarly, my Lenovo’s Legion 5 Pro also started seeing version 23H2.

Windows Latest has observed similar patterns across all our virtual machines in VMWare.

All these devices run Windows 10 22H2 with recent cumulative and driver updates installed, but they were never offered the newer version 23H2 until recently.

This never made sense, especially since version 23H2 is just an update for version 22H2, and is as stable as the previous version. In fact, 23H2 comes with Windows 11 Moment 4 features already turned on, which makes it much better than 22H2.

I looked into it a bit, but I still can’t figure out why the company would offer an older update for Windows 11, and then install a newer update, leading to multiple system reboots.

It’s also worth pointing out that support for Windows 11 22H2 will end on October 8, 2024. This means after this date, Microsoft will no longer provide updates.

On the other hand, Windows 11 23H2 is supported for another year, which could explain why the company has fixed Windows Updates on Windows 10 to push the newer version correctly.

Windows 11 23H2 comes with all the new features from the Moment 4 update, including support for taskbar ungrouping, a new volume mixer, and native 7Zip integration, which lets you open more compressed files.

Support for Windows 10 ends soon

Windows 10’s support is ending in less than two years, and Microsoft will begin nagging people to install the new operating system soon.

If you don’t have a supported device, you must upgrade your hardware, buy a new PC, or pay Microsoft for extended security updates.

The post Windows 10 finally offers a direct upgrade to Windows 11 23H2 for more users appeared first on Windows Latest

Windows April 2024 security updates have been rough for everyone, including consumers and businesses. Windows Latest has already flagged as many as three critical issues in the April 2024 Patch, and the fourth new bug has been spotted in Windows Server 2022.

In an update to its support document, Microsoft warned about the issues in Windows Server 2022. According to Microsoft, you might notice an abrupt blowup in NTLM authentication traffic if you are an administrator. For those unaware, it is an authentication protocol to verify the user’s identity to establish a connection.

NTLM is a legacy protocol that’s not as heavily used as Kerberos but was mangled by April’s security update. In addition to the NTLM traffic surge, Microsoft informed that Windows Server PCs acting as a Domain Controller could encounter a service crash issue.

The abrupt crash of the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS) can force your PC to reboot. This problem exists in Windows Server 2022 and affects all older editions, including Windows Server 2008.

Here’s a full list of affected Windows edditions:

• Windows Server 2022 (KB5036909)
• Windows Server 2019 (KB5036896)
• Windows Server 2016 (KB5036899)
• Windows Server 2012 R2 (KB5036960)
• Windows Server 2012 (KB5036969)
• Windows Server 2008 R2 (KB5036967)
• Windows Server 2008 (KB5036932).

If you are looking for a resolution, you must wait until Microsoft rolls out a patch. As always, you can choose to uninstall the update via PowerShell.

To remove April 2024 update from Windows Server 2022 using DISM, use these steps:

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator. Run this command:
2. dism /online /get-packages
3. Look through the list for a package name that includes “KB5036909“. Note the full name of the package.
4. Replace PackageName with the exact name of the update package and run the following command:
5. dism /online /remove-package /packagename:PackageName
6. Example, if the package is listed as Package_for_KB5036909~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~10.0.1.0,  your command would be:
7. dism /online /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_KB5036909~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~10.0.1.0
8. As you can see, it must have full name. Once done, run Restart-Computer to finish removing updates.

You can follow the same steps for other Windows editions, but replace the KB ID. Also, you should pause the updates until the fixes are ready.

It’s worth noting that Windows Server is also plagued with two other issues in the April 2024 update.

Profile Photo and VPN connection errors

You might encounter an error if you try changing the profile photo on your Windows Server PC. The selected image is often applied as the new profile picture and the 0x80070520 error appears after that.

It warns that the profile picture couldn’t be saved, which is incorrect.

On Windows 11 consumer editions, the problem is associated with a local account, as confirmed by our tests in another post.

VPN software might fail to connect, making using the PC in a secure environment challenging. Both these issues remain unresolved, and it’s been almost a month since the update went live.

A few weeks back, Microsoft accidentally installed Copilot app on Windows Server PCs with an update for the Edge browser. Unlike consumer editions, Copilot isn’t available for Windows Server.

However, Microsoft took cognizance of the incident and removed the app with a new update for the Edge.

The post Microsoft confirms KB5036909 issues in Windows Server with NTLM traffic, LSASS appeared first on Windows Latest

In an update to its support document, Microsoft has now quietly confirmed it has no plans to fix the 0x80070643 error: Automatic resolution of this issue won’t be available in a future Windows update. Manual steps are necessary to complete the installation of this update on devices which are experiencing this error.

Some context on what’s going on: Windows 10 KB5034441 is a mandatory security update for systems with recovery partitions, and it was rolled out to everyone in January with Patch Tuesday updates. However, the update still doesn’t install successfully on thousands of systems due to the following error message:

“There were some problems installing updates, but we’ll try again later. If you keep seeing this and want to search the web or contact support for information, this may help: (0x80070643).”

Here’s a screenshot from my device:

This vague error code, which still appears on my Windows 10 PCs, refers to the lack of space in the recovery partition.

In my case, what’s particularly funny is that I don’t even have a visible recovery partition. Yet, the Windows 10 KB5034441 appears in Windows Update and fails to install with a 0x80070643 error message. And I’m not the only one experiencing issues installing the security update.

Microsoft previously promised that it was working on a fix which would be included in an upcoming update, but the company has now backed off, and you’re on your own.

Here’s a timeline of Microsoft’s botched-up Windows 10 update release:

• In January 2024, Microsoft published January 2024 Patch Updates for Windows 11 and Windows 10. On the same day, Microsoft also published KB5034441 to patch the BitLocker encryption bypass (CVE-2024-20666) affecting WinRE.
• The next day, thousands of users started reporting error 0x80070643 – ERROR_INSTALL_FAILURE” when installing this update.
• Microsoft quickly acknowledged the issue in support documentation with a temporary workaround to manually resize the recovery partition. Microsoft said the update doesn’t install due to low storage space in the recovery partition.
• Microsoft also posted a PowerShell script to increase the recovery partition size and allow Windows updates to install smoothly.
• These workarounds didn’t work for everyone, and Microsoft documents still noted the company was working on a “resolution”.
• In early April, I posted an article stating users should not expect a fix for the issue as Microsoft has moved on.
• On April 30, Microsoft updated its documentation to clarify that it won’t fix the error via an automatic update, so you’re on your own.

So, what are your options? As mentioned, the error code can be fixed if you correctly increase the recovery partition storage. I recommend the workarounds I highlighted in my January article and February article.

If you don’t want to go through a long, complicated workaround, you can hide the update or reinstall Windows 10. Reinstalling Windows 10 is your safest option.

The post Microsoft says it won’t fix Windows 10 KB5034441’s 0x80070643 error appeared first on Windows Latest

In a statement to Windows Latest, Microsoft previously confirmed that 123.0.2420.65, released on March 28, 2024, accidentally installed the web package for “Copilot”.

While the company refused to explain what the 8KB shortcut does, Windows Latets understands that the Copilot web package allows users in Europe to use an upcoming feature called “chat provider”. This web app was shipped in an MSIX package called “Microsoft Chat Provider for Copilot in Windows”.

This package was rolling out to everyone with Microsoft Edge 123, including systems where Copilot is not supported. As a result, some users on Windows Server 2022 noticed the new Copilot package in the Apps & Features > Installed apps section.

In a new update to its support documentation, Microsoft has confirmed that Edge 124 removes the Copilot app from Windows Server. The company has released a new update for the Edge browser updating it to version 124.0.2478.67. The update uninstalls the ‘Microsoft chat provider for Copilot in Windows’ package from the PC.

All you need to do is check and install the recent update for the Edge browser on your Windows Server machines. Copilot isn’t supposed to exist on Windows Server PCs, and this unwanted installation sparked curiosity among users.

The app can be uninstalled on Windows Server 2022. To do so, go to the Apps & Features app list and select the Uninstall option.

You can also turn off this Copilot app by changing the policy in User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Copilot > Turn off Windows Copilot.

Regarding other Windows Server changes, Microsoft recently added Microsoft account sign-in alerts in the Start menu.

Another useless feature of the Windows Server

It was questionable to ask admins to sign in with a Microsoft Account in Windows Server 2025.

Similarly, Microsoft added Sudo to Server editions only to clarify that it won’t be part of the operating system in the future.

Windows Server doesn’t need the bloatware shipped with Windows 11 because it is designed for a different use case. Copilot is already inside multiple system apps in consumer editions and soon it will appear in every corner of the OS.

The post Microsoft removes the Copilot app from Windows Server after installing it accidentally appeared first on Windows Latest

The official update page mentions that the search is now more reliable. You can expect fast, accurate search results and a personalized search experience.

Many users have complained about the problems with the search function’s accuracy and slow load times. For example, a user searched for a recycle bin and got search results for another system setting. Sometimes, the Start menu or the Search window crashes while searching for an app.

Microsoft’s announcement shows that it acknowledged the issue and that something was wrong with the feature. So, finding a recently installed app won’t be a problem after this update. We faced some inconsistencies while using the search function, but it wasn’t a big issue, at least on our Windows 10 machine.

Apart from improving the search function, this new update fixes issues with Bluetooth device connections that failed to pair with the Windows PC. The newly introduced Widgets in the lock screen also get a quality upgrade, which improves their visual appearance.

Gone are the days of local accounts on Windows 10. After making it mandatory for Windows 11, Microsoft wants you to sign in with your account on Windows 11. After installing this update, you will see notifications related to sign-in on the home page of the settings app.

No one’s a fan of obnoxious popups, especially when users consciously choose not to add a Microsoft account on their Windows 10 PCs.

We expect the ads to become more prevalent in the coming months. You can turn off these ads by disabling all the General Privacy options. If you don’t have a Microsoft account, the pops redirect you to create a new one.

Moreover, April 2024 is an optional update with a relatively smaller size than the traditional updates.

Windows updates will shrink in the coming months

Windows Latest previously reported about the decreasing size of Windows updates. This approach helps you download and install updates quickly and benefits users with limited bandwidth and business environments.

Windows 10 will be gone in sixteen months, and despite its benefits, pressuring users to use Microsoft accounts doesn’t make sense. You can pay to extend the support cycle and keep the security updates coming.

The post Microsoft finally tests “more reliable” Windows Search on Windows 10 appeared first on Windows Latest

Windows updates can be huge. For example, last month’s cumulative update was nearly 900 MB, which may not be a deal for most people, but businesses with limited network resources aren’t big fans of large Windows Updates. Similarly, people in rural regions with limited bandwidth may skip updates to save data.

Microsoft is using Windows 11’s reverse update data generation technology to reduce the size of Windows 10 updates by 40%. Microsoft is rolling out this feature with Windows 10 KB5036979, which brings many other changes, including new Microsoft account alerts in the Settings.

Notably, this doesn’t affect the Windows .msu installers offered on the Microsoft Update Catalog.

If you’re downloading monthly updates using Windows Update, you’ll notice a sharp dip in size. For example, the optional patch for Windows 10 in April is 650 MB, 180 MB less than the March 2024 update, which was approximately 830 MB in size.

Pretty nice, right?

As mentioned above, this is a big deal for businesses or people with limited monthly bandwidth. In the case of a business, it means minimized network traffic, allowing organizations to use the network in other places.

It also means Windows updates will download faster on slow connections.

How Microsoft is reducing Windows update size on Windows 10?

But how exactly did Microsoft reduce Windows update sizes by 40%? The explanation is extremely technical, so unless you know how to read the patent language, you won’t be able to understand it. However, I’ll try to explain the changes in the simplest possible way.

Previously, Windows Update required downloading and storing complete copies of files or packages for both the update and potentially for rollback. With the new approach, only the changes (deltas) to files are downloaded, typically much smaller than the complete files.

In other words, Windows update will try to download changes to the existing files (added, removed, or altered) rather than downloading the complete file again.

For example, if an existing file is about 50 MB in size, Windows update won’t try to download the whole file again. Instead, it will download the deltas/changes, which may reduce the bandwidth to just 30 MB. Previously, Windows tried to download the complete 50 MB file to apply the changes.

(50 MB and 30 MB references are just examples to support my explanation of the feature).

Microsoft will begin rolling out smaller and faster Windows updates to everyone with the May 2024 Patch Tuesday update.

You can also enable it by downloading the KB5036979 optional update.

The post Windows 10 gets Windows 11’s feature to reduce monthly updates package size appeared first on Windows Latest

We’ve been closely following the development of Windows 10, which has been updated with several changes in the past few months. These include Windows Copilot, a new Backup app, system labels in the Start, new MSN widgets on the lock screen, and now Windows 10 KB5036979 nags you to use a Microsoft account via a new alert in the Settings.

KB5036979 is an optional update for now, but all the changes in the update will be turned on for everyone with Windows 10 May 2024 Patch Tuesday, which would be a mandatory update. If you’re on Windows 10 22H2 or older, you’ll see the following patch today when you check for updates:

2024-04 Cumulative Update Preview for Windows 10 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5036979)

This optional Windows Update brings Build 19045.4355.

Download Links for Windows 10 KB5036979

Windows 10 KB5036979 Direct Download Links: 64-bit and 32-bit (x86).

To get the patch, head to Settings > Updates & Security > Windows Update and check for updates. You can also use the above link to open the Microsoft Update Catalog and click “Download” next to the supported version and edition. Finally, open the .msu link to download the .msu package and manually install the optional patch.

What’s new in Windows 10 Build 19045.4355

After the update, you’ll see a new banner or alert for creating a Microsoft account in the Settings app on PCs with a local account.

Additionally, the alert urges users to sign in to their Microsoft account to backup files and photos to keep them more secure [in OneDrive].

Our tests showed that the “Sign in now” button opens the Windows Backup, which has a “Back up now” button that pushes you to create a Microsoft account.

You can ignore the alert and close it by clicking the “x” button, but it may reappear when you start your device. To turn off the alerts completely, disable all toggles in Settings > Privacy & security > General. As shown in the below screenshot, you can toggle off “Show me notifications in Settings” to block upcoming Microsoft ads.

I recommend turning off all the toggles to reduce the number of ads that will appear in Windows 10.

Faster Windows search and Windows update

With Windows 10 KB5036979, Microsoft is also making changes to Windows Search

In the release notes, the company mentioned that the optional update should make Windows Search faster when looking for an app you just installed from the Microsoft Store. Moreover, Search has become more reliable, which might help you find what you are looking for more easily.

Microsoft claimed that Windows updates will be smaller by about 20% after the April 2024 optional update.

This means you can download Windows updates faster than ever at reduced bandwidth usage and minimized network traffic, which is great news for businesses with limited resources.

After the update, some of you might also see a new Windows 10 end-of-support warning. That’s because Windows 10 is supported until 2025 only unless you’re willing to pay.

The post Windows 10 KB5036979 pushes Microsoft account (direct download .msu) appeared first on Windows Latest

Using a Windows PC without a Microsoft account is increasingly becoming difficult. With recent Windows updates, Microsoft has made setting up a local account difficult by tricking you into opening a Microsoft account. But that’s not enough. In Build 19045.4353 (available for testers for now) or newer, you’ll notice a new alert in the Settings app.

As shown in the screenshot below, there’s a new alert/pop-up/recommendation suggesting me to “Sign in to your Microsoft”. I’m seeing it on my device with a local account. This alert recommends opening a Microsoft account as it can back up my files and photos to a more secure location (OneDrive).

I clicked the “Sign in now” button, which opened the Windows Backup app. This new alert in Settings will be another way to promote the app, which requires you to create a Microsoft account and use OneDrive.

That sounds like a smart move from Microsoft to push two of its related services – a Microsoft account and OneDrive.

When you click the “back up” button in the Windows Backup, you’ll be asked to create a Microsoft account or sign in to an existing account.

You can cancel the process and go back to Settings, which will no longer force you to create an account.

However, the alert returns after a reboot or two. You can click the cross button to dismiss the alert, but it’ll return again.

I asked Microsoft to explain what was going on, and the company redirected me to an announcement from a recent blog post, which stated:

This update starts the rollout of account-related notifications for Microsoft accounts in Settings > Home. A Microsoft account connects Windows to your Microsoft apps. It also backs up all your data and helps you manage your subscriptions. You can also add extra security steps to keep you from being locked out of your account.

The good news is you can turn off the notification by heading to Settings notifications in Settings > Privacy & security > General and unselecting all the options you’d see on the screen.

I recommend turning off all the options on that Geneal privacy page, but if you just want to block this alert from popping-up, you can turn off “Show me notifications in the Settings app. When off, required notifications are still shown”, and reboot your desktop.

It is also worth noting that the toggle and alerts are only visible in Windows 10 Build 19045.4353, available to testers in the Release Preview Channel only.

However, as I mentioned at the outset, it’ll begin rolling out to everyone with the Windows 10 May 2024 Patch Tuesday update on May 14.

One more thing: you’ll also see alerts to open a Microsoft account in the Start menu when you click the profile account.

Microsoft has previously tested the feature in Windows Server 2025, and it’s coming to Windows 10 soon.

The post Windows 10’s new feature wants you to create a Microsoft account; ditch local accounts appeared first on Windows Latest

So what’s going on? In our tests, Windows Latest observed that Microsoft Edge 123 adds “Microsoft Copilot” to all installations and editions of Windows, including “Windows Server 2022”. Microsoft isn’t adding the full-fledged Copilot to Windows Server 2022, but it has added one of the web-based shortcuts responsible for some upcoming features.

The upcoming features could be “chat provider” and new AI skills, such as opening Windows Settings or moving files using AI. These features are not intended for Windows Server, but you’ll still find a new app called “Microsoft Copilot” under the Apps & Features page of Windows 10 and “installed apps” in Windows 11.

You can remove the app if you’re in Europe, but the option is greyed out in other regions. It is only 8 KB in size, while the same app on consumer editions (Windows 11 and 10) is 16 KB.

Many users wondered what an app like Copilot was doing on a Windows Server PC. It is of absolutely no use to anyone on a Windows Server machine. It doesn’t appear on the taskbar, Windows Search, or Start menu. You’ll only find it in the installed apps section of Windows.

Microsoft told Windows Latest that the Copilot app is added using Microsoft Edge, so if the app is installed on your device, it’s likely you’ve updated Edge to v123 or newer. Windows Latest was told that the Copilot app showing up on the Windows Server is a mistake, not an intended behaviour.

Edge 123.0.2420.65 installs an MSIX package called “Chat provider for Copilot in Windows” on Windows. The package is listed as the “Microsoft Copilot” app in the Installed Apps page of Settings.

Microsoft has been working on a “Chat provider” setting for a while now. It will let you switch between the other AI models or search engines in Europe, and it was created as part of the company’s efforts to meet the EU’s DMA guidelines.

However, the package isn’t intended for Windows Server or some other editions, and Edge accidentally added it.

“This package is intended to prepare some Windows devices for future Windows Copilot enablement and is not intended for all devices. Although the component installed as part of this issue can cause the Microsoft Copilot app to be shown as part of the Installed apps, this component does not fully install or enable Microsoft Copilot,” Microsoft told us.

How to disable the “Microsoft Copilot” app on Windows Server

Fortunately, you can disable the newest entry of bloatware from Microsoft by configuring a Group Policy in Windows Server 2022.

To disable it, navigate to the User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Copilot > Turn off Windows Copilot policy.

In our tests, we observed that the package does nothing on Windows Server or other devices, and it seems to have been added by mistake.

Windows Latest previously reported about this tiny Copilot app “sneaking” into the operating system. On consumer editions, Microsoft doesn’t recommend removing it because it will enable some AI features in the future. However, you can remove the app on Windows Server if you have the option.

A future update for Edge will automatically remove the package.

2024 will be the year of AI PCs

Copilot could become a moneymaker in the long run, and Microsoft is now all in on the AI trend. After integrating AI into Bing and Windows, it wants to create a new breed of AI PCs.

Copilot is omnipresent in Windows 11, the Edge browser, and the Taskbar. But Microsoft wants to take it a step further!

Apart from the usual software-based AI features like changing settings and analyzing and summarising data and images, more features will work natively. Upcoming Windows features like AI Explorer will need an NPU, the USP of the forthcoming AI PCs.

Microsoft even added a dedicated Copilot key on the keyboard to make the AI PCs stand out.

The post Microsoft says it accidentally added Copilot app to Windows Server 2022 appeared first on Windows Latest

KB5036892 is a big update with MSN feed and other features. For example, you can now use Bing-powered wallpapers on a desktop and try MSN cards on your lock screen. Some may not like the MSN cards on the lock screen, but Spotlight on the desktop is a pretty good addition to Windows 10.

It works really well and can be configured from Personalization settings. If you like this feature, you can grab the update from Settings > Updates & Security> Windows Update. You’ll see the following patch when you click to check for updates:

2024-04 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 22H2 for x86-based Systems (KB5036892)

Download Links for Windows 10 KB5035845

Windows 10 KB5036892 Direct Download Links: 64-bit and 32-bit (x86).

The above link for 64-bit and 32-bit will open the Microsoft Update Catalog, where you need to select the “Download” button next to the supported version. This will download the .msu file, and you can double-click to begin the installation.

Installing the update will advance systems to Windows 10 Build 19045.4291.

There’s a new feature called Windows Spotlight for your desktop background. This means your wallpaper will change to different beautiful images all by itself.

If you see a picture you like and want to know more about it, just click or tap a button that says “Learn More,” and it’ll take you to Bing to learn about the picture.

You can turn this on by going to your computer’s settings, then to Personalization, Background, and choosing Windows spotlight. Not everyone will get this right away since it’s coming out slowly to all users.

Next, the lock screen is getting more interesting. Now, along with the weather, you’ll get updates on sports, traffic, and money matters right on your lock screen. You can turn this on in the same place as the wallpaper, just look for Lockscreen in the settings. Like the wallpaper feature, this one is also coming out bit by bit to everyone.

Microsoft also fixed a problem where the keyboard you use by touching the screen sometimes didn’t show up when it was supposed to.

When you sign in to your computer, you might see a message asking if you want to upgrade to Windows 11. This will only show up if your computer can move to Windows 11. And again, this is something not everyone will see right away.

For businesses using Windows Hello, there’s something new too. IT people can now use a special setting to stop a prompt from showing up when users sign in. This is meant for both Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices and is about making signing in smoother.

Lastly, if you’re in the European Economic Area, the search box on the taskbar will start showing highlights, giving you quick updates and information. To find out more about this, there’s a place on the Windows website that explains it.

All these updates are meant to make your Windows experience better, but if you spot new issues, let us know in the comments below.

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