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Proposal: Dedicated Windows “Repair Companion” Device for Automatic Deep System Recovery
I’d like to propose a new hardware‑assisted recovery solution for Windows that would dramatically improve system reliability and reduce catastrophic failures caused by deep OS corruption. Today, Windows can repair many issues on its own, but certain types of corruption — such as servicing stack failures, broken WinSxS manifests, failed migrations, or damaged bootloaders — require offline repair or manual intervention. These situations often force users into time‑consuming troubleshooting or full reinstallations. My proposal is a dedicated, consumer‑friendly “Windows Repair Companion” device that connects to a home network and provides a trusted, isolated environment for deep system repair. This would be similar in concept to enterprise out‑of‑band management, but simplified and designed for everyday users. Key Features: • A small hardware device (similar in size to a Surface Dock or streaming box) that plugs into a router or PC. • Contains a hardened, read‑only repair OS and clean Windows recovery images. • Supports automatic network boot (PXE/UEFI) when a PC detects severe corruption or cannot boot normally. • Performs offline repairs: DISM, SFC, CHKDSK, servicing stack rebuilds, WinSxS restoration, bootloader repair, and update rollback. • Provides a true “push‑button restore” experience without requiring user technical knowledge. • Could leverage existing Surface recovery technology, secure boot chains, and cloud restore infrastructure. • Offers a new potential revenue stream for Microsoft while significantly improving Windows reliability. Benefits: • Makes Windows effectively unbrickable for most users. • Eliminates many catastrophic update failures and servicing issues. • Reduces support costs and frustration for consumers and small businesses. • Provides a clean, consistent recovery path across all OEM hardware. • Bridges the gap between consumer Windows and enterprise‑grade resilience. This device would give users peace of mind and provide Microsoft with a modern, hardware‑assisted recovery model that aligns with the direction of Surface and Windows Core OS technologies. Thank you for considering this idea — I believe it could meaningfully improve the Windows experience for millions of users.
Deleted Bit-Recovery-Key in error
I made the mistake of accidentally deleting my Bit Recovery Key and now I have no idea how to restore it. Is there anyway to maintain my microsoft account and restore the key? I would be fine with erasing the computer, as long as I can still access them from the cloud with the same microsoft account. Can anyone help?[On demand] AMA: Managing Windows updates
Tune in to Tech Community Live on demand. Get tips on how to easily manage updates for your Windows devices. And, don’t worry if you missed the live stream. Q&A is open through Friday (12/5) at 12:00 p.m. PST so keep those questions coming! Go to https://aka.ms/AMA/WindowsUpdate to post your questions.
Account Blocked on the Feedback Hub
Everytime I log into the feedback hub with my user checklist animations. I am redirected to the url https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/blocked/ This happens on any computer and any browser. How can I get my account unblocked? I have reached out to Microsoft support 3 times now. My latest discussion I was told to post here. I was helping users on the feedback hub for PowerPoint. I am guessing that is not something that you want others doing because you blocked me. I know that I posted some future tools that would help other users complete things they were looking for, or maybe it was because I was replying to old posts. Either way I just want to be able to help people so please unblock my account.
What Happens Outside "Active Hours?"
While looking at the features and functionality of autopatch, I'm being asked for more detailed information on behaviors related to "Active Hours", but more specifically what happens outside of active hours. (Please let me know if additional information is required to answer this) Example: It's 21:30p, the device active hours are being automatically set (05:00a to 20:00p) and a quality update is discovered and installed that requires a reboot to complete. if I'm still interacting with the host, will it try and reboot because its technically outside of active hours? Will it provide a warning or option to pause, reschedule, etc? What is the expected behavior? Does the windows host recognize that activity is occurring and wait until a specific point in time outside of active hours? How best can I explain what happens outside of active hours to the rest of the team so they will better understand expected behaviors? Thank you in advance,
Enable Windows 10 Extended Security Update
Hi All, We are managing our Windows 10 workstation fleet using SCCM, with activation handled via KMS. Since we have not yet transitioned to Windows 11, we’ve purchased ESU licenses. Microsoft provides detailed guidance on activating ESU through various methods — including Intune, phone, Internet, and the Volume Activation Management Tool (VMAT) for clients without Internet access — which is very helpful. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/enable-extended-security-updates Does anyone know the best method to enable ESU for enterprise workstations using SCCM/KMS, or through any alternative approach? Thank you in advance.[On demand] Windows 10 EOS: Myths, misconceptions, and FAQs
Support for Windows 10 and other Microsoft products will end on October 14, 2025. Get tips to help you prepare your organization to navigate these milestones. Watch Windows 10 EOS: Myths, misconceptions, and FAQs – now on demand – and join the conversation at https://aka.ms/EndOfSupportFAQs. To help you learn more, here are the links referenced in the session: Products affected by End of Support in 2025 Windows 10 (Non-LTSC) Office 2016 | 2019 Exchange Server 2016 | 2019 Visio 2016 | 2019 Project 2016 | 2019 Skype for Business Server 2015 | 2019 Also, monitor Windows Release Health, for updated information as it becomes available. Leverage Day 1 with Windows 11: A Quick Tour to inform your users on how to get the most out of their new Windows 11 desktop Where to start with your Windows 10 upgrade Windows deployment documentation | Microsoft Learn If you qualify for FastTrack benefits, our FastTrack resources can help you in your journey For more free technical skilling on the latest in Windows, Windows in the cloud, and Microsoft Intune, view the full Microsoft Technical Takeoff session list.[On demand] Deploying Microsoft Connected Cache for Enterprise at scale
See how Microsoft Connected Cache for Enterprise and Education works and how to remotely deploy it - at scale - to your fleet of host machines. Watch Deploying Microsoft Connected Cache for Enterprise at scale – now on demand – and join the conversation at https://aka.ms/ConnectedCacheAtScale. To help you learn more, here are the links referenced in the session: Common issue #1: blocked endpoints. Solution: Ensure the cache node host machine is able to reach all the endpoints listed in public documentation. Connected Cache Public Preview announcement Connected Cache public documentation Create a Connected Cache Azure resource For more free technical skilling on the latest in Windows, Windows in the cloud, and Microsoft Intune, view the full Microsoft Technical Takeoff session list.[On demand] Windows Autopatch: Your playbook for advanced update management
See how advanced tools in Windows Autopatch can help you respond to urgent patches, fine-tune feature update rollouts, and simplify driver approvals across your estate. Watch Windows Autopatch: Your playbook for advanced update management – now on demand – and join the conversation at https://aka.ms/AutopatchPlaybook. To help you learn more, here are the links referenced in the session: Edge Updates: Rollback guidance - Microsoft Edge rollback for enterprises For more free technical skilling on the latest in Windows, Windows in the cloud, and Microsoft Intune, view the full Microsoft Technical Takeoff session list.
