Recent Discussions
Where / How to find "Ask a question"
CAN ANYONE TELL ME how to reliably and repeatably find the Link to "Ask a question" or "Start a Discussion"! Yes, I am Starting a Discussion now ONLY because I accidentally stumbled upon a Start a discussion link. I am often wondering around in the various Community Hubs, Discussions, Screens, etc. trying to find that link - and don't laugh because I am serious, but sometimes for 30 minutes or more and sometimes finally giving up. I love the Community and the support here, but WHY is it so hard to "Ask a Question" I will post the question somewhere else when I finish here - if I can once again find the link to ask a question. And sorry to be such a pain over this and although a long-term Community participant, but this has been a lingering problem for me, going back years and years. ron in shawnee
Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable rolling back or getting corrupted after every Windows Update.
Hello! So I'm having an issue where multiple users would create a ticket stating they can't access AutoCAD, InDesign, and even sometimes even File Explorer. Now this part is an easy fix, just uninstall/reinstall or repair the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable and the issue is fixed. The problem I'm having is that a few days later, the same users would create another ticket with the same issue. I've been going back and forth uninstalling/reinstalling, when a user (that was having this issue before, and I had fixed) brought up that they were able to access AutoCAD fine, until they did a Windows Update and rebooted. Sure enough, I remoted into their PC and their Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable wasn't updated to the v14. I first contacted AutoCAD and they did some digging and stated the same thing, that the Visual C++ was being rollback. Then I contacted Microsoft and they had me go to Windows support which then they guided me here. So I'm presenting my question here now, anyone else had this issue, and is there a solution to this fix? Thanks!
KB5077181 Destroys VMs and Framerate
Every machine I allow KB5077181 to be installed on has virtualization software fail / hang / crash / freeze (VMWare Workstation or Hyper-V, same issue). This never happened to me before this update. Additionally, the keyboard stops working, and the system "framerate" drops to about one on-screen update every 1.5 seconds. UNINSTALLING THIS UPDATE AND DISABLING FURTHER UPDATES. This is TOTALLY unacceptable.
Sudden crashes and BSOD in Win10
Hello! I have an Asus Vivobook 15, that came with Keep-OS and I installed Windows 11 using the official website and step by step. Last week it started crashing and having BSOD's, getting stuck on boot and sometimes not even recognizing the OS (win11). It started after a Win Update. Since I haven't found a solution and Asus does not care for the consumer, had no alternative and downgraded to Win 10. I'm still facing some crashes and BSOD. I checked the SDD, manually and with Crystal Disk Info (98% health), checked the fan... I really don't know what else to do. https://1drv.ms/u/c/7f13816d644baeb5/IQCrQrt8VfRkRZAOG5BT6By0ASV3wLkzdMiLZ-ctbrSsW84?e=PTUVlN Here is the System Events Log.
Where has the Edge Browser Share button gone ?
Recently the Share button has vanished from MS Edge. Everywhere I search shows how to turn on and off the button from the tool bar, or the context menu , but these opotions are not visible to me at all. So has this option been removed from Edge ? OS : Windows 10 Browser : MS edgeSave the date: Windows Office Hours - February 19, 2026
Join us for our upcoming Windows Office Hours on February 19, from 8:00–9:00 AM PT! A wide range of product experts, servicing specialists, and engineers from across Windows, Microsoft Intune, Configuration Manager, Windows 365, Windows Autopilot, security, public sector, FastTrack, and more will be online and ready to help. They’ll be in the chat to offer guidance, explore best practices, and answer any questions you bring. Want to learn more about how Windows Office Hours works? Visit the Windows IT Pro Blog for a full overview. If you’re unable to join live at 8:00 AM PT, you can still participate—just post your questions on the Windows Office Hours: February 19th event page up to two days beforehand.Feature Request: Auto‑Import Photos from Mobile Devices and Free Space on Phone
Title: Automatic import of photos from a phone via USB with the option to delete them from the device after copying Request content: I would like to propose a feature that will significantly simplify photo management on mobile devices connected to Windows via USB (USB-A / USB-C). Problem: Phones fill up their memory very quickly with photos and videos. Currently, Windows does not offer an automatic mechanism that, after connecting a phone via USB, could: - automatically copy new photos to the computer, - and delete files from the phone that have already been safely transferred. The user must perform these steps manually, which is time-consuming and inconvenient. Proposed solution: After connecting a phone to a computer via USB, Windows should enable: - Automatic import of new photos and videos to a selected folder. - Optional automatic deletion of files from the phone that have already been copied to the computer. - Ability to enable/disable this feature in settings. - Integration with Power Automate so that users can extend this feature with their own automations. Benefits for users: - saves space on your phone, - automatic photo backup on your computer, - no need to manually copy and select files, - convenience and time savings, - a useful feature for millions of Windows and smartphone users. I believe this feature should be natively available in Windows because it solves a real, everyday problem and perfectly aligns with the philosophy of automation and user convenience. Thank you for considering my idea.W11 Pro OEM not activating - also no key in the envelope
I've bought a Windows 11 Professional OEM. For reasons unknown to myself I could not start the installation from the DVD, meaning it didn't boot from the DVD. So I re-inserted my HDD with Windows 10 on it and installed it directly from and over Windows 10, which worked well. Problem: W11 is now harassing me by displaying a permanent message to activate it. From what I've read the OEM is supposed to do that automatically, but it didn't and no key is to be found anywhere. I tried every chain of characters on the envelopes the DVD came in but it didn't work. I've tried the "troubleshoot" option in the Activation Settings menu. I assume it didn't work out because of my method of installation, so I tried the "I recently changed hardware on this device", which technically is true as basically everything except the HDD I installed W11 on is new, but that didn't work either. Windows is simply asking me to spend another 200 something € after I've already spend a lot of money on the OEM. And yes, I've bought the OEM from a reputable source (alternate.de) which has been in business for over 30 years and is a known and trusted retailer of hard and software. I buy everything there and never had issues. So yeah, I'm at wits end.SFC finding bluetooth driver.inf - the reason will shock you.
if you run cmd in windows, there is a command called , SFC /scannow , the command scans the computer and finds if there are any corrupt drivers, and replaces them. if you use the sfc /scannow command, sometimes you will find a driver that is btxxxxxx.inf , where the x symbols, are numbers. that is the bluetooth driver itself. how it happens. some bluetooth devices have a problem where, if you turn them on, they make a hi pitched signal. a tiny iiiiiiii sound, that is at around 4 or 6khz, the sound lasts around 2 to 3 seconds, and is very low in volume. sometimes you hear it also in chargers, or other devices, that are infected, from some kind of bios corruption, and the moment they turn on, they make that hi pitched signal. if, sfc /scannow finds the btxxxx.inf driver, it replaces it. if you run sfc again, after a clean boot etc, it will not find it. if you turn on the bluetooth speaker or radio, that makes the signal, the signal will corrupt the bluetooth driver of the windows computer, even with the computer being switched off. after you turn on the computer and run sfc, the bluetooth driver will appear again. each time the bluetooth device is turned on, that makes the hi pitched signal. there are users on the internet as well, who have that problem. where sfc finds the bluetooth driver. it is the bluetooth devices that make the hi pitched signal apparently. if you know anything about this problem, dont hesitate to report to your local police, government, or security agency.Windows 10 ESU enrollment lost after factory reset – previously purchased and working fine
Hello, I purchased the Extended Security Updates (ESU) for my Windows 10 (version 22H2) device in November 2025 through the official Windows Update enrollment process (linked to my Microsoft/Outlook account). Everything worked perfectly at the time: the enrollment appeared in slmgr /dlv output, the "Your device is enrolled for Extended Security Updates" message showed in Windows Update, and I was receiving the monthly ESU security patches (including the latest ones up to early 2026). Recently, I performed a factory reset (reset to factory settings / "Reset this PC" with the option to remove everything) on the same hardware. After the reset and setting up Windows again (signed in with the same Microsoft account), the ESU enrollment is no longer active or recognized. From what I've read, a factory reset / clean reinstall wipes the local ESU entitlement data (since it's device-specific activation tied to the hardware ID and registry), even though the purchase is linked to my Microsoft account. Questions / what I'm hoping for: Is there a way to re-activate / re-enroll the existing paid ESU subscription on this reset device without repurchasing? (Since it's the same hardware and same Microsoft account.) Should running cmd /c ClipESUConsumer.exe -evaluateEligibility (as admin) + reboot + check Windows Update restore it automatically? If not, does Microsoft Support need to manually re-link the entitlement on their backend?
Congelamientos en juegos y apps - Build 26300.7760 Dev - Driver NVIDIA 591.86
Hola, Presento bloqueos (hangs) constantes en Windows 11 Insider (Canal Dev) que afectan tanto a juegos (Minecraft) como a aplicaciones generales del sistema. Detalles del sistema: Compilación del SO: 26300.7760 (Versión 25H2). Driver GPU: NVIDIA GeForce Game Ready 591.86 (Publicado el 27/01/2026). Hardware: Portátil/PC MSI. Descripción del fallo: La imagen se congela por completo. La única forma de "desbloquear" la interfaz es realizar un cambio de contexto (minimizar/maximizar o cerrar sesión). El problema persiste incluso tras una instalación limpia de los drivers gráficos. Cabe destacar que el equipo sufrió un cuelgue total durante la instalación de esta última build, lo que sugiere una posible corrupción de archivos o inestabilidad crítica en la rama 26300 con hardware MSI/NVIDIA. Pasos realizados sin éxito: Actualización de drivers a la versión 591.86. Ejecución de sfc /scannow (sin errores detectados o reparados sin éxito). Imposibilidad de realizar rollback por eliminación de archivos de versiones anteriores. ¿Alguien más en la build 26300 está experimentando este comportamiento con los drivers de enero? Agradecería cualquier sugerencia que no implique formatear el equipo.
KB5077181 update causes HDMI port to fail
KB5077181 update causes HDMI port to fail. Worked prior to this 2/11/2026 update. K have the 3 display devices: Dell 1536 Laptop Integrated Display, dual monitor duplicated on HP2301 Monitor on USB-C port. Prior to the update, the HP2311 Monitor on HDMI port worked as well. After the update, the 2311 monitor does not see an HDMI signal and goes to sleep. I also tried the handshake reset procedure (obscure procedure found with CoPilot) which fixed a similar issue with 25H2 update, but that failed. No configuration or driver changes. Note - monitor drivers are no longer supplied for W10 or later OS. The 2311 shows up when I selected "Show Hidden Devices". Hesitant to try AMD graphics update, BIOS, etc., as the 2301 monitor is also still working. Last, tried to do a uninstall of this KB, but apparently not possible with this update. Suggestions? Thanks.
KB5074109 & KB5077181
Thanks for your help regarding KB5074109 I have a HP Laptop, now with version 25h2 OS build 26200.6584 with 64 bit... I have one more question. I noticed that Microsoft has replaced KB5074109 with KB077181 which it also failed. When I look in my history update, KB5074109 error message is no longer showing. So, I was wondering if I should Manual install KB5074109 before I try to reinstall KB5077181. Thanks TeresaBSOD After Login Screen
Hello, I ran into a weird problem, i just did a fresh install of windows 11 today and now i can't get past the Login screen, it will crash my PC after 1-2 Minutes, leading to a restart. Even when i type in my PIN, it loads for a moment and crashes. Safemode crashes as well. Doesn't seem to be a hardware issue, the PC ran just fine before the fresh install.Azure Default Outbound Access Changes: Guidance for Windows 365 ANC Customers
After March 31, 2026, newly created Azure Virtual Networks (VNets) will no longer have default outbound internet access enabled by default. Windows 365 customers choosing Azure Network Connection as a deployment option must configure outbound connectivity explicitly when setting up new VNets. This post explains what’s changing, who’s impacted, and the recommended actions, including Azure Private Subnets and Microsoft Hosted Network. What is Default Outbound Access (DOA)? Default Outbound Access is Azure’s legacy behavior that allowed all resources in a virtual network to reach the public internet without configuring a specific internet egress path. This allowed telemetry, Windows activation, and other service dependencies to reach external endpoints even when no explicit outbound connectivity method was configured. What’s changing? After March 31, 2026, as detailed in Azure’s communications, Azure will no longer enable DOA by default for new virtual networks, instead the VNet will be configured for Private Subnet option, allowing you to designate subnets without internet access for improved isolation and compliance. These changes encourage more intentional, secure network configurations while offering flexibility for different workload needs. Disabling Private Subnet option will allow administrators to restore DOA capabilities to the VNet, although Microsoft strongly recommends using Azure NAT Gateway. Impact on Windows 365 Azure Network Connection Customers For Windows 365 Azure Network Connection (ANC) deployments using virtual networks created after March 31, 2026, new VNets will default to private subnets. Outbound internet access must be explicitly configured for the VNet; otherwise, Cloud PC provisioning will fail. Existing virtual networks are not affected and will continue using their current internet access configuration. Note on Microsoft-hosted network: For Microsoft-hosted network deployments, which is the Microsoft recommended deployment model for Windows 365, Microsoft fully provides and manages the underlying connectivity in Azure on your behalf. There is no impact or change needed for those deployments. What You Should Do To prepare for Azure’s Default Outbound Access changes and ensure your Windows 365 ANC deployments remain secure and functional: Recommendations Transition to Microsoft-hosted network (MHN) if possible. MHN provides secure, cost-effective connectivity with outbound internet access by default, reducing operational overhead and ensuring compliance with Azure’s updated standards. Update deployment plans to ensure either an explicit NAT, such as a NAT Gateway or Default Outbound access (not recommended) is enabled by disabling the Private Subnet option. Test connectivity to ensure all services dependent on outbound access continue to function as expected, and that the ANC does not enter a failed state. Supported Outbound Access Methods To maintain connectivity, choose one of these supported methods: NAT Gateway (recommended) Note: Direct RDP Shortpath (UDP over STUN) cannot be established through a NAT Gateway because its symmetric NAT policy prevents direct UDP connectivity over public networks. Azure Standard Load Balancer Azure Firewall or third-party Network Virtual Appliance (NVA). Note, it is not recommended to route RDP or other long-lived connections through Azure Firewall or any other network virtual appliance which allows for automatic scale-in. A direct method such as NAT Gateway should be used. More information about the pros and cons for each method can be found at Default Outbound Access. Resources: Azure updates | Microsoft Azure Default Outbound Access in Azure Transition to an explicit method of public connectivity | Microsoft Learn Deploy Microsoft Hosted Network (MHN) QuickStart: Create a NAT Gateway Optimizing RDP Connectivity for Windows 365 | Microsoft Community Hub Quick FAQ Does this affect existing VNets? No. Only new VNets created after March 31, 2026, are affected. Existing VNets will continue to operate as normal. Do Microsoft Hosted Network deployments require changes? No. MHN already includes managed egress. What if I do nothing on a new VNet? ANC checks will fail because the VNet does not have internet access. Configure NAT Gateway or another supported method. What are the required endpoints? Please see here for a list of the endpoints required. Why might peer-to-peer connectivity using STUN-based UDP hole punching not work when using NAT Gateway? NAT Gateway uses a type of network address translation that does not support STUN (Simple Traversal Underneath NAT) based connections. This will prevent STUN-based UDP hole punching, commonly used for establishing peer-to-peer connections, from working as expected. If your application relies on reliable UDP connectivity between peers, STUN may revert to TURN (Traversal Using Relays around NAT) in some instances. TURN relays traffic between endpoints, ensuring consistent connectivity even when direct peer-to-peer paths are blocked. This helps maintain smooth real-time experiences for your users. What explicit outbound options support STUN? Azure Standard Load Balancer supports UDP over STUN. How do I configure Azure Firewall? For additional security you can configure Azure Firewall using these instructions https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/firewall/protect-azure-virtual-desktop?context=/azure/virtual-desktop/context/context . It is strongly recommended that a direct method of access is used for RDP and other long-lived connections such as VPN or Secure Web Gateway tunnels. This is due to devices such as Azure firewall scaling in when load is low which can disrupt connectivity. Wrap-up Azure’s change reinforces intentional networking for better security. By planning explicit egress (or choosing MHN), Windows 365 ANC customers can stay compliant and keep Cloud PCs reliably connected.OneNote - Location, Name, Resolving Backup (& Search dropdown)
I recently had a problem with the Search function in OneNote - where Search was not finding words in recently created Notes. And I fixed that problem, eventually, by deleting all of the files in the OneNote cache. But after that, when restarting OneNote, it came up Empty (with Errors). After jacking around with copying the old OneNote folder and renaming it, Opening Backups, etc. - I finally got my OneNote back up and working (sort of - see paragraph at the end). My problem now is the "Info" is showing 2 Notebooks - "OneNote Notebooks 4" and "OneNote Notebooks 2" - and even worse, the location shown for Notebooks 4 is: https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?resid=562C6E59%21s0bcbd9618347485ca665bf8f3012d298&id=documents&end=()&end. I created Notebooks 4 on the advice for another post to get things running again - but, WHERE AM I? - which Notebook am I using? How do I get back to a single notebook at a reasonable location instead of the ridiculous link above. I also have a question about the OneNote locations shown in the "Save & Backup" option - I don't understand a couple of things there. [And a side note - even though OneNote Search is now working, the dropdown list is now showing the full path name for the Note location instead of the Page/Tab name for the location of the Note. Is there some option that I reset while trying to get OneNote working again.] I obviously need help with this one - and am afraid to mess around experimenting since OneNote is back up and working well (except for the dropdown). ron in shawneeWindows search bar problem - searching for updates creates a problem.
i bought a new laptop and i typed the word, up, in the search bar. i typed, up, because it auto completes usually to updates, and then i click on check for updates, and the computer opens the update panel. i found the following problem. i press up. the check for updates appears. then i press check for updates, the blue button. and then, after any updates get installed, the keyboard stops typing completely. i go in the browser, and i cannot type. the only thing i can do in that occassion, is i can go back to the search bar, and i press backspace one time. and then it auto completes the word, up. this does not work if i have typed any other word, including, update. it appears to happen, only if you search for the, check for updates, button, by typing, up, and waiting for the autocomplete. after the keyboard gets stuck, you press backscape in the search bar, in the bottom of windows, and it auto completes, up. and you cannot type, until you restart.Windows 11 - Advanced display options problem
I found this problem with windows 11. I press on the desktop right click, and then display properties. Then i scroll down, and go to advanced display. There is a button there, that says usually 50hz on it. I hold the CTRL button on the keyboard, and i click on 50hz button 4 times. and the screen goes black. can that be fixed. i am not sure it broke something. also all drop down menus in windows 11, they go invisible if you ctrl click on them 2 times. for example, landscape or portrait drop down menu. if you hold ctrl and you click on it two times, it becomes invisible. after you open it again, then it works. can someone get this fixed.
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