Category: Windows | Microsoft Community Hub

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Windows File Explorer Item Spacing just went crazy - Nov-2025
Today, the spacing in my windows file explorer just reverted to the horrible non-compact spacing. I have set all the "compact" spacing options. Checked my registry and the UseCompactMode entry is there and set to 1. But the problem won't go away. I get wide spacing. Is there a bug in the newest windows update (25H2, build 26200.7171)?
Solved
dlandsman
Copper Contributor
Nov 23, 2025 Place Windows 11
Features
13Views
0likes
1Comment
How to get rid of taskbar border?
With the upgrade to WIndow 11 there came a new taskbar which has a most annoying "feature": Right above the taskbar there is a semitransparent "border-area" (same color as the taskbar, about half the height of the taskbar itself, see my screenshot below where I marked this area with a red frame) which covers the lower end of the desktop. What does that border signal or what is it meant for? It sits "on top", i.e. Windows disappear behind that border (visible e.g. the right end of my screenshot). Odd enough that "border-area" only appears on my laptop display. On the attached external monitor (on which I also display the taskbar) there is no such border. Why is that so and how can I get rid of this? IMHO its just a waste of screen real-estate and it again and again gets into my way when I want to click or touch anything that is close to the bottom edge of a window (e.g. horizontal scroll bars).
Solved
mmoser18
Brass Contributor
Nov 17, 2025 Place Windows 11
configuration
78Views
0likes
2Comments
Win10 updates supposed to stop in October, just got one for November
Win 10 Pro user, decided to stay with Windows 10, Was selected into ESU. Monthly updates were supposed to stop in October. But just got a monthly November update to install. 2025-11 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5068781) It took 1.5 hours and then said it couldn’t install, to retry. Gets error code 0x800704c8 Clarification from the ‘Brain Trust’ would be appreciated, thanks.
Solved
Roundball
Copper Contributor
Nov 12, 2025 Place Windows 10
84Views
0likes
2Comments
Additional input method every time I start my laptop
Hey everyone, I’m having a weird issue with my input methods on my laptop. I normally use two: English (US) and Chinese (Simplified). But every time I start my laptop, an extra one — English (Singapore) — randomly appears in the taskbar. What’s strange is that English (Singapore) doesn’t show up under Settings → Time & Language → Language & Region. My usual workaround is to manually add English (Singapore) there, then remove it right away. That makes it disappear from the taskbar and everything works fine… until I restart the laptop, and the whole thing repeats. Just to clarify, my Windows region is not set to Singapore, and as far as I know there’s nothing “Singapore” configured on this laptop at all. Does anyone happen to any idea how to get rid of this permanently? Thanks a lot!
Solved
Bob_Yao
Copper Contributor
Nov 07, 2025 Place Windows 11
Features
31Views
0likes
1Comment
latest version of window 25h2 update issue
i can not update the latest version of window 25h2 i tried it two times but it could not
Solved
hemananda71
Copper Contributor
Nov 05, 2025 Place Windows Insider Program
dev
window update issue
windows 11
Windows Insider
56Views
0likes
3Comments
Comment installer Windows 11sur un pc non compatible
Salut tout le monde. Je galère un peu en ce moment… J’essaie d’installer Windows 11 25h2 sur un PC non compatible, un vieux PC qui tourne encore super bien mais que Microsoft considère “trop vieux” . À chaque fois que je lance l’installation, j’ai le message que le processeur ou le TPM ne sont pas pris en charge. Pourtant tout fonctionne nickel sous Windows 10. Du coup je me demande si quelqu’un ici a déjà réussi à contourner ça sans tout casser ? Genre une astuce, une clé de registre ou un petit script magique ? J’aimerais vraiment éviter de changer de machine juste pour ça…
Solved
TeagueFrost
Iron Contributor
Nov 03, 2025 Place Windows 11
configuration
1.8KViews
0likes
10Comments
huge window when opening/inserting files
Hi all, I hope I manage to explain my "problem" (first world problem actually) properly. When an app or website wants me to open or insert files the window that than appears is huge, almost the size of my whole screen. This is the last couple of weeks. Before that a smaller window appeared when I open/insert files. Does anyone know how to change this? How can I make the window smaller? Kind regards, Hugo
Solved
whugos
Copper Contributor
Oct 14, 2025 Place Windows 11
Application Management
configuration
51Views
0likes
2Comments
Next-generation Windows development plan
Dear Windows Team: Here's a supplementary systematic summary and analysis of the main features of Windows 12: Start Menu/Screen: Fresh layout: Clearly divided into different zones — account area (user account at the top left), shortcut area (on the far right for easy access to common folders), list area (where you can pin apps, including most used and suggested ones), and pinned tiles area (four-column layout). It's cleaner and you can even resize it by dragging the edges. Full-screen start screen is back: Combines the classic Windows 7 list (easy to browse) with Windows 8.1 style live tiles (for info and quick launch). Tiles can be arranged both horizontally and vertically. More flexible tiles: Tiles now come in five sizes — small, medium, long, wide, large, and tall — way more options than before, plus there's a new animation when you resize them. Structural Innovation: Clearly divided into the Account Area (user account located in the upper left corner), Shortcut Area (located on the far right for easy access to commonly used folders), List Area (applications can be attached to the list, including most frequently used and recommended apps), and Pinned Tiles Area (four-column layout). The structure is more organized, and the size can also be adjusted by dragging its edges. Full-screen Start screen return: It combines the traditional Windows 7 list (for easy navigation) with Windows 8.1-style live tiles (for information display and quick launch), with tiles supporting both horizontal and vertical arrangements. Enhanced Tile Flexibility: Provides five sizes—small, medium, long, wide, large, and tall—far exceeding previous options, while also introducing tile resizing animations. Custom tile options: including colorful, gradient, light, dark, transparent (default), and semi-transparent tones, offering a high degree of personalization. Migration Friendly: When upgrading from Windows 7, 8.1, 10, or 11, pinned apps and websites are automatically migrated, reducing the user's reconfiguration workload. Copilot Tile: The AI assistant Copilot has received a dedicated tile, highlighting its significance. A new rainbow effect has been added. Taskbar & Search: The taskbar consists of the Cortana icon (on the left), mobile devices (on the left), Start, Search, Task View, Chat, applications, the system tray (on the right), and notification icons (on the right), among others. Search box enlargement & shape change: The search box is more prominent, changing from a circular shape (Win11) to a rectangular one, and supports wider options, thereby enhancing the search entry point. Search menu flexibility: Highly adjustable, consistent with the style of the Start menu. Personalized lock screen interface: Date and time alignment: supports left alignment (default) and center alignment. Brand new photo effects: Highlight the main subject of the photo, allowing it to be placed before or after the background time. Windows Hello: Facial recognition supports logging in while wearing a mask. Widgets: Pinned to the desktop: No longer limited to the small panel above the taskbar, they can be pinned anywhere on the desktop like traditional widgets. Fullscreen mode: The left side is the widget panel, and the right side displays information sources (such as news), supporting up to six columns for greater information capacity. New widgets: Specifically mentions the 'Calendar' widget, 'People' widget, 'Microsoft Edge' widget, and 'Cortana Suggestions' widget coming soon (although Cortana itself also seems to have updates).Microsoft Store widget: A dedicated widget for accessing the app store. Productivity and Multitasking Enhancements: Task View returns to the Windows 10 experience: Dragging to multiple desktops: More mature virtual desktop management allows you to drag windows to the "Task View" icon and then move them to multiple desktops. Timeline feature returns, supporting cross-device history. Window switching returns to the Windows 10 experience: Alt+Tab experience restored to classic style. Snap Assist returns to Windows 10 experience with significant enhancements: Supports up to eight snap layouts (especially for large horizontal screens), a productivity tool. Supports ultrawide screens (21:9, 32:9) with a variety of snap layouts. App Updates: New Mail, Calendar, and People: Highlights mentioned, possibly accompanied by UI and feature updates. New Outlook App: Supports email address removed for privacy reasons, email address removed for privacy reasons and email address removed for privacy reasons. New Cortana: Multilingual Support: Expands usage scope. Consumer Skills Return: Music control, smart home control, and third-party skills return, aiming to restore its practicality as a voice assistant. Provided in two forms: rings and dough. Supports the 'Cortana Suggestions' widget. Screenshot Tool: Supports full-screen recording. Media Player: Appearance selector returns, supporting live tiles. Microsoft Store Revamp: UWP Apps Return: Some high-quality UWP apps and Metro apps are back on the store, and the progressive web apps (PWAs) from the original Microsoft Store are transitioning to UWP apps. Gaming Ecosystem Expansion: New PlayStation app, Nintendo Switch app, and a dedicated Nintendo game section have been added, significantly expanding gaming-related content. Enhancing Visual Experience: The window transparency effect has been improved, and a new glass effect has been added. System avatars are now rounded rectangles, and the search box is rectangular (more in line with current design trends).A new top bar has been added (weather, system tray, date and time).Dynamic wallpaper effects have been introduced. The Windows 11 startup sound has been retained. Large-scale return of classic applications and features: This is the most striking (and also most questionable) part, including: Applications: MSN series apps, Tips, Print 3D app, Maps, Windows 7 desktop gadgets, Windows Media Center, Groove Music, Desktop Messaging apps, Windows 8.1 apps. System Features: HomeGroup, Timeline (cross-device history), Tablet Mode (significantly enhanced tablet experience), Windows Ink Workspace. Evaluation: This is a very bold strategy aimed at satisfying the nostalgia and specific needs of different user groups. Others: Controllers: Compatible with DualShock 4, DualShock 5, Joy-Con, and Joy-Con 2, among others. Android Subsystem Return: WSA is back, with special emphasis on supporting full-screen operation for apps in landscape mode (addressing one of the previous main pain points). Notification Center separated from Calendar: The quick action panels for the Notification Center and Calendar are separated, which may make the interface cleaner and operations more focused. Windows 12 Next-Generation PC: Offers larger storage capacity, longer battery life, more powerful performance, and enhanced security and stability. Windows Backup: Expanded to more countries and regions, with the addition of backing up personal files and applications to external storage devices. Data Transfer: Allows transferring personal files and applications from an old computer to a new one, or migrating partitions to a new hard drive. Core and Versions: Version Number: Initial Release 26H1, with the OS internal version reset to 12.0.0.0, marking a significant new beginning. System Naming: References to Windows 12 and Windows 12e, as well as Windows 12 Ultra. Extensive Free Upgrade Path: Covers Windows 11 (including SE), Windows 10 (including S), Windows 8/8.1 (including Windows RT), and Windows 7. This is a key strategy to attract user migration. Hardware Requirements by Tier: Windows 12e: Ultra-low system requirements (2GB RAM, 32GB storage), aimed at education or basic devices, possibly similar to Cloud/SE versions. Windows 12 (Home/Pro/etc.): Mainstream system requirements (4GB RAM, 64GB storage, DirectX 11), removal of strict restrictions like TPM (the biggest change!). Windows 12 Ultra: High-performance requirements (8GB RAM, 128GB storage, TPM 2.0, DirectX 12), unlocking all advanced features (such as advanced AI functions, ultimate performance optimizations?). Significant Extension of the Lifecycle: Home & Pro: 2 years (24 months) -> 4 years (48 months). Enterprise, Education, IoT Enterprise: 3 years (36 months) -> 6 years (72 months). This presents a considerable advantage for corporate and institutional users, reducing migration frequency and overall costs. I hope this leaked information can be reported to Pavan Davuluri.
Solved
LiXuanChen35
Copper Contributor
Oct 14, 2025 Place Windows 11
accessibility
community
Features
121Views
0likes
2Comments
Windows 11 Spotlight Discovering Beauty in Random Places
If you’ve ever logged into your Windows 11 PC and found yourself captivated by a stunning image—a foggy mountain valley, a quiet alley in Morocco, or a frozen lake bathed in sunrise—you’ve already met Windows Spotlight. What began as a simple lock screen feature in Windows 10 has evolved into a full-fledged way to bring life and curiosity to your desktop. But there’s something magical about the way Windows 11 Spotlight works. It doesn’t just show you beautiful wallpapers—it transports you to random places across the planet, reminding you that wonder hides in unexpected corners https://dellenny.com/windows-11-spotlight-discovering-beauty-in-random-places/
Solved
JohnNaguib
MVP
Oct 11, 2025 Place Windows 11
Features
42Views
0likes
1Comment
RDP from W11 to W11 computer fails with invalid credentials error. But credentials are correct.
Hello, I'm unable to RDP from one W11 computer to another in a Active Directory domain environment. The error reported in the RDP app is: The login attempt failed. Your credentials did not work. I'm able to use the same credentials on a W10 computer and successfully RDP to the W11 'server' computer. There are no Event 4625 errors on the W11 'client' computer. There are no cached credentials on the client computer. I used Test-NetConnection -ComputerName $target -Port 3389 -InformationLevel Detailed RemoteAddress : 192.168.0.33 RemotePort : 3389 NameResolutionResults : 192.168.0.33 MatchingIPsecRules : NetworkIsolationContext : Private Network InterfaceAlias : Ethernet SourceAddress : 192.168.0.10 NetRoute (NextHop) : 0.0.0.0 TcpTestSucceeded : True I would appreciate suggestions on how to troubleshoot the authentication issue. Thank you VW
Solved
VeeDub1
Copper Contributor
Oct 01, 2025 Place Windows 11
configuration
security
92Views
0likes
4Comments
Bose QC Ultra Keeps Disconnecting from My ThinkPad X1 Carbon
Hello! I’ve been using my Bose QC Ultra headphones for a couple of months now. But in the last couple of weeks, I’ve been facing a weird disconnection issue with my laptop (Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon running Windows 11 Pro). Most of the time when I power on both my laptop and headphones, they fail to establish a stable connection. They just keep connecting and immediately disconnecting, until I manually click the Connect button. Has anyone else faced this? Any idea how to fix it? Things I’ve already tried: Hard reset the headphones Disabled multi-point connection Removed all paired devices (both laptop and headphones) Uninstalled the Bose app from my phone Uninstalled and reinstalled Bluetooth driver on my laptop Installed the latest drivers, BIOS update from Lenovo’s website, and all Windows updates I’m out of ideas here. Any help would be appreciated!
Solved
tuhinkarmakar
Copper Contributor
Sep 30, 2025 Place Windows 11
device management
Features
55Views
0likes
1Comment
PC powers off after DRIPS warning
This started to happen about 10 days ago, on most days, but not all. My PC, a Dell XPS 8960, running Windows 11, shutdowns on its own while in suspension. To resume working, I just need to press he power button to turn it back on. Looking at event viewer, at the time of the power on, I see the error: The system shutdown at xx:xx:xx on xx/xx/xx was unexpected Previous to the shutdown I see these warnings: USB device draining system power when system is idle. USB Device: VID: 0x424 PID: 0x7260 REV: 0x625 Removal action failed: QueryRemovalInitiated And another identical for VID: 0x424 PID: 0x7240 REV: 0x207 Then come another 2, one for each of these two devices, saying: Enumerating a DRIPS blocking device that was previously removed when exiting low power epoch. IsPortCycle: false The devices under device manager with these IDs are both listed as USB2 Controller Hub: USB\VID_0424&PID_7260&REV_0625&MI_00 USB\VID_0424&PID_7240&REV_0207 Which are both related to my Dell U3223QE Monitor. If I unplug the USB-C cable from the monitor to the PC, both USB2 Controller Hub disappear from Device Manager. So, clearly, the PC shutting down on its own when it goes into suspension has something to do with these warnings. Since there are more USB devices connected to the monitor: a Dell soundbar AC511M, a fingerprint reader, a Logitech mouse USB wireless transmitter and a Yubikey physical security key (identity device), I can't be sure if the error is related to the monitor itself or one of the connected devices. The monitor only has a 2022 driver published by Dell and that is the one installed. The soundbar has no driver from Dell and runs on a Microsoft 2024 driver. The mouse is running a 2006 Microsoft driver. The Yubikey is also on a Microsoft 2006 driver. Same for the fingerprint reader, listed as HID-compliant fido. So no recent driver changes to any of them. At this point, I don't know why it shutdowns or how to fix it. Any help would be appreciated.
Solved
LPS
Copper Contributor
Sep 26, 2025 Place Windows 11
configuration
device management
95Views
1like
4Comments
Preparing Windows 11 for the end of Windows 10?
Windows 10 is going end of life this year. So I was wondering if we’ve settled on a standard method for cleaning up Windows 11. I’ve heard lots of horror stories about ads in the start menu, telemetry, search history scraping, and worst of all undoing and removing methods of blocking the garbage. Has the brave souls who’ve ventured into Windows 11 discovered the top 10 tips and tricks to making it not garbage?
Solved
Perez
Iron Contributor
Sep 26, 2025 Place Windows 11
security
50Views
0likes
2Comments
Best free image enhancer AI tool for improving image quality?
Not a tech savvy for image editing. The problem is that I have hundreds of photos are in low quality. Some of them are even blurred when pulling off from my old backup drive. I heard the AI image enhancer could be a great fit nowadays. Is this true? I'm looking for recommendations for a reliable free AI image enhancing tool. What solutions have you found effective for sharpening blurry pictures or increasing the size of an image without losing quality? I'm particularly interested in tools that are user-friendly and deliver consistent, high-quality results. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Solved
Jedidiahin
Iron Contributor
Sep 23, 2025 Place Windows 10
1.6KViews
1like
11Comments
Unable to reset my PC
Hi Insider Community, Hope you are doing great! So I tried to reset my PC from the recovery options menu and selected reset my PC. It opens a permission window then asks for keep my files or delete my files options where I selected keep my files. This shows an error saying you files could be modified by some else which seems strange and I couldn't reset my PC. Please find the attached screenshot for the issue. Best Regards, Siddhartha Sharma
Solved
Sids11
Brass Contributor
Sep 21, 2025 Place Windows Insider Program
28Views
0likes
1Comment
Unable to reset my PC
Hi Insider Community, Hope y'all doing great! I am currently facing an issue while trying to reset my PC. After clicking on the reset my PC button from the recovery menu, I am redirected to the system permission dialogue box. After clicking yes on it, I choose the keep my files option but it shows an error right after that saying someone could be controlling/modifying my files. It seems really odd to me after seeing this error here so I am reaching out for a solution now. Thanks & Regards Siddhartha Sharma
Solved
Sids11
Brass Contributor
Sep 20, 2025 Place Windows Insider Program
dev
insider
Windows Insider
Windows11
136Views
0likes
4Comments
Speech to text on Windows 10?
Here's the problem. My DNS is installed on Windows 7. I've been told that my version of DNS is conversion 12.5 and does not work on Windows 10. So I'm not even going to try to put it on Windows 10 unless somebody knows of a suitable workaround. The next option would be to buy a new copy of Dragon for price of $200. I really don't like that at all. This is a program I bought years ago and I paid for it and its mind but I cannot up credit with a small incremental price increase. I went to their site and they recommended I buy the new version of that program. You might think I am at at them. Just very disappointed.
Solved
PatrickHarris
Bronze Contributor
Sep 15, 2025 Place Windows 10
74Views
0likes
1Comment
Microsoft Office 365
I purchased 0ffice 365 a while back and used it for several years. I then let it expire because I thought I could replace it with Libre Office. it's been quite a while now since it expired and my wife has complained that things aren't working well on her computer with Libre. As a matter of fact, I don't much care for it either and I don't do 1/10 of the stuff the wife does.
Solved
Perez
Iron Contributor
Sep 15, 2025 Place Windows 10
55Views
0likes
2Comments
How to Copy files from Dropbox to Onedrive
I am searching for a way to copy files from Dropbox to Onedrive directly and then copy any modified data. I found some tools available on the Dropbox community site like MultCloud and Gs Richcopy360 and I found the tools are paid software, so I need something free please, or steps to follow
Solved
JoyceBeatty
Iron Contributor
Sep 12, 2025 Place Windows 10
Dropbox
onedrive
Transfer
77Views
0likes
1Comment
How to child proof a gaming PC?
I'm going to be building a gaming PC for my brother who has two boys aged 11 and 14 and like to create two Windows accounts, one for my brother and one for the kids. What's the best way to child proof the kids account to keep them from installing things they shouldn't, downloading things they shouldn't, clicking links they shouldn't etc?
Solved
Amiriooim
Iron Contributor
Sep 09, 2025 Place Windows 10
33Views
0likes
1Comment

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Recent Blogs

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Process Explorer v17.08
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631Views
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