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!
Create a task which runs for all user
I want to use Task Schedule to run an app at log-on for all users on my PC using admin rights. How can I do that? I tried to choose to start at log-on for any user in the tab Triggers but the task only runs on my admin account. When I log out and log in to my user accounts it doesn't work. Thank you for reading.
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.Did expediting the 2024-08 Quality Updates fail for anyone else?
Due to the CVE-2024-38063 vulnerability, we attempted to use the Expedited Quality Updates feature to enforce the immediate installation of the 2024-08 security updates. Unfortunately, the feature simply did not work. Even a couple weeks after deploying the expedited update profile, we had about 25% of our Windows endpoints still in "Pending" status, most of which were powered on 24/7. We still have ConfigMgr in our environment, so I used CMPivot to run a query for events in the System log with "2024-08" in the message. This showed me that rather than installing the update and forcing a restart one day later as configured, the update was being installed, then reverted about ten hours later, then immediately re-installed again, over and over: If I manually initiated a restart on any of the affected machines, the update was successfully finalized, so the issue wasn't a failure to install the update. I've opened a case with Microsoft Support, but it is progressing slowly. If nobody else is seeing the issue, I will throw in the towel, but if it's more widespread, I think it is worth fighting to get this fixed (assuming that Microsoft isn't already aware and has simply chosen not to publicize it — for example, in the Windows release health blade in the MIcrosoft 365 Admin Center).
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.
BSOD 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.
How to switch back to the classic layout in the new Windows 11 Start menu?
The Start menu on one Windows 11 computer has been forcibly locked to the “new” layout showing “All apps” (directly displaying the app list), with the “Start menu layout” option disappearing from settings. In contrast, another computer running the exact same system version and patches still retains the “old” classic layout (custom apps at the top, recommended apps below). How can the new menu be restored to the old layout?
Can I downgrade to Windows 10 at this point in time?
I have been working with Windows 11 for several years now. I feel like Windows 11 is not a fit for my needs any more. Can I switch back to Windows 10 at this in time? Especially since support for Windows 10 has been stopped? Maybe by paying for the extended support?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.
Windows 11 has got to be the worst Operating System I've ever used in my life
I've never ever been this disappointed in a software product as much as I am disappointed with Windows 11. I've always held onto the current WIN for as long as I could, and last month I bit the bullet and thought I'd give WIN11 a go, and I'm regeretting it ever since. It's not even, "omg this is new, I don't know how to use it" type of frustration - no, the OS is a complete mess, it's unstable, messy, unprofessional, and the entire thing felt fake and dysfunctional on so many levels. It really makes my blood boil. When I drag the volume all the way down in the sound mixer, it doesn't mute the app, I have to click on the app icon itself When I select a lot of files, and I click in that little small gap in-between each file, it deselects all of them When I have a lot of windows open and I would hover over them to select one, it rarely catches it from the first try. I'd click the window I want to use and it never selects it If I have a file path selected in a window, I click away, and I click back again on that window, I get the drop down list of paths that lead to that path and I end up clicking on a completely different path that would take me out of the window I selected When I click on and out of a folder, it updates in the Quick Access bar and in doing so, it glitches the entire UI across all windows open I could go on and on and on, this has got to be the worst product I've ever used. I have a couple big projects I'm finishing now, but after I'm done, I'm going back to Windows 10, and I'd stay with that until it gets hacked by Anonymous or something. My lord what a joke of a product.
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 edgeHow do I change or convert webp to gif for free?
I have several images saved as WebP files, and I need to convert them to GIF format. I’ve tried searching around, but I’m hoping you all might have some direct recommendations for an efficient and reliable process. Here are a few questions I have: Batch Conversion: I have quite a few images to convert—does anyone know of a tool that supports bulk (batch) conversion from WebP to GIF? Lossless/Lossy Settings: If the original WebP images are animated or have transparency, are there any special settings or steps I need to follow to ensure the GIFs preserve those animations/transparencies? Any help, tutorials, or experiences you can share to convert webp to gif would be greatly appreciated! I’d love to hear about any pitfalls, recommended best practices, or settings that might save me time (and headaches).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.Save 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.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 shawnee
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