Recent Discussions
What to do? For the second time Windows Update that failed?
I am facing a recurring issue where Windows Update fails to install the same cumulative update for the second time in a row on my Windows 11 PC. The update downloads and reaches a certain percentage like 70 or 90 percent but then throws an error message and rolls back the changes. I have already tried running the built-in Windows Update Troubleshooter and clearing the SoftwareDistribution folder but the problem persists. The error code I am seeing is 0x800f0922 which seems to point to a system partition or connectivity issue based on my online research. Does anyone know a reliable fix for repeated Windows Update failures besides resetting the entire operating system or performing an in-place upgrade installation? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
I accidentally turned off my laptop during complete factory reset.
So I took an old laptop of mine and decided to wipe it clean. I set it for factory reset, the problem is that the screen doesn't work. All this time I've been using my TV as a monitor. Before that it worked perfectly but during the reset it said no signal. That's when I decided to turn it off and on again. Now the problem is that when I turn it on at no point I can see what's going on in my computer and it seems as if it restarts sometime (my mouse and extra keyboard keep turning on and off). I reset another laptop that is just as old but after losing the HDMI signal it came back later in the last blue loading screen. Should I install windows again using creative tool? Is it possible to do it by using a monitor or tv instead of the original screen? IDC about the data in the PC so it's fine if its lost.
Verbose Status Improvement
Hi, I had a idea where for verbose status, you should make it so if its set to 2, it will display the verbose messages under shutdown or restart, example: Restarting (Stopping service: Windows Modules Installer) or make it next to it like Restarting (Stopping Service: Windows Modules Installer)Hands‑on with Build 29610: Smoother Shell, Vulkan Boost, Hybrid AI
Build 29610 delivers a noticeable jump in overall smoothness and UI responsiveness. There are several smaller but important improvements visible in this build: 🖥️ New ShellHost compositor Animations feel significantly smoother compared to previous builds. The Shell now uses a new rendering path that reduces micro‑stutter and speeds up UI transitions. On identical hardware, it already feels faster than Windows 11 Stable. ⚙️ System app refinements Settings, Get Help, and other inbox apps received updated UI elements. This is part of the gradual rollout of the new design language appearing across the 29xxx platform work. 🎮 Deeper Vulkan integration Windows is moving toward deeper Vulkan API integration at the system level. Both gamers and developers benefit from lower latency, better performance, and more stable rendering. 🧠 Hybrid AI desktop AI models can now leverage GPU‑based NPU acceleration through Vulkan, even on devices without a CPU‑NPU. This effectively creates a hybrid desktop pipeline: CPU + GPU + Vulkan AI. It’s an early step toward fully GPU‑accelerated AI across the OS. ⚠️ Regressions There are still a few regressions, which is expected at this stage of development. Even so, performance is already a tier above the current Windows 11 stable release.
Unable to use RestoreHealth in DISM
Hi all, I had a windows update fail with 0x800f0831 which indicates corrup files. So I ran the DISM commands DISM /ONLINE /CLEANUP-IMAGE /SCANHEALTHD DISM /ONLINE /CLEANUP-IMAGE /CHECKHEALTH DISM /ONLINE /CLEANUP-IMAGE /RESTOREHEALTH However RestoreHealth failed saying it could not find the source So I tried DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:H:\Sources\install.wim /LimitAccess and again it stated it could not find the source. So I inspected the install.wim file and my system Win11 Pro is actually on index 6, so I then tried DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:H:\Sources\install.wim:6 /LimitAccess And still it could not find the source.? So what is going on?
Windows Update Fails to Install or Gets Stuck on Windows 11
The issues with my Windows 11 system where Windows Update either fails to install updates or gets stuck during the process, causing frustration and preventing my device from staying current. Despite multiple attempts to troubleshoot, the problem persists, and I haven't found a clear solution that resolves the issue completely, leaving my system vulnerable to security risks and missing out on new features.File Explorer in Windows 11 opens slowly, especially on computers with network drives
When opening File Explorer, the address bar takes a long time to load, and the green progress bar takes several seconds to appear—this is especially noticeable when the computer has a network drive or OneDrive mounted.Win11 File Explorer Address Bar Drop-Down Menu Freezes
When you click the drop-down arrow in the File Explorer address bar to view the path history, the drop-down menu freezes for a few seconds or even causes the entire window to become unresponsive, requiring you to restart File Explorer to resolve the issue.File Explorer Crashing or Freezing Frequently on Windows 11
I am gotting frequent crashes and freezing issues with File Explorer on my Windows 11 system. It often becomes unresponsive or closes unexpectedly, especially when browsing folders or using network drives, which disrupts my workflow and makes it difficult to manage files efficiently.
Windows 11 - Different Icons in different Virtual Desktops
Hi, I don't know if the developers at windows will read this but thank you for the work you've done on virtual desktops in Windows 11. However, it would also be great if Microsoft can work towards having different icons in different virtual desktops. While i can change the backgrounds and rename them, it means I constantly need to open apps just to have them sitting in a specific desktop which in turn becomes memory heavy. It would be great if i could demacate apps for separate use (e.g music production, video production, programming) into different desktops via the icons I've installed or created shortcuts for on the corresponding desktops. That way when i switch desktops, the icons i see reflect the use or function of that desktop without me clicking on the start button to find apps needed or even seeing all apps for all functions pinned to the task bar or worse case scenario, all app icons for all functions in specific function desktops. Thanks. PS - another great improvement would be the ability to turn off recommendations on the start button or an option to show all apps (not just pinned ones) by default. It's hard getting used to this new way.
Microsoft Print to PDF not working/missing.
The Microsoft Print to PDF was not working on my PC so I tried reenabling it via Windows Features in Optional Features and it won't turn back on. It gives error code: 0x800f0922. I also tried other various methods online and none work. All end with various error codes which all result in the service not working/turning on. I even filed feedback about 2 weeks ago with no response yet. I contacted support, where I was recommended to perform a repair via ISO but was then canceled by the agent as I am on an Insider build. I am on build 26300.8687. This is a summary of my diagnostic from Gemini which I had used to try to solve my issue. Here is a summary of the diagnostic, tracking every command I executed in PowerShell and the specific roadblocks the Windows subsystem threw back. The Add-Printer Layer attempted to use modern PowerShell commands to register the printer onto both the interactive prompt port and the standard local file port. Commands Ran: PowerShell Add-Printer -Name "Microsoft Print to PDF" -DriverName "Microsoft Print to PDF" -PortName "PORTPROMPT:" Add-Printer -Name "Microsoft Print to PDF" -DriverName "Microsoft Print to PDF" -PortName "FILE:" * **Errors Faced:** * `ObjectNotFound: (MSFT_Printer:ROOT/StandardCimv2/MSFT_Printer)` * `HRESULT 0x80070002,Add-Printer` --- ## 2. The Legacy PrintUI Layer To bypass the modern PowerShell cmdlet, I tried using the legacy Windows user interface print engine via standard command prompt syntax and escaped quotes. * **Commands Ran:** ```powershell cmd /c "rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /if /b `"Microsoft Print to PDF`" /r `"PORTPROMPT:`" /m `"Microsoft Print to PDF`"" rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /if /b "Microsoft Print to PDF" /f "C:\Windows\System32\spool\DRIVERS\x64\3\prnms009.inf" /r "PORTPROMPT:" /m "Microsoft Print to PDF" Errors Faced: A graphical dialog box error: Operation could not be completed (error 0x00000002). The system cannot find the file specified. The Deployment Script Layer (WMI/CScript) I tried deploying the printer using Windows’ built-in visual basic administrative scripts to side-step the user interface layer completely. Command Ran: PowerShell cscript $env:windir\System32\Printing_Admin_Scripts\en-US\prnmngr.vbs -a -p "Microsoft Print to PDF" -m "Microsoft Print to PDF" -r "PORTPROMPT:" * **Errors Faced:** * `Unable to add printer Microsoft Print to PDF Error 0x80041002 Not found` * `Operation PutInstance` * `Provider Win32 Provider` * `Description The system cannot find the file specified. Win32 error code 2` Ultimately, every single command failed with an identical variation of **"File Not Found" (Error 2 / 0x80070002 / 0x80041002)**.How to Improve Internet Speed with DNS Tweaks in Windows 11
A slow internet connection can be frustrating, especially when you are streaming videos, playing online games, attending meetings, downloading files, or simply browsing the web. Many people immediately blame their internet provider or router, but sometimes the problem is not your connection speed — it is the way your computer communicates with websites. https://dellenny.com/how-to-improve-internet-speed-with-dns-tweaks-in-windows-11/New Search Issues
I just updated to 26h2 26300.8697. The window search window doesnt load anything anymore and the button does not have the changing icon on the taskbar. The search window pops up but nothing loads and there is just the loading animation zipping across the top of the window. Any ideas?repair or replace windows11 operating system
I have a legit windows11 OS on my computer but it ran very slow. In trying to speed it up I have ended (or removed some critical files). For example, I deleted the WinZip capability and also my sound driver and other needed capabilities. To get windows11 working properly again (although slow) is it best to do some kind of repair or is it/can I download (reinstall) the ISO file from Microsoft? If I reinstall, do I need to delete anything before I reinstall? PeteWindows 11 slow to startup
Windows 11 Slow Startup I have a MSI ge75 Raider 10sf-018 that would boot pretty quickly to desktop on Windows 11. I don’t remember why but I decided to format and reinstall and now it no longer boots as quickly as it did before even though in the past I’ve formatted the drive and reinstalled everything and it worked just fine. Not only is it slow to boot but slow to load the desktop and slow to react when trying to open programs or system tools. I wipe the drive again and same results. Booting into Safe Mode and same slow responses. Windows 11 Home, i7 10750h @2.6GHz, 64Gb DDR4-2666, Geforce RTX Super, WD PC SN730 NVMe SSD 512Gb and ST1000LM048-2E7172 Windows 11 Home 25H2 OS build 26200.8655 ============================================================= I used Sysinternals Process Monitor and enabled Bootlogging, and filtered out processes with a Duration longer than 30seconds BUT I have no idea how to read and understand the outcome. HELP!!Digital Wellness and productivity
Microsoft should make a native app with fluent style to help users watch their screen/app time. In 2026 there hasn't been an app that's free, solid and that feels native in Windows 11, because there aren't any API for that. Apps like Activity Watch for some reason don't work in my PC and apps like SolidTime are paid and not really fluent. Naturally, something like this should be made by Microsoft itself. Android has it since the beginning, why Windows doesn't have it yet?The new modern Run dialog (Win+R) looks terrible and too bulky
I am a windows 11 fan and I love modern, clean design. however, the new test version of the run dialog (the optional "Modern Run" toggle found in Settings -> System -> Advanced) is a disaster. It is bloated, way too wide, and looks ugly. the classic Run dialog was perfect because of its minimalism. please overhaul this design or scrap it completely.
Problem with transition between multiple monitors
After the Windows 11 upgrade at work, I'm having a problem with my cursor falling to the top of the next display rather than stopping. This image may explain it better. Display 1 is my laptop and screens 2 and 3 are two large desktop monitors. When my cursor transitions from display 2 to display 1, if the cursor touches anywhere indicated by the red line, it immediately drops to the top right corner of display 1. The cursor should stop like it does when it hits the top or bottom borders. Now on the space where the two displays meet, the cursor jumps either up or down depending where you are. It only goes straight across in the middle of the shared space. See the green lines below. Any ideas?My computer has been infected by viruses, malware and security threats
My computer is clearly infected with some kind of virus or malware, as I keep getting persistent pop-up ads even when my browser is closed, unfamiliar toolbars and extensions have appeared without my permission, and my system performance has drastically slowed down with the hard drive constantly running at full capacity for no apparent reason. I've already run full scans with Windows Defender and Malwarebytes, but they either find nothing or detect threats that they fail to completely remove, and now I'm also noticing unauthorized outgoing network connections and random file modifications, so I'm hoping someone can suggest more aggressive removal strategies like boot-time scans, rootkit detectors, or manual registry and startup entry cleaning to finally eliminate this stubborn infection and secure my personal data before it gets compromised further.How to compress a pdf file to reduce the size before emailing on Windows?
Hi Microsoft Community, I have a number of PDF files that are very large, ranging from approximately 50 MB to 100 MB each. I'm looking for the best way to compress a PDF file on a Windows PC without losing too much quality before emailing. Here's my situation: - I'm using a Windows 10 PC - The PDFs contain a mix of text and images - I need to reduce file size significantly for easier sharing via email and cloud storage - I'd prefer free or built-in Windows solutions if possible, but I'm open to third-party tools Is there a way to compress PDF files in bulk for multiple files at once? And what's the best approach to preserve text readability while compressing image-heavy PDFs?
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