M Service Failed to Start
Hi, I'm getting the following error which seems to be causing my PC to freeze and it can only be unfrozen by powering off/on: 'The M service failed to start due to the following error: The system cannot find the file specified.' Using the registry editor I found the following: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\M I noticed that the ImagePath data is set to C Can anyone shed any light on what the M service is and how to rectify this? Regards, Rich
Urgent: Stop the "Security Theater." UAC Needs Parent Process Visibility NOW.
Subject: Urgent: Stop the "Security Theater." UAC Needs Parent Process Visibility NOW. To the Windows Shell & Security Team, I am writing to demand a critical rectification in the User Account Control (UAC) design. The current implementation of UAC is not just outdated; it is fundamentally broken and fosters dangerous user habits due to a lack of transparency. The Core Problem: Context is Everything Your current design only answers "WHAT is running" (e.g., cmd.exe executing netsh winsock reset), but it deliberately hides "WHO requested it." This obfuscation renders the security prompt useless. Let me give you a simple analogy: If someone tells me to "Go home" at night, my reaction depends entirely on the speaker. If it is my father, it is an instruction of care. If it is a stranger in the shadows, it is a threat. Right now, Windows is that stranger in the dark. It throws a command in my face without identifying the source. When a generic system process requests high privileges, how is a user supposed to distinguish between a legitimate driver update and a malicious script? The "Safety" Excuse is Invalid Do not hide behind the excuse that "Parent Process ID (PPID) can be spoofed." Even a potentially spoofable path is infinitely better than a complete blindfold. By hiding the call stack, you are forcing users to play Russian Roulette with their "Yes/No" buttons. You Are Training Users to Be Vulnerable Because you refuse to provide the "Source" context, users have learned that they cannot verify the prompt. Consequently, they are conditioned to blindly click "Yes" just to make the annoying window go away. This is Security Theater at its worst. You are not protecting the user; you are confusing them. The Demand We are in 2026. The technical barrier to displaying the "Initiating Process" in the UAC dialog is non-existent. 1. Show the Parent Process: Display clearly which application triggered the UAC request (e.g., "Initiated by: Steam.exe"). 2. Show the Hierarchy: Give advanced users the option to expand the process tree right there in the dialog. Stop being lazy. Stop assuming users do not need to know. Give us the information we need to make actual security decisions. Disappointed and Expecting Change, A Windows User who refuses to click "Yes" blindly.lock the pinned folders in Quick Access
Hello, I would like to lock the pinned folders in Quick Access in Windows 11 so they can only be clicked. Right now, if a pin is accidentally dragged, Windows sometimes creates a duplicate of the folder. I still want to: Open the folder normally Copy or move files inside the folder Pin or unpin folders intentionally Could you advise if there is a way to prevent dragging or copying of pinned folders in Quick Access without affecting folder functionality? Thank you.
Windows needs a dedicated AI settings section with per‑app toggles
Hello Microsoft team. I have this idea about the AI stuff thats getting added to Windows lately. Like in Notepad and Paint, Photos too, even File Explorer. It seems like theres no one spot to handle all that. People who want to keep things running smooth or save on RAM end up frustrated because they cant just turn it off easily. I think thats a problem especially for older computers or ones with not much memory. What if there was a special AI section in the Settings app. You know, with a switch to enable or disable everything at once or maybe toggles for each app separately, like for Notepad, paint or Search in the system. And options to stop those background AI things from running all the time. And a mode focused on performance that cuts down on CPU and RAM when you turn AI off. That would make a difference I bet. Users get more say in what happens, and the system feels more stable. It helps with trust too, since not everyone wants AI popping up everywhere. Many users want basic lightweight Windows, without all the extras AI features. This part gets a bit messy to explain, but yeah, it would let people choose. Thanks for looking at this.😊
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.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.
Reinstalling the Microsoft Gaming Overlay
Hi! Some time ago, I uninstalled the Microsoft Gaming Overlay - I think it was the overlay used by the Xbox Game Bar (win+G to bring it up). I am trying to reinstall it, but I can't figure it out. Is there a powershell command I can use to reinstall it? Every time I launch a game, I get the following popup a few times: Any ideas? Thanks!
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?
