Will closing the laptop screen without putting it to sleep damage the computer?
Just switched from a MacBook to a Windows 11 laptop. I'm used to simply closing the laptop lid without manually selecting sleep mode, and I'm concerned whether this action might cause hardware damage or affect the system's lifespan. Need clarification on Windows' default lid-closing behavior and recommended safety settings.
Latest Windows Update Breaks Audio (KB5101650)
The update KB5101650 came in yesterday to my machine running 25H2. Today audio was unusable. I checked all the usual suspects including RTC processor affinity etc. and was unable to find the problem Lenovo Laptop with Intel USB 3.10 eXtesible Host Controller - 1.20 This is the USB 3.0 controler which is connected directly to RME Fireface UCX. I tried to uninstall the update from Settings>Windows Update>Update history>Uninstall Updates But the Update still shows as being installed and no option to uninstall. I uninstalled the RME driver and reinstalled THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM.... wheeeew!
Excessive DMP Files in System32
I'm not terribly familiar with OS troubleshooting, but in trying to manage storage on my C-drive, I've noticed I have around 43GB of .dmp files in C/Windows/System32 alone. I'm usually under the impression that .dmp are log files more than anything and that I can 'safely' dispose of or move them off of my C-drive, but I'm wary of touching anything in System32 in particular. This machine has never had an issue of crashing, and certainly not as far back as these .dmp go. I also thought that the repository for those would be a different folder or file-name format. Can these be safely deleted/moved to a different volume without impacting my OS? This is on Windows 11 Pro, and the computer is kept up to date. It is my intention to swap out the drive for a larger one in the near future, but it does leave me with some concern as to this problem only growing. Attached is a WinDirStat screengrab for context.What is an enablement package?
Windows 11, versions 22H2 and 23H2 share a common core operating system with an identical set of system files. As a result, the new features in Windows 11, version 23H2 are included in the latest monthly quality update for Windows 11, version 22H2 but are in an inactive and dormant state. These new features will remain dormant until they are turned on through the “enablement package,” a small, quick-to-install “master switch” that activates the Windows 11, version 23H2 features. The enablement package is a great option for installing a scoped feature update like Windows 11, version 23H2 as it enables an update from version 22H2 to version 23H2 with a single restart, reducing update downtime. This enables devices to take advantage of new features now. For version 22H2 devices that receive updates directly from Windows Update or Windows Server Updates Services (WSUS), devices automatically get the enablement package by installing the feature update to Windows 11, version 23H2.After the system update, the network status icon on the lock screen appears as a globe.
After installing a system update, the network status icon in the lower-right corner of the lock screen changed from a Wi-Fi or Ethernet icon to a globe icon, indicating no network access. However, after unlocking the device and accessing the home screen, the network connection works perfectly fine, and both the browser and apps can access the internet. I have tried resetting the network settings and updating the network adapter driver, but the icon issue still persists on the lock screen.
2026-07 Windows 11 Updates, hanging on "do not power off computer..."
Good afternoon, So we patch our fleet with Intune (hotpatching, obviously not a thing in July) our test devices all patched late yesterday into today and so far every one of them has installed what looks to be 2 patches (two reboots) and then hangs on the black screen stating "do not turn off your computer" with the animation going.... We let one sit there for ~30 minutes and another ~20 minutes before hard power cycling them, at which point they booted straight into Windows and all patches were properly applied. It's acting as if the patches applied properly and were completed, Windows just didn't get the **bleep** memo! We are seeing this with both Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 and Lenovo T14's and X1 Carbons. I have seen reports in the past of a similar issue with Lenovo devices due to their odd power management, however we didn't experience this in January when many others did, so I'm not convinced that is the case.. Anyone else seeing similar behavior with the July 2026 (MASSIVE) update? Thanks, -CoreyToday only: OEM Secure Boot Office Hours
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Insider Windows Update Device stuck on build 26220.6972 — no updates since Oct 2025
I've been directed here by MS support. Device stuck on build 26220.6972 — no updates since Aug/Oct 2025 My Windows 11 Insider device is stuck on build 26220.6972 and has not received any cumulative or security updates since October 2025. The Insider Program page shows I’m enrolled, but there is no channel selector, and the WindowsSelfHost registry key is missing. WindowsUpdate.log shows no flighting activity, and the device does not detect new public releases or Insider builds. I believe the Insider backend is corrupted and Windows Update is unable to use either the public or Insider servicing channels. I need assistance restoring normal update functionality without performing a full reinstall. ⭐ Technical Version (for engineering‑level support) Subject: Insider backend corruption causing complete Windows Update servicing failure Summary: Device stuck on Insider build 26220.6972 (ge_release) with no cumulative updates since Oct 2025. Insider UI present but backend flighting configuration appears to be missing. Windows Update unable to access either Insider or public servicing channels. Technical details: Insider Program UI shows enrollment but no channel selector and no linked Microsoft account. The entire WindowsSelfHost registry structure is missing (root key and all subkeys). WindowsUpdate.log contains no flighting metadata, no applicability rules, and no Insider targeting entries. Update history shows no cumulative updates, servicing stack updates, or .NET updates since Oct 2025. Device does not detect new public releases or Insider builds. “Unenroll this device when the next version of Windows releases” toggle is ON, but unenrollment cannot occur because the device cannot detect new releases. Experience Pack updates continue (via separate pipeline), confirming partial servicing functionality. System appears stuck in a UI‑enrolled but backend‑detached Insider state, preventing both Insider and public updates. Impact: Windows Update servicing is non‑functional. Device is missing ~8 months of quality patches and cumulative updates. I cannot receive Insider builds or public releases. Cannot automatically unenroll at next major release. Request: Guidance on restoring Windows Update servicing and Insider backend without a full OS reinstall. Specifically need assistance re‑establishing flighting configuration or safely resetting Insider enrollment. System info: Windows 11 Pro, Version 25H2 OS Build: 26220.6972 Experience Pack: 1000.26100.265.0 Last cumulative update: October 2025
Update for Windows Security Platform - broke my computer
Hello all. I went to apply the following update to my computer: Update for Windows Security platform - KB5007651 (Version 10.0.29573.1002) Upon restart I could no longer use the start menu. When I would click on it, the menu would come on the screen and disappear in two seconds. Any attempt to click on the User or the Power Icon would do nothing. I tried rebooting using the command prompt and it was still broken after the reboot. Tried using DSIM and it kept getting stuck at 62.3 %. Finally just restored from backup and everything worked again. I know it's an important update, but if the computer is useless afterwards - what's the point? Anybody else experience this and how did you resolve it? -- Jim Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-9700K CPU @ 3.60GHz (3.60 GHz) Installed RAM 64.0 GB Graphics card NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 (8 GB) Storage 1.54 TB of 3.64 TB used System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor Edition Windows 11 Pro Version 25H2 OS build 26200.8457 Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.304.0
Disappearing sound and taskbar icons
Hi. Problems since the last update on: Edition Windows 11 Pro Version 25H2 Installed on 25/04/2026 OS build 26200.8246 Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.297.0 Initially, sometimes the task bar items disappeared although still present, and sound failed while waking from sleep. Computer wouldn't boot 1st attempt but would on 2nd attempt. This occurred after every shutdown. Secondly, graphics started to stutter and lag in Brave but not Edge or Chrome. This developed to everything systemwide stuttering, lagging and slowing down. Installing a 5 year old graphics driver sorted the problem until the next reboot when the device manager showed a problem with the driver and system slowdown re-occurred. Reinstalling the operating system has cured the lag and stuttering, but sound still disappears randomly after sleep and taskbar icons still disappear, although they came back when I opened settings. Yet another dodgy update, it has become a regular occurrence.
