Microsoft’s Emergency Windows 11 Fix Tackles Major Problems

Microsoft’s Emergency Windows 11 Fix Tackles Major Problems

Microsoft has released an emergency Windows 11 update to repair Remote Desktop, Hyper-V file-sharing, and multichannel USB audio problems. The cumulative update also includes protection against an elevation-of-privilege vulnerability, making it an important release for affected users and IT teams.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

September 16, 2026

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A Windows update can quickly become a business problem when remote employees cannot sign in, virtual machines lose access to shared folders, or specialized audio equipment stops working correctly.

Here’s a Cool Tip: Check Windows Update now if Remote Desktop, Hyper-V, or USB audio recently stopped working.

Microsoft released KB5129195 on September 14, 2026, outside its regular update schedule. 

The cumulative out-of-band update applies to Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2 and brings those systems to OS builds 26200.9457 and 26100.9457, respectively.

The update addresses several issues introduced or exposed by the September 2026 Windows security updates. 

The failures affected Remote Desktop Services, host-folder sharing with certain Linux virtual machines, and some multichannel USB audio configurations. 

It also includes protections documented under CVE-2026-62721, a Windows User-Mode Power Service elevation-of-privilege vulnerability.

Windows 11 Adds Long-Requested Taskbar and Start Controls

Windows 11 Adds Long-Requested Taskbar and Start Controls

Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 preview update gives users more control over the taskbar, Start menu, Search, and File Explorer. The improvements are practical, but known issues mean you may want to wait before installing the update on an essential PC.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

September 9, 2026

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One of the most common complaints about Windows 11 has been its limited customization. Microsoft’s August 2026 preview update addresses several of those frustrations by restoring flexible taskbar positioning and adding more control over the Start menu.

Here’s a Cool Tip: Wait for the wider rollout unless you need the new controls now.

The optional KB5120998 update applies to Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. 

It advances those systems to OS builds 26100.9278 and 26200.9278, respectively. 

Microsoft released the update on August 27, 2026, and identifies it as a non-security preview containing quality improvements.

The main attractions are a taskbar that can move to any edge of the screen, a smaller taskbar option, adjustable Start menu sizes, clearer Search results, and a more responsive File Explorer Home. 

Some features are being released gradually, so two eligible PCs may not receive every change at the same time.

Give Sensitive Documents Extra Protection in OneDrive

Give Sensitive Documents Extra Protection in OneDrive

OneDrive Personal Vault places sensitive files behind an additional identity check and locks them again after inactivity. It is a practical place for passport scans, tax records, insurance documents, and other files that deserve more protection than an ordinary cloud folder.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

September 2, 2026

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Your vacation photos and passport scan probably should not receive identical treatment.

Yet that is what can happen when everything lands in the same cloud storage account. 

Your files may be protected by your Microsoft account, but an unlocked computer, shared device, or compromised session can still create an opportunity for someone to see more than you intended.

Here’s a Cool Tip: Move your most sensitive documents into Personal Vault, then lock it as soon as you finish using them.

OneDrive Personal Vault adds another checkpoint. 

Before opening the protected folder, you must verify your identity using an available method such as a fingerprint, face, PIN, Microsoft Authenticator code, email code, or text message. 

The vault also locks after inactivity, so its contents do not remain indefinitely accessible.

This is not a separate storage service or a replacement for good account security. 

It is a protected area inside a personal OneDrive account, designed for files that deserve more care.

Speed Up Windows 11: 3 Easy Ways to Disable Startup Apps

Speed Up Windows 11: 3 Easy Ways to Disable Startup Apps

Too many startup apps can slow down your PC before you even begin working. Here are three simple ways to stop unnecessary programs from launching automatically in Windows 11 and improve startup performance.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

August 26, 2026

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You turn on your PC expecting to get to work, but Windows spends the next few minutes launching apps you didn't even open. 

If your computer feels sluggish immediately after sign-in, startup programs may be the reason.

Many applications automatically configure themselves to launch whenever you log into Windows. 

While some are genuinely helpful, others consume memory, processor resources, and storage activity before you've even opened a browser.

Here's a Cool Tip: Disable high-impact startup apps you rarely use.

Startup applications can affect both startup speed and overall system performance. 

By managing which apps launch automatically, you can reduce unnecessary background activity and create a cleaner, faster experience.

The good news is that Windows 11 includes several built-in tools that make startup management easy.

5 Hidden Windows 11 Features That Save Time Every Day

5 Hidden Windows 11 Features That Save Time Every Day

Windows 11 includes several built-in tools that can make everyday tasks faster, cleaner, and less frustrating. These five overlooked features help you copy smarter, organize your screen, capture better screenshots, focus longer, and reach system tools quickly.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

August 12, 2026

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If you use Windows all day, you probably spend more time than you realize switching between apps, copying bits of text, grabbing screenshots, and digging through settings. 

The good news is that Windows 11 already includes several tools that make these little tasks easier.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Learn These Five Windows Shortcuts and Put Windows 11 to Work.

The catch? 

Many of them are hidden behind keyboard shortcuts, tucked inside system apps, or sitting in menus most users rarely open.

None of these tips requires extra software or a paid subscription. Most take just a few seconds to learn.

Windows 11 Screen Tint Makes Bright Screens Easier on the Eyes

Windows 11 Screen Tint Makes Bright Screens Easier on the Eyes

Bright screens are not always a brightness problem. Sometimes the intensity of modern apps, websites, and documents is what leaves your eyes feeling tired after a long day.

Windows 11's new Screen Tint accessibility feature offers another way to improve screen comfort by applying a customizable color overlay across the entire display. Availability may vary depending on your Windows version and rollout status.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

July 29, 2026

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After eight hours of email, spreadsheets, Teams meetings, web browsing, and document editing, many people reach for the brightness controls. 

The problem is that brightness is not always what's causing the discomfort.

Here's a Cool Tip: Customize your screen's comfort level with Screen Tint.

Microsoft's new Screen Tint feature for Windows 11 takes a different approach. Instead of simply dimming the display, it adds a customizable color overlay designed to make bright screens feel less visually intense during long work sessions. 

The feature is intended to help users who experience eye fatigue, light sensitivity, or general visual discomfort from bright displays.

Screen Tint joins other Windows accessibility tools designed to make computing more comfortable, but it fills a unique gap between Night Light and Color Filters.

Windows 11's New Point-in-Time Restore Can Save Hours of Recovery

Windows 11's New Point-in-Time Restore Can Save Hours of Recovery

Windows 11's new Point-in-Time Restore feature can help you recover from bad updates, driver problems, and software mistakes without rebuilding an entire PC. If something breaks, you may be able to roll back to a previous working state in minutes instead of spending hours troubleshooting.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

July 15, 2026

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One bad driver update or software installation can turn a perfectly good PC into a troubleshooting project.

For years, Windows users have relied on backups, system images, or the aging System Restore feature when something went wrong. 

Here's a Cool Tip: Update Windows with the July 2026 Update for Point-in-Time Restore.

Microsoft is now introducing a more modern recovery approach called Point-in-Time Restore, a built-in Windows 11 capability designed to help users recover from software problems more quickly.

Point-in-Time Restore can restore apps, settings, and local user files captured in an available restore point. 

The goal is simple: reduce downtime and help users recover from problems without resorting to a full reinstall.

3 Smart Windows 11 Printer Tricks That Save Time and Ink

3 Smart Windows 11 Printer Tricks That Save Time and Ink

Printing mistakes and repetitive settings can quietly waste time, ink, and paper. These three Windows 11 printer tips help you take control and keep things running smoothly.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

June 17, 2026

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You only meant to print one page, but the printer starts churning through an entire document in full color.

That’s a quick way to burn through ink and patience.

Here’s a Cool Tip: Take Control of Printing Before It Wastes Your Time and Money.

Windows 11 includes useful printer tools most people never touch.

Once you know where they are, you can stop mistakes instantly, automate your settings, and manage printers with far more control.

Find Files Faster: Windows 11 Search Finally Gets Smarter

Find Files Faster: Windows 11 Search Finally Gets Smarter

Windows 11 Search has long been a frustration point, but the June 2026 update addresses some of its biggest weaknesses. These changes make finding files faster, easier, and far less dependent on typing the exact file name.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

June 10, 2026

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You know the routine. 

You open Search, type part of a file name, and nothing appears. 

So you type more. 

Then more. 

At some point, it is faster to open File Explorer and hunt manually.

Here’s a Cool Tip: Find files faster with fewer keystrokes

Microsoft finally seems to be fixing that experience.

The June 2026 Windows 11 update introduces meaningful improvements to Search performance and accuracy. 

The changes are subtle, but they show up quickly in everyday use.

Turn Simple Notes Into Organized Lists in Notepad

Turn Simple Notes Into Organized Lists in Notepad

Windows Notepad is evolving from a plain-text tool into a lightweight Markdown editor. New support for Strikethrough and Nested Lists makes everyday notes easier to organize and manage.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

June 3, 2026

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Notepad has always been the simplest app on Windows. 

Open it, type something, close it, done. 

No formatting, no structure, no distractions.

That simplicity worked until you needed to organize anything more complex than a short list. 

Project notes, task lists, outlines, even grocery planning quickly turned messy.

Here’s a Cool Tip: Use Notepad like a Structured Note-Taking Tool. 

With recent updates, Notepad is starting to behave more like a lightweight Markdown editor, including support for strikethrough text and properly nested lists.

Windows 11’s New Start App Views: Find Any App In Two Clicks Or Less

Windows 11’s New Start App Views: Find Any App In Two Clicks Or Less

The Windows 11 Start menu just learned a few new tricks that quietly fix years of everyday annoyances. If you have too many apps and not enough patience, the new Start app views might be the most useful change you see all year.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

May 6, 2026

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How many times a day do you open the Start menu, stare at a wall of icons, and still not find the app you need? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Check the New Start Menu.

Windows 11’s refreshed Start menu in versions 24H2 and 25H2 tackles that exact problem by turning the old, split layout into a single, smarter app launcher with multiple ways to browse.

Instead of bouncing between Pinned, All apps, and Recommended, you now get one continuous surface with new Category, Grid, and List views for your apps. 

The result feels more like a modern phone launcher: scroll, tap, done.

Stop Losing Tabs: How Microsoft Edge Tab Search Keeps You On Track

Stop Losing Tabs: How Microsoft Edge Tab Search Keeps You On Track

Find any open or recently closed tab in seconds and rescue your focus from tab overload. If you live with dozens of tabs, this feature can feel like a superpower.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

April 29, 2026

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How many tabs do you have open right now, and how many can you actually find? 

For most people, the browser has become a cluttered desk where important pages hide behind a wall of tiny icons.

Microsoft Edge’s Tab Search feature solves that problem. 

Instead of scanning multiple windows or guessing where a page went, you type a keyword, see every matching tab, and jump straight back to work. 

It is a small feature that delivers a surprising productivity boost.

Freeform Rotate Comes To Windows Paint: A Tiny Button With Big Creative Power

Freeform Rotate Comes To Windows Paint: A Tiny Button With Big Creative Power

Freeform Rotate is finally arriving in the classic Windows Paint app, and it quietly fixes a decades-old annoyance. If you sketch, annotate screenshots, or mock up ideas in Paint, this one control can save you time and make your work look more polished.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

March 10, 2026

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Have you ever tried to tilt a logo or straighten a pasted screenshot in Paint, only to give up because it only rotated in 90-degree chunks? 

That friction has been part of Windows life for years.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Rotate Objects in Microsoft Paint.

Microsoft is rolling out a Freeform Rotate feature in Paint that lets you rotate shapes, text, and selections to any angle. 

It is a small change that makes Paint feel less like a toy and more like a lightweight layout tool for everyday work.

Windows 11 Adds a One Click Internet Speed Test in the Taskbar

Windows 11 Adds a One Click Internet Speed Test in the Taskbar

Windows 11 now includes a built-in shortcut that lets you check your internet speed directly from the taskbar. It is a small change that saves time when troubleshooting slow connections.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor  

March 4, 2026

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Slow Wi-Fi can ruin a video call or stall a download at the worst possible moment. 

Most people jump to a browser and search for a speed test, but that takes extra steps when you are already frustrated. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use the New Internet Speed Test in the Taskbar.

Microsoft quietly added a new shortcut in Windows 11 that puts a speed test one click away. 

It is simple, fast, and surprisingly useful for both home users and busy professionals.

Extract Text from Any Image with the Windows Photos App

Extract Text from Any Image with the Windows Photos App

Windows 11 hides a powerful OCR tool inside the Photos app that instantly pulls text from images. If you take screenshots, snap whiteboards, or store receipts as photos, this feature can save you hours of retyping.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

February 25, 2026

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Have you ever stared at a screenshot and thought, “I just need that one paragraph”? 

Maybe it was a Wi-Fi password, a quote from a PDF, or handwritten notes from a meeting. 

Traditionally, that meant retyping everything or installing a third-party OCR tool.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Windows Photos App to Extract Text.

Windows 11 now includes built-in text recognition inside the Photos app. 

It works quietly in the background and makes text selectable and copyable directly from your images. 

No subscription. 

No browser extension. 

No scanning app required.

For business users, and home users alike, this is one of those practical upgrades that removes friction from daily work.

Feature Explanation

What it is:

• The Windows Photos app in Windows 11 includes optical character recognition, or OCR, that detects text inside images and allows you to copy it.

How it works:

• When you open an image in Photos, the app analyzes the image for recognizable characters. If text is detected, a “Copy text” or “Scan text” option appears. You can select specific lines or copy all detected text.

Why it matters:

• Screenshots, scanned contracts, printed forms, whiteboards, and even photographed documents become searchable and editable. This eliminates retyping and reduces errors.

Windows 11’s Microsoft Store CLI: Install and Update Apps Without Opening the Store

Windows 11’s Microsoft Store CLI: Install and Update Apps Without Opening the Store

If you live in Windows Terminal, Microsoft just gave you a faster way to manage Store apps. The new Microsoft Store command line tool lets you browse, install, and update Microsoft Store apps with a few simple commands, no GUI required.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

February 18, 2026

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Ever set up a new PC and thought, “Why am I clicking through the Store again?” 

Or needed to update one specific app and got dragged into a sea of tiles, banners, and “recommended” content? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use the New Microsoft Store Command Line Interface (CLI).

Microsoft’s new Store CLI is a small change that quietly removes a lot of friction for anyone who prefers fast, repeatable workflows.

A New Emoji Icon Lands in the Windows 11 Taskbar

A New Emoji Icon Lands in the Windows 11 Taskbar

Windows 11 now includes a small emoji icon in the system tray that gives you faster access to expressive typing. It is rolling out slowly to certain groups, so availability may vary.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor  

February 11, 2026

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Most people know the keyboard shortcut for emojis only after someone shows them. 

Windows key plus period is easy to remember, but millions of users never discover it. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Enable the Emoji Panel in the System Tray.

Microsoft has decided to fix that by placing a small emoji icon directly in the Windows 11 taskbar. 

It is a tiny change that solves a surprisingly common problem. 

If you spend your day in Teams, Outlook, Slack, or social apps, this new icon might save you more time than you expect.

Quick Machine Recovery in Windows 11: Your Safety Net For Boot Failures

Quick Machine Recovery in Windows 11: Your Safety Net For Boot Failures

Quick Machine Recovery in Windows 11 uses Microsoft’s cloud services to repair certain widespread boot issues with minimal user effort. Learn what it does, how to configure it, and how to be ready before disaster strikes.

Byline: By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

February 4, 2026

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You press the power button, wait for Windows to appear, and instead you get a spinning circle that never ends. 

For many users, that moment means panic, lost work, and a frantic search for recovery media.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Quick Machine Recovery in Windows 11.

Quick Machine Recovery in Windows 11 aims to change that story. 

Instead of leaving you alone in a broken boot loop, Windows can detect certain widespread issues, enter the Windows Recovery Environment, connect to Microsoft’s cloud, and automatically apply a targeted fix if one exists. 

It is not magic, and it will not solve every problem, but when it works, it can turn a potential outage into a short coffee break.

Most Popular Windows 11 Cool Tips of 2025

Most Popular Windows 11 Cool Tips of 2025

Windows 11 gained plenty of flashy AI headlines in 2025, but the real productivity boosts came from small, practical features. These are the underrated tricks that quietly save you time, battery, and frustration every single day.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor  

December 31, 2025

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How often do you think, “I know that file exists, but where did I put it?” 

Or stare at a spinning cursor while one misbehaving app hogs your CPU during a meeting? Meanwhile, your laptop battery drains faster than your patience.

The most popular Windows 11 Cool Tips of 2025 are not gimmicks. 

Editing file metadata for instant search, taming apps with Task Manager’s Efficiency Mode, and mastering Airplane Mode for battery and network sanity are simple habits that pay off all year long.

“Hey Copilot” on Windows 11: Hands-Free Help That Actually Saves Time

 “Hey Copilot” on Windows 11: Hands-Free Help That Actually Saves Time

Get quick answers, launch apps, and draft content by saying “Hey Copilot.” Here’s how to turn it on and use it well.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 10, 2025

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Have you ever wished you could ask your PC to do something while your hands are busy? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Enable and Use "Hey Copilot" in Windows 11.

“Hey Copilot” brings voice wake-up to Windows 11 so you can summon Copilot without clicking. 

If you’ve been waiting for a faster way to get help, this hands-free trigger is a small feature with big productivity impact.