New Slow ring Build available for Insiders from RS4 branch

After releasing 17120 for Fast ring Insiders last week, Microsoft's Windows Insider team has decided to ship it for slow ring build.
ICYMI, Windows 10  Build 17120 is almost finalized Redstone 4 build that doesn't have a large number of changes though but a slight number of changes can be found here:

Windows 10 Build 17120 available from Redstone 4 branch

 17120 is indeed stable build if we compare the previous releases, so the decision is apt to ship it for Slow ring. As Far as ISO's are concerned, we can expect them next week.

New Skip Ahead Build for Windows 10 released

Microsoft has almost finished up Redstone 4 release(no known issues on the latest release!) so the focus of the Insider and the development team now shifts to Redstone 5 builds. Microsoft already released first RS5 build a while back, and now they have released third RS5 build this week. The build number is 17623. The new features have started to come up which are discussed below:

What's new

• New High Efficiency Image File Format (HEIF) format for Images supported by Windows Photos app-Make sure you have joined beta program for Photos app.
• Now you can safely remove External GPU using Safely remove devices.
• New Privacy Settings layout in Settings.
• Windows Defender Application guard Improvements.

General Fixes

• For Windows Insiders in the Skip Ahead ring, we will begin testing a change where links clicked on within the Windows Mail app will open in Microsoft Edge, which provides the best, most secure and consistent experience on Windows 10 and across your devices. With built-in features for reading, note-taking, Cortana integration, and easy access to services such as SharePoint and OneDrive, Microsoft Edge enables you to be more productive, organized and creative without sacrificing your battery life or security. As always, we look forward to feedback from our WIP community.
• [Fixed] an issue where the Microsoft Store may be completely broken or disappeared altogether after upgrading to this build.
• [Fixed]  two issues impacting the usability of Windows Mixed Reality on the previous build (Windows Mixed Reality running at a very low frame rate (8-10fps), and a potential crash at startup that could cause Windows Mixed Reality to not work).
• [Fixed]  an issue resulting in not being able to interact with title bars using touch when Sets was enabled.
• [Fixed]  an issue resulting in the touch keyboard crashing when focus was moved to certain password fields.
• We’ve improved the performance of Bluetooth mice when the system is under load.
• [Fixed] an issue from recent flights causing precision touchpads to periodically need a few tries to be able to move the mouse.
• [Fixed]  an issue resulting in the Amharic keyboard not working in Win32 apps.
• [Fixed]  an issue where EFI and Recovery partitions were unexpectedly listed in Defragment and Optimize Drives.
• [Fixed]  an issue optimizing drives in Defragment and Optimize Drives didn’t work in the last few flights.
• [Fixed]  an issue resulting in a permanently black window if you dragged a tab out of a Microsoft Edge window, pulled it up to the top edge of the screen, and moved it back down and released it.
• Updated the Cortana section in Settings to now be called “Cortana & Search”.
• [Fixed]  an issue where you couldn’t use touch to interact with the Timeline scrollbar.
• [Fixed]  an issue where a failed app update could result in that app becoming unpinned from the taskbar.
• [Fixed]  an issue where if focus was set inside Action Center pressing Esc wouldn’t close the Action Center window.
• [Fixed] an issue that could result in ShellExperienceHost periodically waking the device from hibernate if active live tiles were pinned to Start.

Known issues

• If you open Settings and clicking on any links to the Microsoft Store or links in tips, Settings will crash. This includes the links to get themes and fonts from the Microsoft Store, as well as the link to Windows Defender.
• If you try to open a file that is available online-only from OneDrive that hasn’t been previously downloaded to your PC (marked with a green checkmark in File Explorer), your PC could bugcheck (GSOD). You can work around this problem by right-clicking on these files and selecting “Always keep on this device.” Any file-on-demand from OneDrive that is already downloaded to the PC should open fine.
• The Emoji Panel keyboard shortcuts don’t work – for now you’ll need to use the touch keyboard to enter emoji. If you right-click on the taskbar you’ll find an option to show the touch keyboard button and go from there.

The build is only available via Windows update to insiders on Skip Ahead.

More information about the build can be found here

Windows 10 Build 17623 for Skip Ahead

March Patch Tuesday updates for Windows 10

It is the second Tuesday(Wednesday where I am based) of the month and as usual, Microsoft has shipped patches to all of its products. As Windows 10 is no different, cumulative updates for several Windows 10 versions are released. We shall discuss them in detail.

Windows 10 version 1709 Build 16299

The latest stable release for Windows 10 has got cumulative update KB4088776 that contains a lot of changes. The build number jumps to 16299.309. The changes are as under:

• Addresses issue where Internet Explorer stops working when using F12-based developer tools.

• Addresses issue with printing XML documents with Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge.

• Updates legacy Document Mode cell visibility in Internet Explorer.

• Addresses issue with pinch and zoom gestures on some hardware in Internet Explorer.

• Addresses issue where Internet Explorer is unresponsive in certain scenarios when a Browser Helper Object is installed.

• Addresses issue to prevent media and other applications from becoming unresponsive or failing when upgrading graphics drivers.

• Addresses issue where customers receive "Check your account, you don't own this content” errors when attempting to play or install owned content. This issue can also result in customers getting kicked out of a game in the middle of play.

• Addresses issue where, after installing KB4056892,KB4073291, KB4058258, KB4077675, or KB4074588 on a server, you may not be able to access SMB shared files in directory junction points or volume mount points hosted on that server. The error is "ERROR_INVALID_REPARSE_DATA”. As a result, editing some group policies using GPMC or AGPM 4.0 may fail with the error "The data present in the reparse point buffer is invalid. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80071128)".

• Addresses issue where an AD FS server issue causes the WID AD FS database to become unusable after a restart. This might prevent the AD FS service from starting.

• Addresses issue where, after installing KB4090913, the Mixed Reality Portal may fail to initialize. This results in an “SXXXXXXX-X” error or a “We couldn’t download the Windows Mixed Reality Software” message may appear after the software is successfully downloaded.

• Lifts the Anti-Virus (AV) compatibility check to expand the number of Windows 10 devices that are offered cumulative Windows security updates. This includes cumulative Spectre and Meltdown protections for 32-Bit (x86) and 64-Bit (x64) versions of Windows, except the KB4078130 update that was offered to disable mitigation against Spectre Variant 2.

• Addresses issue that only affects some versions of antivirus software and only applies to computers on which the antivirus ISV updated the ALLOW REGKEY.

• Security updates to Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Scripting Engine, Windows Desktop Bridge, Windows Kernel, Windows Shell, Windows MSXML, Device Guard, Windows Hyper-V, Windows Installer, and the Microsoft Scripting Engine.

Support Page
The support page can be found here.
Download
The update is available via Windows update or you can use the direct download links below:

Download Package for 32 bit Systems

Download Package for 64 bit Systems

Known Issue
The update might be showing as not installed in Windows update but might be actually installed. Please confirm the build number, if this is the case.

Windows 10 version 1703

The Creators update to Windows 10 has got KB4088782 that jumps the build number to 15063.966. Following changes are introduced with the update:

• Addresses issue with printing XML documents in Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge.

• Addresses issue where Internet Explorer stops working when using F12-based developer tools.

• Updates legacy Document Mode cell visibility in Internet Explorer.

• Addresses issue where Internet Explorer is unresponsive in certain scenarios when a Browser Helper Object is installed.

• Addresses issue that causes online video playback to stop responding.

• Addresses issue where, after installing KB4056891, KB4057144, or KB4074592 on a server, you may not be able to access SMB shared files in directory junction points or volume mount points hosted on that server. The error is "ERROR_INVALID_REPARSE_DATA”. As a result, editing some group policies using GPMC or AGPM 4.0 may fail with the error "The data present in the reparse point buffer is invalid. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80071128)".

• Lifts the Anti-Virus (AV) compatibility check to expand the number of Windows 10 devices that are offered cumulative Windows security updates. This includes cumulative Spectre and Meltdown protections for 32-Bit (x86) and 64-Bit (x64) versions of Windows, except the KB4078130 update that was offered to disable mitigation against Spectre Variant 2.

• Addresses issue that only affects some versions of antivirus software and only applies to computers on which the antivirus ISV updated the ALLOW REGKEY.

• Security updates to Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Scripting Engine, Windows Desktop Bridge, Microsoft Graphics component, Windows Kernel, Windows Shell, Windows MSXML, Windows Installer, and Windows Hyper-V.

Support Page
The Support Page can be found here.
Download
The update would be available via Windows update or you can use the direct download links:

Download Package for 32 bit Systems

Download Package for 64 bit Systems

Windows 10 version 1607 Build 14393

The Anniversary update to Windows 10 has got KB4088787 which jumps the build number to 14393.2125 which brings the following changes:

• Addresses issue with printing XML documents with Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge.

• Addresses issue where Internet Explorer stops working when using F12-based developer tools.

• Updates legacy Document Mode cell visibility in Internet Explorer.

• Addresses issue where Internet Explorer is unresponsive in certain scenarios when a Browser Helper Object is installed.

• Addresses issue that causes online video playback to stop responding.

• Addresses issue where an AD FS server issue causes the WID AD FS database to become unusable after a restart. This might prevent the AD FS service from starting.

• Lifts the Anti-Virus (AV) compatibility check to expand the number of Windows 10 devices that are offered cumulative Windows security updates. This includes cumulative Spectre and Meltdown protections for 32-Bit (x86) and 64-Bit (x64) versions of Windows, except the KB4078130 update that was offered to disable mitigation against Spectre Variant 2.

• Addresses issue that only affects some versions of antivirus software and only applies to computers on which the antivirus ISV updated the ALLOW REGKEY.

• Security updates to Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Scripting Engine, Microsoft Windows Search component, Windows Desktop Bridge, Microsoft Graphics component, Windows Kernel, Windows Shell, Windows MSXML, Windows Datacenter Networking, Windows Installer, and Windows Hyper-V.

Support Page:
The support page can be found here.
Download:

Download Package for 32 bit Systems

Download Package for 64 bit systems

That is all for now.

Microsoft released Build 17112 on Fast ring

The Windows Insider team is about to finish RS4. It is that time of the release where two builds in a week are possible, which is the case this week. Microsoft has released Build 17112 on Fast ring which doesn't include anything new, just fixes and improvements.

General changes for PC

• [Fixed] an issue where selecting a notification after taking a screenshot or game clip opened the Xbox app’s home screen instead of opening the screenshot or game clip.
• [Fixed] an issue where EFI and Recovery partitions were unexpectedly listed in Defragment and Optimize Drives.
• [Fixed] an issue optimizing drives in Defragment and Optimize Drives didn’t work in the last few flights.
• [Fixed] an issue resulting in a permanently black window if you dragged a tab out of a Microsoft Edge window, pulled it up to the top edge of the screen, and moved it back down and released it.
• [Fixed]an issue where the warning on Windows 10 S when trying to run non-Microsoft Store apps from File Explorer might end up stuck behind the File Explorer window.
• [Fixed] an issue where there was some unexpected extra space in the File Explorer navigation pane before the chevron icons to expand/collapse folders.
• [Fixed] an issue where if focus was set inside Action Center pressing Esc wouldn’t close the Action Center window.
• [Fixed] an issue that could result in ShellExperienceHost periodically waking the device from hibernate if active live tiles were pinned to Start.
• [Fixed]an issue where navigating to Settings > System > Focus Assist > “Customize your priority list” could crash Settings.

Known Issues

• If you try to open a file that is available online-only from OneDrive that hasn’t been previously downloaded to your PC (marked with a green checkmark in File Explorer), your PC could bugcheck (GSOD). You can work around this problem by right-clicking on these files and selecting “Always keep on this device.” Any file-on-demand from OneDrive that is already downloaded to the PC should open fine.
• Post-install at the first user-prompted reboot or shutdown, a small number of devices have experienced a scenario wherein the OS fails to load properly and may enter a reboot loop state. For affected PCs, turning off fast boot may bypass the issue. If not, it is necessary to create a bootable ISO on a USB drive, boot into recovery mode, and this this will allow bypass.
• When Movies & TV user denies access to its videos library (through the “Let Movies & TV access your videos library?” popup window or through Windows privacy settings), Movies & TV crashes when the user navigates to the “Personal” tab.
• Store is broken in this build.

You can read the complete blog post here:

Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 17112 for PC

This build is as usual would be available via Windows update only.

Windows 10 continues to rise slowly in market share

It's been a while since I shared desktop monthly share for Operating systems so I feel this is the high time to share one. On the first of each month, many companies release desktop market share for Operating systems worldwide. I find netmarketshare.com to be the most reliable website that offers the sharing, so let us discuss their stats in detail.

Windows 10

Windows 10, the newest and reportedly called as last Operating system by Microsoft continues to rise since our last analysis. Currently, the OS stands at 34.06 percent of the share, a tiny decline from the last month but still strong. As Windows 7 EOL date nears, Enterprises have started to move to Windows 10. 10% more than what it was in March 2017, so that is a very sharp rise.

Windows 7

The most popular Operating system of Microsoft still tops the list having 41.61 percent of the share despite loosing around 1 percent from Feburary. Now it is to be seen when Windows 10 crosses Windows 7 which entirely depends on users migrating from Windows 7 to 10.

Windows 8.1 and 8

Both of the versions of Windows 8 still hold an 8 percent of share despite Windows 10 is way better than Windows 8.1. Still have a validity of 2023 so it would be a while since the usage share goes negligible.

Windows XP

The most popular OS of Microsoft in 2000s holds 4.70  of the share which is slightly up from last month. These are generally enterprises who haven't moved yet-There are a large number of Enterprises here in India which still use XP.

That is all for now :)

New Microcode update for Windows 10 version 1709 now available

There has been a lot of talking on Windows 10 updates, especially of version 1709 where the Patch Tuesday update of February has made USB devices attached to the computer almost unusable. USB devices mean any of Keyboard and mouse attached through USB port do not work, so it is practically impossible to use the computer. Microsoft acted on it quickly and issued a support article that is here:

USB devices may stop working after installing the February 13, 2018 update

The immediate fix was to uninstall the update in Windows RE using DISM utility which you can see above, but doing it is a bit tricky for novice users. Nevertheless, this issue would be fixed up in the March Cumulative updates.
On the other hand, if we go to Spectre/Meltdown Fiasco, the users faced a lot of trouble especially those using AMD based systems. The troubles for Intel-based systems were no less-Unexpected Reboots, BSODs, update failing etc. Seeing this, Intel advised the OEMs to stop distributing Microcode aka BIOS updates till they fix it and looks like they have fixed.
But there is a catch this time-Instead of OEMs, the microcode update is being delivered by Microsoft update to fix the vulnerability. Microsoft has covered the largest section as per now, delivering the update to all of Skylake and Haswell codenamed CPUs. This comes up with the name of Intel Microcode update KB4090007. The support page for this update is as under:

KB4090007: Intel microcode updates

As these are being delivered through Windows update so I expect them to be more stable. For other versions like 1703 or 1607, I am not sure when it would come but I would notify whenever it is available.
If you have troubles updating

Reset Windows updates in Windows 10