Microsoft Windows 11: Difference between revisions

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===Unstable & forced updates===

Following the update form of Windows 10, Windows 11 updates are also forced and the system settings only allow them to be postponed, without having any official form to disable them. ~~However~~, ~~third~~-~~party tools such as [~~https://~~winaerotweaker~~.com/ ~~WinAeroTweaker] can allow~~ the ~~user~~ to ~~disable and block system updates until the user wants~~ to ~~enable them again~~.

Following the update form of Windows 10, Windows 11 updates are also forced and the system settings only allow them to be postponed, without having any official form to disable them that does not require registry edition or third-party software. They're frequent, usually happening once per month.<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=Microsoft |date=27 Mar 2025 |title=Update release cycle for Windows clients |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/deployment/update/release-cycle |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260314163711/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/update/release-cycle |archive-date=2026-03-14 |access-date=14 Mar 2026 |website=Microsoft Learn}}</ref> The way that updates are deployed, without allowing to use the OS while it is updating, have caused several users to be unable to use their computers when they need to work, do a project, or even when they're in a critical situation. {{Citation needed}}

Windows 11 updates are frequent, usually happening once per month.<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=Microsoft |date=27 Mar 2025 |title=Update release cycle for Windows clients |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/deployment/update/release-cycle |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260314163711/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/update/release-cycle |archive-date=2026-03-14 |access-date=14 Mar 2026 |website=Microsoft Learn}}</ref> Windows users have reported several times issues and bugs with the recent updates, that vary from minor issues to major issues that can lead the system to become unusable. The frequency of unstable updates and the lack of response of Microsoft to prioritize the system's stability has caused several users to complain about the OS <ref>{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Joe |date=25 Nov 2025 |title=Windows 11 has become INCREASINGLY unstable |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5635937/windows-11-has-become-increasingly-unstable |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260107122136/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5635937/windows-11-has-become-increasingly-unstable |archive-date=2026-01-07 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Microsoft Learn}}</ref>, disable system updates despite the risks of doing so<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rozario |first=Hamlin |date=25 Feb 2026|title=I stopped updating Windows immediately — here's how long I wait now |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/i-stopped-updating-windows-immediately/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260227172743/https://www.xda-developers.com/i-stopped-updating-windows-immediately/ |archive-date=2026-02-27 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=XDA}}</ref> or even migrating to modified versions of Windows or to other operating systems such as Linux. {{Citation needed}}

Windows users have also reported several times issues and bugs with the recent updates, that vary from minor issues to major issues that can lead the system to become unusable.

Some problematic ~~documented~~ updates include:

Some documented problematic updates include:

*Minor update '''24H2 KB5063878''', released on August 12 2025. This update affected some SSD drives by severely corrupting them. This corruption in some cases caused data losses that ended in unrecoverable files. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Hunt |first=Cale |date=24 Aug 2025 |title=Reports say Windows 11 update is bricking drives — is yours on the list? |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/reports-say-windows-11-update-is-bricking-drives-is-yours-on-the-list |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260309042734/https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/reports-say-windows-11-update-is-bricking-drives-is-yours-on-the-list |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Windows Central}}</ref>

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*Update '''KB5077181''', released on February 11 2026. This update affected some Samsung computers, making them unable to access to the C:\ drive. If someone attempted to access to this drive, the system launched an error message containing "C:\ is not accessible – Access denied". This glitch also affected the ability to launch programs and perform administrative tasks. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Batt |first=Simon |date=13 Mar 2026 |title=A nasty Windows 11 bug is causing the C drive to become inaccessible in select devices, says Microsoft |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/windows-11-c-is-not-accessible-access-denied-bug/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260314042240/https://www.xda-developers.com/windows-11-c-is-not-accessible-access-denied-bug/ |archive-date=2026-03-14 |access-date=14 Mar 2026 |website=XDA}}</ref>

These combined factors have causes users to respond in several ways, from complaining about the OS and how Microsoft handles it<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Joe |date=25 Nov 2025 |title=Windows 11 has become INCREASINGLY unstable |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5635937/windows-11-has-become-increasingly-unstable |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260107122136/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5635937/windows-11-has-become-increasingly-unstable |archive-date=2026-01-07 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Microsoft Learn}}</ref>, by blocking updates with third-party tools such as [https://winaerotweaker.com/ WinAeroTweaker] to prevent the forced and problematic updates despite the risks of doing so <ref>{{Cite web |last=Rozario |first=Hamlin |date=25 Feb 2026|title=I stopped updating Windows immediately — here's how long I wait now |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/i-stopped-updating-windows-immediately/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260227172743/https://www.xda-developers.com/i-stopped-updating-windows-immediately/ |archive-date=2026-02-27 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=XDA}}</ref>, or even by migrating to modified or unsupported versions of Windows or to other operating systems such as Linux. {{Citation needed}}

===Microsoft Copilot integration===

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===Windows 11 requires a Microsoft Account to use===

Versions of Windows 11 Pro for personal use and Windows 11 Home require internet connectivity and a Microsoft account during setup.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2025-08-17 |title=Windows 11 Specs and System Requirements |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications?r=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250817084049/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications?r=1#expand |archive-date=2025-08-17 |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=Microsoft Corporation}}</ref> This prevents users from setting up the software without the internet, and prevents users from setting up a completely offline installation of Windows, even though the operating system can function without an internet connection. When Microsoft stops offering compatible accounts, Windows 11 will no longer be installable. Workarounds existed to set up Windows without a Microsoft account.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anonymous |date=2022-05-15 |title=Set up Windows 11 without internet |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2350856/set-up-windows-11-without-internet-oobebypassnro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725113800/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2350856/set-up-windows-11-without-internet-oobebypassnro?forum=insider-all&referrer=answers |archive-date=2025-07-25 |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=Microsoft Learn}}</ref> In October 2025, Microsoft announced they would be removing mechanisms to bypass the Microsoft account setup during the "out of box experience" (OOBE) process. Microsoft claims that these bypass methods were skipping "critical setup screens" despite most users having no issues with these workarounds. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Langowski |first=Amanda |date=2025-10-06 |title=Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.6772 (Dev Channel) |url=https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/10/06/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26220-6772-dev-channel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251009102813/https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/10/06/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26220-6772-dev-channel/ |archive-date=2025-10-09 |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Windows Blogs}}</ref>

Versions of Windows 11 Pro for personal use and Windows 11 Home require internet connectivity and a Microsoft account (see [[Forced account]]) during setup.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2025-08-17 |title=Windows 11 Specs and System Requirements |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications?r=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250817084049/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications?r=1#expand |archive-date=2025-08-17 |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=Microsoft Corporation}}</ref> This prevents users from setting up the software without the internet, and prevents users from setting up a completely offline installation of Windows, even though the operating system can function without an internet connection. When Microsoft stops offering compatible accounts, Windows 11 will no longer be installable. Workarounds existed to set up Windows without a Microsoft account.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anonymous |date=2022-05-15 |title=Set up Windows 11 without internet |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2350856/set-up-windows-11-without-internet-oobebypassnro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725113800/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2350856/set-up-windows-11-without-internet-oobebypassnro?forum=insider-all&referrer=answers |archive-date=2025-07-25 |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=Microsoft Learn}}</ref> In October 2025, Microsoft announced they would be removing mechanisms to bypass the Microsoft account setup during the "out of box experience" (OOBE) process. Microsoft claims that these bypass methods were skipping "critical setup screens" despite most users having no issues with these workarounds. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Langowski |first=Amanda |date=2025-10-06 |title=Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.6772 (Dev Channel) |url=https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/10/06/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26220-6772-dev-channel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251009102813/https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/10/06/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26220-6772-dev-channel/ |archive-date=2025-10-09 |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Windows Blogs}}</ref>

===Poorly disclosed data encryption===

@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 ===Unstable & forced updates===
-Following the update form of Windows 10, Windows 11 updates are also forced and the system settings only allow them to be postponed, without having any official form to disable them. However, third-party tools such as [https://winaerotweaker.com/ WinAeroTweaker] can allow the user to disable and block system updates until the user wants to enable them again.
+Following the update form of Windows 10, Windows 11 updates are also forced and the system settings only allow them to be postponed, without having any official form to disable them that does not require registry edition or third-party software. They're frequent, usually happening once per month.<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=Microsoft |date=27 Mar 2025 |title=Update release cycle for Windows clients |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/deployment/update/release-cycle |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260314163711/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/update/release-cycle |archive-date=2026-03-14 |access-date=14 Mar 2026 |website=Microsoft Learn}}</ref> The way that updates are deployed, without allowing to use the OS while it is updating, have caused several users to be unable to use their computers when they need to work, do a project, or even when they're in a critical situation. {{Citation needed}}
-Windows 11 updates are frequent, usually happening once per month.<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=Microsoft |date=27 Mar 2025 |title=Update release cycle for Windows clients |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/deployment/update/release-cycle |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260314163711/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/update/release-cycle |archive-date=2026-03-14 |access-date=14 Mar 2026 |website=Microsoft Learn}}</ref> Windows users have reported several times issues and bugs with the recent updates, that vary from minor issues to major issues that can lead the system to become unusable. The frequency of unstable updates and the lack of response of Microsoft to prioritize the system's stability has caused several users to complain about the OS <ref>{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Joe |date=25 Nov 2025 |title=Windows 11 has become INCREASINGLY unstable |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5635937/windows-11-has-become-increasingly-unstable |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260107122136/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5635937/windows-11-has-become-increasingly-unstable |archive-date=2026-01-07 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Microsoft Learn}}</ref>, disable system updates despite the risks of doing so<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rozario |first=Hamlin |date=25 Feb 2026|title=I stopped updating Windows immediately — here's how long I wait now |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/i-stopped-updating-windows-immediately/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260227172743/https://www.xda-developers.com/i-stopped-updating-windows-immediately/ |archive-date=2026-02-27 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=XDA}}</ref> or even migrating to modified versions of Windows or to other operating systems such as Linux. {{Citation needed}}
+Windows users have also reported several times issues and bugs with the recent updates, that vary from minor issues to major issues that can lead the system to become unusable.
-Some problematic documented updates include:
+Some documented problematic updates include:
 *Minor update '''24H2 KB5063878''', released on August 12 2025. This update affected some SSD drives by severely corrupting them. This corruption in some cases caused data losses that ended in unrecoverable files. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Hunt |first=Cale |date=24 Aug 2025 |title=Reports say Windows 11 update is bricking drives — is yours on the list? |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/reports-say-windows-11-update-is-bricking-drives-is-yours-on-the-list |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260309042734/https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/reports-say-windows-11-update-is-bricking-drives-is-yours-on-the-list |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Windows Central}}</ref>
@@ Line 46: / Line 46: @@
 *Update '''KB5077181''', released on February 11 2026. This update affected some Samsung computers, making them unable to access to the C:\ drive. If someone attempted to access to this drive, the system launched an error message containing "C:\ is not accessible – Access denied". This glitch also affected the ability to launch programs and perform administrative tasks. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Batt |first=Simon |date=13 Mar 2026 |title=A nasty Windows 11 bug is causing the C drive to become inaccessible in select devices, says Microsoft |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/windows-11-c-is-not-accessible-access-denied-bug/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260314042240/https://www.xda-developers.com/windows-11-c-is-not-accessible-access-denied-bug/ |archive-date=2026-03-14 |access-date=14 Mar 2026 |website=XDA}}</ref>
+These combined factors have causes users to respond in several ways, from complaining about the OS and how Microsoft handles it<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Joe |date=25 Nov 2025 |title=Windows 11 has become INCREASINGLY unstable |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5635937/windows-11-has-become-increasingly-unstable |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260107122136/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5635937/windows-11-has-become-increasingly-unstable |archive-date=2026-01-07 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Microsoft Learn}}</ref>, by blocking updates with third-party tools such as [https://winaerotweaker.com/ WinAeroTweaker] to prevent the forced and problematic updates despite the risks of doing so <ref>{{Cite web |last=Rozario |first=Hamlin |date=25 Feb 2026|title=I stopped updating Windows immediately — here's how long I wait now |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/i-stopped-updating-windows-immediately/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260227172743/https://www.xda-developers.com/i-stopped-updating-windows-immediately/ |archive-date=2026-02-27 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=XDA}}</ref>, or even by migrating to modified or unsupported versions of Windows or to other operating systems such as Linux. {{Citation needed}}
 ===Microsoft Copilot integration===
@@ Line 60: / Line 62: @@
 ===Windows 11 requires a Microsoft Account to use===
-Versions of Windows 11 Pro for personal use and Windows 11 Home require internet connectivity and a Microsoft account during setup.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2025-08-17 |title=Windows 11 Specs and System Requirements |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications?r=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250817084049/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications?r=1#expand |archive-date=2025-08-17 |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=Microsoft Corporation}}</ref> This prevents users from setting up the software without the internet, and prevents users from setting up a completely offline installation of Windows, even though the operating system can function without an internet connection. When Microsoft stops offering compatible accounts, Windows 11 will no longer be installable.  Workarounds existed to set up Windows without a Microsoft account.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anonymous |date=2022-05-15 |title=Set up Windows 11 without internet |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2350856/set-up-windows-11-without-internet-oobebypassnro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725113800/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2350856/set-up-windows-11-without-internet-oobebypassnro?forum=insider-all&referrer=answers |archive-date=2025-07-25 |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=Microsoft Learn}}</ref> In October 2025, Microsoft announced they would be removing mechanisms to bypass the Microsoft account setup during the "out of box experience" (OOBE) process. Microsoft claims that these bypass methods were skipping "critical setup screens" despite most users having no issues with these workarounds. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Langowski |first=Amanda |date=2025-10-06 |title=Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.6772 (Dev Channel) |url=https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/10/06/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26220-6772-dev-channel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251009102813/https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/10/06/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26220-6772-dev-channel/ |archive-date=2025-10-09 |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Windows Blogs}}</ref>
+Versions of Windows 11 Pro for personal use and Windows 11 Home require internet connectivity and a Microsoft account (see [[Forced account]]) during setup.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2025-08-17 |title=Windows 11 Specs and System Requirements |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications?r=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250817084049/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications?r=1#expand |archive-date=2025-08-17 |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=Microsoft Corporation}}</ref> This prevents users from setting up the software without the internet, and prevents users from setting up a completely offline installation of Windows, even though the operating system can function without an internet connection. When Microsoft stops offering compatible accounts, Windows 11 will no longer be installable.  Workarounds existed to set up Windows without a Microsoft account.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anonymous |date=2022-05-15 |title=Set up Windows 11 without internet |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2350856/set-up-windows-11-without-internet-oobebypassnro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725113800/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2350856/set-up-windows-11-without-internet-oobebypassnro?forum=insider-all&referrer=answers |archive-date=2025-07-25 |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=Microsoft Learn}}</ref> In October 2025, Microsoft announced they would be removing mechanisms to bypass the Microsoft account setup during the "out of box experience" (OOBE) process. Microsoft claims that these bypass methods were skipping "critical setup screens" despite most users having no issues with these workarounds. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Langowski |first=Amanda |date=2025-10-06 |title=Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.6772 (Dev Channel) |url=https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/10/06/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26220-6772-dev-channel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251009102813/https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/10/06/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26220-6772-dev-channel/ |archive-date=2025-10-09 |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Windows Blogs}}</ref>
 ===Poorly disclosed data encryption===