Microsoft has issued a rare apology to users after a significantWindowsupdate issue, which they had previously claimed was fixed, not only persisted but worsened. The tech giant's statement, "We apologize for any inconvenience or confusion," came after it "mistakenly" announced a resolution to an awkward Windows update problem. This follows a critical Firewall error triggered by a Windows 11 24H2 bug, initially reported as a "false, harmless error" that nevertheless caused user alarm and confusion. Microsoft had incorrectly asserted that this error was patched in Windows 11 KB5062553,when in fact, the update introduced the error for more users instead of resolving it.

Despite Microsoft's erroneous claims, Windows Latest continuously tracked the issue, confirming that the Firewall problem, flagged as "Windows Firewall With Advanced Security 2042 None," was a simple reporting bug that posed no harm to PCs. Microsoft has since admitted that the warning is a code bug that crept in with recent Windows 11 24H2 updates, affecting only the event log entry and not the firewall's functionality.

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This litany of update issues for Windows 11 users arrives at an inconvenient time, as Microsoft, its OEM partners, and government security agencies are actively urging Windows 10 users to upgrade to the newer operating system. This push comes even after a de facto extension of Windows 10’s end-of-life for most users until October 2026. For those still on Windows 10, thinking they might be avoiding Windows 11’s troubles, recent updates for Windows 10 have also presented their own set of problems, including issues with the emoji picker and Family Safety’s web filtering, which restricts browser approvals to Edge unless Microsoft updates its block list.

HotHardware highlighted the extensive “fair share of issues” affecting Windows 11 24H2, including sporadic blue screens of death for gamers, though Microsoft assures users these problems are being actively addressed. To incentivize Windows 10 users to upgrade, Microsoft is rolling out a new feature for Windows 11 that promises faster opening times for Office applications. This "Startup Boost" feature, which began rolling out in late June and is expected to be widely available by the end of September, will initially support Word, with future plans to extend it to Excel and PowerPoint.

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This situation encapsulates the dilemma for the estimated 700 million Windows 10 users who are either reluctant or unable to switch. They face increasing pressure to upgrade, ranging from security and performance risks to the inability to access new features. Not adhering to Microsoft's upgrade flow can lead to various downsides, such as password deletions as users are pushed towards Edge, and even with the new Startup Boost, Microsoft subtly warns that disabling it might make Office applications load more slowly. Furthermore, there’s a concern that this feature doesn’t utilize AI or NPUs to understand usage patterns, which could optimize its performance, despite modern Copilot+ PCs having underutilized NPUs.