r/WindowsHelp

Disabled Windows updates, I cant remember how I did it but now I need to reverse it

I was pissed at Windows for updating when I didnt ask and integrating stupid things into my experience I didnt ask for so I scoured the internet in search of a way to unofficially disable its ability to update. Its been a few years later and now Im having issues such as my system thinking I need to ******** Windows. The PC always thinks im disconnected from the internet so I cant search for updates.

Edition Windows 10 Home

Version 22H2

Installed on ‎10/‎13/‎2024

OS build 19045.4780

Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.19060.1000.0

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u/Fit_Tomatillo_4264 — 18 hours ago

▲ 2 r/WindowsHelp

NVMe SSD detected in BIOS but invisible during Windows 11 installation / Diskpart — ASUS TUF FA506QM (Ryzen 7 5800H)

I'm trying to do a clean install of Windows 11 on my laptop, but the Windows setup cannot detect my internal NVMe SSD (no drive shows up in the drive selection screen).
Hardware Specs:

Laptop Model: ASUS TUF Gaming FA506QM
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800H (with Radeon Graphics)
SSD: Samsung PM991a 512GB (OEM Model: ⁠MZVLQ512HBLU-00B00⁠, NVMe PCIe Bus 4 Dev 0 Func 0)
The issue:
The SSD is perfectly detected and listed in the BIOS (model name and serial number visible).
When booting the Windows 11 installer, no drive is listed.
Opening ⁠cmd⁠ via Shift+F10 and running ⁠diskpart⁠ > ⁠list disk⁠ only shows my USB installation drive, not the internal SSD.

What I have tried so far:

Loaded BIOS default optimized settings (F9).
Checked BIOS settings (no Intel VMD available since this is a full AMD platform).
Attempted to manually load AMD RAID/NVMe storage drivers during setup (tried AMD RAID driver packages including ⁠rcbottom⁠ and ⁠rcraid⁠ folders), but the installer states the driver is incompatible or nothing changes. It's possible I did not load the right driver version for this chipset/SSD combo.
Recreating the installation USB with Rufus in pure UEFI/GPT mode.
Has anyone encountered this specific issue on an AMD-based ASUS TUF laptop? Which exact driver or BIOS configuration is needed to make the Samsung NVMe drive visible in Windows setup?
Thanks in advance for your help!

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u/Even-Diver-6936 — 1 day ago

▲ 5 r/WindowsHelp

WiFi not showing on new pc build

I just booted up my first pc build, I have windows 11 installed and I installed all the necessary drivers for my motherboard (B650 AORUS ELITE AX) using a usb, but there’s still not even an option for wireless internet. I’ve been struggling with this for a week and I don’t know what to do.

u/Sami_hami27 — 1 day ago

▲ 3 r/WindowsHelp

Woke up with FTPM prompt and PIN key unusable

I've been letting my laptop running for days without any problem and suddenly woke up with a dark screen prompting whether i have to choose Y/N for FTPM. I click no and it safely boot me into my laptop but then my PIN is no longer usable as well, so i reset it via email.

Event VIewer log[
1:10 am - The start type of the Background Intelligent Transfer Service service was changed from demand start to auto start.
1:12 am - The start type of the Background Intelligent Transfer Service service was changed from auto start to demand start.

2:29 am - The process C:\WINDOWS\uus\AMD64\MoUsoCoreWorker.exe (EMESIS) has initiated the restart of computer EMESIS on behalf of user NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM for the following reason: Operating System: Service pack (Planned)

Reason Code: 0x80020010

Shutdown Type: restart

Comment:

2:29 am - User Logoff Notification for Customer Experience Improvement Program

]

When i booted up, there's a windows update [Secure Boot Allowed Key Exchange Key (KEK) Update]. I wonder if that's the one that broke it or not. I'm really curious whether if something is going wrong currently with my laptop.

Edit 1 -

I updated it and the same thing happened again. I checked the update history, i got 2 windows update [KEK} and [Insyde Software Firmware Driver Update (5.42.1.14)].

Edit 2 -

I tried restarting and still got the same fTPM prompt but this time my PIN isn't broken and i can login to my laptop normally.

u/DutyNo6526 — 24 hours ago

▲ 1 r/WindowsHelp

Is there any way to limit DISK usage available to programs?

Hello.

I have a relatively strong PC that shouldn't struggle with the most basic tasks (32GB ram, SSD, etc). Sadly, I was suggested to purchase Crucial BX480 SSD, so thats my Windows 10 drive.

Whenever a new update rolled out for my Windows, the system always took 100% of Disk usage, making the PC basically unusable untill it finished updating. I tried disabling updates using several methods, but they always wiggled themselves back.

After the updates finished, somehow, Windows still manages to update something, or Office is updating something, or AV does something, and whenever such thing happens, the PC is unusable for a bit, untill the process finishes.

SSD was supposed to be way above any of such problems, but somehow, mine isn't. To make matters worse, if the DISK worked at 80% instead of throttling itself at 100%, the whole proces would take fraction of the time it really takes.

Is there any way to limit usage of programs to like 80%, so that atleast 20% of it stays available, preventing it from throttling itself? Or do you think either my hardware or software is set up incorrectly?

I appreciate all suggestions!

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u/Lembaspl — 1 day ago

▲ 2 r/WindowsHelp

What is this green arrow icon I'm seeing on my taskbar?

I've been seeing an unfamiliar icon on my taskbar of a white page with a green arrow over a red line flaring red as if it's an app that's just opened up. I've no idea what it is or what's prompting it.

When I click on it, Windows asks me what software I want to use to run it. I chose Notepad, and when it opened, it had the line:

"Waiting for 3 seconds, press CTRL+C to quit ...210"

Anyone know what this could be and how I can get it to stop?

OS build: 26200.9168

Adding further information:

I've not been able to troubleshoot as I don't know what the icon is. I've not found information by searching the internet.

My Windows and device specifications are:

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) Ultra 7 155U (1.70 GHz)

Installed RAM 16.0 GB (15.4 GB usable)

Graphics card Intel(R) Graphics (128 MB)

Storage 800 GB of 954 GB used

Device ID 38BA264C-9887-4CFC-B8CE-34A2600E0D5F

Product ID 00342-22289-63569-AAOEM

System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

Edition Windows 11 Home

Version 25H2

Installed on ‎3/‎2/‎2025

OS build 26200.9168

Serial number YX09MAKZ

Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.344.0

Manufacturer Lenovo

u/LunafurTheCat — 1 day ago

▲ 15 r/WindowsHelp

Search Bar blank black box but will refresh 5 seconds later

So I wanted to search an app on the search and it surprised me with a blank, black box that would take 5 seconds to load, I didnt mind it cause I tought it was a one time thing. I tried searching up only a letter so a specific app would show up but it didnt, something else did. Also instead of showing recently used apps it shows "Suggested" apps. I have tried doing the following:

restarted Windows Explorer
ended/restarted SearchApp.exe
restarted the Windows Search service
tried resetting Windows Search with: Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.Search | Reset-AppxPackage → command wasn't available
tried re-registering Microsoft.Windows.Search
restarted the PC multiple times
ran DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
ran SFC /scannow → SFC found corrupted files and successfully repaired them, but Search was still broken
ran the Windows Search & Indexing troubleshooter → it said “Windows Search is not working — Fixed”, but the problem remained → it reset SearchUI.exe, cleared Search cache/recent activity, etc.
tried the Windows Search troubleshooter command (msdt.exe) → it reported the issue as fixed, but it wasn't
checked/restarted the Search-related processes/services

Please help!!

Device Specifications: Device Name DESKTOP-EG9KB0Q

Processor AMD Ryzen 5 3600 6-Core Processor 3.60 GHz

Installed RAM 16.0 GB

Storage 477 GB SSD Kingmax PCIe SSD 512GB, 932 GB HDD WDC WD10EZEX-00MFCA0

Graphics Card NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (12 GB)

Device ID 00D49B2A-EF36-455E-856F-81F6438C075E

Product ID 00331-20315-68849-AA681

System Type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

Pen and touch Touch support with 2 touch points

Windows Specifications: Edition Windows 10 Pro

Version 22H2

Installed on ‎1/‎1/‎2021

OS Build 19045.7663

**FIXED** by using this for people who have this problem aswell: https://www.howtogeek.com/224159/how-to-disable-bing-in-the-windows-10-start-menu/

u/Adventurous-Ice791 — 2 days ago

▲ 11 r/WindowsHelp

I keep getting the blue screen of death

I can log into my account but after about a minute I get the blue screen of death. I have no idea what it is from. Windows 10 is. Not sure if there is a way to test my hardrive without taking it out (unfortunately im computer illiterate , I can run games and do things with very detailed instructions). My machine is an msi nightblade 2.i don't know the os build number.

u/Logical_River5256 — 2 days ago

▲ 43 r/WindowsHelp

why is google chrome using so much RAM memory?

why does it say it has 25 tabs open, whilst i only have 3? tf is going on?

my notebook is already using 75+% memory as soon as i turn it on. besides chrome, other things that have been usually eating up my ram memory are: galaxy connect (which i use to connect w my cellphone), "antimalware service executable", ccleaner, the search bar from the start screen (how??????), and edge (even though i never use nor open it, it's always already using a lot of ram memory as soon as i turn my notebook on). how shall i fix this? tried following a few steps w AI after analizing my notebook w it, didnt solve the problem. any ideas?

i'm currently using a galaxy book2 360, 8GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, OS build number 26200.9168. (if any other info may help, enlighten me)

u/NathanSSP_ — 3 days ago

▲ 1 r/WindowsHelp

Getting strange windows update error after re-installing OS

So full context, I got hacked a few days ago one of those info stealers/session hijacker things while I was tryna download a game, stupid I know.

Anyway I changed the passwords and all and was just installing fresh windows on my laptop via bootable usb. Even while re-installing I ran into a restart loop error which I was able to bypass editing the registry however after booting into the fresh OS install I am not able to finish the windows updates there are 4 in particular that are just stuck with this same error you can see below.

I saw somewhere someone suggested it had something to do with update cache being full so I already tried stopping and restarting windows update service and background intelligence transfer service, did a restart like they asked but nothing same error.

I want to get past this before I continue setting up my device because I'm worried this is a some leftover from that hack or something I'd rather not think about it anymore. Please any insight is appreciated.

Device details - Lenovo Legion Pro 5 i7 13700HX RTX 4070 8GB Laptop 16GB RAM
OS version - 26200.9168

u/Psych-roxx — 2 days ago

▲ 3 r/WindowsHelp

Windows search box opens up fully Black

For some reason, when I open up the windows searchbar it shows it black. By opening, clicking, and closing a few times it eventually gives me the normal searchbar, but the issue reappears the next time I open it.

Restart did not help.

Windows version: 23H2
OS build: 22631.6199
Windows Feature Experience Pack: 1000.22700.1108.0
PC/model: Lenovo Legion T5 26ARA8
Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 7700 8-Core Processor
CPU speed: 3.80 GHz
RAM: 32 GB (31.7 GB usable)
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 12 GB

u/Axolb — 2 days ago

▲ 2 r/WindowsHelp

Error code after SSD nvme clone

Got this today after doing a drive clone it was working fine for a couple of hours after the clone but then got this today on a WD Black 2 TB and have a 1 TB Samsung in there too... from what I have read I can use a flash drive with Windows 11 on it to repair going through the command prompt or fresh install and install all my data with it at the same time normally not so hesitant but I don't want to lose my data going in as never had this issue before

Gigabyte 550 aurous pro

AM4 5950X

Rtx 3080 Fe ti

NZXT kraken 360 aio

Lastest Wins 11 build

u/Comprehensive-Race90 — 2 days ago

▲ 15 r/WindowsHelp

Can't unlock bitlocker even with code

I had a brain injury and can't remember my Windows 6-digit pin. The laptop is locked via Bitlocker. I got the recovery code from Microsoft but ran into this issue after I entered the code. I don't have any restore points. The laptop is a Victus by HP. I really need to get into this laptop so I can get into my Google account and get into all my accounts. HP offered to unlock it for $700 which I might have to resort to if I have no other options but I don't know what they're going to do that I can't do myself. FWIW I'm able to get into the file system via DOS after I unlock with bitlocker.

u/Calm_Rip_7068 — 3 days ago

▲ 0 r/WindowsHelp

Upgrade to Windows 11, partition resizing

Hello, I am not very tech-savvy, just trying to figure this out. I have spent HOURS, probably days, trying to figure it out...

I am trying to upgrade from Windows 10 Pro 22H2 to Windows 11. I have been trying to do this for months and can't figure it out. My computer is only 2 years old! The PC health check says that my computer meets the requirements. I have 78GB free. When I try to download Windows 11 in my computer's system settings, or from the Microsoft website, it fails and says that "This PC doesn't currently meet Windows 11 system requirements; we couldn't update the system reserved partition." I have followed the command prompts to clear the system reserved partition, and it still won't work. I contacted Microsoft Windows support, and it was no help.. The support chat person told me that I need to buy Windows 11.

Now I am trying on my own again. I believe I have figured out that my computer might not have enough EFI system partition space? In Disk Management, it says it is 100% free (empty), and that it has 100MB capacity and 100MB free space. My research tells me I need close to 500MB?

I believe now I need to either download Windows using a ISO file, or resize my partitions using AOMEI?

Is this correct and safe? Which one should I do? And how? (I'm scared I'll mess something up!) I only have basic tech skills, so step-by-step instructions are appreciated!

If you need more information, please let me know!
OS Build is 19045.6466
Processor 11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-1135G7 @ 2.40GHz 2.42 GHz
Installed RAM 16.0 GB (15.7 GB usable)
Storage 238 GB SSD KBG40ZNV256G KIOXIA
Graphics Card Intel(R) Iris(R) Xe Graphics (128 MB)
System Type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

Edit added: HP ProBook 450GB

Thank you so much!!!!

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u/Beachy-Peachy — 3 days ago

▲ 27 r/WindowsHelp

Computer infected with unremovable virus

I have installed something that accidentally brought in a (crypto mining I think) virus into my computer that uses 90% of my cpu and comes back once in a while every time I end it in the task manager. When I try to delete it, I cannot because it’s hidden, and I cannot unhide it for some reason(shown in image). What can I do? Is my computer screwed?

Here are the specs:
Device name LAPTOP-V9M510RH

Processor 13th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-13620H (2.40 GHz)

Installed RAM 16.0 GB (15.6 GB usable)

Graphics card NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (8 GB)

Intel(R) UHD Graphics (128 MB)

Storage 875 GB of 954 GB used

Device ID D64D6EFD-6767-4D8E-9A19-A03418C3FDFE

Product ID 00342-22489-14046-AAOEM

System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

Pen and touch Touch support with 10 touch points

u/BlueSean1371 — 3 days ago

▲ 1 r/WindowsHelp

BitLocker setup failing after Windows 11 reimage – TPM/Secure Boot issue?

Hi everyone,

I’m running into a strange BitLocker issue after reimaging a Windows 11 laptop and would appreciate some advice on the proper process.

The laptop previously had BitLocker enabled.
During the reimage process, I went to the Windows partition screen, deleted the primary Windows partition, and then proceeded with the reimage.

Everything went smoothly until I reached the Windows desktop.

After reaching the desktop, I started BitLocker encryption. I was prompted to create/enter a PIN and run the system check, which restarted the laptop.

After the restart, BitLocker prompted for the PIN/key. I entered the same PIN that I had configured during the BitLocker setup, but it reported that the PIN was incorrect.

This is confusing because the same PIN had been working on the device before the reimage.

If I press Esc, I can bypass the BitLocker screen and get back into Windows. Once in Windows, I get an error saying that BitLocker could not be set up due to a TPM-related communication issue (I unfortunately don’t have the exact wording of the error).

I then tried clearing the TPM keys from BIOS and restarting.

After attempting to set up BitLocker again, I get a different error saying something along the lines of:
BitLocker could not start. Try restarting BitLocker.
At this point I’m basically stuck in a loop.

One additional detail
For our reimaging process, we currently have to disable Secure Boot before reimaging and then enable it again after Windows has been reimaged.

So I’m wondering if this could be related to the TPM/Secure Boot state.

My questions
For a device that previously had BitLocker enabled, what is the recommended process before reimaging?
Should I:
Suspend/disable BitLocker before reimaging?
Clear the TPM before reimaging?
Clear TPM/Secure Boot keys before reimaging?
Disable Secure Boot, reimage, then enable it again?
Or should TPM/Secure Boot be handled differently?
And more importantly, what would be the correct way to recover this particular device from the BitLocker/TPM loop?

I’m trying to understand whether I’m creating a mismatch between the TPM, Secure Boot measurements and the new Windows installation by clearing/re-enabling things in the wrong order.

Any advice on the proper reimage + TPM + Secure Boot + BitLocker process would be greatly appreciated.

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u/Shadow_Knight- — 2 days ago

▲ 2 r/WindowsHelp+1 crossposts

Tried cloning my NVMe SSD to a large drive.

Tried cloning my NVMe SSD to a large drive. However when put the large SSD from the enclosure into the nvme slot, it's not boot or even detected by the bios when I go to try boot. I believe I copied the drives correctly and then filled the space so the larger drive utilized the full capacity.

https://imgur.com/a/LmKXki7

Drive 3 is the Crucial CT500P1SSD8 which is my current/old boot drive at 500gb

and the new one is Drive 4. Samsung P9100 Pro 1TB.

Processor AMD Ryzen 5 3600 6-Core Processor (3.59 GHz)

Installed RAM 16.0 GB

Graphics card NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER (6 GB)

Storage 905 GB of 1.82 TB used

Device ID 7C4D026A-6BD5-4079-87EC-E87C44AF60F7

Product ID 00330-80000-00000-AA526

System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

Pen and touch No pen or touch input is available for this display

Motherboard is an AsRock Steel legend B450

I'm at a loss now where to go from here.

u/HeroTime — 3 days ago

▲ 2 r/WindowsHelp

How do you open an HTML file with Notepad through context menu?

Windows 11 Home
Version 25H2
OS Build 26200.9168

Ryzen 7 9850X3D
GeForce RTX 5080
64GB Ram

I right-click the HTML file.
Hover on “Open with”.
Notepad is not listed.
I click “Choose another app”.
It still does not list Notepad under suggestions or more options.
I click “Choose an app on your PC”.
It brings up C:/Program Files, but again, Notepad is not anywhere to be found.

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u/keytotheboard — 3 days ago

▲ 6 r/WindowsHelp

What is this file that showed up in my downloads?

My computer's OS is Windows 11 Home, version 25H2, build 26200.9168. The attached image is the folder. When I opened it, it was empty. I have no idea if the text in the filename behind the red is sensitive info. So what is this empty folder supposed to mean, and it safe for me to delete it?

u/55cHzDARKSTAR — 3 days ago

▲ 1 r/WindowsHelp

Some options are not show on windows 11

after running some command and following gemini instructions, the windows update, display, power options, installed apps and some options were hidden and inaccessible, Even when accessing it via the command "ms-settings:...", it still redirects to the home in the settings app

u/Ok-Charge-9875 — 2 days ago