Technology

Windows update makes sign-in password icon invisible — Microsoft says you can still click on empty space to enter your password

Source

Tom's Hardware

Published

Nov 30, 2025

TL;DR

AI Generated

Microsoft's non-security preview update KB5064081 has caused the password icon on the lock screen to disappear, making it challenging to sign in. Users can still enter their password by clicking on the empty space where the icon should be. This issue mainly affects the Windows user interface and is part of a preview update, so only preview channel users are impacted. Microsoft is working on a resolution. Windows Updates can sometimes introduce new problems, as seen with recent issues affecting BitLocker, UAC prompts, and Windows Recovery Environment. Microsoft's Insider channels help catch bugs before wider release, but occasional issues still slip through.

Read Full Article

The Download: a new Christian phone network, and debugging LLMs

A new US phone network for Christians is launching, blocking porn and gender-related content with network-level controls. Goodfire, a San Francisco startup, released Silico, a tool for debugging AI models by allowing users to adjust parameters during training. The National Science Foundation faced mass firings, impacting US science funding and governance. China's AI labs are releasing open-source models, challenging the traditional Silicon Valley approach. Elon Musk admitted using OpenAI models for xAI training, sparking debate on AI ethics and practices.

MIT Technology Review•

4 hours ago

Windows 11 KB5083631 out with Xbox mode, faster performance (direct download links .msu)

Windows 11 KB5083631 introduces Xbox mode for regular PCs, a more reliable File Explorer, faster startup apps, and more. This optional update can be downloaded via Windows Update or through direct download links provided by Microsoft. The update includes early features from Microsoft's Windows K2 project aimed at enhancing Windows 11. Xbox mode brings a console-like gaming experience to Windows 11, optimized for controllers. Additionally, File Explorer improvements ensure consistent folder views across applications.

Windows Latest•

16 hours ago

Microsoft drops Copilot branding in Notepad for Windows 11 for everyone, but it’s really just a rename

Microsoft has removed the Copilot branding from Notepad in Windows 11, renaming it to 'Writing Tools' as part of reducing unnecessary Copilot entry points. Despite the name change, AI integration remains in Notepad, with features like text rewriting and summarization still available. Microsoft is continuing to incorporate AI in Windows 11, with plans to add agents to the taskbar as an optional feature. Meanwhile, the Snipping Tool in Windows 11 has completely dropped AI integration, offering a different approach compared to Notepad.

Windows Latest•

5 days ago

Microsoft will allow users to indefinitely pause updates in Windows 11 — first change in over a decade to the mandatory update policy

Microsoft has announced a significant change in its update policy for Windows 11, allowing users to indefinitely pause updates. This marks the first time since Windows 10's launch in 2015 that users can pause updates indefinitely. The change aims to address user complaints about the mandatory update policy and lack of control over update timing. The new update options include delaying updates on new devices, scheduling updates, restoring normal shutdown and restart options, and providing clearer update information. Microsoft emphasizes that while users can now control updates more effectively, updates remain crucial for security and system stability.

Tom's Hardware•

6 days ago