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Tag: telemetry

Microsoft Pulls Troubled Windows 11 Update | Analysis by Brian Moineau

Posted on by Brian Moineau

Hook: When an optional update goes wrong

Microsoft pulls Windows 11 KB5079391 preview after it causes install error loop on 25H2 and 24H2 – Windows Latest. That headline landed in inboxes and forums this week, and for good reason: an optional preview update meant to smooth out quirks instead trapped some machines in an install error loop. The result? Confused users, quick rollback reports, and another reminder that even “preview” updates can be disruptive.

What happened with KB5079391

On March 26, 2026 Microsoft published KB5079391 as a preview (optional) cumulative update for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2. The company’s support page shows the release and the OS build numbers (26200.8116 and 26100.8116), and it lists fixes and improvements — including updates for some AI components and servicing stack changes. Within hours, though, reports started to surface of systems failing to complete the install and repeatedly rolling back, leaving affected users stuck in an error loop. Microsoft subsequently pulled the update from Windows Update for affected channels while it investigates. (support.microsoft.com)

This wasn’t the first time a Windows preview patch caused headaches. Recent months have seen several problematic updates that required emergency fixes or out-of-band releases — so the community was already on high alert. (windowscentral.com)

Why this matters for everyday users

  • Preview updates are optional, but they appear in the same Update UI that many users glance at. That makes accidental installs possible.
  • An install loop can render a machine temporarily unusable or require a rollback to a restore point, which is disruptive and time-consuming.
  • For businesses with managed deployments, an unstable preview can cascade into multiple helpdesk tickets and lost productivity.

Put plainly: the promise of “preview = safe to try” is only as good as the QA that went into the build. When the QA misses an edge case, real people pay the price.

Signals from Microsoft and the community

Microsoft’s official KB entry for KB5079391 outlines installation methods and notes for admins, and it currently reflects that the update was removed from Windows Update due to installation issues while the company investigates. Community threads (feedback hubs and forums) show a mix of reports — some users installed the update successfully, others experienced failure codes and rollback loops, and a handful needed to uninstall the preview to restore normal operation. That variance suggests the problem is hardware- or configuration-dependent rather than universal. (support.microsoft.com)

What’s also notable: Microsoft has, in past months, pushed several rapid fixes and out-of-band updates when issues were severe (for example, restoring WinRE USB input after a prior update broke recovery tools). That past behavior indicates the company will likely prioritize a fix if the failure affects a meaningful number of users. (windowscentral.com)

Who should install preview updates — and who shouldn’t

  • Do install previews if:

    • You’re an IT pro or tester who needs to validate upcoming changes.
    • You run non-production machines that can tolerate a reinstall or recovery if things break.

  • Avoid installing previews on your daily driver if:

    • You depend on your PC for critical work and can’t afford downtime.
    • You lack recent system backups or a recovery plan.

If you already installed KB5079391 and see problems, uninstalling the preview (or restoring to a pre-update restore point) and filing a Feedback Hub report are sensible first steps. For enterprises, block or delay the optional update via update management tools until Microsoft issues a remediation. (support.microsoft.com)

Practical, quick advice for now

  • Check Windows Update settings: optional preview updates should be clearly labeled; don’t click “Install” on previews on production machines.
  • If your device is stuck in an install loop, boot into Safe Mode and uninstall recent updates or perform a system restore.
  • For managed environments, set policies to defer preview releases and test them first on a controlled cohort.
  • Keep backups current — system images and file backups make recovery far less painful.

These are straightforward precautions, but they’re surprisingly rare in everyday practice. A little preparation goes a long way.

What this episode reveals about Windows update strategy

Microsoft’s cadence — security monthly updates, optional previews, and occasional out-of-band patches — aims to balance stability and rapid improvement. But as Windows accumulates more features (AI components, expanded device drivers, deeper ecosystem dependencies), the surface area for interaction bugs grows.

In that context, preview updates serve an important role: they reveal compatibility frictions before a security or feature update becomes mandatory. The downside is visible: previews can behave like production updates for users who install them without understanding the risk. The trick for Microsoft (and for admins) is clearer labeling, smarter rollout gates, and better telemetry to detect and pause problem releases faster.

What to watch next

  • Microsoft’s follow-up: watch the Windows Release Health Dashboard and the KB support page for the official remediation details and any recommended fixes. (support.microsoft.com)
  • Community reports for patterns: look for common hardware, driver, or third-party software factors that correlate with failures.
  • Out-of-band fixes: if the issue is severe, Microsoft historically issues an emergency update — that’s likely the fastest route to resolution. (windowscentral.com)

My take

It’s frustrating when an update intended to help users instead causes disruption. The core problem isn’t that Microsoft ships updates — it’s that complexity is outpacing the safety nets many users rely on. For power users and IT pros, the path forward is clear: test, stage, and protect. For casual users, the best protection remains a simple habit: delay optional updates on your main machine, keep backups, and watch official channels for fixes.

When optional updates behave like mandatory ones, trust erodes. The way Microsoft responds — speed, transparency, and a fix — will determine how quickly that trust can be rebuilt.

Where I looked

  • Microsoft support article for KB5079391 (release and installation details). (support.microsoft.com)
  • Windows Central coverage of Microsoft’s recent emergency/out-of-band patches and update issues. (windowscentral.com)

Sources



Related update: We recently published an article that expands on this topic: read the latest post.

Ditch Smart TVs: Best Dumb TV Options | Analysis by Brian Moineau

Posted on by Brian Moineau

Sick of smart TVs? Here are your best options

You’re not alone. If the idea of a TV that spies on your viewing habits, nags you with ads, or slows to a crawl after a few years sounds terrible, welcome to the club. Smart TVs are brilliant when they work, but they also bundle an always-on computer — complete with telemetry, bloatware, and vendor lock-in — right into your living room. The good news: you don’t have to live with it. Here’s a friendly, practical guide to escaping the smart-TV treadmill without sacrificing picture quality.

Why “dumb” TVs are suddenly a thing again

Over the last decade, manufacturers jammed internet-capable software into every screen. That convenience came with trade-offs:

  • Privacy concerns from telemetry, voice assistants, and ad targeting.
  • Software that ages faster than the hardware — manufacturers often stop updating TV OSes after a few years.
  • Preinstalled apps, ads, and sluggish interfaces that degrade the experience.
  • Repair and longevity problems when a TV’s software becomes a liability.

Ars Technica recently put this tension into sharp focus and asked a simple question: how can you get a great display without the smart-TV strings attached? The answers fall into a few practical categories — each with pros and cons depending on your budget, technical comfort, and tolerance for tinkering. (arstechnica.com)

Choices that work (and what to expect)

1. Buy a genuinely non-smart TV (yes, they still exist)

  • What it is: A basic television that lacks an internet-capable OS.
  • Pros: No telemetry, no ads, simpler UI, sometimes cheaper.
  • Cons: Fewer models available; often lower-tier panels or fewer modern features (HDR, HDMI 2.1) at the same price points.
  • Who this fits: Minimalists, people who watch via antenna/cable or dedicated devices and want a no-friction display.

2. Buy a smart TV and never connect it to the internet

  • What it is: A modern TV with excellent panel tech whose network functions you never enable.
  • Pros: Access to high-quality displays (brightness, color, HDR, HDMI 2.1), longevity of hardware, and you can still use external devices for streaming.
  • Cons: Some TVs force-sign-in screens or firmware checks on boot; internal apps remain dormant but present.
  • Practical tip: Disable Wi‑Fi, don’t plug an Ethernet cable in, and set up your streaming box, game console, or antenna to handle content. Many reviewers say this gives the best balance of picture tech and privacy. (howtogeek.com)

3. Buy a smart TV but strip or lock down its software

  • What it is: Use privacy settings, remove (or hide) accounts, block telemetry, or use router-level DNS/firewall blocks for tracking domains.
  • Pros: Keeps built-in features if you occasionally want them; maintains a single remote experience.
  • Cons: Not foolproof — firmware updates can re-enable things, and it takes technical know-how to manage network-level blocks.
  • Who this fits: Tech-savvy buyers who want the convenience but refuse to be tracked.

4. Use an external streaming box or stick (Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chromecast)

  • What it is: Pair any display with a small, replaceable streaming device.
  • Pros: External devices are updated more regularly, are easier to replace, and centralize streaming under platforms you control. Swap them when they age or you don’t like them.
  • Cons: More boxes/remotes to manage; the external device vendor may still have tracking (so pick one whose privacy stance you like).
  • Note: This is the most future-proof approach — upgrade the streamer, not the display. (arstechnica.com)

5. Consider projectors, computer monitors, or commercial signage

  • What it is: Alternatives that can function as TV displays without consumer smart features.
  • Projectors:
    • Pros: Huge screen for the price; many models remain “dumb.”
    • Cons: Require dark rooms, careful placement, and usually external audio.
  • Computer monitors:
    • Pros: Great pixel density, low latency for gaming.
    • Cons: Cheaper 4K monitors often lack TV features (tuner, speakers).
  • Digital signage displays:
    • Pros: Built for long uptime and durability.
    • Cons: More expensive and sometimes not optimized for home viewing.
  • Who this fits: Home theater enthusiasts, gamers, or anyone willing to accept trade-offs for a non-smart display. (arstechnica.com)

Shopping tips — what to look for when you want a dumb experience

  • Prioritize the panel: contrast ratio, peak brightness (for HDR), color gamut, and refresh rate (for gaming).
  • Count HDMI ports and check HDMI version (HDMI 2.1 matters for modern consoles).
  • If you buy new, read the manual or spec sheet to confirm whether Wi‑Fi or smart features can be completely disabled.
  • Consider warranty and supported hours (especially for signage displays or commercial panels).
  • If buying used, local classifieds or refurb sellers can be gold mines — but test the unit and ask about network features.

Privacy and network-level tricks to keep smart features quiet

  • Put the TV on its own VLAN or guest network and block outbound connections you don’t want (router-level DNS filtering or Pi-hole).
  • Disable automatic firmware updates unless you need a patch.
  • Avoid signing into vendor accounts on the TV; use an external device for services and log in there.
  • Regularly audit permissions for voice assistants or external microphones/cameras.

Alternatives and trade-offs summarized

  • Best for ease: Smart TV kept offline or with an external streamer.
  • Best for minimalism: New non-smart TV (if you can find a good one).
  • Best for picture tech: Modern smart TV used as if it were dumb (disable networking).
  • Best for scale: Projector + external streamer for big-screen enthusiasts.
  • Best for longevity: Commercial signage displays for durability, but watch energy/noise and cost.

What reviewers and testing labs say

Writers and reviewers agree that the simplest, most future-proof choice is to decouple software from hardware: buy the best display you can afford and route streaming through a separate, replaceable device. That way, you update the part that ages fastest (the software/streamer) without tossing the whole screen. Tom’s Guide, How-To Geek, and other outlets echo that trade-off between display quality and embedded software, and Ars Technica’s recent guide lays out the practical options for avoiding smart-TV pitfalls. (tomsguide.com)

What many folks forget: a cheap workaround is often the most durable. Want Netflix and none of the spying? Plug in a streaming stick and never connect the TV itself to the internet.

A few recommended scenarios

  • You want the best picture and low effort: buy a modern TV, keep its network off, and plug in a Roku/Apple TV/Chromecast.
  • You want a pure, simple display: hunt for a non-smart TV model or a refurbished commercial panel.
  • You want a cinematic, big-screen feel: consider a projector with an external streamer and a soundbar.
  • You’re privacy-focused and comfy with networking: block the TV’s telemetry at the router level.

Quick checklist before you buy

  • Does the TV allow disabling Wi‑Fi/Ethernet in settings?
  • Are firmware updates optional or forced?
  • How many HDMI ports and what version?
  • Does the TV have a microphone/camera that can’t be physically disabled?
  • If used, can you test network features before committing?

Parting thoughts

My take: “Dumb” TVs aren’t just nostalgia — they’re a sensible reaction to an ecosystem that too often prioritizes ads and data over user experience. The cleanest, most sustainable path for most people is to buy the best display you can and separate the software with a dedicated streamer. That gives you high-quality picture tech, the ability to swap streaming platforms as they evolve, and a lot more control over privacy without sacrificing convenience.

If you’re truly allergic to anything smart, used markets and budget non-smart models still exist — but be ready to trade some modern features for that peace of mind. Ultimately, the smart move is to choose the approach that keeps upgrades modular: replace the brains, not the TV.

Useful takeaways

  • Keeping a TV offline and using an external streamer is the most practical way to avoid smart-TV tracking without sacrificing modern display tech.
  • Pure non-smart TVs are rare but still available; consider them if you want zero network features.
  • Projectors, monitors, and commercial panels are valid alternatives with unique trade-offs.
  • Network-level blocking and privacy hygiene can significantly reduce telemetry even if you keep smart features available.

Sources



Related update: We recently published an article that expands on this topic: read the latest post.

Related update: We recently published an article that expands on this topic: read the latest post.