First look at 26H2: MS broke Win32k.sys, quality continues to degrade


Anixx

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This Windows version demonstrates further degradation of quality, including localization and other things. I think, they completely switched to AI coding and completely removed any quality control.

1790565527293.webp

But the worst thing, they broke win32k.sys, the core system component of Windows.

The drawing of the classic controls is completely broken:

Буфер обмена (1).webp


This happens to the titlebar buttons unless their size is exactly 22x22 px and the scrollbars unless their sizes are exactly 17x17 px. This also happens when using classic-themed application with any DPI scaling.

Moreover, when a program requests to be unthemed, like CPU-Z, its look becomes inconsistent:

Буфер обмена (2).webp
 

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  • Haha
Reactions: x_1
It's too bad we can't read the dialog boxes in the things you posted. ^^


Screenshot from 26H2...

Image1.webp
 

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My CPU-Z looks always the same. No changes observed. No degradation observed.

My PC is older than yours. You should get an old system to compute, maybe.

cpu-z.webp

Screenshot 2026-09-28 141938.webp
 

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@suatcini54 Hmm. Interesting. Does the scrollbar in the drop-down lists in this program get broken with DPI scaling?
 

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Mine looks the same as always...

Image1.webp
 

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    Dell U3011 30"
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    2560 x 1600
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    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
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    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
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    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
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    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
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    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
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    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
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And people wonder why I'm in no hurry to upgrade to 26H2! 🤣
 

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