27 replies to this topic

[Greedy Guido]

Trend Setters,

 

I have built the PC for the virtual pnball machine and it currently has Windows 11 Pro installed.

 

My arcade machine running BigBox did a Windows 11 upgrade to 24H2 in January and now BigBox doesn't work.

 

Added the new Windows upgrade 25H2 and still the same problem.

 

Thinking of roling back to Windows 10 on the Arcade machine.

 

Anyone having issues with Windows 11 with either the 24H2 or 25H2 update?

 

Also thinking to roll this back to Windows 10 prior to software installation?

[fourbanks]

there should be no difference whatsoever, with regards how VPX or future pinball is played on any installation 

[humunut]

I would definitely go with Win10. Lock it in with a video driver released shortly after the last Win10 update (Oct. 2025 I think it was), get everything configured nicely, and don't worry about a Windows update screwing it all up.

[Tesla]

there should be no difference whatsoever, with regards how VPX or future pinball is played on any installation 

 

Agreed.

 

Including BigBox/LaunchBox or whatever OP is talking about.

[Tesla]

Trend Setters,

 

1. I have built the PC for the virtual pinball machine and it currently has Windows 11 Pro installed.

 

2. My arcade machine running BigBox did a Windows 11 upgrade to 24H2 in January and now BigBox doesn't work.

 

3. Added the new Windows upgrade 25H2 and still the same problem.

 

4. Thinking of roling back to Windows 10 on the Arcade machine.

 

5. Anyone having issues with Windows 11 with either the 24H2 or 25H2 update?

 

6. Also thinking to roll this back to Windows 10 prior to software installation?

 

1. Same here. My PinballY, VPX v10.8.0, and B2S-Server v2.1.4 all work fine on my 3-screen VPX cabinet running Windows-11 Pro (64 bit) v24H2

 

2. Use your Compatibility Settings or contact Developer for support.

 

3. No, I would not expect that to fix it, but your idea of moving forward is correct.

 

4. I would not. Move forward. You can't run Windows-10 forever, and it's getting ready to be very EoL. 

 

5. All my Windows computers here are now upgraded and running Windows-11 (even some old ones ... one is 2010-model). Some are still v24H2, but some newer ones are already running v25H2 (it was pushed to them and I allowed it). Everything works fine.

 

6. The VPX cabinet? Why? You seemed to indicate it was running fine (and only the Arcade machine was troublesome). 

Edited by Tesla, 04 February 2026 - 06:29 PM.

[htamas]

I vaguely recall that one of the recent upgrades (24H2?) for Win11 breaks P-ROC? So, no Cactus Canyon Continued?

Other than that, everything should work fine on the latest Win11 as far as I'm aware.

Edited by htamas, 04 February 2026 - 08:15 PM.

[Greedy Guido]

Thanks for the reply.

 

A lot of people are having issues with Windows 11 with build 24H2 and 25H2.  You can go over to the Microsoft forum and see the complaints.  It is know to be very buggy.

 

The issues with Windows 11 with build 24H2 and 25H2 and BigBox is alos well documented.

 

From what I see here, it doesn't appear to be impacting the vitrual pinball software.

 

I am not a fan of Windows 11 (altough I have it running on 4 machines) as it is intrusive and watche everything.  I hate even more the fact I need a Microsoft account to install it and if I use the same account betwwen build I must remember not to sync.

 

Also considering the Linux path for the VP.

Edited by Greedy Guido, 05 February 2026 - 12:44 AM.

[whynotpizza]

Still running Windows 7 baby!

[Tesla]

 

 

1. From what I see here, it doesn't appear to be impacting the vitrual pinball software.

 

2. I am not a fan of Windows 11

 

3. as it is intrusive and watche everything. 

 

4. I hate even more the fact I need a Microsoft account to install it and if I use the same account betwwen build

 

5. I must remember not to sync.

 

6. Also considering the Linux path for the VP.

 

1. Or day-to-day operation of like 4 computers here ... over a timespan of years. We do high-end Windows gaming, work in MS Office Pro, develop software, edit music and videos, Apple iCloud for Windows, Kodi ... everything really.

 

2. I can tell.

 

3. Not sure what that even means.

 

4. All my Windows-11 machines use offline/local Accounts.

 

5. Sync? Sync what?

 

6. You should try it. I went ahead and installed Ubuntu v25 on my VPX computer (as a dual boot on a separate SSD) . Whole computer uses Grub Boot Loader now. Linux is certainly maturing since I looked like 10 years ago.

 

EDIT: In Linux, I think you can run VPX-Standalone (natively), but you need a Front-End to start it with a Table loaded. I didn't get too far into yet because Windows-11 is running VPX v10.8.0 fine for me (and I have access to my Pinscape and other things I like).

Edited by Tesla, 05 February 2026 - 02:24 AM.

[Greedy Guido]

 

 

 

1. From what I see here, it doesn't appear to be impacting the vitrual pinball software.

 

2. I am not a fan of Windows 11

 

3. as it is intrusive and watche everything. 

 

4. I hate even more the fact I need a Microsoft account to install it and if I use the same account betwwen build

 

5. I must remember not to sync.

 

6. Also considering the Linux path for the VP.

 

1. Or day-to-day operation of like 4 computers here ... over a timespan of years. We do high-end Windows gaming, work in MS Office Pro, develop software, edit music and videos, Apple iCloud for Windows, Kodi ... everything really.

 

2. I can tell.

 

3. Not sure what that even means.

 

4. All my Windows-11 machines use offline/local Accounts.

 

5. Sync? Sync what?

 

6. You should try it. I went ahead and installed Ubuntu v25 on my VPX computer (as a dual boot on a separate SSD) . Whole computer uses Grub Boot Loader now. Linux is certainly maturing since I looked like 10 years ago.

 

EDIT: In Linux, I think you can run VPX-Standalone (natively), but you need a Front-End to start it with a Table loaded. I didn't get too far into yet because Windows-11 is running VPX v10.8.0 fine for me (and I have access to my Pinscape and other things I like).

 

Tesla,

 

A few items about Windows 11 people don't know.

 

1) anything you copy/cut and paste is uploaded to the cloud unless you turn this feature off.  This includes passwords.

2) If you sync your account to the cloud and then use the login to build a new PC, if sync is not turn off it will try and rebuild it to match the other PC.  I found out the hard way when Icons from my sons PC turned up on the Arcade machine after a patch that turned sync back on without asking.  I build the Arcade machine using his Microsoft account as I didn't want to generate one just for the Arcade machine.

3) Windows 11 reports back to Microsoft on what the user is doing at a larger scale than previous Windows.

 

I should have forked out for the corporate version where you don't need a microsoft acount to install and does do the same level of monitoring.

Edited by Greedy Guido, 05 February 2026 - 05:35 AM.

[Itchigo]

I would definitely go with Win10. Lock it in with a video driver released shortly after the last Win10 update (Oct. 2025 I think it was), get everything configured nicely, and don't worry about a Windows update screwing it all up.

Exactly. That's what I did with my windows 7 cab. Unless there's some hard limitation (like xp won't take as much ram as an example), you won't really see a difference. About the only problem would be drivers down the road. But if everything works, there's not really  a reason to upgrade.

 

Right on Greedy Guido. That's why I won't use 11 because of windows recall. At least in 10 you can turn most of it off. Your cab won't magically stop working when 10 is gone.

[Tesla]

Tesla,

 

1) anything you copy/cut and paste is uploaded to the cloud unless you turn this feature off.  This includes passwords.

2) If you sync your account to the cloud and then use the login to build a new PC, if sync is not turn off it will try and rebuild it to match the other PC.  I found out the hard way when Icons from my sons PC turned up on the Arcade machine after a patch that turned sync back on without asking.  I build the Arcade machine using his Microsoft account as I didn't want to generate one just for the Arcade machine.

3) Windows 11 reports back to Microsoft on what the user is doing at a larger scale than previous Windows.

 

4. I should have forked out for the corporate version where you don't need a microsoft acount to install and does do the same level of monitoring.

 

 

1. I would have to see a reference. Maybe with an online-account it's too much like their smart-phones and people don't like that?

 

2. Yeah, I would just use an offline account or create a free email. Turn off all that syncing nonsense.

 

3. Again reference please.

 

4. You said you had Windows-11 Pro. That's all I have. During setup, you say no Microsoft Account, or no network/WiFi possible. The other day, I dropped-down to command-prompt.

From my notes, here is part of the whole procedure:

 

Says I need a Network Connection to continue (but no WiFi Access-Points are listed)

 

Press the “Shift + F10” keyboard shortcut (if this does not work try Shift + Fn + F10)

In Command Prompt, type the following command to bypass network requirements on Windows 11 and press Enter.

OOBE\BYPASSNRO

The computer will restart automatically, and the out-of-box experience (OOBE) will start again (just Phase-2)

 

You will need to select the region and keyboard settings again to get to the network connection page.

Click the “I don’t have internet” option.

Click the “Continue with limited setup” option.

Click the Accept button (if applicable).

Confirm the name of the local default account on Windows 11.

Click the Next button.

Continue the setup process.

 

Create simple-named Local-Account, and pick your security questions.

Privacy: Left all On, except Optional Diagnostics

Install Finishes 

[Smitty2k1]

 
 
1. From what I see here, it doesn't appear to be impacting the vitrual pinball software.
 
2. I am not a fan of Windows 11
 
3. as it is intrusive and watche everything. 
 
4. I hate even more the fact I need a Microsoft account to install it and if I use the same account betwwen build
 
5. I must remember not to sync.
 
6. Also considering the Linux path for the VP.

 
1. Or day-to-day operation of like 4 computers here ... over a timespan of years. We do high-end Windows gaming, work in MS Office Pro, develop software, edit music and videos, Apple iCloud for Windows, Kodi ... everything really.
 
2. I can tell.
 
3. Not sure what that even means.
 
4. All my Windows-11 machines use offline/local Accounts.
 
5. Sync? Sync what?
 
6. You should try it. I went ahead and installed Ubuntu v25 on my VPX computer (as a dual boot on a separate SSD) . Whole computer uses Grub Boot Loader now. Linux is certainly maturing since I looked like 10 years ago.
 
EDIT: In Linux, I think you can run VPX-Standalone (natively), but you need a Front-End to start it with a Table loaded. I didn't get too far into yet because Windows-11 is running VPX v10.8.0 fine for me (and I have access to my Pinscape and other things I like).

We now have VPINFE as a front end for Linux with vpx-standalone!
https://github.com/superhac/vpinfe

Also you can use Batocera, which has vpx-standalone integrated and uses Emulation Station as a front end (this is what my cab uses)

[humunut]

"patch that turned sync back on without asking"

 

Glad I don't have to put up with that kind of bs anymore. Happened to me way too many times since I have Win10 installed on 4 PCs.

[Tesla]

1. We now have VPINFE as a front end for Linux with vpx-standalone!

https://github.com/superhac/vpinfe

2. Also you can use Batocera, which has vpx-standalone integrated and uses Emulation Station as a front end (this is what my cab uses)

 

 

1. Good call-out ... I didn't actually get it installed yet, but it looked viable.

 

2. Yeah, Batocera was my first exposure to VPX-Standalone. There is a thread about my evaluation simple testing here somewhere. It works pretty good (I got a few tables running on my cabinet with it).

[deadmanworking]

I wouldn't recommend Win 10 as inevitably some part of the many pieces of software will stop working at some point soon, locking you out of the most recent tables. Go with Win 11 Enterprise IoT LTSC edition, best choice for a Vpin as it eliminates all bloat

[Thalamus]

That is only as long as M$ doesn't hunt people down for using it. It is very special requirements, and most people - us included, are not eligible. That is what I found at least, reading the small text. Sure, there will come a time when Win11 is required. By then, I'm almost confident that we don't need windows at all anymore - for anything - yeaayh !

[humunut]

Yeah, the only microshaft software I use anymore is Win10. I will switch to linux if I get some newer hardware that won't run on Win10.

[rickh]

I use Windows 11 for all my cabinets.  MS operating systems have been selling for $100 since the late 1980's.  The prices have not really increased, so Microsoft is trying at a different angle to make money.  They are forcing web and cloud services by shoving unneeded updates which re-installs all the bloatware that most of us remove.  Even if you turn your WiFi off and updates off, Windows 11 will turn them on again and sneak in another unwanted update.  

Edited by rickh, 06 February 2026 - 09:04 PM.

[Greedy Guido]

 

Tesla,

 

1) anything you copy/cut and paste is uploaded to the cloud unless you turn this feature off.  This includes passwords.

2) If you sync your account to the cloud and then use the login to build a new PC, if sync is not turn off it will try and rebuild it to match the other PC.  I found out the hard way when Icons from my sons PC turned up on the Arcade machine after a patch that turned sync back on without asking.  I build the Arcade machine using his Microsoft account as I didn't want to generate one just for the Arcade machine.

3) Windows 11 reports back to Microsoft on what the user is doing at a larger scale than previous Windows.

 

4. I should have forked out for the corporate version where you don't need a microsoft acount to install and does do the same level of monitoring.

 

 

1. I would have to see a reference. Maybe with an online-account it's too much like their smart-phones and people don't like that?

 

2. Yeah, I would just use an offline account or create a free email. Turn off all that syncing nonsense.

 

3. Again reference please.

 

4. You said you had Windows-11 Pro. That's all I have. During setup, you say no Microsoft Account, or no network/WiFi possible. The other day, I dropped-down to command-prompt.

From my notes, here is part of the whole procedure:

 

Says I need a Network Connection to continue (but no WiFi Access-Points are listed)

 

Press the “Shift + F10” keyboard shortcut (if this does not work try Shift + Fn + F10)

In Command Prompt, type the following command to bypass network requirements on Windows 11 and press Enter.

OOBE\BYPASSNRO

The computer will restart automatically, and the out-of-box experience (OOBE) will start again (just Phase-2)

 

You will need to select the region and keyboard settings again to get to the network connection page.

Click the “I don’t have internet” option.

Click the “Continue with limited setup” option.

Click the Accept button (if applicable).

Confirm the name of the local default account on Windows 11.

Click the Next button.

Continue the setup process.

 

Create simple-named Local-Account, and pick your security questions.

Privacy: Left all On, except Optional Diagnostics

Install Finishes 

 

 

Don't kniow how you didn't know about this as posts came out about this within a month of Windows 11 release.

One of many videos on the issue of Microsoft Windows 11 syncing copy paste data

 

 

 

And about Windows 11 monitoring user (lots of videos about these issues)

 

 

 

There is also a rumour that Windows next release will be subscription based like office.