Audio garbled after new Windows 10 installation - do I need different drivers?

Ed Riess 0 Reputation points
2025-10-11T21:54:05.0333333+00:00

This morning, after initiating download of all Microsoft updates available in the Windows Updates page yesterday, I found that the audio from almost all video content accessed through Firefox and Edge browsers was either low-pass filtered to the extent that it was indecipherable, or essentially missing.  The only other action that could have fostered this blockage is execution of an offer to acquire a Substack app used to access the work of Dr. William Makis which seemed only to lead to a page displaying a QR code, which did reveal an address I verified with my phone.  At the time of launching each compromised video, its audio sounds normal for perhaps half a second before it is variously muted and/or filtered.  Suggesting that a sort of censorship has occurred is the fact that several videos of what could be considered neutral content play normally, either at normal volume or at slightly attenuated volume.  I lean toward the Microsoft updates being the cause of this anomaly because I seem to recall that the Substack invitation was exercised after the audio anomaly was noticed, but it’s very possible it may have preceded the problem.

 The problem stated in the above paragraph has been resolved.

Please provide any potential means whereby I may acquire the desired extra year of security updates that are supposed to be available to Windows 10 customers. Thank you.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows update
Answer recommended by moderator
Ed Riess 0 Reputation points
2025-10-12T01:48:53.6233333+00:00

I am the author of the original questions, the mentioned audio-related problem of which I solved, as reported above.
Using guidance available in Copilot, I was able to remedy the problem of not successfully enrolling in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. This note is to communicate those steps for others that have had the same issue. They were these:
🛠️ Steps to Change the Microsoft Account on Your Windows 10 PC

1. Check Current Account

·        Go to Settings → Accounts → Your info

·        Confirm which Microsoft account is currently signed in

2. Switch to a Local Account (Optional but Recommended) (I DID NOT DO THIS STEP. I continued at step 3.)

If you want to fully remove the current Microsoft account:

·        In Settings → Accounts → Your info, click Sign in with a local account instead

·        Follow the prompts to create a local account (you can use the same username if desired)

3. Sign In with the Correct Microsoft Account

·        After switching to a local account, go back to Settings → Accounts → Your info

·        Click Sign in with a Microsoft account instead (THIS OPTION IS VISIBLE NOW, AS I CHECK IT WHILE WRITING THIS. IT WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY VISIBLE WHILE CHANGES I HAD MADE WERE POSSIBLY NOT COMPLETED AT THAT TIME. INSTEAD, CLICKING ON "Manage my Microsoft account" WAS, as I recall, THE NECESSARY STEP THAT REVEALED THE "Sign in with a Microsoft account instead" OPTION.)

·        Enter your correct account: (@yyyyy.yy.com)

4. Verify Ownership for ESU Enrollment

·        Once signed in with the correct Microsoft account, try enrolling in the ESU program again

(SUCCESS WAS REALIZED AFTER PERFORMING THAT LAST STEP.)

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