Microsoft Issues Emergency Windows Updates for Most PCs
▼ Summary
– Microsoft released emergency fixes for shutdown and remote login failures caused by its January 2026 security updates.
– The resolved issues included a shutdown bug for Windows 11 23H2 and a widespread Remote Desktop sign-in failure for versions 24H2 and 25H2.
– An unpatched bug still exists that causes Outlook Classic to freeze for users with old-style POP email accounts.
– Three other unacknowledged issues remain, including temporary black screens and desktop background/reset problems.
– Users are advised to apply the available emergency fixes but to be cautious with workarounds for the Outlook issue.
Microsoft has released urgent out-of-band updates to address critical problems introduced by its recent January security patches. These emergency fixes target widespread issues that disrupted system shutdowns and prevented remote desktop logins for a significant number of users. While two major flaws are now resolved, several other concerning bugs remain unaddressed, leaving a portion of the Windows ecosystem in an unstable state.
The most disruptive problem involved remote desktop authentication failures. Following the installation of the January 2026 security update, users attempting to connect via Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) encountered sign-in errors. This issue impacted various Remote Desktop applications, including the native Windows App, effectively locking users out of their machines when trying to access them remotely. Microsoft has now deployed a fix for this widespread vulnerability.
A separate but significant bug affected PCs running the older Windows 11 23H2 version. On these systems, the same January update caused a failure to properly shut down or enter hibernation mode. Instead of powering off, affected devices would unexpectedly restart. This issue was specifically linked to computers with Secure Launch enabled. This fix has also been distributed.
Despite these corrections, the situation is not fully resolved. Reports indicate at least three additional problems persist without official patches or acknowledgment from Microsoft. Users are experiencing intermittent black screens with delayed cursor appearance, sudden resets of their desktop background to a black color, and malfunctions related to the desktop.ini file within File Explorer. These unresolved glitches contribute to ongoing user frustration and system instability.
Furthermore, a confirmed issue plagues Outlook Classic for users with older POP3 email accounts. The application can enter a frozen state, running invisibly in the background. This not only halts email functionality but can also interfere with normal system restarts. While a forced restart of the app is a possible workaround, it carries a risk of corrupting the local email database and is not recommended for most users. A dedicated fix for Outlook from Microsoft is anticipated soon.
The release of these emergency updates underscores the complex challenges of maintaining software security without introducing new instability. Users are advised to install the available fixes promptly to restore core functionality for remote access and system shutdowns, while remaining aware of the other known issues still affecting the platform.
(Source: Forbes)
