Keeping Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems up-to-date is crucial for security, especially since Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) noted 1394 security vulnerabilities in 2024. However, mandatory updates can sometimes introduce frustrating bugs. This guide summarizes recent Windows update problems and provides Microsoft-recommended fixes or workarounds. If a problem is marked “FIXED,” the solution is simply to ensure your system is fully updated.
November 2025 Windows 11 Security Update (KB5068861)
The KB5068861 Patch Tuesday update addressed various issues but also introduced new ones. Problems included a missing password icon on the lock screen (though users could still log in by clicking the area), a broken File Explorer search for Server Message Block (SMB) networks, black screens, and system glitches. To combat blank screens, refreshing the screen with the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+Del is a common workaround. Installation failures with error codes like 0x800F0991 and 0x800F0922 were also widely reported.
For installation problems, users can utilize the Quick Assist app to receive remote troubleshooting from a Microsoft support agent, run the built-in Windows Update Troubleshooter, or manually install the update package from the Microsoft Update Catalog. If updates are missed, reinstalling Windows 11 from the cloud or using a cloud download reset is recommended. Note that Microsoft has simplified Windows 11 update titles, eliminating version numbers like 24H2/25H2 in the name displayed in the Settings app.
October 2025 Windows 11 Updates (KB5067036 & KB5070773)
The KB5067036 Preview Update, while fixing several 0x800 errors and redesigning the Start menu, brought back an issue where the Task Manager would not close when pressing the “X” button. A simple system restart is the solution for this specific bug. The update also saw continued intermittent localhost connection issues.
The minor, out-of-band (OOB) KB5070773 update fixed problems with USB devices in the Windows Recovery Environment but caused new issues with Digital TV and Blu-ray/DVD apps failing to play copyrighted content, often requiring an HDCP-compliant device. It also led to some Internet Information Services (IIS) websites failing to load.
October 2025 Windows 11 Security Update (KB5066835)
The major Patch Tuesday update KB5066837 fixed issues with print preview in Chromium browsers and PowerShell remoting. However, it introduced problems where USB devices were non-functional in the Windows Recovery environment (later fixed by an OOB update) and broke critical localhost functionalities for developers. Temporarily pausing this update is the recommended action if you rely on localhost features. This update also disabled File Explorer’s preview feature for internet-downloaded files due to an NT LAN Manager (NTLM) vulnerability.
Windows 10 End of Support Updates
Microsoft has officially stopped sending free software updates to Windows 10 devices. The final updates were related to the Extended Security Update (ESU) program for enrolled users. The KB5068781 ESU Update for November 2025 has seen complaints of failure to install (error 0x800f0922) and blocked access to Remote Desktop services. The KB5071959 OOB update was rolled out to assist users in enrolling in the ESU program.
General Fixes for Broken Updates
If an update is failing to install, you can try forcing the installation via PowerShell. This involves opening PowerShell as an administrator and using the following commands:
Install-Module PSWindowsUpdateGet-WindowsUpdateInstall-WindowsUpdate
Other preventative measures include:
- Installing Optional Updates: These updates are found under Settings and can address quality and driver issues before becoming mandatory.
- Pausing Updates: Windows 11 users can defer updates for up to five weeks under Settings -> Windows Update -> Pause updates, allowing time to monitor for known bugs.
- Uninstalling Updates: Recent smaller updates can be removed via Settings -> Windows Update -> Update History -> Uninstall updates.
- Rolling Back Builds: After a major build update, Windows allows a 10-day window to roll back to the previous stable version via Settings -> System -> Recovery.
