Windows 10 also affected by shutdown problems

The January Windows updates have, in some cases, caused problems with shutting down or sleep modes on PCs with Windows 11 23H2. Microsoft now admits that Windows 10 computers may also be affected by the issue. There is currently no solution.

Microsoft officially confirms the problem

Microsoft has now confirmed the issue in the Windows Release Health notes. Machines that have enabled “secure boot” with “virtual secure mode” (Virtual Secure Mode, VSM) are also impacted. These devices are “unable to shut down or enter sleep mode. Instead, the device restarts,” Microsoft explains. Computers with AMD or ARM64 processors are reportedly not impacted. The complete list of affected operating systems is now Windows 11 23H2, Windows 10 22H2, Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021, and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019.

The timing is quite late. For Windows 11 23H2, Microsoft already reported the bug in the week of the release of the updates for Microsoft's Patch Tuesday in January. And just a few days later, the developers released an out-of-band update that corrected the issue. Affected Windows 10 users, however, must continue to be patient. Microsoft writes: “We plan to release a solution with a future Windows update.” The manufacturer does not provide a more precise timeline.

According to a reader report, the countermeasures suggested for Windows 11 23H2 do not work in an affected Windows 10 installation. The reader, who faced this issue, out of necessity uninstalled the January Windows update. While this restores correct functionality, the update closes several security vulnerabilities, several of which are already being exploited in the wild. It is therefore a solution that exposes impacted users to increased risk.

(dmk)