Windows Update Preview: Distribution stopped due to reboot loops

Contents

Microsoft has stopped the distribution of the optional Windows Update Preview for Windows 11. This is due to unplanned side effects, the reasons for which Microsoft is now investigating.

In the Windows Release Health notes, Microsoft's developers explain that after installing the Windows Update Preview KB5039302, some devices would no longer start. These then restarted repeatedly. Microsoft further states that affected PCs require the use of recovery options to ensure normal operation again.

Systems more likely to be affected

The error is more likely to occur if virtual machines and associated tools are used on PCs, Microsoft's developers explain. The use of nested virtualization functions also favors the error, citing CloudPCs, DevBox or Azure Virtual Desktop as examples. Windows Home users are therefore less likely to be affected, as the use of virtualization is less common there.

While the investigations are ongoing, Microsoft is therefore pausing the offer of this update via Windows Update and Windows Update for Business.

Manual correction in Windows recovery mode

In order to get back to a functioning system in the event of an error, those affected must uninstall the update in the Windows Recovery environment. After several unsuccessful restarts, Windows will automatically boot into the recovery environment. If necessary, this can also be achieved by selecting "Restart" after clicking on the switch-off button while holding down the Shift key. In the Windows recovery environment, you will then find a "Troubleshooting" item.

Continue via "Advanced options".

And then again to "Uninstall updates".

There, those affected must select "Uninstall current quality update" to remove the faulty update and make Windows bootable again normally.

Potentially many people affected

The update previews are optional updates and therefore theoretically require a manual search and installation. However, Microsoft has been offering a "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" switch in the Windows update settings for some time now, which ensures that optional updates such as the previews are also automatically downloaded and installed in good time. Numerous users are therefore likely to be affected by the problem, at least more than would intuitively be expected for a manually installed, optional update.

On Wednesday, Microsoft began distributing the preview version of the non-security update components for the upcoming patchday. In addition to bug fixes, they also contain new functions. For example, the integrated compression tool in File Explorer will be able to handle .tar and .7z formats as a target format for compression in addition to the .zip format.

(dmk)