Microsoft confirms emergency update for millions of Windows users

It’s a “total disaster”

NurPhoto via Getty Images

Republished on October 19 with a second confirmation from Microsoft that its new update breaks Windows and that an emergency patch is now due.

Just days after Microsoft removed security updates for 500 million Windows 10 users, there is also bad news for Windows 11 users. A new mandatory security update is a “total disaster” and an emergency update has suddenly been confirmed.

The warning comes from Latest versions of Windows. Microsoft admits that Windows 11 KB5066835 breaks localhost connections, “which means locally hosted apps can no longer connect to your network.” But there are also multiple installation failures and bugs preventing devices and accessories from working properly.

Users who log in to troubleshoot update issues are warned to stop. “Don’t try your luck with Internet solutions. They don’t work.” Instead, wait for the update.

Forbes“Gradual deletion”: Google confirms bad news for Chrome’s 3 billion usersBy Zak Doffman

“Microsoft says it is rolling out an emergency patch that should fix localhost issues in Windows 11 24H2/25H2, but keep in mind that the fix may take more than 48 hours to appear on affected PCs.” Meanwhile, Microsoft says “affected users should check for updates and restart their PC, even if they don’t see any newer updates listed.”

Latest versions of Windows found a “regression in the kernel-mode HTTP server (HTTP.sys). When a browser or application attempts to connect over HTTP/2 to services hosted on 127.0.0.1, HTTP.sys mishandles the HTTP/2 handshake/frames and resets the connection.”

The website warns that this is important “because Windows Update broke IIS, which affects everything behind HTTP.sys. Windows is designed to handle 127.0.0.1 requests by loading the TTP/2 session into the kernel, which then sends the request to the IIS worker, ASP.NET Core module, or your application.”

By The register“Microsoft has not yet acknowledged the issue. Users are reporting mixed results when trying to reinstall the patch or upgrade to newer versions. The issue appears to disappear on clean installations of Windows 11 24H2, suggesting that the error stems from a conflict in how the update interacts with existing system configurations, rather than being a universal bug.”

Additionally, accessory failures affect “some Logitech devices” and “mouse and keyboard do not work in WinRE (Windows Recovery Environment).”

As always, there are a number of green thumb workarounds for these various issues, but for almost all Windows 11 users, the reality is that you’ll be waiting for the emergency update if you’re affected. It’s likely to happen quickly, probably within a day or two.

After initially admitting “issues with localhost”, Microsoft also confirmed problems with WinRE (Windows Recovery Environment).

By Latest versions of Windows update, “This month’s update makes WinRE (Windows Recovery Environment) useless because a bug blocks the mouse or keyboard from working. This means you cannot navigate in WinRE. This is one of the issues coming from Windows 11 KB5066835, which also breaks localhost.”

In practice, “the problem makes it impossible to navigate through the different options in WinRE. For example, if you are on WinRE and want to troubleshoot the operating system or reset Windows, you cannot do so because the cursor will not work and the keyboard buttons will not respond.” This is not good news for the millions of Windows 10 users enjoying new upgrades.

Latest versions of Windows There is a workaround, which you can find on the website. However, it comes with a major health warning and is therefore not reproduced here. Fixing (before the real fix) means messing with system files, and if you get it wrong, “you can make Windows unstable or prevent it from starting. Do this with caution and at your own risk.”

If you’re still using Windows 10 and reading this with a sense of relief, just make sure you’ve updated your PC with the latest security patches you’ll receive, unless and until you sign up for the 12-month ESU program to keep Windows 10 until 2026.

ForbesMicrosoft Suddenly Brings Windows 10 Update to Stores: Buy NowBy Zak Doffman

As TechRadar warns: “The final Windows 10 patch fixes a staggering number of security flaws – and shows why you need extensive updates. »

This is a timely warning, and if you don’t like the account-based options for extending security updates for free, you can now purchase an additional year of support in the Microsoft Store.

The register sums it up pretty well: “What all this means is that, in the same week, Microsoft’s installer crashed, its new operating system hampered local development, and Redmond’s multimillion-dollar upgrade instead exposed the fragility of its ecosystem.” »