Microsoft's Patch Tuesday preview, KB5043145, arrived last week and is already causing some headaches thanks to serious stability issues.
These previews are released early to give administrators time to test them before a full rollout on the next Patch Tuesday. In this case, October's Patch Tuesday, the last preview update for Home and Pro users of Windows 11 22H2.
Judging by both Microsoft's support article on the update and the company's feedback forum, things are not going smoothly.
Microsoft's support article on KB5043145 describes problems which may ensue as "known issues."
"After installing this update, some customers have reported that their device restarts multiple times or becomes unresponsive with blue or green screens," the document states. "According to the reports, some devices automatically open the Automatic Repair tool after repeated restart attempts. In some cases, BitLocker recovery can also be triggered."
The support forum lists a catalog of catastrophes. Users on the feedback hub have complained of glitches with USB and Wi-Fi, as well as computers failing to boot after installing the update.
Others have reported that Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 breaks following the update.
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When KB5043145 works, it provides some useful enhancements. Local files can be shared directly from search results, and the sign-out command is added to the account manager in the Start Menu. Admins are giving mixed reviews on the latter change. While some are welcoming the tweak, others remain worried that end users might simply turn off their computers, much to the chagrin of tech departments planning to perform maintenance outside of regular hours.
However, the update should fix Microsoft Edge not responding to requests to use Internet Explorer mode. Assuming it can be installed.
The update is an optional preview. Users must elect to install it and, considering Redmond's track record on quality control, risk their computers requiring a reinstall.
At present, the only solution for admins who have installed the update and encountered problems is to roll it back if possible. There is just over a week to go until Patch Tuesday, so we're sure Microsoft is working to rectify the problems.
For Reg readers sticking with older versions of Windows 11, the monthly dose of Microsoft mayhem will soon be a thing of the past. There is just one more Patch Tuesday to go. For the rest, the problems associated with this latest debacle again highlights the need for testing before letting an update go anywhere near production. ®