Microsoft has officially acknowledged critical issues in recent Windows 11 updates that can trigger unexpected blue screens on users’ devices. According to the company, the updates labeled “Windows 11 24H2” — specifically KB5053656 released in late March and KB5055523 from early April — may cause system crashes.
Users have reported error codes such as “0x18B” and “SECURE_KERNEL_ERROR.” As noted by the tech publication Golem, these appear to be serious kernel-level errors. The kernel is a fundamental component of any operating system, managing core functions like system resources and hardware communication.
No Permanent Fix Yet, Temporary Workaround Deployed
At this stage, Microsoft has not yet released a permanent fix for the issue but confirmed that it is actively working on a solution. A patch is expected to be included in one of the upcoming updates. In the meantime, the company has implemented a Known Issue Rollback (KIR), which essentially removes the problematic changes introduced by the faulty updates.
This rollback is automatically pushed to personal computers with Windows Update enabled. The update typically reaches users within 24 hours, and a system reboot is required for the rollback to take effect.
Recurring Issues with Windows Updates
Problems following Windows updates are not new. Just this past January, users reported installation errors and constant reboot loops after an update. In December, another patch caused issues for gamers using Windows 11, prompting Microsoft to temporarily block that update from installing on certain systems.
What to Do If You’re Affected
If your system is experiencing problems and the rollback hasn’t resolved the issue, you may need to manually uninstall the update. Here’s how you can do it:
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Go to Start → Settings → Windows Update
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Under Related Settings, click Update History → Uninstall Updates
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Select the update you wish to remove and click Uninstall
For those who haven’t yet installed the latest update, it’s recommended to hold off until Microsoft delivers a stable solution.
Microsoft’s recent missteps with Windows 11 highlight the ongoing challenge of delivering regular updates without compromising system stability. While a fix is in the works, users are once again reminded of the importance of cautious update management, especially when dealing with critical components like the kernel.