Microsoft has taken swift action to address critical issues arising from its recent security patches for Microsoft Windows 11. Following the rollout of the first updates in 2026, users encountered significant problems, including failures in shutting down or hibernating their systems, as well as authentication issues with Remote Desktop sign-ins.
Emergency Updates Released
In response to these complications, Microsoft has released two emergency out-of-band updates, identified as KB5077744 and KB5077797. These updates are being distributed through Windows Update, aiming to restore normal functionality for affected users. The updates specifically target systems running Windows 11 version 23H2 with Secure Launch enabled, where shutdown and hibernation attempts were failing after the January security updates were applied. Additionally, the Remote Desktop authentication failures impacted a wider range of systems, including Windows 11 version 25H2, Windows 10 22H2 ESU, and Windows Server 2025.
Users relying on Remote Desktop for access to their work or home systems faced significant disruptions, effectively locking them out until these emergency patches were made available. While Microsoft has not elaborated on how these issues slipped through testing, the company has assured users that the fixes comprehensively resolve the reported problems.
Automatic Rollout and User Recommendations
The out-of-band updates are being offered automatically via Windows Update. However, devices that have updates paused or are managed through enterprise policies may require manual intervention for the deployment of these critical fixes.
This latest round of issues adds to a growing list of challenges faced by Windows 11 users over the past year. Previous updates have led to complications such as Task Manager persisting in the background after closure, which caused resource management problems. Another update introduced an unexpected bright white flash when opening File Explorer in dark mode, despite being marketed as an enhancement to the user experience.
Moreover, Microsoft has had to rectify an update that disrupted the Windows Recovery Environment, hindering users’ ability to access recovery options during system troubleshooting. Each of these concerns has been addressed post-release, but only after users encountered them in real-world scenarios.
For those affected by the current issues, Microsoft strongly recommends installing the emergency updates as soon as they become available. Systems that have struggled with shutdown procedures or Remote Desktop connectivity are expected to return to normal functionality promptly following the application of these patches.
