boot issues Archives

Winsage

June 3, 2025

Windows 11 is getting some big upgrades to tackle dreaded boot failures – and help novices set up their new PC

Windows 11 has released a new preview build, 26200.5622, in the Dev channel, introducing several features aimed at improving user experience. Key additions include Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) for recovering from boot failures, a PC-to-PC migration feature for easier transitions to new devices, a new option in Phone Link to mirror Android phone screens from the Start menu, enhancements to the widgets board with a navigation bar, and a Click to Do feature for drafting text in Word using Copilot on Copilot+ PCs. These features are in early testing and may be included in the upcoming Windows 11 25H2 release.

Winsage

June 3, 2025

Microsoft adds quick machine recovery to Windows 11 settings

Microsoft is piloting a new dedicated page within Windows Settings under System > Recovery to enhance machine recovery processes. This feature allows users to toggle recovery options, configure automatic solution searches, set check frequencies, and determine restart timings for fixes. It is currently available to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel using Windows 11 24H2 and will soon be accessible to Dev Channel Insiders. Quick Machine Recovery (QMR), introduced as part of the Windows Resiliency Initiative in November, allows IT administrators to address boot issues remotely. When activated, QMR boots devices into the Windows Recovery Environment to initiate the Quick Machine Recovery Tool if Windows fails to start. Microsoft plans to enable QMR by default in Windows 11 Home editions, while enterprise customers can customize it in Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise.

Winsage

May 30, 2025

Windows 11’s May security update is crashing PCs with code 0xc0000098

Microsoft rolled out update KB5058405 for Windows 11 23H2 to address critical security vulnerabilities, but users are reporting significant issues, including boot failures with error code 0xc0000098. This problem affects both Windows 11 23H2 and 22H2, primarily in virtual environments like Azure Virtual Machines and on-premises virtual machines hosted on Citrix or Hyper-V. Home users with Windows Home or Pro editions are less likely to experience this issue. The error indicates a missing or corrupted ACPI.sys file, which is essential for managing hardware resources and power states. Microsoft is currently investigating the issue and has not yet provided a resolution.

Winsage

May 27, 2025

Windows Server emergency update fixes Hyper-V VM freezes, restart issues

Microsoft has released an emergency update, KB5061906, to address unexpected freezes and restarts affecting Hyper-V virtual machines on Windows Server 2022, particularly Azure confidential VMs. This cumulative out-of-band update resolves a critical issue in the direct send path for guest physical addresses, which could cause these VMs to stop responding or restart. The update is not automatically installed and must be manually downloaded from the Microsoft Update Catalog. Standard Hyper-V deployments are largely unaffected, with rare exceptions. Organizations using Windows Server 2022 with Hyper-V should apply this update if they have not yet deployed the May 2025 Windows security update (KB5058385).

Winsage

May 20, 2025

Microsoft releases emergency hotfix for Windows 10’s May update issues

Microsoft released an out-of-band update, KB5061768, for Windows 10 users to address urgent security vulnerabilities. This update is available through the Microsoft Update Catalog for Windows 10 versions 1903 and later, including Windows 10 LTSB, and supports both x86 and x64 architectures. The download size ranges from 415 MB to 711 MB. The update is crucial for users experiencing BitLocker issues and blue screen crashes after the May Windows 10 patch, particularly on devices with Intel Trusted Execution Technology enabled on 10th-generation Intel vPro processors or newer. Users unable to install the update due to boot issues should disable Intel VT for Direct I/O and Intel Trusted Execution Technology in the BIOS/UEFI settings to allow normal startup and apply the update.

Winsage

May 16, 2025

Microsoft Update Fails—New Download Breaks Windows

Users are experiencing BitLocker Recovery screens and Blue Screens of Death (BSOD) after installing the Windows 10 update KB5058379. This mandatory update addresses significant security vulnerabilities, but Microsoft claims to be unaware of any new issues. Some users have found that disabling Intel TXT can help complete the installation. Reports include a user experiencing consistent BSODs after the update and another who resolved boot issues by changing BIOS settings. The end of support for Windows 10 is approaching on October 14, but Microsoft 365 applications will still receive security updates afterward. Windows 11 users are not affected by these issues.

Winsage

May 14, 2025

Microsoft fixes Linux boot issues on dual-boot Windows systems

Microsoft addressed a boot issue affecting dual-boot systems running Linux alongside Windows after the August 2024 Windows security updates, which caused Linux systems to fail to boot due to a Secure Boot Advanced Targeting (SBAT) update. This issue impacted various Windows operating systems, including Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server 2012 and later. The problem arose from a detection mechanism that failed to recognize some customized dual-boot setups, leading to error messages such as "Something has gone seriously wrong: SBAT self-check failed: Security Policy Violation." Microsoft confirmed that the boot issues would be resolved with the May 2025 Patch Tuesday security updates and provided a temporary workaround in late August, advising users to delete the SBAT update. On September 19, Microsoft stopped the automatic application of the problematic SBAT update and recommended a command to prevent future SBAT updates. The issue was specific to the August 2024 security and preview updates, and subsequent updates starting with September 2024 did not contain the problematic settings.

Winsage

May 11, 2025

Fast Startup might actually be slowing your PC down

Fast Startup on Windows enhances boot times by placing the computer in a hibernation-like state, saving the system state to disk for quicker startups, but does not preserve open programs and processes. Disabling Fast Startup is advisable for users with modern SSDs unless they experience noticeable slowdowns. Fast Startup circumvents traditional shutdowns, which are necessary for proper power cycling of components, potentially leading to system issues over time. It can disrupt Windows updates, causing instability and missing features, making it wise to keep it disabled for regular updaters. For dual-boot systems with Windows and Linux, Fast Startup should be disabled to avoid boot issues and potential data corruption. It can also exacerbate wake-from-sleep problems, leading to slower wake times and peripheral malfunctions. Users with modern NVMe SSDs may find that Fast Startup offers minimal advantages and could even result in longer boot times.

Winsage

May 9, 2025

Struggling with the latest Windows 11 update? You aren’t alone

Many users are experiencing issues with Windows 11 following a recent update, including sluggish performance, Wi-Fi connectivity problems, and blue screen errors. To troubleshoot, users should first ensure their PC meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11, which include: - Processor: 1 GHz or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or SoC. - RAM: At least 4 GB. - Storage: 64 GB or more of available storage. - Firmware: UEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability. - TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 must be enabled. - Graphics Card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later and have a WDDM 2.0 driver. - Display: High definition (720p) display, at least 9 inches diagonally, with 8 bits per color channel. - Internet and Microsoft account: Required for initial setup of Windows 11 Home and for updates and some features on all editions. To resolve issues, users can: 1. Uninstall the latest update via Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history > Uninstall updates. 2. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter found in Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. 3. Check for driver updates in Device Manager by looking for devices with a yellow exclamation mark. 4. Perform a System Restore through Control Panel > Open System Restore. 5. Use Microsoft's built-in repair tool "Fix problems using Windows Update" found in Settings > System > Recovery. 6. Check for known issues acknowledged by Microsoft. 7. Access advanced startup options by holding down the Shift key while clicking Restart to use Startup Repair or Command Prompt. 8. Reset the PC from the advanced recovery menu, which can reinstall Windows while preserving files or perform a clean reset. Users should back up important files before proceeding with significant troubleshooting steps.

Winsage

April 17, 2025

New Windows Server emergency updates fix container launch issue

Microsoft released emergency updates for Windows Server to address startup failures in containers operating under Hyper-V isolation mode, caused by compatibility issues with the 2025.04 B container images. The updates enhance access to essential system files from the Windows Server host, improving compatibility and reliability. These out-of-band updates for Windows Server 2019, 2022, and 2025 must be manually downloaded from the Microsoft Update Catalog, as they will not be delivered through Windows Update. This update follows previous challenges, including authentication issues and boot problems caused by earlier security updates for Windows Server 2019 and 2022.