Microsoft has once again raised concerns regarding the shutdown process of Windows PCs, indicating that it may be more complicated than necessary. This follows the previous acknowledgment and resolution of the “update and shutdown” issue that plagued users last year. The tech giant has now alerted users that updated devices might experience difficulties in shutting down or entering hibernation.
Details on the Current Issue
According to Microsoft, after the installation of the January 13, 2026, Windows security update, certain PCs equipped with Secure Launch may encounter problems. Specifically, these devices may fail to shut down or hibernate, opting instead to restart unexpectedly. Secure Launch is designed to utilize virtualization-based security to safeguard the system against firmware-level threats during the startup phase.
For those experiencing this issue, Microsoft has provided a temporary solution. Users are advised to open the Command Prompt by typing “cmd” into the Search bar and selecting it from the results. In the Command Prompt window, entering the command shutdown /s /t 0 will facilitate a shutdown. However, it’s important to note that there is currently no workaround available for the hibernation problem.
Microsoft urges users to exercise caution during this period. It is recommended to save all work diligently and to shut down the device when finished to prevent any unexpected power loss due to the inability to hibernate.
In the near future, an out-of-band emergency update is anticipated to address this issue.
Additional Concerns
In addition to the shutdown complications, Microsoft has reported that some users are experiencing credential prompt failures during Remote Desktop connections via the Windows App on client devices. This issue is affecting services such as Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365.
For those impacted, Microsoft suggests the following alternatives:
- Utilize the Remote Desktop client for Windows to connect to Azure Virtual Desktop, which can be found here.
- Connect using the Windows App Web Client available at windows.cloud.microsoft.
As Microsoft continues to address these challenges, users are encouraged to stay informed and take the necessary precautions to ensure their work remains secure and uninterrupted.
