On October 22, 2024, Microsoft unveiled its latest non-security update for Windows 11 version 23H2, identified as KB5044380, which corresponds to builds 22621.4391 and 22631.4391. This update brought a suite of enhancements aimed at improving user experience, including fixes for battery drain, remapping options for the Copilot key, and new notification settings. However, it also introduced some unexpected challenges.
OpenSSH Connectivity Issues
In an update to the official KB5044380 article, Microsoft acknowledged that the release has disrupted the functionality of OpenSSH (Open Secure Shell), a critical tool for establishing SSH connections:
Following the installation of the October 2024 security update, some customers report that the OpenSSH (Open Secure Shell) service fails to start, preventing SSH connections. The service fails with no detailed logging, and manual intervention is required to run the sshd.exe process.
This issue appears to affect a broad spectrum of users, spanning enterprise, IoT, education, and home customers. Nevertheless, Microsoft has indicated that the number of devices impacted is “limited.”
Fortunately, a workaround is available for those experiencing this problem. Users can temporarily resolve the issue by adjusting permissions on the affected directories. The necessary command can be executed in an elevated PowerShell session:
$directoryPath = "C:ProgramDatassh"
$acl = Get-Acl -Path $directoryPath
$sddlString = "O:BAD:PAI(A;OICI;FA;;;SY)(A;OICI;FA;;;BA)(A;OICI;0x1200a9;;;AU)"
$securityDescriptor = New-Object System.Security.AccessControl.RawSecurityDescriptor $sddlString
$acl.SetSecurityDescriptorSddlForm($securityDescriptor.GetSddlForm("All"))
Set-Acl -Path $directoryPath -AclObject $acl
Microsoft also suggests applying the same permissions adjustment to the directory C:ProgramDatasshlogs.
Currently, Microsoft is actively investigating the issue, with plans to deliver a resolution in a forthcoming Windows Update.
Additional Challenges in Windows 11 Version 24H2
While the bug associated with KB5044380 does not impact Windows 11 version 24H2, that version is not without its own complications. Microsoft has confirmed that the Task Manager in the recent KB5044384 update is failing to accurately display the number of running applications and processes. Additionally, the rollout of a new controller keyboard has been paused due to unspecified issues and bugs, although it remains accessible in Canary builds.
