Microsoft has acknowledged a significant issue with its August Patch Tuesday update, particularly affecting installations via Windows Server Update Services (WSUS). While home users are generally safe from this glitch, system administrators are facing a more complex situation.
Challenges with WSUS and Windows Updates
The tech giant, which has recently undergone substantial layoffs while simultaneously investing heavily in artificial intelligence, is grappling with quality control in its software updates. The latest Windows 11 24H2 patch has already raised concerns, as it inadvertently generated a misleading event viewer message due to code that was still in development being released into production.
This current predicament is more pressing, as it prevents the installation of crucial security updates. Microsoft has reported that the “August 12, 2025 Windows security update for Windows 11, version 24H2, might fail to install with error code 0x80240069 when installed via Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).” This error poses a challenge for organizations relying on WSUS to manage their updates efficiently.
- WSUS allows for the deferral, selective approval, and scheduling of updates across various devices or groups within an organization.
- Despite being deprecated, Microsoft assures users that WSUS remains supported for production deployments and continues to receive necessary security and quality updates.
Earlier this year, Microsoft had announced intentions to discontinue driver synchronization through WSUS but quickly reversed that decision following valuable feedback from its user base.
At present, there is no timeline for when this installation issue will be resolved. However, administrators can still opt for manual installation of the patch, a workaround that may not be welcomed by those who prefer streamlined processes. Alternatively, Microsoft has provided a group policy to help mitigate the problem.
In a statement, Microsoft noted, “We are working to include the resolution in a future Windows update. Once the update with the resolution is released, organizations will not need to install and configure this Group Policy to address this issue. We will provide more information when it becomes available.”
Amidst the frustration, one contributor on a Reddit thread expressed the concerns of many, stating, “If your org is sensitive to reboots, this is not going to be fun. And good luck getting 100% of your machines to pick up the reg hack reliably so they even have a chance to get the patch. MS is not cook’n with their Win 11 patches lately.”
