Microsoft’s recent Patch Tuesday has introduced significant challenges for Windows 10 users, particularly with the KB5058379 update. This update has been reported to trigger unexpected requests for the BitLocker recovery key during system startup on various Windows 10 devices. Typically, such requests are only prompted when there are alterations to hardware or BIOS settings.
Widespread Impact
Reports from the German blog Borncity highlight that this issue is notably affecting users in Germany, but similar complaints have emerged from the United States, as noted by Windows Latest. The problem spans across both corporate environments and personal computers, with affected users sharing their experiences on Microsoft forums and Reddit.
Without access to the BitLocker recovery key, many users find their systems locked and unusable. In some cases, users are compelled to perform a system recovery, reverting their operating systems to a state prior to the update’s installation. Compounding the frustration, even after successfully booting into Windows 10, some users encounter blue screen crashes.
Potential Workarounds
As a temporary solution, disabling the “Intel Trusted Execution Technology (Intel TXT)” option in the BIOS/UEFI may alleviate the issue. Detailed instructions on how to execute this adjustment have been provided by both Windows Latest and BleepingComputer. The problem appears to predominantly affect devices from manufacturers such as Dell, HP, and Lenovo, specifically those running Windows 10 versions 22H2 or 21H2 Enterprise.
While Microsoft has yet to acknowledge these specific issues on the support page for the KB5058379 update, it is crucial to recognize that this update serves as an important security enhancement. Users are advised to allow Windows to install it automatically when available, unless there is a compelling reason to defer the update.
Further reading: How to upgrade Windows 10 to 11, step by step
This information was originally sourced from our sister publication PC-WELT and has been translated and localized from German.
