The recent KB5048685 Update for Windows 11 23H2, released on December 10, has stirred a wave of discontent among users. Initially intended to address over 70 security vulnerabilities, this cumulative update has instead introduced a series of frustrating issues that have left many users grappling with unexpected glitches.
Windows 11 KB5048685 may cause the Start Menu and Wi-Fi to fail
Reports have surfaced indicating that the Start Menu is freezing upon access, a problem that appears to extend to users who have installed the KB5048667 update for Windows 11 24H2 as well. In some instances, the Start Menu displays a stark white backdrop, even when dark mode is activated, creating a jarring visual inconsistency.
While Microsoft has yet to formally acknowledge these concerns, a support article from Citrix has shed light on the issue, noting that the Start Menu may become unresponsive on Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2 following the installation of the KB5048685 update. Citrix, known for its virtualization software, has suggested a workaround that involves modifying the Windows Registry, a task that should be approached with caution.
- Navigate to: HKLMSYSTEMCurrentControlSetservicesCtxUvi
- Value Name: UviProcessExcludes
- Type: REG_SZ
- Append ‘StartMenuExper’ followed by a semicolon (;)
After making these adjustments, a restart of the computer is necessary for the changes to take effect. Additional discussions on Citrix’s community forums and the System Center Configuration Manager subreddit reveal similar complaints about the Start Menu malfunctioning post-update. One user noted that an outdated DLL from the Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Package was the culprit, and manually updating this library resolved the issue, suggesting that even those without Citrix software could be affected.
Moreover, the KB5048685 Update has been linked to Wi-Fi connectivity problems for some users. Reports on Microsoft’s Answers community echo these frustrations, with several users struggling to install the update successfully. Notably, some of these issues appear to be prevalent among those using AMD processors, with error code 0x80070002 indicating installation failures. For those experiencing persistent restarts without successful updates, checking the status of the Windows Update service via Services.msc may provide clarity.
A few users have found relief by navigating to Settings > System > Recovery > Fix problems using Windows Update, a potential solution worth exploring for those facing difficulties.
While the extent of these issues remains uncertain, early indications suggest they may not impact the majority of users. Personal experiences vary; for instance, I installed the KB5048685 Update shortly after its release and have not encountered any of the reported problems. However, it is worth noting that Windows 11 24H2 continues to grapple with its own set of challenges, including performance issues in gaming related to the Auto HDR feature. Microsoft has even taken steps to prevent updates on certain PCs, leaving some users, like myself, content to remain on the more stable 23H2 version.
As the community navigates these updates, the question remains: have you encountered any of these bugs on your system?
