Microsoft has acknowledged that a segment of its user base is receiving unsolicited invitations to upgrade to Windows 11, despite existing configurations in Intune—its PC management tool—designed to prevent such occurrences. The tech giant attributes this anomaly to a “recent service change” that has revealed a latent code issue, which has impacted a subset of users.
Details of the Issue
While not all users are experiencing this glitch, those affected are finding themselves prompted to upgrade to Windows 11, regardless of the restrictions set by their IT administrators. A concerned reader from Register highlighted the scale of the problem, noting, “We have thousands of devices affected. Users are definitely not kicking it off themselves and the affected devices are 100 percent excluded from the policy, but somehow appear not to be.”
For those who have inadvertently upgraded to Windows 11, the remedy involves a manual rollback to the appropriate Windows version. In the interim, Microsoft suggests that administrators pause Windows Feature Updates as a temporary measure until a fix can be deployed.
As of Wednesday, Microsoft announced, “We’ve completed the development, testing and validation process for our targeted code fix and are deploying it in an effort to prevent additional impact and resolve the code issue.” This proactive approach aims to mitigate further disruptions.
Historical Context
This incident recalls the Windows Server 2025 debacle from November 2024, when the new operating system was mistakenly released as a security update, leading to widespread installations before IT administrators could intervene. Unlike that previous mishap, which stemmed from an external publication error, this current issue appears to be rooted within Microsoft’s own management framework.
Imagine the bewilderment of users who sit down at their computers only to discover a completely new operating system awaiting them. The challenges faced by helpdesk teams and system administrators in these scenarios are certainly not to be underestimated.
For Microsoft, the identification of a “latent code issue” raises concerns about potential hidden vulnerabilities within its software stack. This situation prompts a critical inquiry: What other latent issues might still be lurking, poised to disrupt operations or inadvertently push unwanted updates onto customer devices?
We appreciate the insights shared by Register reader Gerry and encourage others to share their experiences with Microsoft products, whether in confidence or openly, as these stories continue to unfold.