As the clock strikes 17:30 on a typical weekday, many find themselves in the familiar routine of packing up for the day. Just before stepping out, a quick click on ‘update and shutdown’ seems like the perfect way to ensure a smooth exit. However, the all-too-common frustration arises when the computer unexpectedly reboots instead of shutting down. This minor inconvenience, while not exactly a horror story, has been a persistent annoyance for Windows users over the years.
Resolution on the Horizon
Fortunately, relief is on the way. According to reports from Windows Latest, the long-standing glitch that causes PCs to reboot instead of shutting down after an update is set to be addressed in the upcoming Windows 11 25H2 Build 26200.7019 and Windows 11 24H2 Build 26100.7019. This fix will be included in Microsoft’s regular Patch Tuesday update, scheduled for November 11.
The update, identified as KB5067036, includes a noteworthy enhancement: “Improved: Addressed underlying issue which can cause ‘Update and shutdown’ to not actually shut down your PC after updating.” This change promises to bring a much-needed resolution to users who have faced the inconvenience of a laptop battery draining overnight or an unexpected increase in their electricity bills due to a desktop left running longer than intended.
For those intrigued by the mechanics behind this glitch, Windows Latest offers an insightful theory. When a user selects ‘update and shutdown,’ the system must perform at least one reboot to install the necessary updates. This process requires the computer to enter an offline servicing phase, during which it displays a black screen indicating that it is ‘working on updates.’ Unfortunately, the command to shut down does not persist through this reboot phase, resulting in the machine booting back to the login screen instead of powering down.
While the exact reason for this command being overlooked remains unclear, the forthcoming updates should ensure that machines will indeed shut down as intended after updates are applied, bringing a sense of relief to users everywhere.
