You weren’t imagining it: Windows 11’s slow shutdowns are finally fixed

Recent reports from PCWorld highlight a notable issue affecting Windows 11 users: a frustrating delay during the shutdown process. This slowdown, which has been attributed to the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), has prompted Microsoft to release an optional update, KB5095093, aimed at addressing the problem.

Understanding the Update

The BITS service is designed to facilitate background file transfers and ensure that interrupted downloads can resume seamlessly. However, it appears that this service has been taking an excessive amount of time to finalize its processes during shutdown, leading to prolonged wait times for users. Microsoft has officially acknowledged this bug and has provided a solution through the latest update.

According to the update’s support documentation, the primary enhancement focuses on improving the shutdown time of the BITS service:

[General performance] Improves the time to shut down Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) when you turn off your PC.

While users may not experience an instantaneous shutdown after installing this update, it is expected to eliminate the unexpected freezes that have been linked to the BITS service. Additionally, KB5095093 brings forth several other enhancements, particularly in Bluetooth functionality, making it a worthwhile consideration for users seeking improved performance.

It is important to note that this update is classified as optional, meaning users must take the initiative to install it manually. Those eager to benefit from the enhancements can do so via Windows Update or by visiting the Microsoft Update Catalog. For users who prefer to wait, the improvements will be included in July’s main update.

By the way: If you’re currently using Windows 11 Home, you might be missing out on the extensive features available in Windows 11 Pro. For those interested in upgrading, a special offer is available in the PCWorld Software Store, with the Pro version now priced at instead of the usual .

This article has been adapted from content originally published by our sister publication, PC-WELT, and has been translated and localized from German.

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You weren't imagining it: Windows 11's slow shutdowns are finally fixed