Microsoft has confirmed that the Windows 11 24H2 cumulative update is causing significant disruptions in core shell components, affecting users globally. The issues arise when users sign in after installing the update.
Application and System Failures
The update impacts several processes: explorer.exe, ShellHost.exe, StartMenuExperienceHost, ImmersiveShell, and System Settings. Users report application crashes during XAML view initialization and missing taskbar windows in Explorer.
- Start menu and Settings often fail to launch, citing critical errors or silent failures.
- According to Microsoft, the issue is with XAML packages not registering promptly after the update.
Interim Solutions and Future Updates
Microsoft has shared mitigation steps on its support page, but a complete resolution awaits a future Windows update. This delay has led to user frustration and concerns over potential migration to other operating systems, such as Linux distributions designed for former Windows users.
