Microsoft has addressed critical issues in Windows 11 following disruptions caused by the January 2026 security updates. The update triggered shutdown and sign-in failures across multiple systems.
Emergency Fix Details
On 2026-01-XX, Microsoft released emergency updates to fix two major issues affecting Windows 11 versions 23H2, 24H2, and 25H2. A shutdown failure was resolved in Windows 11 23H2 via update KB5077797. Additionally, update KB5077744 addressed remote desktop connection failures in Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2. This swift action by Microsoft evidences their prompt response to pressing security needs.
Reports confirm that Microsoft acknowledged these problems shortly after the release of their monthly security patches. The company also admitted that a crashing issue in Outlook Classic remains unresolved, although a temporary workaround involves restarting the app.
Unresolved Issues and Next Steps
Despite the emergency updates, users continue to experience some unpatched problems. Notable issues include a black screen prior to the appearance of a cursor, desktop backgrounds resetting to black, and malfunction in File Explorer's desktop.ini functionality.
Microsoft plans to address these remaining issues with future patches. Their commitment to resolving such matters promptly aims to restore user trust and system stability.
In addition, challenges with Outlook Classic for older POP accounts result in application freezes, creating potential risks to email databases.
