Microsoft has issued an emergency patch to address bugs introduced by the January 2026 update in Windows 11 and Windows 10. The patch is now available via Windows Update for affected users.
Introduced Bugs and Systems Affected
The January update, rolled out on 2026-01-13, while resolving over 110 security vulnerabilities, inadvertently introduced significant issues. Key among them is a credential prompt failure affecting remote connections using Microsoft’s Remote Desktop. This impacts Windows 11 25H2, Windows 10 22H2 ESU, and Windows Server 2025. The glitch disrupts authentication for Remote Desktop applications, including on Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365.
A second bug affects Windows 11 version 23H2. PCs with Secure Launch enabled might restart instead of shutting down or entering hibernation after the update. Secure Launch leverages virtualization-based security to guard against firmware threats during startup.
Steps to Mitigate Issues
Microsoft has advised users whose systems are experiencing these specific issues to install the emergency patches through Windows Update. Users can access these updates by navigating to Settings, selecting Update & Security in Windows 10, or Windows Update in Windows 11. IT administrators are required to manage the deployment of these fixes for enterprise-managed PCs.
This swift response by Microsoft reflects a proactive approach in minimizing disruptions for its Windows user base, particularly in professional and server environments where remote connectivity and system reliability are critical.
