Microsoft Update KB5041585 Causes Performance Issues for Users

Microsoft's Latest Windows Update Sparks Performance Woes

Last week, Microsoft rolled out the KB5041585 cumulative update for Windows, which was intended to deliver a suite of enhancements and security patches, including a fix for the notorious BitLocker BSOD issue. However, this update has seemingly followed a troubling trend observed throughout the year, as it has introduced significant performance issues for many users.

Reports from IT blog Borncity indicate that the KB5041585 patch may cause Windows 11 PCs to experience severe slowdowns, primarily due to an alarming increase in CPU usage. Furthermore, some users have encountered installation failures, leading to a wave of complaints surfacing on social media platforms, including a notable thread on Reddit.

One user shared their frustration, stating, “This problem started as soon as the updates installed this morning. Any slightly heavy applications, such as Adobe Photoshop or Audition, or games like Diablo and World of Warcraft keep crashing, and this is the only change this PC has experienced since last month’s updates.” This sentiment echoes across various forums, with many users reporting that their CPUs are consistently maxed out at 100%, resulting in sluggish performance and frequent application timeouts.

What to do if you’re affected

For those grappling with these issues, the immediate solution involves navigating to Settings > Windows Update > Update history. From there, users should scroll down to select Uninstall updates and click Uninstall next to the KB5041585 update. However, it’s crucial to note that uninstalling this update is not advisable, as it addresses several security vulnerabilities.

As an alternative, users may find some relief by disabling Control Flow Guard. This can be accomplished by accessing Windows Security, selecting App & browser control, scrolling to Exploit protection, and adjusting the Control flow guard (CFG) setting to Off by default. Yet, caution is warranted here, as Control Flow Guard is a vital security feature that protects against memory corruption exploits. If this option is disabled, users should ensure it is re-enabled once a proper fix is available to avoid exposing their systems to potential threats.

While Microsoft is rumored to be aware of the ongoing issues and is reportedly working on a resolution, the official support page for this patch maintains that “Microsoft is not currently aware of any issues with this update.” In the meantime, users are left navigating the complexities of their systems, hoping for a swift and effective remedy.

Also in this patch: Windows update breaks Linux dual-boot setups

This information was originally published in our sister publication, PC-WELT, and has been translated and localized from German.

Author: Hans-Christian Dirscherl, Managing Editor, PC-WELT

Hans-Christian Dirscherl has been immersed in the world of IT for over 25 years, beginning with Autoexec.bat and config.sys, Turbo-Pascal and C, Sinix and Wordperfect. His extensive experience spans a wide array of IT topics, including news, reviews, and buying guides.