Troubles with Windows 11 KB5048685 Update: Issues & Solutions

If you were hoping for a smooth end to 2024 with your Windows 11 PC, well, Microsoft might’ve dropped the proverbial lump of coal into your digital stocking. The KB5048685 update, rolled out as part of December’s Patch Tuesday, has turned into a whirlwind of troubles for many users across devices running Windows 11 versions 22H2, 23H2, and even some cases involving 24H2. From a paralyzed Start Menu to Wi-Fi mishaps, installation failures that stop at 60%, and restart loops—this update is shaping up to be a textbook case of unpredictable software woes.
Let's break it down, dissect the situation, and offer some insights into what’s really going on—and how you might endure or escape the chaos.

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What Went Wrong with KB5048685?​

Imagine diligently clicking "Update & Restart," only to end up stuck in a system limbo where you wonder if the update was worth the trouble. The issues with the KB5048685 patch seem to fall into several major categories:

1. The Start Menu Freeze Dilemma​

The Start Menu—arguably one of the most critical layers of interacting with Windows—is reportedly unresponsive within certain Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) environments. Citrix, a major player in virtualization, issued a support guidance formulated around this issue. Users attempting to work within Windows 11 VDI sessions note that the Start Menu goes utterly dead after KB5048685 is installed.

Citrix Workaround​

Citrix has suggested a registry tweak:

• Navigate to HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\CtxUvi.
• Edit the UviProcessExcludes value.
• Append "StartMenuExper;" to the string (don't forget the semi-colon!).
• Reboot the machine.

It sounds easy, but tampering with the registry isn’t something casual users should attempt without caution. Even a small misstep in the registry can snowball into bigger headaches.

2. Installation Stalls at 60-70%​

What's worse than waiting for an update? Watching your update freeze at 62.3% progress with no apparent resolution. Threads on Microsoft forums are ablaze with frustrated users describing this specific phenomenon. Despite pulling out every trick in the book—running sfc /scannow, executing Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) commands like /RestoreHealth, and even trying the manual installer from the Microsoft Update Catalog—many users find themselves back at square one.
In some of the grimmer narratives, the update processes to "100%" only to fail with error code 0x80070002, which signifies a missing file or broken installation reference during the update.

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3. The Infamous Restart Loop​

Living in tech purgatory takes on new meaning when your system prompts you to restart again and again but never actually finishes the update. One particularly frustrated user recounts a frustrating "Groundhog Day" scenario with their device where the update never acknowledges the completion of the reboot cycle.
This restart-loop bug further compounds the installation issues, creating a scenario where novice users may believe their hardware is defective. Spoiler: it’s not your laptop’s fault.

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4. Wi-Fi Behaving Badly​

Wi-Fi connectivity, a cornerstone of modern functionality, is also reportedly taking a hit. Post-update, users are unable to connect to the internet, despite all other devices on their networks working fine. Resetting the network stack with commands like ipconfig /flushdns or using Windows' built-in troubleshooters doesn't appear to yield lasting results.
Pro clue: This connectivity loss resembles similar issues caused by driver-level misconfigurations, wherein older versions of wireless card drivers conflict with newly integrated patch components.

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Why Does This Keep Happening?​

Microsoft, in its defense, deals with a staggeringly broad ecosystem of hardware and third-party software. Rolling updates to a global OS undoubtedly invites a Pandora’s box of potential errors. That said, there are still systemic issues underpinning patches like KB5048685:

• Incompatibility with OEM Modifications:
  Devices from companies like Dell and HP often ship with slightly tweaked builds of Windows to optimize their hardware. This can inadvertently break when new patches assume a totally "clean slate" Windows ecosystem.
• Insufficient QA Testing for Specific Configurations:
  Testing common use-cases is one thing, but testing the real world universe of use cases (everything from VDI setups to USB installation dependencies) is another. Bugs slipping past QA isn't new, but the scale here is worrying.
• Error Code 0x80070002 Marker:
  This code often points to outdated or incomplete update files. It pains me to say this, but yes, Microsoft itself can sometimes push corrupt or conflicting update packages, and you're left holding the bag.

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How to Fix or Work Around KB5048685 Issues​

Here are some actionable steps to troubleshoot if you're affected:

Step 1: Uninstall KB5048685​

1. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Update History.
2. Scroll down to Uninstall Updates.
3. Select KB5048685 from the list and hit uninstall.

Step 2: Revert to a System Restore Point​

If uninstallation doesn’t cut it:

1. Restart into Advanced Setup Mode (Hold Shift while clicking "Restart").
2. Select System Restore.
3. Choose a restore point predating the KB5048685 install.

Step 3: For Persistent Start Menu Freezes​

• Apply the aforementioned Citrix registry modification if relevant.
• Alternatively, consider rolling back to Windows 23H1/22H2 until Microsoft issues a hotfix.

Step 4: Wi-Fi Related Problems​

• Update or rollback your Wi-Fi driver in Device Manager (devmgmt.msc).
• Or post-update, try:
  

  bash
  netsh winsock reset
  ipconfig /release
  ipconfig /renew
  ipconfig /flushdns

  Reboot your machine for good measure.

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The Bigger Picture​

This debacle raises the question: Are cumulative updates becoming too complex for mass deployment? Microsoft might need to rethink patch strategies to avoid alienating its user base. Regular users shouldn’t have to arm themselves with DISM commands or registry hacks just to keep their systems functional.
Pro Tip for the Future: If you’re constantly haunted by buggy Windows updates, it might be wise to pause updates for a while on major Patch Tuesdays. Let others be the crash-test dummies while Microsoft iron outs the initial kinks.

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What’s Next from Microsoft?​

While these bugs have yet to receive a proper acknowledgment (or timeline) from Microsoft for a definitive fix, you can expect one of the following resolutions soon:

• A revised version of KB5048685 (let’s call it KB5048685.1).
• A rollback for affected devices.
• Or even a hastily issued emergency hotfix dropped through Windows Update.

For now, keep an eye on Microsoft's official support page and the forums at WindowsForum.com for the latest workarounds and news.
Feeling the KB5048685 pain? Share your story or solutions on the forum below—the collective wisdom of frustrated users is often better than waiting for an official fix!

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Source: Neowin Windows 11 KB5048685 bugs break Start menu, Wi-Fi, gets stuck installing and restarting