Microsoft’s latest updates for Windows 11 24H2, specifically the April cumulative update KB5055523 and the March preview update KB5053656, have stirred up significant issues by causing blue screen crashes (BSODs) with error code 0x18B indicating a SECURE_KERNEL_ERROR. These crashes occur on devices running Windows 11 24H2 after installing either patch and rebooting the system. The problem reflects an ongoing struggle Microsoft faces with maintaining update stability, particularly as the company rapidly rolls out features and security patches amid a complex ecosystem of hardware and third-party software.
Around April 2025, users of Windows 11 24H2 began reporting blue screen crashes following installations of the cumulative update KB5055523 and the earlier preview patch KB5053656. Microsoft’s documentation acknowledges the issue but remains sparse on technical details that might illuminate the root cause. Instead, the company has recommended a workaround mitigation and implemented a Known Issue Rollback (KIR) to quietly undo the faulty patches without requiring manual user intervention.
The error code 0x18B, associated with a SECURE_KERNEL_ERROR, indicates a problem with low-level system security components, possibly tied to kernel integrity features or secure boot mechanisms. This sort of fault can cause immediate system instability and effectively block affected devices from functioning correctly after updates.
For personal or unmanaged Windows 11 24H2 systems, KIR applies automatically when connected to Windows Update servers, though it may take up to 24 hours, and a reboot can expedite the process. However, in managed IT environments, administrators must download and deploy a Group Policy .msi package from Microsoft to enable the rollback via Group Policy Editor, followed by restarting machines to apply the mitigation.
To address this, Microsoft rolled out a critical BIOS update via Windows Update. For affected ASUS users, applying this update is essential to avoid BSODs during upgrade attempts. Microsoft strongly recommends against manual overrides or registry tweaks that bypass these safeguards to prevent device bricking.
Furthermore, Microsoft has implemented “compatibility holds” to block devices with known hardware or driver conflicts from receiving the 24H2 update until fixes are validated—this includes machines with Dirac Audio software conflicts causing audio output loss across speakers and Bluetooth, also halting the update.
Investigations suggest this folder creation is a benign side effect tied to dormant or partially activated web service dependencies in Windows 11, possibly related to infrastructure supporting upcoming AI features like Copilot+. Although unusual, this is considered by many experts to be harmless, more a consequence of system service updates rather than malware or a vulnerability.
In the case of Windows 11 24H2, the push to advance with Copilot AI integration and other enhancements is laudable. However, it sometimes comes at the cost of stability, especially for managed environments with complex third-party software layers or older hardware.
The Known Issue Rollback system stands out as a pragmatic tool to mitigate fallout by rolling back problematic changes quietly. This is a clear evolution from prior eras where fixes required manual uninstalls or system restore points, often intimidating non-technical users.
Enterprise IT departments managing fleets of Windows 11 24H2 devices should prioritize deploying the Group Policy KIR package from Microsoft to ensure rapid rollback capabilities across their networks. It is also critical to apply BIOS updates for known affected hardware like ASUS laptops and cautiously validate the compatibility of third-party security or audio software before pushing updates broadly.
Additionally, given ongoing challenges with USB audio, Remote Desktop, and third-party apps like Easy Anti-Cheat, IT teams need to maintain tight monitoring of Microsoft’s Windows Health Dashboard and vendor channels for new fixes and guidance.
The blue screen crashes triggered by KB5055523 and KB5053656 are serious but manageable with Microsoft’s Known Issue Rollback mechanism and targeted BIOS patches. Nevertheless, they serve to remind users and IT admins that even industry titans face limits in guaranteeing bug-free software at scale.
The good news is Microsoft’s growing responsiveness—transparent issue documentation, automatic rollback mechanisms, and ongoing vendor collaboration—illustrates commitment to stability and user trust, even as Windows evolves rapidly to embrace AI-driven futures.
For now, cautious update adoption combined with staying informed through official channels and community forums is the best approach for navigating this complex Windows 11 landscape.
This assessment draws upon a comprehensive analysis of recent user reports, Microsoft communications, and IT forum discussions stored in WindowsForum.com’s database and the originating article from The Register .
Source: March, April Windows 11 updates cause BSOD pain for users
The Problem with KB5055523 and KB5053656
Around April 2025, users of Windows 11 24H2 began reporting blue screen crashes following installations of the cumulative update KB5055523 and the earlier preview patch KB5053656. Microsoft’s documentation acknowledges the issue but remains sparse on technical details that might illuminate the root cause. Instead, the company has recommended a workaround mitigation and implemented a Known Issue Rollback (KIR) to quietly undo the faulty patches without requiring manual user intervention.The error code 0x18B, associated with a SECURE_KERNEL_ERROR, indicates a problem with low-level system security components, possibly tied to kernel integrity features or secure boot mechanisms. This sort of fault can cause immediate system instability and effectively block affected devices from functioning correctly after updates.
What is Known Issue Rollback (KIR)?
KIR is a mechanism Microsoft introduced in 2021 to address malfunctioning non-security updates by enabling a remote rollback of problem patches via Windows Update. This allows Microsoft to deliver patches remotely without requiring users or IT administrators to perform complicated manual uninstall procedures.For personal or unmanaged Windows 11 24H2 systems, KIR applies automatically when connected to Windows Update servers, though it may take up to 24 hours, and a reboot can expedite the process. However, in managed IT environments, administrators must download and deploy a Group Policy .msi package from Microsoft to enable the rollback via Group Policy Editor, followed by restarting machines to apply the mitigation.
Broader Impact and the Context of Windows 11 24H2 Update Challenges
These blue screen crashes are not isolated incidents but part of wider quality control challenges Microsoft has encountered with Windows 11 updates. In recent months, the company has released updates introducing bugs across varied functionalities:- Printers spitting gibberish post-update on ARM-based Copilot+ PCs, causing Microsoft to halt updates for affected devices.
- USB audio devices malfunctioning or audio spiking to 100%, as seen with Creative Sound Blaster DACs, tied to the AudioEndpointBuilder service.
- Broken synchronization issues with OneDrive apps on Windows and macOS persisting for over 10 months.
- Easy Anti-Cheat app causing BSODs on systems with Intel Alder Lake+ processors.
- Remote Desktop Protocol disconnecting after 65 seconds on Windows 11 24H2 during UDP sessions.
- Blue screen crashes on ASUS X415KA and X515KA laptops during 24H2 installation due to hardware compatibility problems, requiring a critical BIOS update jointly delivered by Microsoft and ASUS.
Specifics: ASUS BIOS Update and Hardware Compatibility Holds
One prominent example of Microsoft’s update troubles surrounds ASUS laptops, specifically the Vivobook 14 and 15 (models X415KA and X515KA). These users experienced blue screens that prevented the upgrade to Windows 11 24H2 completing successfully. Microsoft and ASUS collaborated to identify that outdated BIOS firmware was the culprit, linked to certain Intel Pentium Silver and Celeron processors in these models.To address this, Microsoft rolled out a critical BIOS update via Windows Update. For affected ASUS users, applying this update is essential to avoid BSODs during upgrade attempts. Microsoft strongly recommends against manual overrides or registry tweaks that bypass these safeguards to prevent device bricking.
Furthermore, Microsoft has implemented “compatibility holds” to block devices with known hardware or driver conflicts from receiving the 24H2 update until fixes are validated—this includes machines with Dirac Audio software conflicts causing audio output loss across speakers and Bluetooth, also halting the update.
The Curious Case of the “inetpub” Folder
In addition to crashes, KB5055523 mysteriously creates an “inetpub” folder on the system drive after installation. Traditionally associated with Internet Information Services (IIS), this folder appears empty and is owned by the SYSTEM account, causing confusion among users who have not enabled IIS on their machines.Investigations suggest this folder creation is a benign side effect tied to dormant or partially activated web service dependencies in Windows 11, possibly related to infrastructure supporting upcoming AI features like Copilot+. Although unusual, this is considered by many experts to be harmless, more a consequence of system service updates rather than malware or a vulnerability.
Microsoft’s Update Strategy: Rapid Feature Push Meets Real-World Complexity
Microsoft’s aggressive update cadence, designed to introduce artificial intelligence features, security patches, and performance enhancements, inevitably leads to real-world test cases exposing fragile interactions between new code and diverse hardware/software environments.In the case of Windows 11 24H2, the push to advance with Copilot AI integration and other enhancements is laudable. However, it sometimes comes at the cost of stability, especially for managed environments with complex third-party software layers or older hardware.
The Known Issue Rollback system stands out as a pragmatic tool to mitigate fallout by rolling back problematic changes quietly. This is a clear evolution from prior eras where fixes required manual uninstalls or system restore points, often intimidating non-technical users.
Recommendations for Windows 11 24H2 Users and IT Admins
For general users, the best advice is to keep systems updated and watch for automatic rollbacks if problems arise after installing April’s patch KB5055523 or March’s KB5053656. Rebooting after detection can speed the mitigation application.Enterprise IT departments managing fleets of Windows 11 24H2 devices should prioritize deploying the Group Policy KIR package from Microsoft to ensure rapid rollback capabilities across their networks. It is also critical to apply BIOS updates for known affected hardware like ASUS laptops and cautiously validate the compatibility of third-party security or audio software before pushing updates broadly.
Additionally, given ongoing challenges with USB audio, Remote Desktop, and third-party apps like Easy Anti-Cheat, IT teams need to maintain tight monitoring of Microsoft’s Windows Health Dashboard and vendor channels for new fixes and guidance.
Conclusion: Progress Amid Growing Pains
Microsoft’s recent Windows 11 24H2 updates embody the classic tension in modern software within a complex ecosystem: an imperative to innovate, patch security holes, and deliver new user experiences balanced against the risk of destabilizing users’ computing environments.The blue screen crashes triggered by KB5055523 and KB5053656 are serious but manageable with Microsoft’s Known Issue Rollback mechanism and targeted BIOS patches. Nevertheless, they serve to remind users and IT admins that even industry titans face limits in guaranteeing bug-free software at scale.
The good news is Microsoft’s growing responsiveness—transparent issue documentation, automatic rollback mechanisms, and ongoing vendor collaboration—illustrates commitment to stability and user trust, even as Windows evolves rapidly to embrace AI-driven futures.
For now, cautious update adoption combined with staying informed through official channels and community forums is the best approach for navigating this complex Windows 11 landscape.
This assessment draws upon a comprehensive analysis of recent user reports, Microsoft communications, and IT forum discussions stored in WindowsForum.com’s database and the originating article from The Register .
Source: March, April Windows 11 updates cause BSOD pain for users
