Microsoft’s recent updates for Windows 11, particularly version 24H2, continue a turbulent tradition of releases that sometimes cause as many problems as they solve. Two cumulative updates — the March preview update KB5053656 and the April cumulative update KB5055523 — have been reported to cause blue screen crashes (BSODs) on devices running Windows 11 24H2. Users encountering these crashes see the error code 0x18B, which signals a SECURE_KERNEL_ERROR, a serious kernel-level fault that halts the system. Microsoft’s response so far has been to acknowledge the issue without revealing much detail and to work on a mitigation roll-out rather than an immediate fix.
These blue screen exceptions appear shortly after either update is installed and the system is restarted. The SECURE_KERNEL_ERROR traces to secure kernel operations, hinting at deep compatibility or code-level conflicts introduced by these updates in the secure part of the Windows OS kernel space. The exact triggers or the full range of affected hardware and software environments have not been fully disclosed by Microsoft. However, users and organizations running Windows 11 24H2 on personal or unmanaged devices are experiencing stability issues severe enough to require urgent attention.
The situation is exacerbated by Microsoft's lack of detailed communication or timeline for a permanent fix. This opacity leaves IT administrators and individual users in uncertainty, requiring them to rely on interim solutions distributed by Microsoft.
For personal or unmanaged Windows 11 24H2 installations, the rollback should be automatically delivered through Windows Update, with a potential delay of up to 24 hours. Microsoft suggests rebooting devices to ensure the rollback applies promptly. This reactive solution shields the majority of end users from continued instability but is only a temporary measure.
For IT departments managing fleets of affected devices, the situation is more involved. Administrators must download and deploy a specific Group Policy Object (GPO) package—an MSI file from Microsoft’s update portal—which adds the KIR policy to the Group Policy Editor under Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates. This allows controlled and targeted rollback deployment in enterprise environments. After installing this policy, affected PCs must be restarted to activate the fix.
The Windows 11 24H2 update, marketed as a step forward with intriguing AI-driven features such as the Copilot interface, has proven to be a complicated release. Besides the BSOD problems, various bugs plague the update: Remote Desktop (RDP) session freezes and disconnections, broken support for some hardware components leading to installation blocks (notably Asus laptops experiencing BSOD on upgrade), Windows Hello authentication glitches related to security features, and peripheral malfunctions, including USB printer errors.
Microsoft’s patching approach, which includes disabling or rolling back problematic features or fixes temporarily (e.g., machine password rotation in Credential Guard was disabled in KB5055523), points toward a balancing act: prioritizing system security and stability while integrating rapid feature development and improvement, especially with the rise of AI-powered Windows features.
Moreover, peculiar side-effects, like the unexpected creation of empty "inetpub" folders linked to IIS components by KB5055523, have mystified users. While harmless and likely related to background processes tied to new capabilities such as semantic indexing or Copilot features, such anomalies contribute to user skepticism about the complexity and opacity of Windows update processes.
Users and IT professionals facing these update challenges are advised to install the Known Issue Rollback fix, follow Microsoft’s guidance carefully, and remain vigilant about update timing. For Microsoft, the imperative to improve testing protocols, communication transparency, and fix deployment responsiveness remains paramount as it continues to evolve Windows 11 into an AI-enhanced platform without fracturing user trust or productivity.
This latest chapter in Windows 11’s update saga serves as a candid reminder: when juggling innovation and reliability on a platform as vast as Windows, even the biggest tech giants can stumble. Yet the tools and responses Microsoft has in place, such as KIR, provide a pathway to remediate these missteps while the journey to a more stable and intelligent Windows continues forward.
Source: March, April Windows 11 updates cause BSOD pain for users
The Problem and Its Scope
These blue screen exceptions appear shortly after either update is installed and the system is restarted. The SECURE_KERNEL_ERROR traces to secure kernel operations, hinting at deep compatibility or code-level conflicts introduced by these updates in the secure part of the Windows OS kernel space. The exact triggers or the full range of affected hardware and software environments have not been fully disclosed by Microsoft. However, users and organizations running Windows 11 24H2 on personal or unmanaged devices are experiencing stability issues severe enough to require urgent attention.The situation is exacerbated by Microsoft's lack of detailed communication or timeline for a permanent fix. This opacity leaves IT administrators and individual users in uncertainty, requiring them to rely on interim solutions distributed by Microsoft.
Microsoft's Workaround: Known Issue Rollback (KIR)
Instead of immediately issuing another cumulative update to fix the blue screen crashes, Microsoft has opted to use a tool known as Known Issue Rollback (KIR), which was introduced in 2021. KIR allows Microsoft to quietly undo problematic non-security updates on user systems without requiring explicit user interaction or a complex patch deployment.For personal or unmanaged Windows 11 24H2 installations, the rollback should be automatically delivered through Windows Update, with a potential delay of up to 24 hours. Microsoft suggests rebooting devices to ensure the rollback applies promptly. This reactive solution shields the majority of end users from continued instability but is only a temporary measure.
For IT departments managing fleets of affected devices, the situation is more involved. Administrators must download and deploy a specific Group Policy Object (GPO) package—an MSI file from Microsoft’s update portal—which adds the KIR policy to the Group Policy Editor under Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates. This allows controlled and targeted rollback deployment in enterprise environments. After installing this policy, affected PCs must be restarted to activate the fix.
A Pattern of Patch Problems
This recent wave of issues highlights ongoing systemic problems with Windows update quality assurance. Microsoft has built a reputation in recent years for pushing updates that sometimes degrade stability or disrupt critical functionality. Recent months have seen updates that caused USB audio device failures, forced printers to generate random nonsensical printouts, locked users out of their accounts, and generated misleading success messages on failed installations. Even long-standing issues like OneDrive synchronization bugs affecting both Windows and macOS users have persisted for over ten months without resolution.The Windows 11 24H2 update, marketed as a step forward with intriguing AI-driven features such as the Copilot interface, has proven to be a complicated release. Besides the BSOD problems, various bugs plague the update: Remote Desktop (RDP) session freezes and disconnections, broken support for some hardware components leading to installation blocks (notably Asus laptops experiencing BSOD on upgrade), Windows Hello authentication glitches related to security features, and peripheral malfunctions, including USB printer errors.
Challenges for IT and Users
The dual nature of KIR—mostly automatic for personal users but requiring manual intervention for IT-managed systems—puts additional pressure on IT departments. They must swiftly identify affected machines, deploy the rollback using Group Policies, and confirm stability improvements. Remote Desktop problems have specifically disrupted workflow productivity in remote and hybrid work environments, underscoring the operational risks that such update bugs pose to enterprises.Microsoft’s patching approach, which includes disabling or rolling back problematic features or fixes temporarily (e.g., machine password rotation in Credential Guard was disabled in KB5055523), points toward a balancing act: prioritizing system security and stability while integrating rapid feature development and improvement, especially with the rise of AI-powered Windows features.
The User Experience and Looking Forward
For users, the experience can be frustrating and confidence-eroding. The streaming pace of updates with intermittent regressions means users must weigh the urgency of applying security patches against the risk of encountering new bugs. Those using affected Asus laptops, for example, are advised not to force updates manually to avoid BSODs—a reminder that hardware-software compatibility remains a critical concern in the update lifecycle.Moreover, peculiar side-effects, like the unexpected creation of empty "inetpub" folders linked to IIS components by KB5055523, have mystified users. While harmless and likely related to background processes tied to new capabilities such as semantic indexing or Copilot features, such anomalies contribute to user skepticism about the complexity and opacity of Windows update processes.
Broader Reflections on Windows Update Stability
Windows updates provide essential security and functionality improvements, but their disruptive side-effects reveal underlying challenges:- Testing and Quality Assurance: The breadth of hardware, software, and use cases Windows supports makes exhaustive testing difficult but mandatory to prevent disruption.
- User Communication: Microsoft’s typically sparse communication on update issues leaves many in the dark, undermining trust.
- Rollback Mechanisms: The Known Issue Rollback system is a powerful tool, but reliance on it highlights the inevitability of post-release issues with complex software.
- Enterprise vs. Consumer Impact: Enterprises face higher administrative burdens, highlighting the need for robust management tools and communications to handle update-induced disruptions.
- Long-Term Stability vs. Innovation: The push to integrate AI and new features into Windows must be carefully balanced against the stability expectations of users.
Conclusion
Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 24H2 updates illustrate both the promise and peril of modern software maintenance at scale. While the regular influx of security patches and enhancements is crucial—especially in the escalating cybersecurity landscape—recent patches have presented significant stability hurdles. The blue screen crashes triggered by KB5055523 and KB5053656, alongside other update-related disruptions, reinforce the ongoing tension in delivering reliable, feature-rich operating systems without compromising user experience.Users and IT professionals facing these update challenges are advised to install the Known Issue Rollback fix, follow Microsoft’s guidance carefully, and remain vigilant about update timing. For Microsoft, the imperative to improve testing protocols, communication transparency, and fix deployment responsiveness remains paramount as it continues to evolve Windows 11 into an AI-enhanced platform without fracturing user trust or productivity.
This latest chapter in Windows 11’s update saga serves as a candid reminder: when juggling innovation and reliability on a platform as vast as Windows, even the biggest tech giants can stumble. Yet the tools and responses Microsoft has in place, such as KIR, provide a pathway to remediate these missteps while the journey to a more stable and intelligent Windows continues forward.
Source: March, April Windows 11 updates cause BSOD pain for users
