Windows 11 January 2025 Updates: Key Fixes and Known Issues

Kickstart the new year by making sure your Windows 11 system is up to date, but proceed with caution, as Microsoft's January 2025 Patch Tuesday updates—KB5050009 and KB5050021—come with a few pointers to consider carefully. These updates, while mandatory for security and stability, bring a mixture of fixes, known issues, and (if you’re not careful) potential headaches for specific users. Let's unravel everything you need to know about these updates, including why they're crucial and how to dodge some of the bumps Microsoft has identified along the way.

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What Do These Updates Cover?​

These Patch Tuesday updates have arrived to tackle vulnerabilities across Windows 11 versions 24H2, 23H2, and 22H2. Broadly speaking, they enhance security and fold in improvements rolled out in previous updates. Here’s the breakdown:

• KB5050009 (Build 26100.2894): This version specifically targets Windows 11 24H2 users. It incorporates all fixes introduced in the December 2024 cumulative update (KB5048667) and addresses new security concerns.
• KB5050021 (Builds 22631.4751 and 22621.4751): Tailored for those running 23H2 and 22H2, this update brings similar security enhancements for these versions.

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Security Focus​

The mandatory nature of these updates stems from the fact that they address various vulnerabilities across all affected versions of Windows 11. Patch Tuesday updates ensure a safer ecosystem by shoring up weaknesses in the OS architecture. Although the granular details of which vulnerabilities were patched haven’t been released by Microsoft (a common practice to avoid tipping off bad actors), installing these updates remains critical for protecting your data and system integrity.

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The (Extensive) List of Known Issues​

As always, no update is without its share of quirks—and these are no exception. Before you go clicking that "Update Now" button, here’s a rundown of the known issues you might encounter.

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1. Roblox Gets Stuck on ARM Devices​

If you’re using an ARM-based Windows device and are trying to enjoy some Roblox from the Microsoft Store, bad news: this update introduces an issue where downloading and playing Roblox becomes impossible. Don’t fret just yet; you can still play by downloading the game directly from Roblox’s official site. Still, this raises questions about compatibility testing, especially for apps popular among younger audiences.

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2. OpenSSH Service Fails to Start​

For advanced users employing OpenSSH for secure shell access, brace yourself: following the installation of October 2024’s security update, some have reported that the SSHD service fails to start. There’s no detailed logging, leaving users scratching their heads. This affects enterprise, IoT, and education customers—but could potentially impact consumer systems as well.
Temporary Fix?
You can manually intervene by updating ACL (Access Control List) permissions on the affected directories. That’ll get you SSH access back until Microsoft rolls out a permanent solution.

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3. Citrix Session Recording Agent Blocks Updates​

If you're running Citrix’s Session Recording Agent (version 2411), expect some drama. Devices running this version may initially download the updates, only to revert them upon installation with a classic “Something didn’t go as planned” error. The device then undoes the January 2025 update like nothing ever happened.

• Who’s Affected? This applies mostly to enterprise setups, so casual or home users can breathe easy.
• Solution: Citrix has released documentation on how to skirt around this issue. It involves some workaround steps prior to applying the update.

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4. Brightness Issues in Sunlight Mode​

If your device flaunts a “Sunlight Mode” feature for adaptive brightness, you might notice it behaving… abnormally. After enabling/disabling Sunlight Mode, the brightness level might refuse to return to its original state—a small but pesky inconvenience.

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5. Calendar Flyout on Taskbar Messes with Dates​

Another annoyance rears its head for multi-monitor setups: the taskbar calendar flyout occasionally displays the wrong day after you select a date on secondary monitors. While not catastrophic, it’s one of those issues that can needle away at productivity users.

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How to Get the Updates​

Option 1: Automatic Update via Windows Update​

The easiest route is automatic. Ensure your system is set to install updates as they become available. For most, this approach minimizes disruption while addressing the biggest vulnerabilities immediately.

Option 2: Manual Download​

For those with highly customized setups, downloading the updates manually may be a better option. Microsoft has made the updates accessible via its Microsoft Update Catalog. This way, you can control how and when the updates are implemented, giving you a chance to perform mitigations (e.g., Citrix workarounds) first.

• 24H2 (KB5050009) users can find the manual update.
• 23H2 and 22H2 (KB5050021) users should seek the appropriate file as per their build configuration.

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Impact on Enterprise vs. Home Users​

• Enterprise: These updates highlight potential disruptions for IT teams managing hundreds (or thousands) of devices, especially concerning services like OpenSSH and Citrix applications. Testing updates in controlled environments before widespread rollout will be crucial.
• Home Users: While the issues above may impact casual users less, the ARM/Roblox compatibility snag and Sunlight Mode bug could frustrate specific users. The key takeaway is that the average home setup likely won’t experience critical breakage, but vigilance is still encouraged.

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Final Thoughts: Should You Update?​

If there’s one thing malware developers love, it’s Windows users procrastinating on Patch Tuesday updates. These patches are designed to nip potential threats in the bud, so updating sooner rather than later is always advisable. At the same time, being forewarned about potential snags in your system lets you prepare accordingly.
The Smart Approach

1. Back up your system before installing major updates.
2. Check whether your system and the software you rely on are likely to be impacted.
3. If you encounter trouble, refer to Microsoft and third-party documentation for solutions—or come back to WindowsForum.com for guidance and support!

So, hop on over to Settings > Windows Update or snag the manual download. But for those with specialized setups, maybe hold a magnifying glass up to those release notes one last time before you dive in.
What’s your take? Encountered any bad bugs or found ingenious fixes? Jump into the discussion and share your experiences or questions with the community!

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Source: Windows Report The January 2025 Patch Tuesday Updates for Windows 11 - KB5050009, KB5050021 - are here, and they have a lot of known issues