Windows 11 KB5043145 Update: Major Issues Force Microsoft to Withdraw

If you’ve recently updated your Windows 11 system to the KB5043145 preview version, it might be time for a double-take! Reports are flooding in from users facing a slew of problems with this latest update, leading Microsoft to pull the update down faster than a kid snatching a cookie from the jar.

Key Takeaways​

• Widespread Issues: The KB5043145 update has been linked to several significant problems, particularly affecting the Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL 2) and causing nasty blue and green screens.
• Update Pulled: Due to these pressing issues, Microsoft has retracted the update entirely, preventing any new installations.
• Workaround Available: Uninstalling the problematic KB5043145 update may alleviate these issues, but it comes with the cost of losing some newly introduced features.

What's Going On?​

In late September 2024, Microsoft released an optional update as part of its ongoing testing with Windows Insiders. While the previous cumulative update, KB5043076, had sailed smoothly, KB5043145 has created quite the headache for many users shortly after its deployment.
Users began reporting issues almost immediately. Among the litany of complaints, many found themselves unable to open WSL 2, encountering a particularly pesky error: “WslRegisterDistribution failed with error: 0x80370109.” A Microsoft employee hinted this bug might affect only selected CPU models, but as of now, no official confirmation has been issued.
Moreover, the update has caused computers to restart randomly and, in worse cases, freeze completely, leading to the dreaded blue or green screens of death. Sixty-four percent of users encountering such issues ended up echoing the sentiment, “What have I done to deserve this?”

The Fallout: Update Withdrawn​

The volume of complaints has been so overwhelming that Microsoft quickly pulled the KB5043145 update from the servers completely. That's right—no more clicking around, searching for the update link; attempting to download it now yields a frustrating 404 error. Some users reported that even when available, the installation process got stuck at 0%. Talk about a coffee break; some folks were enjoying extended vacations as they waited!

Uninstalling the Update: A Necessary Evil?​

For those who bravely ventured into the KB5043145 territory, the only refuge from this storm of issues is to uninstall the update. While uninstalling may revert your system to a more stable state, this comes with the price of missing out on new features introduced by the update—think sharing local files directly from the taskbar's search box and new commands in the account manager.

How to Uninstall the KB5043145 Update:​

1. Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to Windows Update and then to Update history.
3. Scroll to the bottom and select Uninstall updates.
4. Find the KB5043145 entry and click Uninstall.

Remember, you won't be off the hook until you restart your PC!

In Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale​

So here we are, riding the unpredictable waves of software updates. If this latest incident teaches us anything, it's that diving headfirst into pre-release features can lead to unexpected outcomes—like having your computer act out like a moody teenager.
As we gear up for the official October 2024 Patch Tuesday release, it’s best to keep an ear out and perhaps wait a bit before jumping onto those preview updates. After all, a smooth-running system is worth a little patience. Stay tuned to WindowsForum.com for more insights, and let us know your thoughts—did you brave the storm of KB5043145?
Source: XDA Latest Windows 11 preview update sparks widespread issues, forcing Microsoft to pull it back