Windows 11 KB5043145: Users Face BSOD, USB Failures & Update Nightmares

Windows 11 KB5043145 has swiftly transitioned from a routine update to a troubled saga worthy of a horror flick—complete with technological terrors like the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) and a Green Screen of Death (GSOD). If you've been gaming your way through the weekend or attempting a drone delivery with your mouse and keyboard, brace yourself: this update may throw you right back to the stone age of computing.

BSOD Madness: The Aftermath of KB5043145​

Reports of users facing complete system failures after installing KB5043145 have flooded forums and the Feedback Hub. Microsoft has confirmed these woes, advising users that this non-mandatory update was intended to enhance system performance but has instead thrown a wrench into the gears of many systems, particularly impacting Asus TUF and ROG laptop users.

Boot Loops and Recovery If You’re Lucky​

Picture it: you hit that restart button, and instead of the welcome screen, you’re greeted with a boot loop more persistent than your high school reminding you about missing assignments. Some users found themselves stuck in an automatic repair mode—a maddening loop of hope and despair, while others couldn’t even venture past their system's BIOS settings. It truly feels like Windows is taking you on a bizarre journey through the realm of what could go wrong.
Affected devices sometimes required users to key in their BitLocker recovery password just to get a glimmer of hope on their screens. As Microsoft continues to investigate the situation, users have been left contemplating their operating system futures—are they too far gone to roll back?

Unplug, Reboot, Start Again​

For those lucky enough to access the recovery screen, uninstallation of the update was necessary. If you think this sounds as simple as a quick click, think again. Users reported non-functional keyboards causing more headaches than a Friday night binge session. A user even shared a harrowing tale of disconnecting their power supply and darting back into BIOS—talk about a technical thriller!

USB Revelation: Mouse and Keyboard Dysfunction​

Yet, the nightmares don’t end at boot issues. Followers of the update saga report additional horror stories where their USB ports seemingly turned into ancient ruins—neither mouse nor keyboard could be recognized by the system.
Feedback from an Intel NUC owner highlights this issue. These Zasky-593 models, especially those with N6005 and N5105 chips, confirmed their plight, but it appears manufacturing isn’t a fault line; even Asus laptops joined the ranks of the USB-undead. One irate user even declared their intention to return to Fedora—would we ever see them again?

WSL 2: A Doorway to Nowhere​

Venturing beyond peripherals, the WSL 2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) has also faced its share of troubles post-update. Users of AMD systems discovered that WSL 2 failed to open, leading to connection timeout errors. Luckily, Microsoft is on the case, and users can check the Microsoft Store for updates specifically addressing these concerns.

WiFi Woes and Contextual Frustrations​

As if this saga were not enough, WiFi connection options disappeared and context menus reverted to Windows 10 styles. One can’t help but wonder—is the slow march back to Windows 10 just around the corner? While some may take these frustrations lightly, for many, it feels like an unending struggle for functionality in this supposed upgrade.

How to Escape This Update Nightmare​

If you’re currently trapped in this terrible update cycle, fear not; there are ways out! Here’s how to uninstall the update if you can access the recovery menu:

1. Upon booting, repeatedly press F11 until the recovery menu appears.
2. Select Troubleshoot.
3. Choose Advanced options.
4. Select Uninstall Updates and confirm your choice.

For the adventurous, a quick journey into the Command Prompt would involve:
Reboot your device, and hopefully, your world will return to normal—at least until the next update rolls around.

Reflect and Engage​

Have you encountered these issues after succumbing to the charms of KB5043145? Or perhaps you've concocted your redemption tale? Share your experiences below and join the ongoing dialogues over these troubling updates. What are your tech survival strategies in the face of Windows updates gone awry?
Windows 11 users have a rocky road ahead, and together we must navigate the trials and tribulations of these updates. Will we emerge victorious, or will we remain prisoners of our screens?
Stay tuned for more insights as we unravel the chaos of Windows 11.
Source: Windows Latest Windows 11 KB5043145 BSODs PCs, breaks mouse, keyboard, WSL 2, WiFi