Cairo: Mai Kamal El-Din
Users of the Windows 11 operating system have recently faced serious issues after installing the optional update released last week, known as KB5043145. These problems have raised widespread concern, with reports indicating that the update has caused system crashes and significant disruptions requiring intervention to fix. According to the “3DNews” portal, many users have complained of being unable to reboot their devices, encountering the infamous “Blue Screen of Death” or “Green Screen of Death” after installing the update.
The “Blue Screen of Death” is one of the clearest signs of a critical system error, appearing when the computer faces a technical problem that the operating system cannot automatically resolve. In this particular update, the issue became so widespread that many users were unable to restore normal system functions. Additionally, reports suggest that the update also caused problems with the BitLocker recovery function, a vital feature that provides full disk encryption to protect personal data.
Multiple Issues Facing Users After the Update
In addition to rebooting and system crashes, users have encountered various other problems with their computers. Some reported that Windows continued to load indefinitely, leading to the automatic activation of the recovery function when attempting to roll back the update. One user noted that their laptop froze on the manufacturer’s logo screen, while the spinning loading circle rotated endlessly.
These issues have affected a wide range of devices and functions. For example, some users complained that their mice, keyboards, and USB ports stopped working entirely after the update, adding to the frustration of using their computers. Other users reported problems with Wi-Fi connectivity, making it difficult to connect to the internet and operate normally. Furthermore, some developers who rely on the Windows Subsystem for Linux, which enables the Linux environment on Windows, reported that it had stopped working altogether, creating significant barriers to their daily work.
Microsoft’s Response and Withdrawal of the Update
After widespread complaints, Microsoft acknowledged the existence of a serious problem in the new update. The company announced that the issue affects computers running Windows 11 versions 23H2 and 22H2, both of which contain new improvements that Microsoft had introduced to enhance system performance and stability. In response to the problem, Microsoft withdrew the update from distribution and halted its release pending an investigation into the causes of the failures.
Microsoft has also stated that it is currently studying these complaints in detail and is working on a quick solution to the issues. For now, the company advises all affected users to contact the technical support team through the “Windows Feedback Hub” for assistance. The company also indicated that its technical team is working on a new update that includes fixes for these problems, which will be released soon after completing the necessary technical tests to ensure system stability once installed.
The Challenges of Technological Updates
It is worth noting that this incident is not the first time that Windows 11 updates have caused problems for users. Typically, updates are meant to improve performance and fix errors, but they can sometimes lead to unexpected results. Errors are common in complex operating systems like Windows 11, especially when new features or performance improvements are added.
Managing software updates, whether for operating systems or applications, is a precise process that requires extensive testing before reaching the end-user. In Microsoft’s case, the company usually releases preview updates for a limited group of users to assess their performance before rolling them out to the general public. However, some bugs only appear after the update reaches a wider audience, with more diverse devices and configurations.
Technological updates are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, these updates contribute to improving security and performance, while on the other hand, they can lead to system crashes if not adequately tested. For this reason, experts always recommend creating a backup of important data before installing new updates to ensure data protection in case any problems occur.
Microsoft’s Past Challenges with Updates
The issues caused by the recent Windows 11 update are not the first problems Microsoft has encountered with software updates. Over the years, the company has faced many challenges related to operating system updates. Sometimes, updates aim to address urgent security vulnerabilities but, at the same time, cause new issues that require further fixes.
For example, in 2020, Microsoft released an update for Windows 10 that caused devices to crash after installation. At the time, users reported problems similar to those caused by the latest Windows 11 update, such as the Blue Screen of Death and devices ceasing to function. Although these issues affected a small percentage of users, they sparked widespread debate about how updates are managed and tested before being released to the public.
