A Windows 11 bug blocks all updates since February. Here’s what to do
Summary created by Smart Answers AI
In summary:
- PCWorld reports that a Windows 11 bug has blocked all updates since February for some users, creating serious security vulnerabilities and potential system issues.
- The issue stems from the January preview update and affects download times, leaving systems without crucial monthly security patches and future Secure Boot certificate updates.
- Microsoft recommends performing a Known Issues Rollback (KIR) to roll back the faulty update and restore normal update functionality.
Problems with Windows Updates are nothing new, but there is currently a very annoying bug affecting some Windows 11 users: they haven’t received any Windows Updates in months.
According to BleepingComputer, the problem started after installing the January preview update. This means that affected people haven’t received a single Windows update since February, and that includes all the monthly security updates that should keep them safe.
As if that wasn’t enough, we also find ourselves at a critical juncture just weeks before Secure Boot certificates expire on older Windows machines. Microsoft is distributing updated certificates through Windows Update, which must be installed on PCs before June for Secure Boot to continue working as expected.
How to identify the problem
Microsoft is currently providing information about the issue through the Windows Admin Center. According to BleepingComputer, although new available updates are displayed via Windows Update, they cannot be downloaded correctly on affected PCs. During the update process, the said PCs crash and display error code 0x80010002.
You can check which Windows updates were last installed via Settings, under Windows Update → Show update history. If all updates since January are missing from your system and you haven’t manually asked Windows to pause updates, you are probably suffering from this problem.
What can you do about it
Microsoft is still working on a comprehensive solution to the problem, but has at least acknowledged that the error appears to be related to changes to timeouts for downloads. Excessively strict firewall rules can also prevent affected PCs from receiving updates because communication with download servers is interrupted.
If you’re affected, there’s only one thing you can do right now: perform a Known Issues Restore (KIR) to roll back the latest update. This should return your Windows system to the state it was in before the problematic update was installed, preventing the error from recurring.
This step is primarily intended for IT administrators, but home users can still try removing the faulty January preview update. Known issue restores are available for Windows 11 26H1 (KB5083806) and Windows 11 24H2, 25H2, and Windows Server 2025 (KB5083631).
This article was originally published on our sister publication PC-WELT and has been translated and localized from German.
