Microsoft has initiated an emergency update aimed at addressing significant issues affecting Windows 11 devices following the January 2026 security update. This "out-of-band" release resolves a malfunction where some devices would not shut down or enter hibernation when prompted by users.
The update also reinstates the functionality for users of both Windows 10 and Windows 11 to access their systems through remote connection applications. The company explained that failures in credential prompts had hindered remote logins for affected users. This problem particularly impacted devices utilizing Secure Launch, a feature designed to thwart firmware-level attacks during the startup process.
Despite these fixes, reports indicate that users continue to experience problems stemming from the January update, including blank screens and crashes in Outlook Classic. In October, Microsoft had previously issued a separate emergency fix related to the Windows Recovery Environment. For users still on Windows 10, the company offers Extended Security Updates to extend the operating system's life.