Microsoft's latest Patch Tuesday updates have resolved certain vulnerabilities and issues, but they have also introduced new bugs and problems into Windows 11.

The company issued a statement acknowledging, "After installing the latest KB5073455 update, Windows 11 23H2 computers are failing to shut down properly." Microsoft clarified that this bug does not affect all devices—only those configured with Secure Boot enabled.

What is the specific problem? "If a user selects to shut down an affected PC, the system instead reboots."

Function of Windows Secure Boot

Windows Secure Boot was introduced with Windows 10. It is a Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) service that utilizes a hardware-based Dynamic Root of Trust for Measurement (DRTM) to safeguard system integrity during the boot process.

Microsoft explains that Secure Boot allows the system to initially boot into untrusted code but quickly transitions all CPUs to a trusted state to verify whether the untrusted code is malicious. This is designed to protect the system from firmware-level threats and works in conjunction with Secure Boot.

Available Workaround

For devices impacted by this involuntary shutdown issue, Microsoft has provided a temporary workaround. Users need to type 'cmd' into the search bar and open Command Prompt. Within the Command Prompt window, they should enter the command: shutdown /s /t 0 and then press Enter.

The issue also affects hibernation, as some systems are unable to enter sleep mode. However, Microsoft states there is currently no workaround for this particular bug. The company is actively investigating the problem and advises users to save their work before the system's battery depletes to avoid losing all progress.

A History of Variability

This is not the first time Windows 11 PCs have encountered significant problems. Over the past year, other issues have surfaced, including a bug that prevented Task Manager from closing when users exited the application. This resulted in system resources becoming locked over time if users opened and closed Task Manager multiple times in a single session.

Another update caused File Explorer to flash a white screen when opened in dark mode, despite the update's intended purpose of improving Windows 11's dark mode.

"Yet another update somehow broke the Windows Recovery Environment, making it impossible to actually recover your PC using recovery options," according to a report from Windows Central. "These types of bugs seem to consistently make their way into the product via Windows updates, even as the company claims each update is tested with Insiders first."

Upcoming Features

Meanwhile, new features discovered in last week's latest Windows 11 preview build hint at a potential invisible button linked to Microsoft's generative AI chatbot.

Windows 11 version 26H1, a new PC build based on Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon X2 platform, is slated for release this spring.