Microsoft fixes critical Windows 11 issues with emergency update

In the United States, Microsoft has responded to reports from users experiencing issues following the release of its security update on May 13, 2025. This update was intended for Windows 11, versions 22H2 and 23H2, but instead led to installation failures for some users. They encountered error messages indicating critical issues with their systems, specifically that a required file was missing or contained errors, often signaled by error code 0xc0000098, prompting repair notifications. Many of the affected systems were within enterprise environments, particularly virtual setups that included Azure Virtual Machines and Azure Virtual Desktop. Alongside addressing the immediate problems faced by users, Microsoft confirmed that the situation required urgent attention, hence the issuance of an emergency, out-of-band update, known as KB5062170. This fix not only resolved the original critical issue relating to the ACPI.sys driver, a component critical for hardware resource management and power state handling, but also included further improvements from prior non-security updates. Microsoft assured users that they need not apply earlier updates since the cumulative nature of KB5062170 supersedes all previous ones. This emergency release comes on the heels of an earlier update concerning Windows 10 users who experienced similar disruptions, specifically being repeatedly taken to the BitLocker Recovery screen during startup. In both instances, Microsoft appears committed to addressing customer issues proactively, demonstrating their acknowledgment of the implications such errors can have on users’ trust and the overall functionality of their operating systems. As Windows continues to evolve, the decisions made by companies like Microsoft in addressing these unexpected issues are critical. The technology landscape demands rapid responses to problems that may hinder user experience and productivity, particularly in enterprise setups where virtual environments are crucial. Therefore, the release of this latest update highlights both the challenges that come with maintaining operating systems as well as the importance of timely interventions in mitigating potential fallout from software conflicts.