Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 preview update, KB5043145, is causing significant issues for users. Released as a preview for the upcoming October Patch Tuesday, the update has triggered a wave of complaints regarding system stability and functionality.
Many users have reported that their devices experience multiple restarts or become unresponsive, displaying either blue or green screens after installing the update.
In some cases, devices automatically launch the Automatic Repair tool after repeated reboot attempts. There are also reports of BitLocker recovery being unexpectedly triggered by the system.
USB, Wi-Fi, and Linux Issues Reported
Beyond system stability, users have encountered problems with USB devices, Wi-Fi connectivity, and the Windows Subsystem for Linux 2.
Hardware connected via USB or Bluetooth, such as keyboards, memory sticks, printers, and wireless mice, has stopped functioning for some users after the update.
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In these cases, the USB Host Controller in Device Manager shows a yellow exclamation mark, indicating an error.
Some users have even faced situations where their computers failed to boot entirely after the update was installed, adding to the concerns surrounding KB5043145.
New Features Amidst the Chaos
Despite the widespread issues, the update does introduce new features when it functions properly. These include the ability to share local files directly from search results and the addition of a sign-out command to the account manager in the Start Menu.
There are also improvements to credential management, allowing users to enter their login details just once for apps like Outlook and encrypted email services.
Additionally, subscribers to Copilot Pro can now manage their subscription within the Settings app. The update also aims to fix issues with Microsoft Edge not responding to requests to use Internet Explorer mode.
However, these improvements have been largely overshadowed by the significant problems users are encountering.
Microsoft’s Response and Workarounds
Microsoft has acknowledged the issues and is addressing them through the Known Issue Rollback (KIR) feature, which automatically deploys for most consumers.
Users simply need to restart their computers to receive the fix. For users on managed systems, a specialized Group Policy is available, though they cannot implement it themselves.
Instead, they must rely on their IT departments to deploy the fix across their organization’s network.
KB5043145 is Optional—Avoid Until Full Release
It’s important to note that KB5043145 is an optional preview update, meaning users must choose to install it. Many users who have not installed the update may have avoided these issues by waiting for the official release.
With just over a week remaining before October Patch Tuesday—the last update for Home and Pro users of Windows 11 version 22H2—Microsoft is likely working hard to resolve the problems before the full rollout.
