Microsoft just pushed out a surprise update to fix some messy bugs that recently hit Windows 11. These problems started appearing right after the company released its January 2026 security update. One of the most frustrating issues actually prevented people from turning off their computers. Instead of shutting down or going into hibernation, the PCs would restart on their own.
This shutdown glitch mostly affected Windows 11 devices that use a security feature called “Secure Launch.” While that tool usually protects a computer from hackers during startup, it recently started causing a reboot loop. Along with the power problems, the January update also broke remote desktop connections. Many users on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 found they couldn’t log into their machines from another device because the login prompts kept failing.
Microsoft calls this an “out-of-band” update. This is a fancy way of saying they had to rush the fix out immediately rather than waiting for the next monthly scheduled update. While this patch solves the biggest headaches, it doesn’t fix every single problem. Some users are still reporting blank screens or saying that their Outlook app keeps crashing. These types of rocky updates are becoming a habit; Microsoft had to rush out another emergency fix just last October for a different set of issues.
If these constant bugs make you nervous about using Windows 11, you still have other options. Microsoft is allowing Windows 10 fans to stick with the older operating system for a while longer. By signing up for “Extended Security Updates,” you can keep your current setup safe without having to deal with the quirks of the newer software just yet.
For everyone else already on Windows 11, you should check your update settings right away. This emergency patch should get your power button working again and let you log in remotely without any more drama.
