Microsoft releases emergency update after Windows 11 shutdown issue

The logo of Windows 11 from Microsoft, taken in the store on 5th Avenue in Manhattan. (Photo by Michael Kappeler/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Microsoft has released emergency Windows 11 updates to fix a pair of problems caused by a recent security patch.

According to an announcement from Microsoft, a recent security update created several new bugs for devices that use the Windows operating system. After receiving the update earlier in January, some devices could no longer shut down properly or hibernate and were restarting instead. Microsoft also reported new issues with remote login and accessing Outlook.

“Microsoft has identified issues upon installing the January 2026 Windows security update,” the company said in a Jan. 17 announcement.

New updates to fix the shutdown and remote login bugs were released on Saturday. Those updates are available now via Windows Update, which can be accessed from your device’s settings menu. The problem that is causing Outlook to crash remains.

Windows 11 is the latest operating system from Microsoft. Support and security updates for its popular predecessor Windows 10 ended in October.