Windows 11 is the most recent version of the popular desktop operating system, with regular updates to improve security and tweak features — but the latest update, KB5039302, introduced a damaging bug
All products and promotions are independently selected by our experts. To help us provide free impartial advice, we will earn an affiliate commission if you buy something. Click here to learn more
After an unexpected delay — it's time to update your Windows 11 PC.
The latest operating system update, codenamed KB5039302, was pulled within a few hours of its initial release after reports of a devastating bug that left laptop and desktop PC owners unable to use their devices. The glitch caused people to be stuck in an endless reboot loop, with their PCs continuously restarting for no reason.
If you're caught-up in this infinite loop, Microsoft recommends trying to get your PC into Safe Mode.
To do that, on the first sign that your Windows PC has started — usually a manufacturer’s logo on a blank screen — hold down the power button for 10 seconds to turn-off the device, press and hold the power button to turn on your PC again, and then when Windows restarts for a second time hold down the power button for 10 seconds to turn off your device again. Power-cycling twice back-to-back should means that you're launched into Automatic Repair mode on the third reboot. Then select Advanced options to enter winRE.
Microsoft has in-depth instructions on how to best handle this damaging bug on its forum.
Due to the severity of the glitch, Microsoft decided to ditch the roll-out of KB5039302 entirely last week.
Since then, the Redmond-based company has spent time investigating the cause of the bug and determined that it only impacts those who use virtual machine tools, like CloudPC, DevBox, and Azure Virtual Desktop. Some reports suggest it affects VMware, but this hasn't been confirmed by Microsoft.
With its investigation concluded, Microsoft restarted the roll-out of KB5039302 on July 1, 2024.
"Availability of this update via Windows Update and Windows Update for Business was paused for a couple of days, but is being resumed today for most devices," a spokesperson for Microsoft shared on the Windows Message Center.
"This update offering is now paused only for devices affected by the issue. As a result, this update might not be offered to Hyper-V virtual machines running on hosts that utilize certain processor types."
If you use any of the virtualisation tools listed above, which allow you to run a virtual machine on your existing operating system or from the cloud, then you'll be unable to install KB5039302 for now.
But provided you haven't got any of these tools installed, then you'll be able to kickstart the update process immediately.
Microsoft is aware of one more bug within KB5039302, which causes the Taskbar at the bottom of your screen to display incorrectly for anyone with Media Features enabled. Head to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features > Turn Windows features on or off to disable the feature and quash the bug.
It also impacts those using Windows N Edition too.
Microsoft is already working on a fix for both glitches and will roll them out in an upcoming release.
Most laptops and desktop PCs will update their operating system automatically. However, it's possible to speed up the process, by heading to Settings > Windows Update, and clicking on Check For Updates to manually kickstart the process.
KB5039302 is a routine security and bug fix release from Microsoft, so don't expect any flashy new features. Last month, Microsoft released the first so-called Copilot+ PCs — a new category of Windows 11 devices with advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities not found on other versions of the operating system.
You'll need a device with a chipset that's equipped with a Neural Processing Unit (NPUs) to access these features, so you'll need to upgrade to a brand-new laptop from Microsoft, Samsung, or Lenovo to access these clever Copilot+ PC tricks. It's not a case of installing a new software update.
Whether your machine is capable of running Copilot+ PC features or not, Microsoft will release new capabilities for all users with a free operating system update later in the year.
The US company issues two blockbuster updates packed with new apps and features each year, one in the spring and another in the autumn. In the meantime, it's important to keep your Windows device up-to-date with the latest software to protect yourself against vulnerabilities exploited by hackers.
