Redmond, Washington — January 18, 2026, 2:26 PM PST
- On Jan. 17, Microsoft released out-of-band Windows updates following reports of Remote Desktop sign-in failures and a bug causing restarts after shutdown or hibernation
- The Remote Desktop problem affects several Windows client and server versions, including Windows 10 ESU builds
- The shutdown issue occurred only on Windows 11 23H2 devices that had Secure Launch turned on
Microsoft pushed out emergency, out-of-band Windows updates late this week. These fixes tackle issues that blocked some users from signing in via Remote Desktop and, on a smaller range of devices, caused shutdown and hibernation problems.
The fixes arrived just days after Microsoft’s usual January 13 security update, a patch cycle that many organizations depend on to address vulnerabilities. When these updates interfere with remote access or power management, IT teams can hit roadblocks, and employees who need remote logins may face disruptions.
After the January security updates, Microsoft detected “connection and authentication failures in remote connection applications” and released out-of-band patches—updates delivered outside the usual monthly schedule—on Jan. 17.
Microsoft has rolled out the KB5077744 out-of-band update for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, addressing Remote Desktop sign-in failures caused by the January security update KB5074109. The company highlighted that the problem could affect authentication across various Remote Desktop tools, including the Windows App. 1
Microsoft has released an out-of-band update for Windows 11 23H2, KB5077797, which fixes issues with Remote Desktop sign-in and a power-management bug. The company noted that devices with Secure Launch enabled were rebooting instead of shutting down or going into hibernation. 2
Secure Launch, officially known as System Guard Secure Launch, is designed to enhance boot-time security by leveraging virtualization-based protections. This feature sees wider adoption in enterprise environments under management rather than on typical consumer devices. 3
Microsoft announced that out-of-band fixes can now be accessed via the Microsoft Update Catalog, directing admins to distinct knowledge base articles based on their Windows version. The company included Windows 10 22H2 Extended Security Updates (ESU) builds—a paid service extending support beyond the normal lifecycle—as well as Windows Server versions among the affected platforms. 4
BleepingComputer revealed that the Remote Desktop issue may appear as “credential prompt failures,” disrupting logins through the Windows App to Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 cloud PCs. Microsoft clarified that these emergency updates target systems affected by the bugs, while others can wait for the regular update cycle to receive the fixes. 5
But the fast pace of patches forces IT teams into a tough spot. Out-of-band updates tend to be tougher to test and deploy widely, leading some organisations to postpone them—accepting Remote Desktop glitches or unexpected reboots on shutdown instead.
The Verge, the first to spotlight the shutdown glitch, reported it only impacted the Enterprise and Internet of Things (IoT) editions of Windows 11 23H2. An emergency patch is already out. Microsoft hasn’t disclosed how many devices ran into the issue. 6
Microsoft’s out-of-band updates are cumulative, combining past security patches with the latest fixes. The company has also released installation instructions for administrators downloading standalone packages from the catalog.
