Microsoft (MS) has reportedly not yet resolved a 'boot failure' bug that occurred on some PCs after the Windows 11 January cumulative update.
According to MS's internal analysis, devices whose systems were restored in an incomplete state after failing to install the December update are at the heart of the problem. Installing the January cumulative update in this state can damage the core boot area and cause the system to become completely unusable.
Currently, MS is implementing a 'partial countermeasure' of temporarily suspending the distribution of the January update to devices that may experience this error, in order to prevent further damage. However, no patch or hotfix has yet been provided to automatically restore devices that have already entered a boot failure state.
As a result, users who have already installed the update are effectively without a proper solution. In cases where PCs fail to boot, there is a high possibility of losing all stored data, further expanding user damage. Unless MS releases an official recovery tool, reinstalling Windows 11 after deleting data is currently considered the only solution.
▶ Original source: https://m.kbench.com/?q=node/275818
