Microsoft has released an emergency update to fix a Windows 11 problem that caused some computers to restart instead of shutting down or entering hibernation.
The issue followed Microsoft’s January 2026 security update for Windows 11, released on January 13, 2026.
After installing the update, some users reported that their systems could no longer shut down properly, either directly from the Start menu or through Remote Desktop. Instead, affected devices would restart automatically.
Microsoft confirmed that the problem mainly affected Windows 11 Enterprise and Windows 11 IoT editions running on devices with Secure Launch enabled. The company said consumer versions such as Windows 11 Home and Pro, which are commonly used by most Nigerian users, were largely unaffected.
Secure Launch is a security feature designed to protect the system boot process from low-level attacks.
In this case, Microsoft said the feature conflicted with the January update, leading to the shutdown failure on certain systems.
To address the issue, Microsoft released two out-of-band updates: KB5077744 and KB5077797. These emergency patches are now available through Windows Update and are being rolled out to affected devices.
According to Microsoft, the updates fix two key problems:
Devices with Secure Launch restarting instead of shutting down or entering hibernation
Sign-in failures during Remote Desktop connections caused by credential handling errors
Users who want to install the fix immediately can go to Settings, select Windows Update, and click Check for updates. After installation, a system restart may be required for the changes to take effect.
Microsoft said that once the updates are installed, affected computers should shut down and hibernate normally again, including when using Remote Desktop.
The company also noted that it is still investigating a separate issue from the January update affecting some Outlook users, particularly those using POP email accounts.
The shutdown problem adds to a growing list of bugs linked to recent Windows updates. Microsoft said it will continue to monitor feedback and provide further fixes if needed.
