Windows 11's latest patch resolves a frustrating bug where the shutdown option would restart your PC instead. Here's what changed.
For years, Windows users have experienced a maddening ritual: select "Update and shut down" before bed, only to find their PC running at the login screen the next morning. Microsoft has finally acknowledged and fixed this decades-old bug, starting with Windows 11 Build 25H2. The October 2025 optional update (KB5067036) addressed an underlying issue that prevented the shutdown command from executing after updates completed, and a permanent fix is coming with November's Patch Tuesday.
The bug's persistence speaks to the complexity of Windows' update process. When you choose "Update and shut down," Windows must perform two sequential tasks: install pending updates and then power off the machine. But the process isn't straightforward. Windows must reboot into an offline servicing phase, where you see the "working on updates" screen, because the operating system cannot replace its own files while running.
After this phase completes, the system is supposed to shut down, but instead it boots back to the login screen. Microsoft suspects the issue stems from a race condition or a problem with the Windows Servicing Stack, where the shutdown command gets lost or cleared during the reboot sequence.
The community's reaction to this fix has been notably mixed. Commenters have expressed both relief and resignation, with many noting that this bug represents a broader pattern of long-standing issues in Windows. Some observers have used the moment to voice frustration with Windows' reliability, while others have expressed nostalgia for older versions of the operating system that seemed more straightforward. The sentiment captures a deeper tension: users want to trust their operating system, but repeated experiences like this one erode confidence. Note that we also covered which Linux distro to use for programming.
What makes this fix significant is not just that it resolves an annoying inconvenience, but that it took Microsoft so long to acknowledge the problem publicly. The bug affected both Windows 10 and Windows 11, yet the company never formally admitted it until now. This delay highlights how even the most obvious user-facing issues can slip through the cracks in large software ecosystems, especially when they involve the intricate choreography of system updates and power management.
For Windows users, the takeaway is straightforward: the November 11 Patch Tuesday update should finally make "Update and shut down" work as intended. But the broader lesson is more sobering. This fix is a reminder that even fundamental features can harbor hidden flaws, and that patience and persistence from the user community are sometimes the only way to get them addressed. We found more details at Windows Latest.
