Microsoft Fixes Windows 11 Black Screen and Explorer Crash Issue

Microsoft has fixed a known Windows 11 issue that caused black screens, desktop loading problems, and Windows Explorer crashes after users installed updates released since August.

Windows 11 updates caused black screens and desktop loading problems

When Microsoft acknowledged the issue last month, it said affected users could experience several symptoms. The most common included a black screen after signing in, being unable to access the desktop until manually starting a desktop session, and Windows Explorer crashes recorded in the Application event log.

The issue primarily affected Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) hosts using FSLogix, a software solution designed to speed up the loading of user profiles in virtual desktop environments.

Microsoft fixes the issue in the October 13 update

Microsoft addressed the bug in a cumulative update released as part of October’s Patch Tuesday and urged affected users to install the latest Windows updates.

“This issue was resolved in a Windows update released on October 13, 2026, and updates released after that date,” Microsoft said in an update to its Windows release health dashboard. “We recommend installing the latest updates for your device as this update contains important improvements and issue resolutions. If you install the update released on October 13, 2026, you no longer need to use the workaround for this issue.”

Temporary workaround: manually launch Windows Explorer

Users who cannot install this month’s Windows updates can temporarily restore the desktop by manually launching Windows Explorer:

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Select Run a new task.
3. Enter explorer.exe.
4. Click OK.

Enterprise customers can use Known Issues Rollback

Microsoft also mitigated the issue for enterprise customers through Known Issues Rollback (KIR). Enterprise-managed devices must have the appropriate Group Policy installed and configured for their version of Windows.

“To resolve this issue, you must install and configure Group Policy for your version of Windows. You may also need to restart your device for the Group Policy settings to apply,” Microsoft explained. “Please note that this Group Policy will disable the changes that cause this issue until a resolution is released in a future Windows update.”

IT administrators can find additional information about deploying and configuring KIR Group Policy on the Microsoft support website.

Microsoft also resolves Windows VPN connectivity issues

This week, Microsoft also resolved a known issue that caused Always On VPN connectivity problems after users installed the September 2026 security update. The company also confirmed that recent Windows updates may cause Remote Desktop failures for non-administrator users when the “Administrator Protection” security feature is enabled.

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