Windows 11 encountering a devastating bug: PC boot failures investigated by Microsoft - key information disclosed
Windows 11 Boot Error Affects Select Users Following May Update
Microsoft is currently investigating a boot error issue affecting selected Windows 11 users, who have installed the May cumulative update for the operating system. According to the tech giant, specific versions of Windows 11, namely 22H2 and 23H2, may encounter problems booting after installing KB5058405.
While this issue is primarily found in virtual machines, home users of Windows 11, both Home and Pro editions, are not entirely immune. Microsoft acknowledges that, in rare cases, some physical Windows 11 PCs might experience the same error.
The error, reportedly with the recovery error code 0xc0000098 in ACPI.sys, prevents the operating system from booting and requires a system repair to be performed. The success of this repair cannot be guaranteed, as the error can sometimes be challenging to resolve.
Reddit users have reported experiencing this boot error, although the link between the issue and the May update has not been explicitly established. Microsoft's release health dashboard has been updated to include information regarding this bug.
Microsoft has not yet provided a fix for the boot error problem, and affected users are experiencing significant disruptions, with some being unable to access their systems or data. Users who have not yet installed the May update are advised to consider delaying it until Microsoft provides a solution.
The prolonged nature of this issue underscores the importance of exercising caution when updating operating systems, particularly cumulative patches. Microsoft is actively investigating this problem.
[1] Microsoft (2025). KB5058405. Microsoft Support.[2] Bleeping Computer (2025). Microsoft Acknowledges Boot Failure in Latest Windows 11 Update. Bleeping Computer.[3] TechRadar (2025). Windows 11 May 2025 update: everything you need to know. TechRadar.[4] Microsoft (2025). Boot failure following Windows 11 May, 2025 update. Microsoft Community.[5] Reddit (2025). r/Windows10 Reddit thread on boot failure after May 2025 update. Reddit.
- Affected users may find it challenging to perform data-and-cloud-computing tasks on their laptops due to the Windows 11 boot error affecting select users following the May update.
- This boot error issue, which prevents the operating system from booting on certain versions of Windows 11, such as 22H2 and 23H2, might also impact individuals engaged in computing tasks, specifically those who are reliant on technology, like data scientists or software developers.
