Microsoft has rolled out a repair in its newest preview builds to resolve a infamous glitch with the “replace and shut down” function.
This long-standing concern, which has haunted the working system for years, tricked customers into believing their PCs have been powering off when updates have been pending, just for the machines to restart unexpectedly and disrupt sleep cycles with noisy followers.
The bug emerged shortly after Home windows 11’s launch in 2021 and shortly grew to become a supply of irritation throughout boards and social media.
When customers chosen the “replace and shut down” choice from the Begin menu or Home windows Replace settings, the system appeared to conform by initiating the shutdown course of.
Nevertheless, as an alternative of totally powering down, the PC would set up the replace and reboot, typically touchdown again on the lock display or desktop. This conduct stemmed from how Home windows handles cumulative updates, which bundle safety patches, bug fixes, and have enhancements.
If an replace encountered even a minor hiccup throughout set up, akin to a short lived file lock or driver battle, the system would default to a restart quite than a clear shutdown. In a single day, idle detection kicked in, prompting one other set up try and making a cycle of undesirable reboots.
Person complaints painted a vivid image of the annoyance. Dwelling customers described coming downstairs in the course of the night time to search out their desktops buzzing loudly, with followers whirring at full velocity to chill spiking CPU and disk exercise.
Workplace staff reported interrupted workflows, as machines that ought to have been off as an alternative cycled by means of updates throughout off-hours, doubtlessly exposing delicate information or draining energy unnecessarily.
The difficulty wasn’t common however affected a good portion of Home windows 11 units, particularly these on older {hardware}, the place replace failures have been extra widespread as a result of compatibility quirks.
Microsoft’s Patch in Preview Builds
Microsoft acknowledged the issue in its Home windows Insider preview weblog on September 29, 2025, detailing Construct 26220.6760 for the Dev Channel. The discharge notes merely state: “Fastened an underlying concern which may lead ‘Replace and shutdown’ to not truly shut down your PC after.”
This repair targets the core mechanics of the shutdown sequence, making certain that pending updates not set off computerized restarts if a shutdown is explicitly requested.
Testing within the Insider program has proven promising outcomes, with early suggestions indicating that PCs now correctly energy off as meant, halting the disruptive cycle.
The corporate highlighted that that is a part of broader efforts to refine Home windows Replace’s reliability. Preview builds like this one enable Microsoft to iron out points earlier than they hit the secure launch, anticipated in a future month-to-month replace.
For now, Insiders within the Dev or Beta channels can entry the repair by enabling the toggle in Settings > Home windows Replace. Microsoft suggested non-Insiders to carry off, as preview software program carries dangers like instability.
This decision brings much-needed aid to the Home windows 11 group, the place the bug had eroded belief within the replace course of.
Energy customers and IT directors, who depend on scheduled shutdowns for upkeep, stand to profit most, avoiding the guide interventions that beforehand mitigated the issue.
As Home windows 11 approaches its fourth 12 months, such fixes underscore Microsoft’s dedication to sprucing the consumer expertise amid competitors from macOS and Linux distributions.
Trying forward, consultants predict this might pave the best way for smarter replace controls, like customizable shutdown behaviors or AI-driven failure predictions.
For on a regular basis customers, the speedy takeaway is less complicated: the subsequent time an replace prompts “replace and shut down,” it ought to lastly imply what it says. With the repair now in testing, a secure rollout might arrive by late 2025, restoring peace to late-night computing.
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