A new potential “threat” for users of Windows’ latest version is live. If you’re on top of your updates, you might want to hit the pause button for a moment. Microsoft is currently investigating a rather frustrating bug that could leave your Windows 11 PC unable to boot, stuck on a “Recovery error” screen. The problem appears after installing a recent cumulative update.
It seems we are seeing a classic case of an update trying to help but accidentally causing a headache instead. The culprit in question is the KB5058405 cumulative update. Windows rolled it out as part of this month’s Patch Tuesday. While updates are essential for security and new features, this one seems to have a nasty side effect for some systems.
Windows 11 PCs getting stuck on “Recovery error” after installing recent update
Users who’ve installed the KB5058405 build are reportedly encountering a dreaded “recovery error 0xc0000098” message, often pointing to “ACPI.sys” as the problematic file. This message essentially means your operating system can’t be loaded, and your device needs a repair. That’s definitely not something you want to see when trying to start your day.
Initially, it appears this issue is primarily affecting Windows 11 versions 22H2 and 23H2. It is especially worrying in larger enterprise environments. Think Azure Virtual Machines, Azure Virtual Desktop setups, and on-premises virtual machines running on platforms like Citrix or Hyper-V. “Home users of Windows using Home or Pro editions are unlikely to face this issue, as virtual machines are mostly used in IT environments,” claims Microsoft.
However, while less common, there have been some scattered reports of the bug affecting physical PCs too. So, while home users might be less likely to encounter this particular snag, it’s not entirely out of the question. Microsoft has acknowledged the problem and is actively investigating. The company promised to provide more details as they get to the bottom of it.
So, what should you do if you haven’t installed the update yet?
The advice from tech experts is pretty straightforward: consider delaying the installation of the May update for now. Windows 11 gives you the option to pause OS updates for more than a month, even on the Home edition. This gives Microsoft time to complete its investigation, hopefully identify the root cause, and roll out a fix or a revised update that avoids this frustrating boot problem.
You might have already installed the update and are experiencing issues. In that case, recovering your system might involve using Windows Recovery Environment tools. But sadly, Microsoft hasn’t yet provided specific official workarounds for this particular bug. It’s a timely reminder that while keeping your system updated is crucial for security, sometimes a little patience can save you from a major hassle. Keep an eye on official Microsoft channels for updates on this issue.
