Key Takeaways
1. A confirmed issue prevents some systems from shutting down or hibernating after installing the January 13, 2026, Windows security update KB5073455 for Windows 11 version 23H2.
2. The problem is linked to the Secure Launch feature, which uses virtualization-based security to protect against firmware threats during startup.
3. KB5073455 is mainly available for Enterprise and IoT editions of Windows 11 version 23H2, limiting its reach to consumer PCs.
4. A fix for affected Windows 10 systems was included in out-of-band updates KB5077797 and KB5078132, with the latter also available for devices that installed earlier related updates.
5. KB5078132 is cumulative, containing improvements from both KB5073455 and KB5077797, along with additional fixes for app responsiveness issues related to cloud storage.
Microsoft’s Windows release health dashboard has identified a confirmed problem where some systems do not shut down or go into hibernation. Instead, they restart after the installation of the January 13, 2026, Windows security update KB5073455 for Windows 11 version 23H2.
Secure Launch Affected
The feature involved, known as Secure Launch, utilizes virtualization-based security to protect systems from firmware threats during the startup process. This issue is particularly relevant for users who rely on this feature for added security.
Limited Availability
It’s worth noting that KB5073455 is primarily available for Enterprise and IoT editions of Windows 11 version 23H2, which significantly limits the number of consumer PCs that will receive the update through standard channels.
Additionally, Microsoft has pointed out that PCs capable of Secure Launch with Virtual Secure Mode (VSM) turned on are also affected by this issue. They have indicated that a resolution for the VSM situation will come in a future Windows update.
Affected Systems
The problem also impacts Windows 10 systems. Microsoft confirmed that a fix for devices using Secure Launch (excluding the VSM case) was included in an out-of-band update on January 17, 2026: KB5077797 (OS Build 22631.6494). This update is only accessible through the Microsoft Update Catalog.
Moreover, Microsoft stated that the same fix can be found in another out-of-band update released on January 24, 2026: KB5078132 (OS Build 22631.6495). This update is available via Windows Update for devices that installed one of the January updates related to this problem.
Cumulative Fixes
Microsoft emphasizes that KB5078132 is cumulative, meaning it contains protections and improvements from both KB5073455 (January 13) and KB5077797 (January 17), along with additional fixes, such as addressing an app unresponsiveness issue linked to cloud storage workflows.
This situation has certainly posed challenges for Microsoft, but they appear to be gearing up for a new update release in the near future.
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