Windows reset and recovery bug in August updates

Microsoft confirms that the August 2025 security updates can disrupt reset and recovery on Windows 10 and older Windows 11 builds.

Microsoft August updates break Windows reset and recovery

Microsoft has confirmed that the August 2025 security updates can disrupt reset and recovery on certain client versions of Windows. The issue affects Windows 11 23H2 and 22H2, Windows 10 22H2, and LTSC editions from 2019 and 2021, with specific KB updates listed by Microsoft. Users attempting to reset their PC or perform a fresh install while keeping files may encounter failures. The problem could also impact remote resets via the RemoteWipe CSP. Microsoft says the bug appears after installing these updates and plans to release out-of-band fixes in the coming days.

The company notes that the issue is being addressed with a Known Issue Rollback (KIR) approach and comes after a string of update-related problems this year. Earlier in the month, Microsoft resolved a separate update failure and related errors for Windows Server and client systems, underscoring the ongoing challenge of patch management for both home and enterprise users.

This incident underscores how even routine updates can disrupt essential recovery tools, highlighting a fragility in patch governance. For home users and IT teams alike, the episode pressures the value of robust backups and proven rollback plans. It also shows why vendors must test across multiple configurations and provide timely, clear guidance when a fix is delayed. Expect more patch drama as organizations juggle security needs with system reliability.

Highlights

The patch path remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: reliability must catch up with urgency.