The preview of the next Windows 11 update causes many problems. Anyone who has already installed the update will be rewarded with a blue screen of death.

Microsoft reports that there are issues with KB5043143, the next monthly security update for Windows 11. As usual, the update rollout is scheduled for the second Tuesday in October (Patch Tuesday)but the update has been available for Windows Insiders since September 26th. Those who have already installed the update now deeply regret it.

The update spoils many users with one Blue screen of death. If you prefer another color, then one green screen Also a possibility, but you will only see this as an insider. The update causes PCs to go into a bootloop, which repeatedly results in a blue or green screen until automatic recovery is opened after several unsuccessful attempts.

For some users, Bitlocker is reactivated without asking: in this case, you will need to enter your recovery key before you can continue. Read how to find it here. As icing on the cake, the update also breaks things when the PC boots, including USB and WiFi.

Test first

Good news for anyone who isn’t a Windows Insider: You don’t need to install KB5043143 yet. The update is a preview and is optionally available to registered testers at their own risk. Fortunately, the problems occur during the testing phase and not when the update is generally available. Otherwise, a new update debacle like the August Patch Tuesday update would have been inevitable.

Normally, the update will be rolled out to all Windows 11 users with an approved device starting August 8th. This gives Microsoft some time to correct the major deficiencies. Windows updates are a prime example of why you should always test an update in a limited circle before rolling it out across the board.

KB5043143 is a monthly security update and therefore mainly contains patches. New functionality is rather limited, although the update adds the ability to share files from searches, for example. The update also causes Microsoft Edge to stop responding to requests to open Internet Explorer.

For users who continue to use Windows 11 22H2 Home or Pro, it will be the final update. Microsoft will end support for these versions on October 8th.