As we move into the early days of 2026, Windows 11 finds itself grappling with a resurgence of issues. The January 2026 update, identified as KB5074109, has brought about significant headaches for users, bringing back black screens and disrupting Outlook for POP account users. These problems starkly highlight that Microsoft has seemingly failed to learn from the tumultuous experiences of 2025.
Windows 11 is facing widespread criticism, with many users expressing their disdain online. A retrospective look through the troubles from 2025 reveals an alarming pattern of issues that plagued this operating system, marking it as a particularly troubled year for Microsoft.
The myriad of problems largely stems from a lack of focus. As core functionalities within Windows 11 suffered from repeated breakdowns in consecutive updates, Microsoft devoted its attention to integrating Copilot across its platforms. Below, we outline the top 20 issues that users encountered throughout 2025, illustrating the growing discontent among Windows 11 users, who have deemed this version one of the least favorable ever released by Microsoft.
#1 Audio Issues Affecting USB DACs
In early January 2025, the initial security update (KB5050009) unfortunately caused audio failures for users relying on external USB Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs).
Our investigations showed that after the update installation, audio output ceased on devices utilizing USB DACs, making them unable to transmit signals effectively. This issue impacted Windows 11 versions 24H2, 23H2, and even 22H2.
The Device Manager displayed the ominous error message: “This device cannot start.(Code 10) Insufficient system resources exist to complete the API.” This indicated a failure in memory allocation, which prevented audio output.
Microsoft later acknowledged the situation and advised users to refrain from utilizing external DACs. Fortunately, a fix was deployed in the February 2025 updates.
#2 Webcam Detection Failure
Following the KB5050009 update, many users struggled with their built-in webcams—most notably on HP Spectre models—not being recognized by the system.
Upon attempting to access the Camera app, users were faced with an error informing them that “We can’t find your camera, ” despite the hardware being present. The error code displayed was “0xA00F4244<NoCamerasAreAttached>.”
Even rolling back the update did not resolve the camera app issue, which also impacted monitors with integrated webcams and third-party devices like the Insta360 Link.
#3 BitLocker Settings Inaccessibility
A pertinent bug affecting Windows 11 versions 24H2 and older arose, preventing users from modifying their BitLocker encryption settings. BitLocker, a vital encryption tool, typically enables users to secure their hard drives.
Microsoft confirmed this issue, noting it primarily affected unmanaged PCs and those using TPM modules—most modern PCs fall into this category. The message indicating that “For your security, some settings are managed by your administrator” is typically associated with organizational management and does not belong on personal devices.
While there wasn’t an immediate fix available, subsequent updates eventually addressed the problem.
#4 Adobe Premiere Pro Functionality Disruption
Another significant hiccup occurred with update KB5050094, which disrupted the functionality of dragging and moving clips in Adobe Premiere Pro, particularly for users utilizing multi-monitor configurations.
The application failed to respond appropriately to dragging operations, leading to a “not allowed” sign appearing as a cursor indicator. Adobe’s support confirmed that this glitch was recognized, albeit not widespread; it primarily affected certain setups, which many creators use.
Some suggested workarounds included uninstalling the problematic update or altering display scaling settings, with mixed results.
#5 Cursor Loading Problems
Multiple users noted that the optional KB5050094 update caused endless loading with the cursor, indicating that Windows 11 was struggling to process tasks effectively. This issue could be replicated in controlled tests.
The only resolution found was to uninstall the update, even though it was meant to resolve a prior cursor disappearance issue identified in late 2024.
#6 Update Installation Challenges and Game Failures
Users faced numerous installation failures when trying to apply update KB5052093, evidenced by error codes 0x800f0983 and 0x800f0993. Though Microsoft temporarily halted the update, it was re-released with these issues addressed.
Additional complications emerged with popular gaming titles like Call of Duty HQ (Black Ops 6), which refused to launch properly, indicating a crash with error code 0x0. Furthermore, Microsoft documented problems where Roblox encounters interruptions when run on ARM PCs.
#7 Remote Desktop Connection Issues
Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) encountered significant disruptions post-24H2 updates, with users reporting failures even when RDP services were operational. Despite Microsoft’s assurance that fixes were included in the KB5052093 update, persistent connection issues continued to affect users in subsequent releases.
After further verification, Microsoft later acknowledged that the March update exacerbated the encountered RDP problems, leading to emergency corrective measures being deployed.
#8 Copilot App Disappearance
As humorous as it might sound, the March 2025 update inadvertently caused the Copilot app to vanish for many users. Windows Latest first stumbled upon this issue during the KB5053602 update for Windows 11 23H2 versions, with similar reports from Windows 10 users.
Upon realizing the app was unpinned and uninstalled from the taskbar, Microsoft quickly confirmed the glitch. It was resolved in subsequent updates.
#9 Blue Screen Failures from Mandatory Updates
Windows 11’s KB5053598 update, a critical security fix, ironically triggered failed installations and the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD).Our analysis revealed the update frequently got stuck at various installation percentages, launching users into a frustrating loop of failures.
Compounding the issue, any potential workarounds for installation problems proved unfruitful, necessitating the uninstallation of this problematic update.
#10 Windows Hello Malfunction
Windows Hello, designed as a secure login method, faced usability issues due to the KB5055523 update, particularly for users who covered their webcams with privacy shutters. This primarily affected users relying on IR cameras.
Users reported difficulties with the IR camera, although some found potential solutions post-update. Meanwhile, Microsoft recognized the problem but did not link it directly to the issues reported.
#11 Unresponsive File Explorer
File Explorer exhibited troubling behavior following the May 2025 update (KB5058411), becoming unresponsive for a select group of users, rendering crucial toolbar functions inactive.
This disheartening scenario raised questions about the reliability of security-oriented updates. Some users noted erratic keyboard and mouse functionality alongside other issues that primarily affected specific language fonts.
The suggested response for affected users was to roll back the update.
#12 In-game Performance Instability
Significant gameplay disruptions arose, for instance, Fortnite was registered as rebooting user PCs unexpectedly, alongside FPS drops seen across various titles, including CS: GO. After thorough investigation, Microsoft connected these performance declines to cumulative updates initiated in May.
By July, a support document issued by Microsoft confirmed resolutions to such performance issues.
#13 Firewall Error Alerts
During the June 2025 update (KB5060829), Windows 11 mistakenly flagged critical firewall errors within the Event Viewer, causing unnecessary concern among users.
Following feedback and further investigation, Microsoft struggled to remedy the situation and had previously claimed to have resolved the issue in July, despite ongoing reports indicating otherwise.
#14 Restoration Features Failing
The August 2025 updates (KB5063875 for Windows 11 and KB5063709 for Windows 10) were responsible for breaking critical Reset and Recovery features in specific Windows versions. Fortunately, Windows 11 24H2 users were spared from this bug.
Microsoft later confirmed the issue and rolled out an emergency fix as a response to the community’s feedback.
#15 DRM Video Playback Problems
September’s update (KB5065426) resulted in sluggish video playback through DRM-rendering applications, such as Digital TV apps. Users faced severe jitters while attempting to view content.
Microsoft took user concerns seriously and looked to secure a fix after determining the source was related to previous updates impacting video playback performance.
#16 WinRE Utility Issues
A troubling bug surfaced within the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) following the October 2025 update (KB5066835) that rendered mouse and keyboard inputs ineffective. Microsoft recognized the problem quickly, enabling prompt investigative efforts.
WinRE is designed to assist users in recovering their systems during critical failures such as BSODs. Fortunately, a subsequent update rectified these problems.
#17 Localhost and File Explorer Preview Errors
Another critical issue introduced in the October update disrupted localhost connections for developers, in addition to frustrating false security warnings obstructing the File Explorer preview pane’s functionality.
The mandatory security nature of the KB5066835 update meant widespread implementation despite its adverse effects on development, requiring extensive fixes afterward.
Guides were published to help users navigate these hurdles, focusing primarily on restoring localhost functionalities.
#18 Task Manager Malfunction
A curious issue persisted following the late-October update, with reports indicating that the Task Manager would not close and instead spawned multiple instances each time it was opened.
After thorough investigation, Microsoft acknowledged that this glitch could potentially degrade overall system performance, particularly among lower-end systems. A temporary workaround was promptly shared, and the subsequent November update corrected the fault.
#19 Dark Mode Glitches and Password Icon Disappearance
With the November update (KB5070311), Windows 11 users experienced uninvited white flashes within File Explorer’s Dark Mode feature, alongside the odd disappearance of the Windows Hello password icon.
These glitches emerged despite festive anticipation for the Dark Mode functionality, highlighting the consistency issues of this update cycle.
Both complications were duly noted, and remedial updates followed in December, restoring normal functionality.
#20 NVIDIA Performance Drops
The October and November updates collectively led to noticeable FPS declines across numerous gaming titles; this poor performance was first documented by Windows Latest during direct gameplay tests.
NVIDIA later acknowledged these performance pitfalls and initiated an updated driver rollout to restore competitive gameplay performance. Initial speculations pointed towards GeForce drivers being primarily affected, with AMD and Intel systems mostly unaffected.
As 2025 draws to a close, one must question whether Microsoft will adjust its approach moving forward to ensure a smoother experience for users in 2026. If Microsoft is to succeed in promoting Copilot and its AI-centric vision, a keystone must be establishing stability within the Windows 11 architecture. Users remain indifferent to the intelligence of an assistant if the underlying system cannot be reliably updated or core functionalities disturbed.
User trust in Microsoft hinges on a foundation of reliability, and continuing to prioritize features like Copilot while neglecting essential fixes could lead to diminishing support and satisfaction among its user base.
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