Windows 11 Nightmare: Latest Update Prevents PCs from Booting
The start of 2026 brings a major headache for Windows 11 users. Microsoft has confirmed through official support channels that the latest security update released on January 13, 2026 is causing some PCs and laptops to fail to boot, leaving users unable to access their systems—a serious issue for those needing their devices urgently.
Critical Situation
The situation is increasingly severe. Microsoft had already issued two emergency fixes for prior bugs, yet this new boot failure issue remains unresolved. Affected users typically see an UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME error message, which halts the system before reaching the normal login screen.
The issue appears most common on devices running Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, and primarily affects physical machines rather than virtual machines. Symptoms include a completely black screen with a warning that the device needs to restart—but the system fails to start, leaving users to rely on manual recovery methods.
Current Workaround
For those unlucky enough to encounter this issue, the temporary solution is to enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) and uninstall the January 2026 security update. While Microsoft claims the number of reported cases is limited, there is no clear explanation of the underlying cause, nor any preventive measures beyond waiting for the next patch.
A Pattern of Problems
This January update follows a string of recent Windows 11 issues. Version 23H2 users previously reported problems with shutting down or entering hibernation, while newer versions experienced Remote Desktop login failures. Critical apps like Outlook, Dropbox, and OneDrive were also affected, prompting two emergency updates in quick succession.
The recurring issues have raised concerns about Microsoft’s software quality assurance, as multiple major bugs affecting users worldwide have appeared in just one month. A third emergency patch may be imminent to finally address the boot failure problem.
Source: Windows Central
