It is rumored that this week’s Windows 10 security update is causing significant problems for some Windows users, while others are unable to install it at all.
This is a significant issue because the update, designated KB5001330 for Windows 10 versions 20H2 / 2004, fixes five zero-day defects and fixes some notable remote code execution vulnerabilities.
But after the patch was dropped on Tuesday, people began posting complaints on various internet forums that KB5001330 could not install, sometimes causing problems as serious as endless boot loops and the dreaded Blue Screen of Death. (BSOD).
“I’ve updated and I’m stuck in a bsod loop,” one user commented on the Windows 10 subreddit. “The same thing happened to me with KB5001330 on the W10 Home 20H2 x64,” said another. “I found that rebooting with ‘Disabling driver signature application’ allowed me to start.”
On their own Microsoft forums, several users have posted complaints that KB5001330 will not install at all. Instead, it seems to throw error codes like 0x800f0984 and 0x800f0922.
Some people who managed to successfully install the update complained in the subreddit of Windows 10 of noticing sudden drops in game performance, including graphics stuttering and unpredictable FPS drops.
Problems with updating Windows 10 KB5001330: What to do
If you’re worried about the latest Windows 10 update causing problems in your machine, the easiest thing to do is not install it until Microsoft fixes these issues. Given the severity of the security flaws that this patch fixes, we can only hope that the operating system manufacturer will act quickly.
If you’ve already installed the update and can access Windows, but are having problems, the best solution is probably to uninstall the patch and restart your computer. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Launch the Windows 10 Settings app, easy to find by opening the Start menu and typing “Settings”
- Click “Update and Security”
- Select “Windows Update” and tap “Show update history”
- Click “Uninstall updates” and select “Security update for Microsoft Windows (KB5001330)”, then confirm when Windows asks if you’re sure
- Restart the computer
If you’ve already installed the patch and your computer is locked in a boot loop, preventing you from accessing Windows at all, you’ll need to try more drastic measures.
As mentioned above, some users have escaped the loop by disabling driver signature, which you can do by selecting Advanced Startup during the Windows 10 startup sequence and pressing the Troubleshoot button, then navigating to Advanced Options and disabling driver signature in Startup Settings.
It’s not yet clear how widespread the problems are with this update, but it’s far from the first time Microsoft has released a Windows patch that causes major headaches to users. Given the severity of the KB5001330 security flaws, we can only hope that Microsoft will resolve these issues soon.