Emergency update confirmed for Windows users.

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Republished on May 21 with new information for Windows users on applying update.

Microsoft has just confirmed an emergency update for Windows 10, after an increasing number of users reported May’s mandatory security update breaking Windows. Affected users have been hit with BitLocker Recovery screens and even dreaded Blue Screens of Death after downloading and trying to install the latest critical update.

“Windows 10 might repeatedly display the BitLocker recovery screen at startup,” the company warned, confirming an out of bounds update via Microsoft’s Update Catalog.

The issue affects users “on devices with Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) enabled on 10th generation or later Intel vPro processors.” Those who have not yet deployed May’s update should install the out of bounds update instead.

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For those who have tried to install the update and are now stuck, Microsoft says:

  1. “​To start Windows, temporarily disable Intel VT for Direct I/O (also known as VTD or VTX) and Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) in your BIOS / UEFI settings. This step will require entering your BitLocker recovery key.
  2. ​Install update KB5061768 via the Microsoft Update Catalog.
  3. ​After restarting Windows, return to your BIOS / UEFI settings and re-enable Intel VT for Direct I/O (also known as VTD or VTX) and TXT. (This step will require entering your BitLocker recovery key.)”

Windows Latest was first to flag the issue, reporting that “the KB5058379 install starts, but ends up at ‘Enter the recovery key to get going again (Keyboard layout: US)’ screen, and there’s a text field to add the recovery key. In some cases, there’s a BSOD as well.”

Microsoft has again warned Windows users that its support team “doesn’t have the ability to retrieve, provide, or recreate a lost BitLocker recovery key,” but can use this link to find your BitLocker recovery key.” This issue and fix primarily applies to enterprise users, as “consumer devices typically do not use Intel vPro processors and are less likely to be impacted by this issue.”

Windows Latest has now issued some helpful guidance for users “stuck on the blue screen with automatic recovery failing.” Once the emergency update is installed, they will “no longer run into BitLocker or Blue Screen of Death errors.” But they need to get there first. “We recommend manually turning off Intel TXT from BIOS, and then installing the out-of-band update.”

To do this, the website explains:

  1. “Boot into BIOS by pressing ESC or other keys after powering on. Other keys include F2, F10/F12.
  2. Once you’re in BIOS, look for the Security tab and head to the Virtualization menu.
  3. Then, under Intel TXT, turn off the toggle. It may be called Trusted Execution or OS Kernel DMA Support as well.
  4. Exit BIOS after saving changes.”

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Meanwhile, Neowin’s article from last month on “how to pause Patch Tuesday updates in Windows 11 and 10” is now unsurprisingly running hot. “You can extend the pause period for up to five weeks [and] Windows will not receive any updates. That includes monthly quality updates, feature updates, driver updates, firmware updates, and more.”

May is proving an interesting month for the Windows-maker, with the wider release of its controversial Recall photographic memory for Copilot+ owners and the continuing drive to push 700 million Windows 10 users to upgrade ahead of October’s deadline.