Microsoft has confirmed multiple Windows 11 bugs dating back to July 2025. These have reportedly been caused by the 24H2 (KB5062553) update, which impacted system components that rely on XAML, which is a markup language framework used in Windows for UI components. While these problems mainly show up when provisioning devices or booting non-persistent images, primarily impacting enterprise and education deployments, it’s worrying that it took Microsoft so long to acknowledge the situation.
In its blog, Microsoft indicated that “After provisioning a PC with a Windows 11, version 24H2 monthly cumulative update released on or after July 2025 (KB5062553), various apps such as StartMenuExperiencehost, Search, SystemSettings, Taskbar or Explorer might experience difficulties.” Funny how back in July, the company was claiming Windows 11 24H2 is the most reliable Windows version ever.
Common symptoms include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Shell components failing and reporting an on-screen error or failing to execute, such as with Explorer.exe, shelhost.exe, and StartMenuExperienceHost.
- Explorer crashes.
- ShellHost.exe crashes.
- Start menu failing to launch, often displaying a critical error message.
- Explorer running, but the taskbar window is missing.
Needless to say that these are core Windows functions which are mandatory to use the system. Therefore, a fix needs to be released as soon as possible, even if the bug affects just a small portion of Windows’ install base. Unfortunately, Microsoft didn’t share any estimates, only indicating that it’s working on a resolution.
Nevertheless, the company did share some workarounds, including manual registration of the missing packages and running PowerShell scripts on non-persistent OS installations, about which you can find more here.
The issue is that these are not the only problems faced by Windows 11 users, from the recent performance degradation that required an urgent driver hotfix to the unending reports of failed updates, the OS seems to have never been this broken. Microsoft should focus on fixing the OS before pushing its controversial AI features. With all the bloat getting shoved into Windows 11 lately, no wonder the OS is full of bugs. Aside from leeching valuable resources, these also add new points of failure. Microsoft better get its act together before Linux and Mac chew further into its user base.
