Windows update leaves some virtual desktops staring into the void
Users may need to summon Explorer manually after signing in
Some Windows 11 users are facing issues with their virtual desktops after the August 2026 non-security preview update, leaving them staring at a black screen. The problem primarily impacts Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) hosts using FSLogix, with Windows Explorer crashes noted in the affected device's Application event log. Users can temporarily resolve the issue by opening Task Manager and launching explorer.exe as a new task.
Microsoft has issued a Known Issue Rollback (KIR) that administrators can apply through Group Policy to disable the problematic change until a permanent fix is released in a future update. This issue is separate from another problem introduced by the same update, which replaced certain customized desktop backgrounds with solid black.
Microsoft has not provided a clear explanation for the latest failure, noting it appears more frequently with specific user profiles. Windows 11 versions 26H1, 25H2, and 24H2 are affected, while Windows 10 and Windows Server are not. The recurring issues caused by Microsoft's August and September updates are raising doubts about the company's claims of quality improvements.
As Windows chief Pavan Davuluri had promised earlier this year, these problems may lead users to reconsider Microsoft's efforts to regain their trust.
Written by urgent.news from The Register's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
