Critical Alert: How to Fix the Blue Screen Crashes from Recent Windows 11 Updates

Overview of the Issue

Recent Windows updates have triggered a severe issue where some users are experiencing blue screen crashes due to a secure kernel fatal error. This has been confirmed for updates beginning in March, significantly affecting Windows 11 devices.

Specific Updates Causing the Crash

Devices running on Windows 11, version 24H2 have been reported to crash after installing the following updates and restarting:

• KB5055523 – April cumulative update
• KB5053656 – March preview update

This problem leads to a blue screen error code 0x18B, indicating a SECURE_KERNEL_ERROR.

Immediate Remedies and Solutions

Microsoft has implemented a Known Issue Rollback (KIR) to address the bug. This feature automatically reverts recent non-security updates known to cause problems. Users should notice the fix within the next 24 hours. Microsoft recommends restarting your device to apply the fix more quickly.

Steps for Windows Enterprise-Managed Devices

Enterprise admins should install a specific KIR Group Policy for the updates listed above. This involves:

1. Downloading and installing the KIR Group Policy from Microsoft.
2. Accessing the Group Policy via Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates.
3. Applying the policy at the Local Computer Policy or Domain level using the Group Policy Editor.

After setting up the group policy, a restart is compulsory to ensure the settings take effect.

Additional Information and Support

Windows administrators seeking further guidance can consult the Microsoft support website, which provides detailed instructions on deploying KIR Group Policies.

Broader Update Issues

In addition to the blue screen problem, Microsoft has also addressed issues pertaining to local audit logon policies in Active Directory Group Policy. Separate updates have been released to resolve inaccessibility issues with Windows Server 2025 domain controllers and unexpected Windows 11 upgrade prompts despite existing Intune policies blocking these upgrades.