Is Your Windows Update Causing More Harm Than Good? Microsoft Says 'Do Nothing'

Microsoft’s April Updates Spark Chaos – Here’s Why You Should Sit Tight

If you’ve seen cryptic error messages, mysterious folders, or even blue screens after updating Windows recently, you’re not alone. Microsoft’s issued an unusual warning: stop trying to fix it. From phantom update failures to accidental Windows 11 upgrades, April’s patches have created a minefield for users. Let’s unpack what’s going on – and why doing nothing might be the smartest move.

🚨 The April Update Disaster: 4 Critical Issues

• 📂 The Mysterious 'inetpub' Folder: Appeared post-update as part of a security patch (CVE-2025-21204). Deleting it could expose systems to attackers modifying system files.
• 🔄 Error 0x80070643: False alarms about failed WinRE updates – Microsoft confirms updates actually install successfully after reboots.
• 💀 Blue Screen of Death (BSOD): Three recent Windows 11 24H2 updates (KB5055523, KB5053656, KB5053598) trigger SECURE_KERNEL_ERROR crashes.
• 👤 Windows Hello Breakdown: Facial recognition fails after using “Reset this PC” with April updates – Microsoft calls it an “edge case” affecting real users.

✅ Microsoft’s Counterintuitive Fixes

1. The 'Do Nothing' Protocol ✅

• Ignore WinRE error messages – they’ll clear automatically within 24 hours
• Don’t delete the inetpub folder (security patch in disguise)
• Restart before attempting reinstallation

2. BSOD Band-Aid ✅

• Use Known Issue Rollback (KIR) – automatic fix within 24 hours
• Manual restart accelerates patch deployment

3. Accidental Windows 11 Upgrades Fix ✅

• Microsoft deploying “latent code issue” fix since April 12
• IT admins regaining control over blocked updates

⚠️ The October Time Bomb: 240 Million Devices at Risk

• 🚧 Windows 10 EOL: Security updates end October 14 – same day Office 2016/2019 lose support
• 💻 Hardware Purge: ~240M PCs can’t upgrade to Windows 11 due to TPM/CPU requirements
• 🏭 Enterprise Crisis: No Microsoft-approved path for outdated business machines
• 📉 Security Nightmare: Unpatched vulnerabilities become hacker playgrounds

🚀 Final Thoughts: A Crossroads for Windows Users

Microsoft’s caught between security urgency and update instability. While Windows 11 adoption climbs, the October deadline looms like Y2K for outdated devices. Success hinges on:

• 📈 Stabilizing Windows 11 updates by summer
• 🤝 Partnering with enterprises on hardware refresh plans
• 🌐� Promoting Linux alternatives for truly ancient PCs

For now? Follow Microsoft’s advice: don’t touch that update button unless absolutely necessary. And start planning your Windows 11 transition – whether that means new hardware or exploring open-source options.

Is Microsoft handling this crisis well, or is Windows becoming too unstable? Share your update horror stories below.

Let us know on X (Former Twitter)

Source: Zak Doffman. Microsoft Warns Millions Of Windows Users—Do Not Update Your PC, April 17, 2025. https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2025/04/17/microsoft-warns-millions-of-windows-users-do-not-update-your-pc/