Windows 11 update leaves some virtual desktops on a black screen

Microsoft has admitted that some Windows 11 virtual desktops may fail to load after sign-in, leaving users on a black screen until they launch Explorer by hand. The Register reported the fault on 25 September 2026, citing the company's Windows release-health note.

The glitch affects devices running the August 2026 non-security preview update or later releases and, according to Microsoft, "has been primarily observed on Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) hosts, using FSLogix." Windows Explorer crashes may also appear in the affected device's Application event log.

Users can restore the desktop temporarily by opening Task Manager and running explorer.exe as a new task. Microsoft has published a Known Issue Rollback (KIR) that administrators can deploy through Group Policy; it disables the offending change until a permanent repair arrives. "We are working on a resolution for this issue, and it will be released in a future Windows update," the company said.

Which versions are affected

Windows 11 versions 26H1, 25H2 and 24H2 are affected. Microsoft does not list Windows 10 or Windows Server. The company has not explained the precise cause and says only that the problem "appears to occur more frequently with some existing user profiles."

A separate bug from the same update

The failure is distinct from another problem carried by the same August preview update, which replaced some customized desktop backgrounds with solid black. Microsoft fixed that one in September.

Update quality under question

The run of faults in recent Windows updates undercuts the company's claim that the operating system is getting better. Quality promises made by Windows chief Pavan Davuluri in March 2026 are ringing increasingly hollow, while CEO Satya Nadella said in April that the company must "win back" users.