Windows Update KB5073455, released in mid-January 2026, is causing headaches for users as it unexpectedly prevents computers from shutting down properly, instead forcing a reboot.
Windows Shutdown Issues Impact Windows 10 and 11
What began as a problem primarily affecting Windows 11 has now spread to Windows 10 users. The issue stems from the aforementioned Windows Update. However, those with extended Windows 10 updates enabled are currently unaffected.
Many users reported their computers restarting instead of shutting down after clicking the “shut down” option. Initially, the thought wasn’t a faulty update, but rather a potential virus—a familiar culprit for this behavior. It was a relief, albeit a frustrating one, to discover the source of the problem was a Microsoft update.
Microsoft quickly responded with an out-of-band update (KB5077797) less than a week later, but the fix proved ineffective for many, including myself.
While installing the patch is recommended to see if it resolves the issue for you, here are several solutions that worked for those still experiencing the problem.
Disable Virtual Secure Mode
The shutdown problems largely affect users utilizing Secure Launch, a Virtualization-Based Security feature designed to protect PCs from firmware-level security threats during startup.
The initial patch offered some relief to Secure Launch users, but those also running Virtual Secure Mode continued to experience the issue. While Virtual Secure Mode enhances security, it can sometimes introduce performance issues. A reliably shutting-down PC also holds appeal, so disabling the feature was worth a try.
To disable Virtual Secure Mode, press Win + I to open Windows Settings and navigate to Privacy & security → Windows Security → Device Security.
Click Core isolation details under Core Isolation and toggle off Memory integrity. Restart your computer to apply the changes. If this feature wasn’t already enabled, the patch may simply not have worked for you.
After disabling Virtual Secure Mode, my computer shut down immediately without issue. No more unexpected restarts.
It’s worth noting that this feature can occasionally re-enable itself. If you disable Virtual Secure Mode and the problem returns, double-check the setting to ensure it hasn’t been automatically reactivated. Re-enable Virtual Secure Mode as soon as Microsoft releases a proper fix.
Roll Back Windows Updates
Windows allows you to roll back an update within 10 days of installation. Since the problematic update and patch were installed beyond that timeframe, rolling back requires uninstalling the specific updates.
To test this, I re-enabled Virtual Secure Mode and confirmed the shutdown issue persisted. Then, I uninstalled the original update and the subsequent patch.
Press Win + I to open Settings and go to Windows Update → Update history → Uninstall Updates. You’ll need to scroll down to find this option.
Locate KB5073455 and KB5077797 and click Uninstall next to each.
Before restarting, return to Windows Update and disable Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available. Otherwise, the updates will reinstall immediately. Also, set the Pause updates option to at least 2 weeks.
You can also further control Windows updates by using Windows registry hacks to block specific updates or manage installation timing.
After restarting, the shutdown issue was resolved. However, reinstalling those updates will bring the problem back.
Use Alternative Shutdown Methods
Disabling Virtual Secure Mode isn’t ideal for everyone, and pausing updates isn’t a long-term solution. Fortunately, there’s an alternative shutdown method that bypasses the issue.
Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and use the following command:
shutdown /s /t 0This command immediately shuts down your PC.
To simplify this process, you can create a desktop script. Open Notepad, enter the command, and go to File → Save as. From the Save as type drop-down menu, choose All Files and name the file “shutdown.bat”.
Fixing the Windows Hibernation Issue
The update also broke Windows hibernation, and the patch didn’t address this issue. Currently, there’s no effective workaround, so save your work before leaving your PC unattended.
The only solution is to completely disable hibernation in Windows, which also frees up storage space.
Use Command Prompt or PowerShell in admin mode and run the following command:
powercfg.exe /hibernate offRestart your computer to apply the change. To re-enable hibernation, use the following command:
powercfg.exe /hibernate onWhile the update didn’t affect Windows sleep settings, various issues can cause endless sleep cycles. Try these troubleshooting methods to prevent Windows from randomly sleeping.
