For nearly ten years, Windows users have been perplexed by a longstanding issue: selecting “Update and shutdown” often resulted in “Update and restart” instead. You’d install updates, expect your PC to power off, and instead return to find it sitting at the login screen again.
Now, with the latest Windows 11 builds 26100.7019 (24H2) and 26200.7019 (25H2), Microsoft has finally fixed this persistent glitch. The correction first appeared in the optional update KB5067036 and is now part of the November Patch Tuesday rollout.
Bug That Survived Nearly a Decade
The issue stemmed from how Windows handled its two-step update process. Updates in Windows occur in two phases — a “hot” phase (while you’re still logged in) and an “offline” phase (which happens after a reboot).
After completing the offline stage, Windows was supposed to power down when users selected “Update and shutdown.” Instead, it restarted and displayed the login screen, completely ignoring the shutdown command. Microsoft acknowledged this as an “underlying problem” in Windows Update’s logic — and confirmed it’s now been resolved in the latest builds.
How to Check If You Have the Fix
To confirm your system includes the patch:
- Go to Settings → Windows Update and check for updates.
- Verify your build number under System → About.
- If you’re running 26100.7019 or higher (24H2) or 26200.7019 or higher (25H2), the “Update and shutdown” option should now function correctly — installing updates and powering off as expected.
While this may seem like a minor fix, the “Update and shutdown” bug had real-world implications — particularly in workplaces where users rely on predictable update behaviour. A basic system command not performing as promised undermined trust in Windows’ reliability.
By addressing it, Microsoft improves consistency in one of the most routine user interactions: closing your laptop or desktop after an update.
Additional Fixes Included
Microsoft’s update notes also mention several related improvements:
- Resolved error codes 0x800f0983 and 0x80070103, which often caused failed updates and driver installations.
- Enhanced the Servicing Stack, improving the overall reliability of the Windows Update process.
With these refinements, Microsoft continues tightening the experience in Windows 11 — one long-overdue fix at a time.
