Install Microsoft's emergency Windows patch now - what it fixes and why it was rushed out

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• Fixes a flaw that impacted the Windows reset and reinstall tools.
• The spot affects definite versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11.
• To instal the patch, caput to Windows Update nether Settings.

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Microsoft has squashed a caller and annoying bug successful Windows that caused the built-in reset and reinstall tools to neglect if you tried to tally them. Released connected Tuesday, the caller out-of-band exigency spot is designed for Windows 10 21H2 and 22H2, and Windows 11 23H2 and 22H2.

Also: Microsoft patches much than 100 Windows information flaws - update your PC now

Applying the spot should erstwhile again let you to reset your PC oregon fix problems utilizing Windows Update. Normally available, those 2 options tin resoluteness an different unresolvable strategy contented by forcing Windows to instrumentality to its archetypal mill state, oregon by repairing cardinal strategy files and components.

How to use the patch

To use the patch, conscionable caput to Settings, prime Windows Update, and click the fastener to cheque for updates. Affected Windows 10 users volition privation to download and instal the KB5066188 update, portion Windows 11 users volition find KB5066189 waiting for them.

From whence did this bug come? Blame it connected Microsoft, for the glitch was introduced successful the latest Patch Tuesday update.

Also: Your Windows 11 PC has a concealed exigency shutdown diagnostic - here's however to usage it

Microsoft's monthly Windows updates usually effort to hole the latest cavalcade of bugs. Last week's August update patched much than 100 information flaws. But sometimes the update introduces bugs of its own. In this case, the latest monthly update someway introduced a flaw that clobbered the reset and reinstall features.

Other options

I often usage the reset diagnostic with my Windows virtual machines erstwhile I privation to bring the OS backmost to its archetypal state. But this is besides a useful enactment for dealing with issues that impact the show oregon cognition of Windows.

To effort this successful Windows 11, spell to Settings, prime System, take Recovery, and past click the fastener to reset this PC. In Windows 10, caput to Settings, prime Update & Security, take Recovery, and past click the Get Started fastener successful the conception to reset this PC.

When resetting your PC, you tin take to support your idiosyncratic files. However, your apps and customized settings are removed, truthful you'll person to reinstall oregon recreate those. Since the reset brings Windows backmost to its archetypal mill state, the process tin resoluteness astir strategy problems.

Also: 10 open-source apps I urge each Windows idiosyncratic download - for free

The different enactment for reinstall attempts to hole large issues successful Windows by repairing corrupted oregon incorrect strategy files, services, and settings. The vantage present is that your apps, documents, and settings are each preserved. I've utilized this a mates of times successful the past, mostly with Windows VMs that were misbehaving, and it typically did the trick.

To effort this enactment successful Windows 11, spell to Settings, prime System, take Recovery, and click the Reinstall present button. In Windows 10, the process is different. Here, spell to Settings, prime Update & Security, and take Troubleshoot. Click the nexus for Additional troubleshooters, take the 1 for Windows Update, and click the fastener for Windows Update troubleshooter.