Solved Windows 11 crashes following updates

Hello,

This is my first post on this forum, so I hope I have submitted it to the right place.

I am running Windows 11 Home, version 22H2, OS build 22621.1250.
My PC is a new desktop, with recent high spec CPU and plenty of RAM (see my system details, which I have just filled in)

Running security checks shows no issues apart from the following:
When I check Windows Security (in Settings), it says there is an issue with Device security, namely:
Core isolation. Memory integrity is off.
When I turn Memory integrity on, it asks for permission to install updates.
So I select Yes for this, and it duly installs some updates and then asks for a reboot.

And now the problem -- it will not reboot properly.
The opening screen for login is OK, but when I login I briefy see my desktop, then it alternates with a completely blank white screen. It flashes back and forth between desktop and white screen at a rate of about once per second. I have tried everything, but found nothing to stop this. The Task Manager is no help either.

I have to shut down and reboot from my windows 11 recovery CD.
From there I have tried System Restore, but problem persists.
Also tried Uninstall Quality Update, again problem remains.
It also offers Uninstall Feature Update, but will not let me do this.

I have launched Windows in Safe Mode, but again the problem remains.
I have checked device drivers -- they are reported as being up to date.

The only thing I can do is to recover the whole disk image from backup to put
everything back as it was. Which is fine, but I'm stuck with being unable to install any updates.

Any advice will be very welcome.

Thank you, Ken.

Hello @Ken and welcome to ElevenForum.


First thing you should do is make sure you have the latest chipset drivers...





Then, it might be a better idea to do an In-Place Upgrade, instead of trying to do updates.
An In-Place Upgrade will repair Windows but leave you programs and files untouched.




Here is the short version of the In-place upgrade tutorial...

DISABLE non-Microsoft:
a) antivirus software
b) firewall software
c) drive encryption software

Make a full OS backup with a program like Macrium Reflect (free)
Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect Free

Get the Windows 11 ISO image and save it to your desktop...


Right click the ISO image and choose: MOUNT
Open File Explorer and you will see a new drive letter. It will "look" like a DVD optical drive.
Double click the new drive letter to open it.
Find setup.exe and double click it to start the in-place upgrade.

Choose the Keep personal files and apps option.

After it's all done... to UNmount the ISO image, right click the new drive letter and choose: EJECT.

The ONLY thing you will lose is some of your personalizations.
Your drivers, programs and data will be intact.

Hi Ken and welcome. I am only speculating as I do not know what windows update is updating but if the PC works OK until windows update is run, My first suspicion is WU is updating some driver with an incompatible version. Forget about core isolation until you can get your system stable.
Restore from your backup and immediately, as soon as you can successfully boot into Windows, use the .reg file method (option 2) Disable_include_drivers_with_Windows_Updates.reg in the following tutorial to disable driver updates thru WU. Enable or Disable Include Drivers with Windows Updates in Windows 11 Tutorial

Then open WU and check for updates.
Make sure you have the latest UEFI bios update from Asus

Out of curiosity why did you choose to run an insider build on a brand new computer? Especially before the system was stable. Not a very good idea, IMO.


I agree with @Ghot, get your driver updates from Intel or the manufacturer support page for your mobo, not WU.

Ken said:

I am running Windows 11 Home, version 22H2, OS build 22621.1250.

Click to expand...

Beta channel, but missed last three updates since 2/2?

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22621.1250

Hi All,

Many thanks for your replies, and some additional info:
The problem is actually worse than I thought. After I re-instate everything from my backup image, it presents the login screen, and when I login from this everything is OK. But if I now do a restart, before doing anything else at all, the problem happens. And of course any update, even from Intel, requires a restart, and then I'm stuck again.
If it is an incompatible driver issue, then this suggests that the problem driver version is also in the backup.

I don't recall choosing an insider build when I downloaded windows 11; it was several month ago, but I think I picked the recommended version.
Can I install another more stable build without losing all the personalisation which I spent many hours putting in place ?

I believe the UEFI bios is up to date.

I am now waitng for backup restore; it takes about an hour every time I go round the loop.
When it is done, I will try the disabling the drivers update as you suggest.

Ken.

Ken said:

I don't recall choosing an insider build when I downloaded windows 11; it was several month ago, but I think I picked the recommended version.

Can I install another more stable build without losing all the personalisation which I spent many hours putting in place ?

Click to expand...

I doubt it: UPDATE 2/23/2023: Off-ramp for Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel

What does it say at Settings, Windows Update, Windows Insider Program?

Ken said:

The problem is actually worse than I thought. After I re-instate everything from my backup image, it presents the login screen, and when I login from this everything is OK. But if I now do a restart, before doing anything else at all, the problem happens. And of course any update, even from Intel, requires a restart, and then I'm stuck again.
If it is an incompatible driver issue, then this suggests that the problem driver version is also in the backup.

Click to expand...

You can attempt a repair upgrade as Ghot suggested. Make sure the iso you download is the correct one for your version.

Ken said:

Can I install another more stable build without losing all the personalisation w

Click to expand...

You can opt to change from one insider flight to another without a clean install. In your case beta to release preview. However, this will not take effect until the next version is released.

If you want to get out of insider immediately, unenroll your device from insider, download the release version of 11 and clean install.

Here it is from the horse's (MS) mouth.

If you no longer want to receive Insider preview builds, you'll have to unenroll your device. If you don't leave the program though, you will continue to receive emails. To unenroll your device:

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program > Stop Insider Preview Builds to see your options.
2. If you're in the Beta Channel or the Release Preview Channel, you can flip the switch to stop getting preview builds on your device when the next major release of Windows launches to the public.
3. If you're in the Dev Channel or you'd like to stop getting preview builds immediately, you should use these instructions to complete a clean installation of Windows.

Ken said:

The problem is actually worse than I thought. After I re-instate everything from my backup image, it presents the login screen, and when I login from this everything is OK. But if I now do a restart, before doing anything else at all, the problem happens.

Click to expand...

You can attempt a repair install as Ghot suggested. Just make sure the iso you download is of the same version you are running.
If a repair install doesn't solve the problem, the next step is a clean install. This will be your opportunity to download and install the release version of 11.

Since you indicate this is a self build, a few more questions for you. Had you ever built a system before? Did you stress test your hardware? Did you install your own drivers from Asus or Intel or just let WU do it at the time?(especially chipset and graphics)

Hi All:
Settings says I have Beta Channel. To me this seemed the most appropriate choice.
The hardware is NOT self-build, and I believe was fully tested before shipping to me.
But I did install Windows 11 myself. I did not install drivers from Asus or Intel, so I guess WU must have just done it at the time.
I should mention that there were no problems for first couple of months, including lots of restarts in the early days.
However, I normally hardly ever shut down -- prefer to hibernate. So I cannot be sure as to when the problem started.
But the oldest backup I have (5th Feb) does not fix it.

I have now chosen to leave the insider program.

I will try the In-Place Upgrade described by Ghot.
Too late to do it tonight, and I'm out most of tomorrow, so later tomorrow.
Thanks again, Ken.

Hi All,
Latest info:
I have done the In-Place Upgrade described by Ghot; retained my files and apps.
Problem is now RESOLVED (Hurrah!); at least for the moment.
Reboot without updates is OK; I have not yet tried updates and reboot. I will make a new complete backup first.

System>About now shows:
Edition Windows 11 Home
Version 22H2
Installed on ‎3/‎16/‎2023
OS build 22621.1413
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22639.1000.0

Also, everything is much the same as before.

Many thanks all for your help.
I have clicked the Mark as Resolved button; do I need to do anything else on the forum?