Windows 11: January's Patch Tuesday causes black screens in some cases

As reported by Windows Latest, installing the January update results in a "black screen" on some computers. The display remains dark after booting, while the system often continues to run in the background. Windows 11 builds 24H2 (26100.7623) and 25H2 (26200.7623) are affected.

Causes and solutions

Initial analyses from the expert community indicate that the issue is not universal, but is exacerbated by specific software configurations. Two areas are currently considered the primary sources of the problem:

• Incompatible system tools: Third-party software for customizing the user interface (such as ExplorerPatcher) appears to conflict with the new system files in the update.
• Graphics driver conflicts: There are indications that certain driver versions lose communication with the display manager after the update.

For systems where the problem has already occurred, users can try out several technical approaches in order to restore full functionality:

• Graphics reset via shortcut: The key combination [Windows key] + [Ctrl] + [Shift] + [B] forces a restart of the graphics driver. In some cases, this can restore the display signal.
• Uninstallation via the recovery environment: The Windows RE menu (accessible by calling up the boot menu during the startup process) can be used to specifically remove the update KB5074109 (see changelog) under 'Advanced Options'.
• Pausing updates as a preventative measure: Since an official hotfix from Microsoft is still pending, temporarily pausing the update function for seven days is a valid option to prevent installation on systems that have not yet been affected.

End of support for Windows 10 increases willingness to switch

Due to the accumulation of technical instabilities in Windows 11 and the impending end of support for Windows 10 in October 2026, alternative platforms are becoming increasingly attractive for users. According to Artyom Zorin, founder of the Linux distribution of the same name, Zorin OS 18 has surpassed two million downloads within three months (see X post). The situation is similar for the developers of Bazzite, who registered growth of around 12,500 users within 30 days (see X post).

The current issue underscores the need for a cautious update strategy for Windows 11. In particular, systems that use modification tools should be secured with full system backups before installing new patches. Until Microsoft releases a corrected update, uninstalling the KB5074109 package remains the most reliable solution for the time being.