Microsoft keeps running into brick walls with the 2024 version of Windows 11. Each new update designed to fix the outstanding bugs ends up introducing other problems. That’s apparently true with the February Patch Tuesday update, prompting users to complain of File Explorer issues, installation glitches, and more.
Launched as an automatic update on February 11, KB5051987 added a few helpful features and resolved a host of bugs, both old and new. Among the glitches resolved were ones that affected digital audio converters, USB audio drivers, USB cameras, and passkeys. The update also patched several security vulnerabilities, including some that were deemed critical.
Also: Don’t ignore Microsoft’s February Patch Tuesday – it’s a big one for all Windows 11 users
OK, that’s the good news. Now for the bad.
After applying KB5051987, many Windows users have been hit by troubles with File Explorer, as spotted by Windows Latest. In some cases, File Explorer fails to respond when you try to open folders such as Desktop, Documents, and Pictures. In other cases, File Explorer refuses to open if you try to access it through the desktop shortcut or Windows Search. In still other cases, clicking on a folder’s arrow in the left sidebar to view its subfolders produces no response.
The explorer.exe program still appears in Task Manager, indicating that File Explorer is running and hasn’t frozen or crashed. One thought was that File Explorer conflicts with third-party tools. However, according to Windows Latest, the problems pop up even on plain vanilla systems with no third-party customizations.
Beyond the glitches with File Explorer, some people have reported issues simply trying to install the update. Sometimes, the installation stops at 96%, kicking off an error that something didn’t go as planned. Other times, you’re told that KB5051987 can’t be installed because some update files are missing or have problems. Some users with MSI-based systems say that the update gets stuck at 0% for several hours.
To try to resolve installation issues, Windows Latest suggests clearing the SoftwareDistribution folder where Windows stores its update files. You’ll find that folder under C:Windows. Otherwise, you can just wait several hours or overnight to see if the installation finishes on its own.
Also: How to create a Windows recovery drive in 4 easy steps – before it’s too late
Other glitches that may pop up include a stuttering mouse, an undetectable camera, .NET apps that cannot be installed inside the Windows Sandbox, and the Taskbar’s new preview animation that does not work properly. You may also encounter other roadblocks. One person in the Windows Feedback Hub said that after installing the update, the battery life shows only 2.5 hours versus 6 hours previously. Another person found that the clipboard history no longer copies items from Microsoft Word.
On my end, I applied the February patch and haven’t yet noticed any of the reported glitches. However, I’ve found that the Windows desktop now takes much longer to appear after I log in. I’ve also noticed a couple of odd issues that randomly occur and then vanish if I reboot. For example, right-clicking on a folder or file in File Explorer sometimes fails to trigger the context menu. I reboot and try again, and then it works fine.
Also: Microsoft has a big Windows 10 problem, and it’s running out of time to solve it
Each annual Windows update can suffer from bugs, especially after being rolled out to millions of users. However, Windows 11 24H2 has been more problematic than usual. Since its official launch last October, the 2024 version has carried with it a host of known issues, many of which still haven’t been resolved. As we get closer to the October 2025 deadline for the Windows 10 support cutoff, Microsoft needs to ensure that Windows 11 is a more stable and reliable system.
Source : https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-11-update-breaks-file-explorer-among-other-glitches/
