Microsoft Confirms Black Screen of Death Following January Security Update

Microsoft Confirms Black Screen of Death Following January Security Update: What You Need to Know

Microsoft has officially confirmed that its mandatory January security update is causing PCs to crash into a new, darker “black screen of death” (BSOD), leaving affected devices unable to boot. While the tech giant has announced preventative measures, the underlying issue remains unresolved, and already-affected devices face a difficult recovery process.

The Root Cause

According to Microsoft’s latest statement, the problem stems from a failed December 2025 security update. The company explains: “This issue can occur on devices that failed to install the December 2025 security update and were left in an improper state after rolling back the update.”

When these devices are in an “improper state” and attempt to install subsequent Windows updates—specifically the January security patches—they become unable to boot, resulting in what users are now calling the January jinx.

Who’s Affected?

The good news for most consumers: this issue primarily impacts commercial PCs rather than home users. Specifically, the problem affects devices running:

• Windows 11 KB5074109
• 25H2 Build 26200.7623
• 24H2 Build 26100.7623

We strongly recommend checking your PC’s build number to determine if you’re potentially at risk.

Microsoft’s Response: A Partial Solution

Microsoft is developing what it calls a “partial resolution” that will prevent additional devices from entering the no-boot scenario when installing updates. However, the company has been transparent about the limitations of this fix:

1. It won’t prevent devices from entering an improper state initially
2. It won’t repair devices that are already unable to boot

This is genuinely concerning for organizations with affected machines, as it means the fix is preventative rather than remedial.

Recovery Options for Affected Devices

If your PC is displaying the Black Screen of Death with an UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME error, recovery requires manual intervention:

1. Enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)
2. Use one of the available recovery methods through WinRE
3. Follow Microsoft’s official support documentation for step-by-step guidance

This manual recovery process is time-consuming and may require IT expertise, making it particularly challenging for organizations with multiple affected devices.

A Troubling Month for Windows

January 2026 has proven difficult for Windows users overall, with this BSOD issue being just one of several problems:

• Emergency security updates
• Warnings to uninstall certain fixes
• Outlook functionality failures
• Multiple support documents and advisories

As Windows Latest reported in their coverage of the updated support document, the accumulation of these issues represents an unusually problematic update cycle.

What Alvarez Technology Group Recommends

For Prevention:

1. Check your build number immediately to see if you’re running an affected version
2. Delay non-critical updates until Microsoft releases the complete fix
3. Ensure proper backups are in place before installing any updates
4. Test updates on non-critical systems first in commercial environments

For Affected Devices:

1. Don’t panic—the recovery process works, but requires patience
2. Document the error messages you’re seeing
3. Contact our support team if you need assistance with WinRE recovery
4. Consider professional IT support if you’re managing multiple affected devices

For IT Administrators:

1. Audit your Windows deployment to identify potentially affected machines
2. Implement update staging to prevent widespread issues
3. Review your December update rollout to identify devices that may have failed
4. Prepare WinRE recovery procedures for your support team

Looking Ahead

Microsoft has acknowledged the severity of this issue and is working on solutions, but the admission that already-affected devices cannot be automatically fixed is concerning. Organizations should prepare for potential manual recovery efforts and consider more cautious update deployment strategies going forward.

As we move into February, the hope is that Microsoft will release a more comprehensive fix and that the update troubles plaguing January will be resolved. However, this incident serves as an important reminder of why proper update testing, staging, and backup procedures remain critical in any IT environment.

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Need Help?

If your organization is experiencing the Black Screen of Death or other Windows update issues, Alvarez Technology Group is here to help. Our experienced technicians can assist with recovery procedures, update management strategies, and take preventative measures to protect your systems.

Contact us today to ensure your Windows environment remains stable and secure through this challenging update cycle.

Stay tuned to the Alvarez Technology Group blog for updates on this developing situation and other critical IT security news.