Microsoft has officially warned users that the August 2025 Windows security updates are causing serious issues with system recovery and reset features. The problem affects both Windows 10 and older versions of Windows 11, leaving users unable to reset or recover their PCs after applying the latest updates.
In a new update on the Windows release health dashboard, Microsoft stated:
“After installing the August 2025 Windows security update on any of the affected client versions, attempts to reset or recover the device might fail.”
This means users may run into problems if they try to use the “Reset this PC” feature or the “Fix problems using Windows Update” option. Both tools are widely used when Windows systems face errors, malware issues, or performance slowdowns.
The issue is not universal but impacts specific Windows versions that received the August security patches. According to Microsoft, the affected platforms include:
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Windows 11 23H2 and 22H2 (Update KB5063875)
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Windows 10 22H2, Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 (Update KB5063709)
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Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2019 (Update KB5063877)
In addition to local reset failures, Microsoft has also confirmed that the issue impacts RemoteWipe CSP. This tool is often used by IT administrators to remotely reset or wipe devices in organizations.
For businesses and enterprises, this can be a significant problem, especially for companies managing large fleets of Windows devices.
Windows recovery and reset tools are essential for fixing corrupted systems without performing a full clean installation. The bug affects two major scenarios:
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Reset this PC (Keep my files) – Users trying to reinstall Windows while keeping their personal files may face failures.
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Reset this PC (Remove everything) – Users who want a fresh reinstall with apps and settings preserved may also experience issues.
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Remote Reset – IT admins using RemoteWipe CSP to manage devices remotely may fail to reset or recover systems.
This can create difficulties for both home users trying to fix their PCs and enterprise admins who depend on these functions for device management.
Microsoft has confirmed that it is working on a fix for the recovery and reset bug. The company plans to release out-of-band updates in the coming days to resolve the issue.
An out-of-band update is a patch released outside the usual Patch Tuesday cycle, which indicates the severity of the problem.
Until the fix is released, Microsoft recommends that users avoid using reset or recovery features if they have already installed the August updates.
This is not the first time Microsoft has faced problems with its monthly security patches. In fact, the past few months have seen multiple update-related issues:
Windows Update Failure from Network Shares – Last week, Microsoft rolled out a fix through Known Issue Rollback (KIR) to resolve a bug that caused update failures when using Windows Update Standalone Installer (WUSA) from a network share.
WSUS Update Failures – Earlier in August, many Windows 11 24H2 systems failed to update via Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) with error code 0x80240069. This was later fixed.
Enterprise Update Errors – In April, Microsoft acknowledged similar Windows Update Service errors affecting enterprise customers running Windows 11 22H2/23H2. The company later fixed it with another KIR release in May.
Certificate Enrollment Errors – Earlier this month, Microsoft asked customers to ignore incorrect certificate enrollment warnings after the July 2025 preview update for Windows 11 24H2.
Cluster Service and VM Restart Issues – In July, updates for Windows Server 2019 triggered bugs that caused Cluster service failures and virtual machine restarts, which were later patched.
If you have installed the August 2025 security updates on your system, here are some recommended steps:
Do not reset or recover your PC until Microsoft issues the out-of-band fix.
Wait for the upcoming patch that will address the bug. Keep an eye on the Windows Update dashboard for announcements.
Create backups of important files using OneDrive, external storage, or third-party backup tools.
IT admins should avoid using RemoteWipe CSP for now and plan alternative recovery strategies.
For users who have not yet installed the August updates, it may be safer to delay installation if reset and recovery features are critical for your workflow.
The August 2025 Windows security updates have unintentionally caused a major issue by breaking reset and recovery operations on Windows 10 and older Windows 11 systems. While Microsoft has acknowledged the problem and promised a fix soon, affected users should exercise caution.
This incident highlights the growing concern that Windows updates, while critical for security, can sometimes introduce new problems. For both home users and enterprise IT teams, it is a reminder of the importance of regular backups and cautious update management.
Microsoft’s quick acknowledgment and plan for an out-of-band fix suggest that a resolution is on the way. Until then, users should stay alert, keep their systems backed up, and wait for the official patch.
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