14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 11 cumulative update KB5012643 has recently been released as an optional update, therefore giving users the opportunity to try out what’s to come in the next automatic update due on the May 2022 Patch Tuesday.
According to the official support document for this update, KB5012643 shouldn’t theoretically cause any new issues – the only known bug is the one breaking down the backup and restore feature that’s actually been broken since January anyway.
But as it turns out, this update also causes one more glitch that is yet to be acknowledged by Microsoft.
According to Deskmodder, cumulative update KB5012643 breaks down the Safe Mode, making it almost impossible to use.
It’s an optional update… for now
More specifically, after the installation of this update, the Safe Mode in Windows appears to suffer from some sort of screen flickering. The cited source indicates that booting Safe Mode with the networking module activated brings things back to normal, so at first glance, only the offline mode of the system is impacted.
Microsoft is yet to acknowledge the glitch, but without a doubt, the company should closely inspect the whole thing before the update goes live for everybody as an automatic update on the May 2022 Patch Tuesday cycle.
All changes that are part of this update will be included in the next release as well, at which point the update will be offered to all Windows 11 devices as an automatic update via Windows Update. Furthermore, Microsoft will add additional security patches as part of its monthly patching cycle.
It goes without saying a Safe Mode bug could end up impacting quite a lot of devices out there, especially those part of enterprise fleets, where IT admins rely on this system specifically to repair issues and recover the operating system.
The next Patch Tuesday takes place on May 10.