Windows 10 KB5017308 update is apparently causing issues for some users, according to reports. This patch is currently rolling out to everyone via Windows Update, but you can also download the offline installers of Windows 10 KB5017308 and manually install it.
According to the official release notes, KB5017308 contains “miscellaneous security improvements”. However, it also includes fixes from the previous optional cumulative update, which was released in August. As per the release notes of the last patch, Windows 10’s September 2022 Patch fixes many issues.
For example, Microsoft has fixed an issue where installations of certain games might fail abruptly. The company patched another bug where the list icons in the search app might render incorrectly. Another bug that causes error 0x1E when you shut down or restart a device has been fixed.
There are several other bug fixes, including a fix for an issue where Microsoft Edge could stop responding when you use IE mode.
Windows 10 KB5017308 issues
Unfortunately, KB5017308 won’t install for many users. Like the previous updates, this patch also fails to install after the download is finished, with one of the users stating “2022-09 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 21H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5017308) is not installing and gives an error (0x800f081f)”.
For other users, the update is refusing to install with error messages (0x8000ffff, 0x8007007e, and 0x80073701). In worse cases, it is forcing systems into a reboot loop where the patch is automatically reverted, but we’re unsure of how widespread this issue is.
Microsoft has never really acknowledged the reports of failed Windows Update installations and it doesn’t have an official fix. However, installing the update from Microsoft Update Catalog does solve the issues for those impacted.
The update also broke GPO’s “Files” policy. As per reports on Reddit, when users copy a batch file into public\documents and create a copy or a shortcut to the desktop, icons are not getting migrated and the shortcut uses a blank default icon. In some cases, the batch file is actually empty when copied over.
“Several of my customers reported that KB5017308 disrupts Active Directory Group Policy “Replace” option, specifically in a User Policy (does not happen for Computer Policy) *and* when the checkbox “Run in logged-on user’s security context” is selected. They opened up a case with MSFT Premier support,” one of the affected users told us.
In case you’ve installed the update and GPU has stopped working, you can always uninstall Windows 10 update from the Settings or Command Prompt.
Remember that the patch contains some important security fixes to help keep your system protected, so if you do not have any issues after installing it, you should not uninstall it from your system.
Microsoft has also released KB5017328 for Windows 11, but that update appears to be mostly stable so far.