Windows 11 Finally Fixes the “Update and Shut Down” Bug After Two Years

If you often end your day by clicking “Update and Shut Down” on your Windows 11 PC, you’ve probably noticed that it doesn’t always behave as promised. Instead of quietly shutting down after installing updates, some computers restarted themselves—leaving users staring at the lock screen instead of a powered-off machine.

This frustrating glitch has lingered since the early days of Windows 11. After more than two years of reports, Microsoft has finally acknowledged and fixed the issue. Here’s what happened and how the fix is rolling out.

A Random but Real Bug

What made this bug so irritating was its inconsistent behavior. Sometimes the “Update and Shut Down” option worked perfectly. Other times, it acted more like “Update and Restart,” keeping the system powered on even after completing updates.

The result? Your PC would remain awake, fans spinning, until someone noticed and turned it off manually.

For years, Microsoft provided no official documentation or explanation—despite frequent complaints from users across forums and support pages. Only recently did the company formally confirm the problem and deliver a long-awaited fix.

Microsoft Identifies the Cause and Delivers a Fix

According to Microsoft, the root cause of the bug has now been identified and resolved. The company first deployed the fix in Windows 11 Insider builds for the Dev and Beta Channels—specifically build 26220.6760.

Here’s what the official changelog states:

“Fixed an underlying issue which could lead ‘Update and shutdown’ to not actually shut down your PC after.”

In other words, Windows 11 should now finally do what that button has promised all along: install the update, then properly power off your computer, without any unnecessary restarts.

Available for Insiders — and Soon for Everyone

As of now, only Windows Insiders testing the latest Dev and Beta builds have received this fix. Users running the stable version of Windows 11 will need to wait a bit longer.

The patch is expected to be bundled into an upcoming cumulative update once testing concludes. Until then, it’s best not to rely too heavily on “Update and Shut Down.”

If you want to be certain your PC actually powers off after updates, use the standard Shut Down option once installation completes.

November 2025 Update — The Bug Is Officially Fixed

The good news: Microsoft has now delivered the final fix to all users through the optional update KB5067036, released in late October 2025.

This update is included in both Windows 11 version 25H2 (build 26200.7019) and version 24H2 (build 26100.7019). If your PC is up to date, the “Update and Shut Down” option should now work correctly across all editions.

While Microsoft hasn’t gone into detail about the exact cause, the company mentioned resolving an “underlying issue” that prevented some systems from shutting down after an update cycle. Some experts suspect a problem in the Servicing Stack, but Microsoft has not confirmed this theory.

Either way, the result is what matters: no more unwanted restarts when you just want to power down your PC.

✅ What You Should Do

To ensure you have the fix:

1. Open Settings > Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. Install the optional update KB5067036 or any newer cumulative update.

Once installed, test the “Update and Shut Down” option again—it should now behave exactly as intended.

Final Thoughts

After years of annoyance, Microsoft finally delivers closure on one of Windows 11’s most persistent bugs. The “Update and Shut Down” function now truly does what it says, saving users from unnecessary reboots and wasted energy.

It may have taken two years, but this fix is a welcome reminder that even small quality-of-life improvements can make a big difference in the Windows experience.

If you haven’t updated yet, make sure your PC is running the latest build—your future shut-downs will thank you.