Windows App forgets how to log in with first security update of the year
- Reference: 1768486333
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2026/01/15/windows_app_credential_failures/
- Source link:
The January 2026 security update, released on January 13, is the culprit. [1]According to Microsoft, the update can result in credential prompt failures "during Remote Desktop connections using the Windows App on Windows client devices, impacting Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365."
The upshot is that connecting to Windows 365 or Azure Virtual Desktop from the Windows App could be borked due to credential problems. Microsoft posted: "Investigation and debugging are ongoing, with coordination between Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows Update teams."
[2]
The problem is widespread and appears to affect every supported version of Windows, from Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2016, right up to Windows 11 25H2. Windows Servers 2019 to 2025 are also affected.
[3]
[4]
Other than a swift uninstall of the update (which means losing important security fixes), Microsoft's advice is to use the Remote Desktop Client to connect to Azure Virtual Desktop, or to use the Windows App web client.
Neither is an ideal solution. Microsoft said: "We are actively working on a resolution and plan to release an out-of-band (OOB) update in the coming days. Additional details will be shared as soon as they become available."
[5]Microsoft taps UK courts to dismantle cybercrime host RedVDS
[6]Microsoft's 'From SA' scheme on trial as license resale row refuses to die
[7]Hasta la vista! Microsoft finally ends extended updates for ancient Windows version
[8]Microsoft euthanizes ancient deployment toolkit
Of the suggestion to use the Remote Desktop Client, one user [9]wrote : "Thanks Microsoft, glad we spent ages migrating everyone over to Windows App."
The Windows App is Microsoft's one-stop shop for everything Windows launched via a rebranding exercise in 2024. According to Microsoft at the time, it "serves as your secure gateway to connect to Windows across Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, Remote Desktop, Remote Desktop Services, Microsoft Dev Box, and more." Until, of course, it doesn't.
[10]
Another user reported: "It throws an 'Unable to Authenticate' error every time you try to click the 'Connect' button from Windows App. It instantly fails with the 'Unable to Authenticate' error."
According to [11]reports , Microsoft has made a Known Issue Rollback available to reverse whatever is causing the Windows App credential issues. However, the company has yet to publicize this on its Release Health dashboard.
If Microsoft's resolution for 2026 was to "stop shipping borked software," it appears to have made it as far as the first security update of the year. ®
Get our [12]Tech Resources
[1] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/status-windows-11-25H2#3760msgdesc
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2aWlxmBDWmm5mFOdf0fxbBAAAA4c&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44aWlxmBDWmm5mFOdf0fxbBAAAA4c&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33aWlxmBDWmm5mFOdf0fxbBAAAA4c&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://www.theregister.com/2026/01/15/microsoft_uk_courts_redvds/
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2026/01/15/microsoft_from_sa_licensing/
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2026/01/14/microsoft_calls_time_on_the/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2026/01/12/microsoft_deployment_platform/
[9] https://www.reddit.com/r/AzureVirtualDesktop/comments/1qc3g1x/comment/nzmy4fv/
[10] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44aWlxmBDWmm5mFOdf0fxbBAAAA4c&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[11] https://www.reddit.com/r/AzureVirtualDesktop/comments/1qc3g1x/comment/nzj4yiz/
[12] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Re: Microsoft is improving
Oh, by the way, [1]the same procedure as last year miss Sophie? [2]The same procedure as every year James.
[1] https://youtu.be/5n7VI0rC8ZA?si=PesqkFAdZRlJiD-I&t=106
[2] https://youtu.be/5n7VI0rC8ZA?si=QwYPbUacOb7rQryg&t=112
It's like those roadsigns you see sometimes "Don't Rely On Sat Nav"
Or Sat Nad apparently.
You can't win with Microsoft
For a cloud service provider, they're not that great at providing cloud services.
Another Year : Another MS snafu
When will they get their updates right?
Don't answer that... They simply don't care at the moment.
However, if the rumours for Windows 12 are correct and that it is subscription only, then an update SNAFU would open them up to breach of contract lawsuits no matter what their EULA says.
not that it bothers me. I'm Windows free for almost 10 years.
As I've said before, this is what you get with Agile. The whole philosophy is bung it together as quickly as possible, throw it out there and we'll debug it as we go. A disaster waiting to happen.
Remember kids..
Agile is Fragile
Bluck
"We are actively working on a resolution"
I'll bet you are. Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 are heavily used in enterprise environments, and having their workforce at a standstill is not the kind of thing CEOs appreciate.
Too bad you didn't have anyone around to test the update before you spewed it onto the masses, eh ?
Re: "We are actively working on a resolution"
All our dev work is accomplished via Azure Virtual Desktop. We have had no end of problems with it over the last year.
Fortunately, I am still on leave from Christmas, but my colleagues at work will definitely be the ones spewing.
Luckily nothing important was affected.
Who needs cloud anyway? Especially a virtual Win11 in MS cloud? The swing back from cloud to more on-prem will come back, and if only due to cloud fails pouring more and more. That centralized - decentralized cycle is the one we can count on since ever computer existed.
Re: Luckily nothing important was affected.
I fear you're too optimistic. There is too much money invested in cloud now, and the "outsource everything and you can save money by getting rid of those grubby IT nerds" salespitch is too compelling to the MBA types.
But, we'll see.
Re: Luckily nothing important was affected.
I've seen what you have to do to migrate a windows 11 VM. Horrible. The virtual TPM is secure!
I just assume that Microsoft don't give a***T about that nonsense on VMs they sell.
Just like a windows server can't just join AzureAD, UNLESS it's on their virtual platform.
Microsoft is improving
Microsoft has managed to get 2 whole weeks into the new year before screwing up an update - is this some form of record?