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Have PWA Links Stopped Working? Here is the Ultimate Insight on the New Windows Server 2025 Glitch
Are you noticing strange behavior with your Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) on Windows Server 2025? You are not alone.
We are issuing a technical advisory regarding a newly discovered bug affecting the functionality of PWA links within Windows Server 2025 environments. This issue appears specifically linked to recent OS updates and is causing significant disruption for administrators managing Remote Desktop Services (RDS).
The Core Problem: PWA Links Fail to Launch
A growing number of System Administrators have reported that PWA links—specifically for essential business tools like Microsoft Outlook and 3CX—have suddenly ceased functioning.
This issue was first highlighted by a verified blog reader, Mirko S., on November 18, 2025. The failure is most prominent in RDS (Remote Desktop Services) environments but has also been replicated on standalone servers.
The Symptoms:
- Initial Success: When a PWA is first “installed” via Microsoft Edge, the desktop shortcut works perfectly.
- Session Failure: The critical failure occurs after a user logs out and logs back in.
- Dead Links: Upon re-login, the desktop link becomes unresponsive.
- Invisible Assets: The taskbar icon for the PWA disappears or becomes “invisible,” indicating a broken association between the shell and the application identity.
Technical Analysis: The Suspected Culprit
Based on preliminary data, this instability appears to be a regression introduced by the build update 10.0.26100.6905.
We have traced this timeline back to a specific patch rollout. The disruption strongly correlates with the deployment of the out-of-band update KB5071205 for Windows Server Containers, released on October 24, 2025.
- Target of the Patch: This update was primarily released to patch a severe RCE (Remote Code Execution) vulnerability, CVE-2025-59287, found in WSUS Reporting Web Services.
- Unintended Consequence: While securing the WSUS vulnerability, the update seemingly corrupted the OS’s ability to retain PWA registration states across user sessions. It appears the update may have altered how the Windows Shell handles “AppUserModelIDs” for Edge-based web apps.
Community Verification Needed
Currently, official documentation from Microsoft regarding this specific bug is non-existent. We are calling on the global IT community to help triage this issue.
Actionable Steps for Admins:
- Check your Build: Verify if your server is running version 10.0.26100.6905.
- Test RDS Sessions: Install a PWA (e.g., Outlook), log off, and log back in to see if the icon persists.
- Report Findings: If you can confirm this behavior, please share your logs or observations in the comments below to help us escalate this to Microsoft Support.
While patching security holes like CVE-2025-59287 is non-negotiable, stability is equally vital. Until a hotfix is released, administrators may need to advise users to access these services directly via the browser rather than relying on installed PWA shortcuts.