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Does the new KB5077181 patch finally fix the Blue Screen of Death on Windows 11 24H2?
The February 2026 security update KB5077181 permanently resolves the “UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME” errors affecting commercial Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 devices.
Critical Fix for Windows 11 Boot Failures
Microsoft released the cumulative update KB5077181 on February 10, 2026, to address persistent boot loops experienced by enterprise users. This mandatory Patch Tuesday release advances Windows 11 24H2 systems to Build 26100.7840 and 25H2 systems to Build 26200.7840. IT administrators should prioritize this deployment, as it repairs the underlying state corruption that caused devices to fail during startup. The update supersedes the partial mitigation provided by the January 29 preview patch KB5074105.
Root Cause of the Restart Loop
The boot failure specifically targeted commercial devices that experienced an installation error during the December 2025 security update. These machines remained in a faulty state, which triggered a “Stop Code 0xED” (UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME) blue screen when administrators attempted to install the subsequent January 13, 2026, update KB5074109. Affected systems entered an infinite restart loop and displayed a black screen requiring manual recovery. This conflict did not impact home users or virtual machines, limiting the disruption to physical enterprise hardware.
Recommended Action Plan
System administrators must verify that all affected endpoints receive KB5077181 to prevent future boot failures. Devices currently stuck in a boot loop may require manual remediation before the update can successfully install. Once applied, this patch corrects the “improper state” left by the failed December update, ensuring stability for future servicing windows. The release also includes standard security improvements and fixes for bugs affecting the Start menu and File Explorer.