Introduction

Microsoft's recent Windows updates have introduced significant challenges for users and IT professionals, particularly concerning Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) functionality. A series of updates led to RDP sessions freezing or disconnecting, disrupting remote access and management tasks. This article delves into the origins of these issues, their impact, and the steps Microsoft has taken to resolve them.

Background: The Emergence of RDP Issues

In February 2025, Microsoft released security update KB5051987 for Windows Server 2025. Shortly after installation, users reported that Remote Desktop sessions would freeze shortly after connection, rendering mouse and keyboard inputs unresponsive. This necessitated disconnecting and reconnecting to regain control, severely impacting remote management capabilities. (bleepingcomputer.com)

Simultaneously, Windows 11 version 24H2 users experienced similar issues. After installing updates since January 2025, RDP sessions would disconnect approximately 65 seconds after initiation, especially when connecting to older servers like Windows Server 2016. This problem was acknowledged by Microsoft, noting a significant increase in reports following the March 2025 security update (KB5053598). (bleepingcomputer.com)

Microsoft's Response and Resolutions

To address these issues, Microsoft implemented several measures:

  1. Windows 11 Fixes: On February 25, 2025, Microsoft released optional update KB5052093, which resolved the RDP disconnection issues for Windows 11 24H2 users. (bleepingcomputer.com)
  2. Windows Server 2025 Fixes: The freezing issue on Windows Server 2025 was resolved with the release of KB5055523 on April 8, 2025. This update addressed the problem where RDP sessions would freeze shortly after connection, restoring normal functionality. (support.microsoft.com)
  3. Known Issue Rollback (KIR): For Windows 11 24H2, Microsoft utilized the KIR feature to reverse the problematic non-security updates that caused RDP disconnections. This allowed for a swift resolution without requiring users to uninstall updates manually. (bleepingcomputer.com)

Implications and Impact

The RDP issues had significant implications:

  • Operational Disruptions: Organizations relying on RDP for remote management faced operational challenges, leading to increased downtime and productivity losses.
  • IT Management Strain: IT professionals had to implement temporary workarounds, such as disconnecting and reconnecting sessions, to maintain remote access, adding to their workload.
  • Trust and Reliability Concerns: Frequent issues with Windows updates have raised concerns about Microsoft's update quality and reliability, prompting organizations to reconsider their update deployment strategies.

Technical Details

The root cause of the RDP issues was linked to changes introduced in the security updates that affected session management and input processing within the RDP framework. Specifically:

  • Session Freezing: In Windows Server 2025, the updates led to conditions where RDP sessions would become unresponsive shortly after initiation, necessitating a disconnect and reconnect to regain control. (bleepingcomputer.com)
  • Session Disconnections: In Windows 11 24H2, the updates caused RDP sessions to disconnect approximately 65 seconds after connection, particularly when connecting to older servers. (bleepingcomputer.com)

Conclusion

Microsoft's recent updates have highlighted the delicate balance between enhancing security and maintaining system stability. While the company has addressed the RDP issues through subsequent updates and the KIR feature, the incidents underscore the importance of thorough testing and prompt response to emerging problems. Organizations are advised to stay informed about update releases, test them in controlled environments before widespread deployment, and have contingency plans to mitigate potential disruptions.