Microsoft on Wednesday paused a Windows security update for some customers, who may include government workers.
The move came just one day after Microsoft released a massive Patch Tuesday update fixing 570 security vulnerabilities, including 61 critical flaws and three actively exploited zero-day bugs.
According to The Register, Microsoft halted distribution of the update for some Dell computers with Intel processors after reports the patch could trigger unexpected shutdowns, poor performance, overheating and excessive battery drain.
Microsoft acknowledged the issue on its support dashboard, saying the update "might not be available for a limited number of Dell devices with Intel processors due to an incompatibility reported by Dell."
"We are working together with Dell to prevent the affected models from experiencing the issue and plan to release a resolution for affected devices in the coming days," the company said, adding the update is "temporarily unavailable" for affected systems.
Windows Latest reported the problem stems from an incompatibility between an Intel driver and Microsoft's new Windows USB-C Connection Manager interface introduced in a June preview release.
The issue affects Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 but does not impact Windows 10 or Windows Server editions.
The delay is significant because Microsoft had urged customers only last week to install security updates as quickly as possible, warning that artificial intelligence is allowing attackers to identify and exploit software vulnerabilities faster than ever.
Cybersecurity firm Action1 noted Microsoft's July Patch Tuesday addressed a record-breaking 570 vulnerabilities and said organizations should expect increasingly frequent security updates as Microsoft expands its use of AI to discover software flaws while relying on engineers for final validation.
The timing also raises questions for federal agencies and the military.
Earlier this year, the Department of War announced a five-year, $9.7 billion enterprise agreement with Dell Federal Systems to provide Microsoft software and cloud services across the department, the intelligence community and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Officials said the consolidation is expected to save taxpayers about $422 million annually while supporting advanced command-and-control capabilities and artificial intelligence initiatives.
Communications firm H/Advisors, which works with cybersecurity companies and experts, noted to Newsmax the juxtaposition between Microsoft's record-sized security update and its abrupt suspension for some Dell devices, arguing the development underscores the importance of reliable software for government systems.
The firm also pointed out that one of the patched zero-day vulnerabilities resembles a SharePoint flaw exploited last year by Chinese hackers against multiple federal agencies, increasing the urgency of deploying security fixes without disrupting mission-critical operations.
For now, Microsoft and Dell say they are working together on a permanent solution before resuming distribution of the update to affected devices.
Until then, impacted users—including some government employees using Dell hardware—will have to wait for a corrected release that balances security with system stability.