June 8, 2026, 3:36 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
PC users now reflexively blame Windows updates for problems with their computers. No wonder, as Windows 11 has had a disastrous track record regarding software reliability. However, sometimes Microsoft receives criticism unfairly. Occasionally, updates from PC manufacturers themselves are responsible for crashes and boot loops.
Windows 11 on the Right Track
Due to ongoing update issues with Windows 11, Microsoft promised improvements in a blog post in March and is now working diligently to enhance the user experience. The focus is on stability and bringing back features that users have missed since Windows 10. Good examples include the rollback of faulty driver updates and the ability to reposition the taskbar.
However, the past two months have been plagued by crashes and boot loops, which many users quickly attributed to faulty Windows updates. In fact, it was not Microsoft but software from PC manufacturers that caused the problems, as reported by the online magazine “Windows Latest.”
Boot Loops Caused by HP Updates
In April 2026, HP released BIOS updates for enterprise devices. Affected models included EliteBooks, ProBooks, ZBooks, and Workstations. After installation, many devices repeatedly ended up in BitLocker recovery. Even after entering the correct key, the screen reappeared at the next restart.
The issue stemmed from the transition from old Secure Boot certificates from 2011 to a new certificate chain from 2023. The old certificates expire in June 2026. Affected HP devices could not save a stable new state, causing BitLocker to detect a discrepancy at every restart.
The problem can be resolved manually relatively quickly. However, since primarily remotely managed devices in companies were affected, this meant a significant effort for IT departments.
What Users Need to Do if HP Computers Freeze on Startup
Users Should Avoid the Windows 11 April Patch for Now
Dell Support Tool Causes Crashes
With an update for SupportAssist, Dell also caused many Windows computers to crash at the end of April. The application is supposed to facilitate maintenance, updates, and recovery. Starting in early May 2026, owners of XPS, Alienware, Latitude, and Precision devices reported regular blue screens–about every 30 minutes.
Also of interest: Windows 11 brings faster file search with update
Dell later confirmed that version 5.5.16.0 of the Dell SupportAssist Remediation Service was the cause. The corresponding Alienware version was also affected. Dell recommended uninstalling the faulty service until a solution is available.
Manufacturer Software Remains a Risk
Both cases show that Windows 11 is not always the actual cause of such disruptions. Faulty BIOS versions, drivers, and manufacturer programs can significantly impact the system.
Microsoft can only mitigate such problems to a limited extent. A faulty BIOS cannot be rolled back as easily as a normal driver. Pre-installed tools are often the responsibility of the manufacturers.
For users and companies, it remains important to roll out firmware and manufacturer updates in a controlled manner. Especially in larger device fleets, new versions should first be tested on a few computers.