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Windows 11 KB5043145 was a real update incident, but “Microsoft withdrew it” needs qualification. Microsoft released the optional, non-security preview update on September 26, 2024, for Windows 11 versions 22H2 and 23H2. Some devices repeatedly restarted, became unresponsive, showed blue or green screens, entered Automatic Repair or BitLocker recovery, and lost USB or Bluetooth functionality.
Microsoft marked the issue resolved with KB5044285, released on October 8, 2024. Reports that KB5043145 disappeared from Windows Update make “withdrawn” a reasonable shorthand, but Microsoft did not clearly announce that every copy was permanently removed; the update remains listed in the Microsoft Update Catalog.
What was Windows 11 KB5043145?
KB5043145 was the September 26, 2024 cumulative update preview for:
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It was an optional, non-security preview update. The package was distributed through Windows Update, business update channels, WSUS-related channels and the Microsoft Update Catalog. It was accompanied by servicing stack update KB5043143.
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Because it was a preview, ordinary Home and Pro users did not need it for immediate security protection. Waiting for the next regular security update was generally the lower-risk choice unless the preview addressed a specific problem.
Which problems did Microsoft confirm?
Microsoft’s release-health documentation recorded reports of serious boot, recovery and peripheral failures. The documented symptoms included:
| Symptom | Status |
|---|---|
| Repeated automatic restarts | Confirmed in Microsoft’s incident record |
| Unresponsive devices | Confirmed |
| Blue or green screens | Confirmed |
| Automatic Repair after failed boots | Confirmed |
| BitLocker recovery prompts | Reported in some cases, not universally |
| USB devices failing | Confirmed |
| Bluetooth keyboards, mice, printers and other devices failing | Confirmed |
Users and secondary reports also associated the update with WSL2, Wi-Fi, login, rollback, driver, symlink and application-specific problems. Those reports should not be treated as universally confirmed KB5043145 defects: Microsoft’s official incident entry confirms the narrower set of reboot, recovery, USB and Bluetooth failures.
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Did Microsoft actually withdraw KB5043145?
The most accurate answer is: Microsoft acknowledged the failures and superseded the preview update, but the reviewed official sources do not contain a direct statement saying that Microsoft permanently withdrew it from every distribution channel.
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Microsoft opened the known issue on September 27, 2024, and marked it resolved on October 8, 2024. Reports indicated that KB5043145 stopped appearing in some Windows Update interfaces, which is why coverage described it as withdrawn. However, the update continued to be listed in the Microsoft Update Catalog for Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2, including x64 and Arm64 packages.
Therefore, “withdrawn” describes the apparent change in availability through some Windows Update paths. “Superseded and resolved by a later update” is the more precise description of Microsoft’s documented position.
What fixed the problem?
KB5044285, the October 8, 2024 security update, resolved the documented KB5043145 reboot issue. Later cumulative updates also include the relevant fixes.
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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →- KB5043145: September preview update associated with the incident.
- KB5044285: October security update that Microsoft identified as resolving the issue.
Users should not reinstall the obsolete preview update. They should install the latest compatible, supported update offered by Windows Update.
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- Plug and Play: The Bluetooth adapter is developed for Windows systems only and does not support other systems. No driver installation is required under Windows 11/10/8.1. NOTE: Win 7, Linux and MacOS System are NOT supported.
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How to check whether KB5043145 is installed
- Open Settings.
- Go to Windows Update and select Update history.
- Check the Quality Updates section for KB5043145.
- Run
winverto record the Windows version and OS build.
Menu labels can vary by Windows release and language. The KB number and OS build are the most useful identifiers.
Administrators can also check installed packages with:
DISM /Online /Get-Packages /Format:TablePowerShell provides a second check:
Get-HotFix -Id KB5043145Get-HotFix may not report every servicing situation, so use it alongside Windows Update history or DISM rather than treating it as definitive by itself.
What affected users should do
If Windows still boots normally
- Back up important files.
- Check Update history and confirm whether KB5043145 is present.
- Install the latest applicable cumulative update offered by Windows Update.
- Restart and test boot reliability, USB devices, Bluetooth devices and BitLocker status.
Do not manually download KB5043145 from the Update Catalog unless a qualified administrator has a specific legacy-recovery reason.
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- Ultra-High Data Transfer Speeds: With Bluetooth 6.0 technology, this bluetooth dongle will bring us a faster speed experience. And Bluetooth 6.0 is backward compatible with Bluetooth5.4/5.3.
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- Plug and Play: The Bluetooth receiver is developed for Windows systems only and does not support other systems. No driver installation is required under Windows 11/10/8.1. NOTE: Linux and MacOS , Win 7 System are NOT supported.
If Windows is unstable but usable
- Disconnect unnecessary USB and Bluetooth devices.
- Back up files immediately.
- Install the latest supported update if Windows Update offers one.
- Use Settings > System > Recovery or Windows Recovery Environment if normal operation is unreliable.
- Use the recovery environment’s update-uninstall option if the update is still removable.
Microsoft specifically warns that the combined servicing-stack and cumulative package cannot be removed with the ordinary wusa.exe /uninstall method. If normal recovery does not work, Microsoft directs administrators to identify the package with DISM and remove it by package name.
DISM removal from a working Windows installation
Open an elevated Command Prompt and list the packages:
DISM /Online /Get-Packages /Format:TableAfter identifying the exact package corresponding to KB5043145, remove it with:
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DISM /Online /Remove-Package /PackageName:<exact-package-name>Never guess the package name, and do not casually remove servicing-stack components.
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- System Support: The upgraded Bluetooth 5.4 dongle has a wide range of applications. You can connect up to 5 devices at the same time using Bluetooth wireless. Such as Bluetooth speakers,keyboards,headsets,mice, and Bluetooth printers,etc. Only supports Windows 11/10/8.1, Not compatible with Mac OS, Linux,car stereo systems,XBOX,ps4 or TVs.
If Windows will not boot
In Windows Recovery Environment, first identify the Windows volume because it may not be C::
diskpart
list volume
exitThen replace D: below with the correct Windows volume:
DISM /Image:D: /Get-Packages /Format:Table
DISM /Image:D: /Remove-Package /PackageName:<exact-package-name>Keep the BitLocker recovery key available, verify your backup, and use professional or managed IT support for business-critical systems.
If BitLocker recovery appears
A BitLocker recovery prompt does not automatically mean that the drive is damaged or that files were erased. Microsoft reported recovery prompts in some cases after the update.
- Retrieve the recovery key from the associated Microsoft account or organization.
- Avoid repeatedly forcing the computer to shut down.
- Record the recovery screen and error details.
- Contact the device owner or administrator if the key is unavailable.
What enterprise administrators should know
Enterprise-managed devices may use Microsoft’s Known Issue Rollback system. KIR is intended for managed environments and is not a normal consumer repair step.
Microsoft stated that enterprise-managed devices with the October 8, 2024 update or later did not need a KIR or special Group Policy to resolve this issue. Administrators should still verify update rings, WSUS approvals, Intune policies and reboot history before changing deployment settings.
Quick Recap
What not to do
- Do not reinstall the obsolete preview update.
- Do not assume every WSL2, Wi-Fi or application problem was confirmed by Microsoft as an update defect.
- Do not guess a DISM package name.
- Do not remove servicing-stack components casually.
- Do not repeatedly force shutdowns during boot or BitLocker recovery.
- Do not treat this historical September 2024 incident as evidence that Microsoft is withdrawing the update today.
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