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Wi-Fi hotspots and Windows on Arm broken by Microsoft's latest patches

Only way to resolve is a rollback – but update included security fixes

Updated Microsoft's latest set of Windows patches are causing problems for users.

Windows 10 and 11 are affected, with both experiencing similar issues (although the latter seems to be suffering a little more).

KB5014697, released on June 14 for Windows 11, addresses a number of issues, but the known issues list has also been growing. Some .NET Framework 3.5 apps might fail to open (if using Windows Communication Foundation or Windows Workflow component) and the Wi-Fi hotspot features appears broken.

For the former, Microsoft recommends re-enabling the .NET Framework 3.5. The latter issue, which can result in the hotspot host losing its internet connection after a client device connects, requires the disabling of the Wi-Fi hotspot feature.

A third problem, which only affects Windows devices using Arm processors, could stop users signing into the Azure Active Directory. Example affected scenarios include logging into Teams, OneDrive, and Outlook. Even VPN connections might be broken by the issue. Microsoft's solution? Use the web versions. Which, frankly, isn't much of a solution, particularly for VPNs or OneDrive.

While .NET apps appear to have avoided the attentions of Microsoft's bork fairy in Windows 10, the lengthy issues list for its own patch (KB5014699) also includes the broken Wi-Fi hotspot feature and Azure Active Directory issues on Arm.

Judging by social media, the Wi-Fi hotspot issue appears widespread and Microsoft's solution of disabling the functionality is of little use to Windows users relying on it. We asked the company if and when a fix would be available and will update should a response be forthcoming.

In the meantime, it appears the only way for afflicted users to restore functionality is to roll back the update. Risky in its own right, since the patch contains a number of security updates as well as the usual raft of bug fixing.

And, it appears, bug introductions. ®

Updated to add

Microsoft on Monday issued an emergency update to address the issue of Windows Arm devices being unable to log in via Azure Active Directory. There's more information here.

"Microsoft is releasing out-of-band (OOB) security updates today, June 20, 2022, only for Arm-based Windows devices," the IT giant stated.

"This update addresses a known issue that only affects Windows Arm-based devices and might prevent you from signing in using Azure Active Directory (AAD). Apps and services that use AAD to sign in, such as VPN connections, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft Outlook, might also be affected."

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