Microsoft resolved a critical issue caused by the August 2024 Windows updates that prevented Linux systems from booting on dual-boot configurations with Secure Boot enabled. The fix was rolled out in May 2025 after nine months of troubleshooting, restoring boot functionality for affected users.
Affected: Linux dual-boot systems, Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2012 and later
Keypoints
- The issue was caused by an SBAT update that incorrectly applied to some systems, blocking Linux bootloaders vulnerable to known exploits.
- Many Linux distributions, including Ubuntu and Linux Mint, experienced boot failures after installing August 2024 Windows security updates.
- Microsoft confirmed the problem and provided temporary workarounds before releasing a permanent fix in May 2025.
- The fix involved updating Windows and stopping automatic installation of problematic SBAT updates to prevent future issues.
- Users are advised to install the latest Windows updates to ensure system stability and security.