Microsoft explains why Windows 11 KB5083631, KB5083769 are making systems restart more times

Earlier today Microsoft released its latest Windows 11 25H2, 24H2 update under KB5083631 which brings some major performance benefits for users. The latest update currently only lists a single known issue related to forced BitLocker recovery. The tech giant has issued a workaround for the bug which you can find in its dedicated article here.

However, aside from that, Microsoft notes that the update could lead to a system restarting or rebooting more than once after downloading and installing. The company has not documented this as a known issue since this is expected behaviour at least on some machines, and it's not the first time either as the previous month's KB5083769 update also had this quirk. Microsoft has explained that the double restart is due to the installation of new Secure Boot certificates on systems requiring them.

For anyone who missed it, back in early 2024, Microsoft announced that it was updating Secure Boot keys as they were going to become 15 years old in 2026, which is also when they are set to expire. As such, the new 2023 certificates are being rolled out with the newest Windows 11 updates. Updated boot manager and Secure Boot certificates are crucial for protection against malware like bootkits.

Microsoft writes: "Note: With recent and upcoming Windows updates over the next few months, a limited number of consumer and business devices might experience one additional restart during installation. This one‑time restart occurs after a Secure Boot certificate update is applied as part of the Secure Boot update process."

If you are not sure whether your system has the necessary update or not, Microsoft recently added a simple indicator to help you determine that info inside the Windows Security app. There are now new marks to help explain the stage at which your Windows 11/10 system is regarding Secure Boot status. You can check the details in this dedicated piece here.