Microsoft recently released an update to Windows 11, providing many updates and patches. There is just one problem. After applying the update, some users are experiencing problems with VPNs.

Many Windows 11 users have posted on Microsoft forums and Reddit, stating that the April 2024 Windows 11 update, called KB5036893, is breaking VPN connections that use TPM-backed certificates. Users say that when they apply the update and try to use the VPN, an error pops up on the display saying, "Certificate not found."

The Windows 11 April Update was applied to all Windows 11 versions along with the company's Windows Server installation. While Microsoft acknowledges the issue and says it is investigating, the software maker also states that the only solution at this time is to uninstall the update and wait for a "future release" that will apparently fix the problem.

Applying Windows updates always involves risk. While Microsoft spends time internally testing updates before making them available to the beta community to ensure that there are no major problems when they are released to the public, it is inevitable that some users will be affected by coding issues that no one could have anticipated. And in the vast majority of such cases, few users feel the impact.

But the April update is clearly different, and it appears that anyone who has applied the update and is using a TPM-backed VPN will be affected, given that VPNs are used for a variety of purposes to enhance privacy and security both at home and in the office. Given that VPNs are used for a variety of purposes to enhance privacy and security both at home and in the office, this is clearly an alarming problem.

This issue also sheds light on best practices regarding software updates. Although Microsoft and other OS manufacturers have argued that users should update to new software as soon as possible, in practice, this is not always the best practice. In fact, in the absence of a zero-day exploit patch, it is often best to wait and see how the update affects other users before jumping on board. This may be the case with this April update.

So if you have already installed the update and are experiencing problems with your VPN, consider uninstalling the patch or waiting until Microsoft releases a fix. Also, if you have not yet updated your software, be sure to hold off on updating it if you are using a VPN.

Microsoft has stated that a patch will be released soon. However, they have not stated how long the fix will take.