Ethical Hacking News
Microsoft's latest Windows App security update has failed to provide the promised secure connection and authentication for Remote Desktop users, with credential prompt failures now affecting Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365.
The January 2026 security update for Windows App caused connection and authentication failures when used to connect to Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365. The issue affected multiple versions of Windows, including Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2016 and up to Windows 11 25H2, as well as Windows Servers 2019 through 2025. Microsoft advised users to uninstall the problematic update and recommended using the Remote Desktop Client or web client instead. The company plans to release an out-of-band (OOB) update to resolve the issue in the coming days.
The start of 2026 has already proven to be a trying time for Microsoft's Windows App, as users have been experiencing issues with connection and authentication failures when attempting to use it to connect to Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365. This is the second major update-related issue that Microsoft has faced in recent times, following an earlier problem with credential prompt failures.
According to a report by The Register, the January 2026 security update, released on January 13, caused problems when used to connect to Windows 365 or Azure Virtual Desktop from the Windows App. This resulted in authentication issues and credential failures during Remote Desktop connections. Microsoft explained that these issues were due to "credential prompt failures 'during Remote Desktop connections using the Windows App on Windows client devices, impacting Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365.'"
The problem affected multiple versions of Windows, including Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2016 and up to Windows 11 25H2. This further complicates matters as it impacts all users who use these operating systems. Even Windows Servers 2019 through 2025 were not immune to the update's issues.
Microsoft took swift action by advising users to uninstall the problematic update, which would result in losing access to important security fixes that this update provided. The company recommended using the Remote Desktop Client or the web client to connect to Azure Virtual Desktop instead. However, neither of these solutions is ideal as they do not offer the full functionality of the Windows App when it comes to remote desktop connections.
In light of the issues caused by the January 2026 security update, Microsoft has stated that they are actively working on a resolution and plan to release an out-of-band (OOB) update in the coming days. The company plans to share additional details as soon as more information becomes available. With this update and the subsequent issues it has caused, users can only hope that future updates will be tested thoroughly before being released.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/Microsofts-Windows-App-Update-Fails-to-Secure-Remote-Desktop-Connections-ehn.shtml
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2026/01/15/windows_app_credential_failures/
Published: Thu Jan 15 08:19:26 2026 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
