The latest Windows update is breaking VPN connections

Microsoft has acknowledged that the Windows security updates for April 2024 (KB5036893 for Windows 11, KB5036892 for Windows 10) are causing disruptions to virtual private network (VPN) connections across various client and server platforms. According to information on the Windows health dashboard, devices running Windows may experience VPN connection failures following the installation of either the April 2024 security update or the April 2024 non-security preview update. The company has also stated that it is actively investigating user reports regarding these issues and will share more details in the coming days. The impacted Windows versions include Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows Server 2008 onward. The affected Windows versions and their corresponding problematic security updates are as follows: For client devices: For server platforms: While Microsoft has yet to pinpoint the root cause of these VPN failures, it has advised home users to seek support through the Windows Get Help app for personal or family accounts. Small businesses and large enterprises needing assistance are directed to use the dedicated “Support for Business” portal. Currently, there is no known workaround for the VPN issue on affected systems, but users can uninstall the security updates temporarily to mitigate the problem. Microsoft provides instructions on removing the update using the DISM/Remove Package command line option, although doing so removes all security fixes bundled in the cumulative update, not just the VPN-related ones. Another issue identified in KB5036893, as reported by The Register, pertains to an issue encountered when attempting to change an account profile picture that often leads to error code 0x80070520. Microsoft acknowledged the issue and indicated efforts to resolve it. However, despite the release of KB5036980 on April 23, the problem continues to persist. In a similar case last year, Microsoft investigated speed issues with L2TP/IPsec VPNs over Wi-Fi connections following April 2023 non-security updates. In January 2022, emergency out-of-band updates were released to address L2TP VPN issues after teh installation of the January 2022 Patch Tuesday updates. The Start Menu has been the central element in Microsoft Windows for nearly three decades. Though loved initially for its resourcefulness, the Menu went through some debatable — I call them abhorrent — changes with Windows 8, but eventually returned to occupying less space in the interface with Windows 8.1, and then Windows 10 and 11. Despite the rescuing, it is still reeling under the damaging changes in the form of recommendations and random automatically populating lists that reduce it to a mere glorified search interface. However, Microsoft may now be looking to resolve these issues and bringing back a more simplified interface with an upcoming update. Microsoft is testing a new interface for Start Menu on Windows 11, reducing the existing clutter of randomly interspersed apps and files. X user @phantomofearth, renowned for testing new features in Windows Insider builds, gave us a good look at the new interface in a detailed video walkthrough. Proton VPN has launched a new Windows app today, redesigning the look and simplifying the experience for users. As common a tool as VPNs are now, they’re still quite complex and it’s common for users to ignore features they’re not familiar with. With this new redesign, Proton hopes to encourage users to try out advanced features like Kill Switch, port forwarding, and split tunneling. If you’re wondering what these three features do — Kill Switch instantly blocks network traffic if you lose your VPN connection, making sure your IP address isn’t temporarily exposed. Port forwarding helps you securely connect to your home network from another location or give someone else access, and split tunneling lets you choose which apps use your VPN and which don’t. A newly discovered trick allows Windows 11 users to bypass Microsoft’s online account requirement during setup, raising questions around user control and privacy. The workaround, shared by X user @witherornot1337, lets users set up Windows 11 with a local account instead of being forced to log in with a Microsoft account. This follows previous similar methods, highlighting an ongoing cat-and-mouse game between Microsoft and privacy-conscious users. Microsoft has been increasingly pushing online accounts as a mandatory requirement for Windows 11, particularly in Home and Pro editions. This change has frustrated many users who prefer local accounts for greater privacy and independence from Microsoft’s ecosystem.