Microsoft September 2023 Updates Trigger RDS Failures on Windows Server

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Microsoft has acknowledged that the September 2026 security updates have triggered Remote Desktop Services (RDS) malfunctions on Windows Server systems, affecting multiple operating systems and requiring immediate mitigation strategies.

Problem Overview

Microsoft has acknowledged that the September 2026 security updates have triggered Remote Desktop Services (RDS) malfunctions on Windows Server systems. A health update released on Friday confirmed the problem affects Windows Server 2012 and later versions, as well as Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices. This follows numerous reports from IT administrators indicating that the Patch Tuesday updates caused instability in RDS environments.

Symptoms of the Issue

The issue manifests as RDP connections failing after extended periods, login disruptions, and servers displaying the “Please wait for the Remote Desktop Configuration” message. Additional symptoms include unresponsiveness in tools such as the Microsoft Management Console (MMC), RDS Licensing Diagnoser, and File Explorer. The Windows Update interface may also freeze, showing an endless loading indicator.

Impact on User Sessions

Users experiencing the problem have noted that active RDP sessions may not terminate properly, and new connection attempts often hang during the establishment process.

Workarounds and Solutions

Microsoft has outlined a Group Policy-based workaround for enterprise environments, applicable to specific operating system versions. The policy settings are tied to cumulative updates, including KB5124012, KB5124008, KB5122880, and others, with instructions for deployment under Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates. For immediate relief, administrators can attempt to restart affected virtual machines to restore RDS connectivity. Alternatively, rolling back the problematic updates may resolve the issue, though this action also removes the security patches included in the September release.

Previous Similar Incident

This approach mirrors a previous resolution for a similar RDS disruption reported in March 2025, which followed updates released since January 2025.

Recommendations for Users

The company has not yet provided a permanent fix, emphasizing the need for users to balance operational stability with security requirements. Affected organizations are advised to evaluate their update strategies and apply mitigations based on their infrastructure needs.

Microsoft has outlined a Group Policy-based workaround for enterprise environments, applicable to specific operating system versions.

Conclusion

Organizations affected by the September 2026 security updates must prioritize mitigating RDS disruptions while maintaining security. Immediate actions like restarting VMs or rolling back updates are critical, but long-term solutions require Microsoft’s permanent fix.