Microsoft Issues Alert on Windows Update Compatibility with Citrix SRA
In a recent announcement, Microsoft has raised concerns regarding potential installation failures of the January 2025 cumulative updates for Windows 10 and Windows 11. This issue specifically affects devices that have the Citrix Session Recording Agent (SRA) version 2411 installed.
January Patch Tuesday Updates
As part of its routine security measures, Microsoft rolled out the January 2025 Patch Tuesday updates, which include critical fixes for various vulnerabilities, including several zero-day exploits. The updates in question are identified as Windows 11 KB5050009 and Windows 10 KB5049981.
Installation Warnings
The release notes accompanying these updates indicate that users with Citrix SRA version 2411 may encounter difficulties during installation. According to the support bulletin for KB5050009, “Devices may initially download and apply the update correctly through Settings; however, upon rebooting to finalize installation, an error message stating ‘Something didn’t go as planned. No need to worry – undoing changes’ could appear.”
This error leads to a rollback of any changes made during the update process.
Scope of Impact
Microsoft anticipates that this problem will primarily affect a small number of organizations since SRA version 2411 was only released at the end of November. Home users are not expected to experience similar issues.
Both Microsoft and Citrix are collaborating closely to address this compatibility concern. In the interim, Citrix has provided guidance on how users can work around this issue.
Workaround Instructions from Citrix
To mitigate problems related to installing Microsoft’s security update while using SRA version 2411, users can follow these steps:
- Open Services Management Console by pressing Win + R, typing services.msc, and hitting Enter.
- Locate “Citrix Session Recording Monitor Service” in the list.
- Right-click on it and select Properties.
- Click on Stop to halt the service; once stopped, set its status to “Disabled” before clicking OK.
- Proceed with installing the January Windows updates.
- After successful installation of updates, re-enable the service by repeating steps one through three but setting it back to “Automatic” before clicking on Start.
Additionally, Citrix has shared methods for disabling this service via PowerShell or Command Prompt for those who prefer command-line interfaces.
Conclusion: Ensuring Security Updates Are Applied
By following these instructions carefully, users can ensure their systems receive essential security patches without disruption from incompatible software like SRA version 2411. Keeping your operating system updated is crucial in safeguarding against emerging threats in today’s digital landscape—especially given that cyberattacks have surged by over 30% globally in recent years according to cybersecurity reports from industry analysts (Cybersecurity Ventures).
Stay informed about future developments as both companies work towards a permanent solution while ensuring your device remains secure against vulnerabilities introduced by outdated software configurations or incompatibilities during critical update cycles.