Windows 11: Microsoft releases an emergency fix after Patch Tuesday issues on Dell PCs

Microsoft has issued an emergency fix for Windows 11 after the latest Patch Tuesday caused worrying issues on some PCs.

This update has left many users deeply concerned. Microsoft has released an out-of-band emergency update, KB5121767, for Windows 11 today. The most recent Patch Tuesday was causing serious problems for a number of users, including overheating PCs, severely reduced performance, battery life draining rapidly and unexpected shutdowns. These issues are numerous and could even damage a machine over time. The emergency fix is designed to resolve them.

Windows 11 emergency update: which Dell PCs are affected?

The issue affects people using a Dell PC with an Intel processor. If that applies to you and you are experiencing these problems, download the emergency update without delay. Should it not be offered automatically, follow these steps:

• Go to Windows Settings.
• Open the Windows Update section at the bottom left.
• Select Check for updates if no update is displayed.
• Install it.

A compatibility issue

Even if you do not own a Dell PC and/or have not encountered these issues, the update may still be offered to you, although downloading it is not necessary. The faulty Patch Tuesday creates a compatibility problem with the Intel Dynamic Tuning driver installed on Dell PCs. This driver is intended to manage processor power and temperature automatically:

“This update fixes an issue affecting a limited number of devices with an Intel Innovation Platform Framework (Intel IPF) driver. This issue could result in changes to performance, power consumption or system behaviour after recent Windows updates were installed. A limited number of Dell devices that had been unable to receive the July 2026 KB5101650 security update can now install this OOB update. This OOB update is recommended only for devices affected by this issue. If your device is not affected, no action is required.”

What the out-of-band update changes

Importantly, this out-of-band update only fixes the bugs. It does not alter the security fixes delivered by the faulty Patch Tuesday, which remains important to install. In any event, Microsoft’s swift response is welcome. If you own a Dell PC and have noticed unusual behaviour, you now know how to fix the problem.