Microsoft is working on a fix for OpenSSH errors in Windows 11

Windows 11 October Update 2024 causes issues with OpenSSH service. Microsoft is studying the impact on end users and offers an interim solution. The bug prevents SSH connections on affected systems.

SSH connections disrupted

The latest security update for Windows 11 23H2 from October 2024 causes unexpected difficulties. Users report problems with the OpenSSH (Open Secure Shell) service, which no longer starts after installing the update.

This results in SSH connections no longer being possible – a critical functionality for many users and administrators. The error occurs without detailed logging, making troubleshooting difficult. To get the sshd.exe process running, manual intervention is required. Corporate, IoT and education customers are particularly affected, as stated in the KnowledgeBase is now called with Microsoft emphasizing that only a limited number of devices are affected.

How Windows Latest According to reports, Microsoft is currently investigating whether private customers who use Home or Pro editions of Windows are also affected by this problem. The exact scope of the error is not yet fully understood.

Temporary solution

However, there is good news for affected users: Microsoft has released a temporary solution. This includes updating permissions for specific directories. Users can resolve the issues by running a special PowerShell command as an administrator.

This command updates the access rights for the C:ProgramDatassh and C:ProgramDatasshlogs folders. But you should only do this if you know your way around well. The exact steps for this can be found in the Information about the update and known problems.

OpenSSH service in Windows

The OpenSSH service affected by this issue was first introduced as an optional feature in the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (version 1709). Since then, it has become an important tool for developers and system administrators who need secure connections to remote systems.

Windows updates and unintended consequences

It’s not the first time that Windows updates have had unintended consequences. There have been cases in the past where security updates caused issues with certain features or services. Microsoft is actively working on a fix for the OpenSSH issue and plans to provide it in a future Windows update. But when is not yet known. Until then, manually correcting directory permissions remains the best option for affected users.