Windows 10 installation endless loop problem

A rather annoying problem with a Windows 10 update is currently causing frustration among users. The WinRe update KB5048239 keeps reinstalling even though it has already been installed successfully. Microsoft is looking for a solution.

Infinite loop on Windows update

Many Windows 10 users are currently experiencing a frustrating sense of déjà vu because this problem is well known and keeps cropping up from time to time. Now the update KB5048239 for the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) hits.

Even if it has already been successfully installed, Windows Update keeps offering it for installation. This update loop affects both Windows 10 versions 21H2 and 22H2 and is causing considerable dissatisfaction among users. The problem has been known since November 2024 and was already considered solved.

Now in January 2025, it seems to be flaring up again. Microsoft originally released the update to bring improvements to Windows recovery features. But instead of a smooth installation, many users experience a vicious circle of repeated installation attempts. Günter Born reports in his blog from increasing reports from affected users.

In internet forums and on the Microsoft support page There are numerous posts from frustrated users who observe the same phenomenon. According to Born, the problem also occurs in systems that, according to Microsoft documentation, should not actually be affected. Some users report that their WinRE version is already higher than the version 10.0.19041.5125 specified by Microsoft as the minimum requirement. Nevertheless, they are confronted with the update loop.

Impact on companies

The impact goes beyond personal anger. IT administrators face additional challenges as patch management systems incorrectly report missing updates. This leads to unnecessary effort and potential false positives in corporate environments – and is also a time waster.

Microsoft is looking for a solution

So far, Microsoft has not yet released an official solution to the problem. As a temporary solution, experts recommend hiding the update using the Microsoft tool “wushowhide.diagcab”. This method prevents Windows Update from offering the problematic update again, but is only a temporary solution.