Update KB2823324 released by Microsoft on Patch Tuesday has broken down Windows 7 operating systems on thousands of computers. Affected users are reporting a continuous reboot issue that blocks them from loading the operating system. Microsoft has confirmed the problem and, is now working on a fix. Users are recommended to remove the update until an official workaround is released.
“Microsoft is investigating behavior where systems may not recover from a restart, or applications cannot load, after security update 2823324 is applied. We recommend that customers uninstall this update. As an added precaution, Microsoft has removed the download links to the 2823324 update while we investigate,” the company said.
If you haven't installed the update, then turning off automatic updates would be a wise step. If you have installed the update, then boot into safe mode with command prompt and type the following command:
DISM.exe / image: C: \ [windows8 install]/ cleanup-image / revertpendingact
Update: Microsoft has released a fix for updates KB2823324, KB2782476 and KB2840165 in the form of an ISO image that can be burned onto a blank disk for repairing your computer.
“Customers who cannot successfully restart their systems after applying the 2823324 update can download this image to create a bootable DVD or USB drive with which they can boot their systems, uninstall security update 2823324, and return their systems to a normal operating state. Microsoft recommends using this ISO image only if customers cannot successfully restart their systems,” Microsoft says in the advisory.