Microsoft fixes Remote Desktop failures in Windows
Microsoft has resolved a Windows 11 issue that caused Remote Desktop connections to fail for non-admin users on affected managed devices. The fix is included in updates released on October 28 and later.
Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer
Microsoft confirms a Remote Desktop fix
Microsoft has fixed a known Windows 11 problem that prevented non-admin users from connecting to devices through Remote Desktop when the Administrator protection security feature was enabled. The company confirmed that the issue was resolved by Windows updates released on October 28, 2026, including the KB5127936 preview update, and by later updates.
Microsoft recommends installing the latest security update because it includes the Remote Desktop correction along with other improvements and issue resolutions. The company’s notice applies to users who installed the preview update or any later Windows release containing the fix.
Who was affected
The issue primarily affected enterprise-managed remote devices being used as Remote Desktop hosts. Microsoft said the problem could occur on systems running Windows 11 version 24H2 and later, regardless of how Administrator protection had been enabled.
Microsoft acknowledged the problem on October 13 after users reported Remote Desktop connection failures with error code 0xC000000D. The failures began after the KB5124010 September 2026 non-security preview update or Windows updates released after it. A report from BleepingComputer described the problem as affecting non-admin users rather than administrators.
How Administrator protection works
Administrator protection is a Windows security feature designed to add an authentication step for standard users when they perform actions that require elevated privileges. When the feature is active, users are prompted to authenticate with Windows Hello, such as a PIN or biometric method, when changing the Windows Registry or installing new applications.
The feature began rolling out in October 2025. It became enabled by default for organizations using Windows security baselines after those organizations installed the October 2026 Windows security update. That rollout increased the number of managed systems where the Remote Desktop problem could appear.
Temporary workaround for administrators
Organizations that do not want to install the preview update can use a temporary workaround while waiting for the next month’s Patch Tuesday cumulative updates. Microsoft advises IT administrators to disable Administrator protection by resetting the “User Account Control Type Of Admin Approval Mode” policy.
The policy can be reset through Microsoft Intune or Group Policy. This workaround changes the security configuration on affected devices, so administrators must decide whether to use it or install the available update based on their organization’s deployment and security requirements.
Part of a series of Remote Desktop issues
The latest incident follows other Remote Desktop and Remote Desktop Services problems linked to Windows updates. Microsoft fixed a similar issue in March 2025 that caused connection failures after updates released since January 2025.
The company also released emergency out-of-band Windows updates in September 2026 to address Remote Desktop Services failures caused by that month’s security updates. The incidents show how changes in Windows security and servicing can affect organizations that rely on Remote Desktop hosts for remote access.
For the current Administrator protection issue, Microsoft’s stated resolution is to install the update released on October 28, 2026, or a later release. Administrators managing Windows 11 24H2 and newer systems should verify that the relevant update has been deployed where non-admin Remote Desktop access is required.
Sources
- BleepingComputerMicrosoft fixes Remote Desktop failures caused by recent Windows updates
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