We are issuing the following advisories for Windows 11 users. If you’re on a Mac or a PC running Windows 10, you may safely ignore this advisory.

1) We have found that Windows 11 is a considerably more fragile system than Windows 10. Out of sync graphics driver updates can cause the black screen of death about 25% of the time if the graphics driver is updated before Windows 11 is and the machine is restarted with the newer graphics driver but older Windows 11 version. Depending on the make, model, and hardware of the machine involved, the chance for the black screen of death can be as high as 50%.

2) GPU companies like NVIDIA and AMD may have their own applications to update their drivers. If you see the graphics driver update happening, let it complete. Then immediately check your Windows 11 updates and complete any and all available updates from Microsoft.

3) If you are ever faced with the black screen of death after you log into your Windows 11 computer, hit your windows key on the keyboard. That should bring up a way for you to shut down your machine. What you are looking for is an “Update and Shutdown” option. When it appears, apply it and that should hopefully fix the PC when you turn it back on again.

4) As a recommended preventative maintenance step, please check for Windows updates on a regular basis and do them. Sometimes you may see a “Update and Shutdown” option when you want to shutdown. Users are recommended to always choose the “Update and Shutdown” option if presented or “Update and Restart” if you intend to do a restart.

5) If your Global Protect is currently working, Windows 11 users are advised NOT to update to later versions of Global Protect at this time. There is an ongoing compatibility issue between newer versions of Global Protect as implemented for MIT and the latest versions of Windows 11.

6) If you are currently running Windows 10 please do NOT upGRADE to Windows 11. We have encountered a lot of problems with otherwise stable older machines in Windows 10 that have become unstable and undependable after having upGRADED to Windows 11. At this point the only computers that should have Windows 11 on them are new machines that came with it pre-installed.

Please let us know if anyone has any questions or concerns.