In a major slip-up, Microsoft has admitted that a "code issue" in its Intune device management tool mistakenly offered Windows 11 upgrades to devices that weren’t eligible. This gaffe has left many users frustrated and scrambling to revert back to their previous versions.

On April 12th, the tech giant discovered this troubling flaw, which was described as a "latent code issue." Reports indicate that despite strict policies meant to block these upgrades, numerous devices were forced into receiving the latest operating system.

Microsoft quickly alerted system administrators about the problem, cautioning them to pause Windows updates through Intune while they rolled out a fix. The company emphasized that devices already upgraded erroneously would need to be manually reverted to their original operating systems.

This incident comes as Microsoft is aggressively pushing Windows 11, aiming to boost adoption rates before Windows 10 reaches its end of life. Their strategy includes persistent upgrade prompts and exclusive features that are only available on Windows 11.

A History of Unwanted Upgrades!

This is not the first time Microsoft has faced backlash over unexpected upgrades. In November 2024, users reported involuntarily upgrading from Windows Server 2022 to Server 2025—without any indication they wanted the new version or had even paid for it.

As one visibly upset small business administrator explained, "This obviously came as a shock. We weren’t prepared for this upgrade for many reasons, including licensing issues." Microsoft attributed the problem to third-party management tools, while some experts suggested a mislabeling of the update was to blame.

These mishaps come off the heels of another debacle in which Microsoft had to retract a Windows 11 preview build after it led to widespread system crashes and the infamous "blue screen of death" error.

This latest incident raises questions about Microsoft's quality control measures and their strategy to ensure smoother transitions for their users. Stay tuned as the saga unfolds!