Windows users are getting Invalid Handle errors after update

2 min. read

Published on January 9, 2019

published on January 9, 2019

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Many Windows users are getting ‘The Handle is Invalid’ errors when they try to connect to Windows servers. It seems that this error code is affecting mainly Windows 7 users.

Today after installation of KB4480970 (automatically by Windows Update as Important) to our Windows 2008 R2 Standard Server the server stopped serve Clients by shared storage (haven’t tried anything else). The Client has issued an error Invalid handle and couldn’t connect (tried on Windows 7 Pro SP1 clients with installed KB4480970 only). After uninstallation it started work again, so the problem is positively in the KB4480970. Pls stop distribute the KB4480970 to the Windows 2008 R2 Server and correct the behavior.

However, some Windows 10 users have complained about this problem as well.

It seems that uninstalling the updates can help you to solve this issue.

For the time being, there is not much information about this error code. We’ll update this news articles as soon as new details are available.

Meanwhile, you can try to fix this error code using this troubleshooting guide.

UPDATE: We found another report on Reddit about the same invalid handle error:

Is anybody else having issues with shared drives on 2k8 after last night’s security updates?
Everything was just fine – until this morning. All workstations throwing an error trying to access shared drives on a 2008 server – The handle is invalid. Pings out via IP and hostname. Can’t browse to it.

At this point, all the reports seem to indicate that the problem affects Windows 2008 servers.

Let us know if you’re experiencing the same issue in the comments below.

UPDATE: Microsoft has officially acknowledged that these issues are triggered by Windows 7 KB4480970. The company also provided users with a few workarounds to help them fix this issue. Meanwhile, its engineers are working on a permanent fix.

Read more about these Patch Tuesday update issues in the articles below:

More about the topics: windows 10 news, windows 7

Madalina Dinita

Networking & Security Specialist

Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer. She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies -- AI and DNA computing in particular. Prior to joining the WindowsReport team, she worked in the corporate world for a number of years.