Microsoft has acknowledged that Windows 10 version 1803 can “hang or freeze” while running certain applications and will fix the issue.

“Microsoft is aware that some devices running the Windows 10 April 2018 Update (version 1803) may hang or freeze when using certain apps, such as ‘Hey Cortana’ or Chrome,” a Microsoft support document explains. “Microsoft is working on a solution with the goal of including it in the next regular monthly update, currently targeted for a release date of May 8, 2018.”

I’m guessing a lot more people noticed this while using Chrome than “Hey Cortana,” but whatever. That Windows 10 version 1803 shipped with this kind of obvious bug in the wake of a serious reliability problem that caused Microsoft to delay this release by weeks says a lot about how things are going in Redmond these days. And it’s not positive.

In the meantime, Microsoft offers the following workaround if you are experiencing freezes or hangs:

• Try the Windows keyboard shortcut WINKEY + CTRL + SHIFT + B, which wakes the screen. If you’re on a tablet, you can press and hold the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons simultaneously three times, and do so within 2 seconds.
• If you’re using a laptop, close and open the laptop lid.

This is alarming.