3 Minutes
Overview: A recurring Event Viewer entry on Windows 11
Microsoft has started tracking a new Event Viewer entry affecting Windows 11 version 24H2. Similar to an earlier July issue tied to Windows Firewall, this log entry points to CertificateServicesClient (CertEnroll) and reports error ID 57 with the message: "The 'Microsoft Pluton Cryptographic Provider' provider was not loaded because initialization failed." The warning appears on every reboot for systems that installed the KB5062660 non-security preview update from July and the August 2025 Patch Tuesday update.
Why you can usually ignore this log entry
According to Microsoft’s Windows Release Health dashboard, the Event Viewer entry is the result of an in-development feature, and no active Windows component or production process is affected. The company says the message is informational and does not indicate a failure of core OS functions, so neither end-users nor IT administrators need to take immediate corrective action.
Scope and impact
This issue is limited to Windows 11, version 24H2, and appears only on systems with the specified preview and Patch Tuesday updates. Microsoft is working on a patch for a future update but has not provided a firm timeline for release.
Product features and technical context
The entry references the Microsoft Pluton Cryptographic Provider — part of Microsoft’s broader hardware-rooted security strategy designed to harden Windows devices against firmware and device-level attacks. Pluton integrates cryptographic services (keys, attestation, secure boot) tightly with the CPU to reduce exposure compared with traditional TPM implementations. CertEnroll is a built-in Windows service that handles certificate enrollment and management; a logged initialization message here simply indicates the provider component wasn't loaded during an early-stage boot procedure tied to a preview feature.
Comparisons and advantages
Compared to legacy TPM modules, Microsoft Pluton aims to deliver stronger anti-tampering and streamlined provisioning. Even so, an Event Viewer message does not imply Pluton is insecure — it only shows that a not-yet-enabled feature attempted initialization. For administrators evaluating platform security, Pluton provides advantages in integrated key protection, attestation, and lifecycle management versus traditional, discrete TPM chips.
Use cases and guidance for IT teams
- Routine monitoring: Treat this entry as a non-actionable informational log for now. Continue standard monitoring and incident response workflows.
- Troubleshooting: If other errors accompany the Event Viewer message (e.g., certificate enrollment failures), investigate those independently. The CertEnroll-related entry alone does not break certificate services.
- Patch strategy: Apply Microsoft’s updates per your change-control process and watch Release Health for the official fix.
Market relevance and final thoughts
As enterprise and consumer adoption of Pluton and integrated security features grows, transient log noise during feature rollouts is likely to recur. Microsoft’s transparency about the root cause is reassuring, and the incident highlights the importance of distinguishing cosmetic Event Viewer entries from true service-impacting errors. For most users, there’s no disruption — carry on with business as usual while keeping systems patched and monitored.
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