Windows 11 emergency update fixes installation problems
▼ Summary
– Microsoft released an emergency update (KB5086672) on March 31, 2026, to fix installation errors from a broken preview update for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2.
– The problematic optional update (KB5079391) was pulled after users reported “0x80073712” errors indicating missing or corrupted files.
– This is the latest in a series of recent out-of-band updates, including one for a separate issue breaking Microsoft account sign-ins in apps like Teams and OneDrive.
– Microsoft has also released other emergency updates this month for Enterprise devices to fix a Bluetooth bug and RRAS security vulnerabilities.
– The company provided separate guidance for resolving C:\ drive access issues on some Samsung laptops caused by specific Samsung apps.
Microsoft has deployed an emergency patch to resolve widespread installation failures stemming from a recent preview update for Windows 11. The company halted the rollout of the optional March 2026 non-security preview update, designated KB5079391, after numerous users encountered a persistent error code, 0x80073712, indicating missing or corrupted update files. This new out-of-band update, KB5086672, is now available for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 to correct the problem.
The faulty preview update initially offered 29 improvements, including enhancements to Smart App Control and display functionality. However, its release was quickly suspended. Microsoft confirmed the installation issues and this week issued the replacement cumulative update. According to the company, this emergency release supersedes all prior updates and incorporates all security protections and improvements from March, alongside the critical installation fix.
For users with automatic updates enabled, the patch may be offered through Windows Update automatically. Others can manually install it by navigating to Settings, then Windows Update, and selecting the option to download and install. This incident marks the latest in a series of urgent fixes from Microsoft this month. Just last week, the company released another emergency update to address a separate Patch Tuesday problem that was breaking Microsoft account sign-ins across major applications like Teams, OneDrive, Edge, and Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Furthermore, Microsoft has issued two other out-of-band updates this month targeting Windows 11 Enterprise devices with hotpatch capabilities. These addressed a Bluetooth device visibility bug and patched several security vulnerabilities in the Routing and Remote Access Service management tool. The company has also provided official guidance for resolving C:\ drive access issues on certain Samsung laptops, which were traced to problematic versions of the Samsung Galaxy Connect and Samsung Continuity Service apps.
(Source: BleepingComputer)
