Microsoft has released an out-of-band update, KB5086672, for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 to replace the March 2026 preview update KB5079391, which was pulled after users reported installation failures. The emergency update was issued on March 31, 2026.
KB5079391 was originally released on March 26 with 29 changes, including Smart App Control and display improvements. Users quickly began reporting error code 0x80073712, which indicated missing or corrupted update files. Microsoft pulled the update within a few days of the initial rollout after confirming the installation issues.
What the KB5086672 Emergency Update Delivers
Microsoft states that KB5086672 replaces all earlier updates and includes the protections and improvements from both the March 2026 Windows security and non-security preview updates, as well as the fix for the installation error. Users who were unable to install KB5079391 should find all of its changes included in this new update.
How to Get the KB5086672 Update on Windows 11
Devices with the setting “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” enabled in Windows Update may receive the KB5086672 update automatically. If that setting isn’t active, users can install the update manually: open Settings, go to Windows Update, and select Download and install.
Why Windows 11 Needed Another Out-of-Band Fix This Month
KB5086672 is the third out-of-band update Microsoft has released in a short span. Less than a week before this update, Microsoft released a separate emergency update to fix a sign-in issue caused by the March 2026 Patch Tuesday security patches, which broke Microsoft account authentication across Teams, OneDrive, Edge, and Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Microsoft has also issued two additional out-of-band updates, targeting Windows 11 Enterprise devices with hotpatch support. These updates address a Bluetooth device visibility bug and security vulnerabilities in the Routing and Remote Access Service management tool. Additionally, Microsoft published guidance for a C: drive access problem affecting Samsung laptops caused by buggy versions of the Samsung Galaxy Connect and Samsung Continuity Service apps.
The company has not commented on how often out-of-band updates are released or whether it plans to change its update testing procedures.
