Key points about the new Windows 11 update
- A new Windows 11 emergency update replaces a faulty preliminary update.
- The March preview update caused installation errors on many PCs.
- The new update should download and install automatically.
Microsoft has an unfortunate habit of rolling out Windows 11 updates that turn out to be problematic, either because they are riddled with bugs or because they don’t install correctly.
This last issue concerned the March update. This is why the company is now offering a new out-of-cycle update intended to replace the one which presented malfunctions.
Out-of-cycle update
Released on March 26, last month’s non-security preview update KB5079391 added a few new features and fixes to Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2. As with each monthly preview update, this one was a preview of the official deployment of Patch Tuesday the following month.
These updates are not designed to be mandatory for the average Windows user. But rather optional, and intended more for IT administrators and advanced users who wish to test them.
This does mean, however, that many people have probably installed this latest version, or at least attempted to do so.
Many who attempted to download the update encountered installation issues, with an error message stating: “Some update files are missing or have problems.” We will try to download the update again later. Error code: (0x80073712). HAS”
This bug did not affect everyone
But This bug didn’t affect everyone. I was able to install update KB5079391 without any problems. But it apparently presented problems that affected enough people to force Microsoft to take action.
Following reports of installation errors, Microsoft suspended and then withdrew the update. Last Tuesday, the company finally released a replacement update dubbed KB5086672.
This includes all the new features and improvements from the previous preview update, but also fixes installation issues that hampered this update.
“An out-of-band (OOB) update was released today, March 31, 2026, to resolve this installation issue,” Microsoft said in an announcement.
“This off-cycle cumulative update for Windows 11, versions 25H2 and 24H2 (KB5086672) replaces all previous updates and includes all protections and improvements from security and non-security preview updates. March 2026 for Windows, as well as this installation hotfix. HAS”
How to get it today
If you’re already set up to receive these preview updates, update KB5086672 should be automatically downloaded and installed on your Windows 11 PC.
If not, go to Settings, select Windows Update, then check for the latest update.
Additionally, you can choose whether or not to automatically receive these optional preview updates.
On the Windows Update screen, enable the “Get the latest updates as soon as they are available” option.
If you prefer not to receive them, just make sure this option is turned off. Since these updates are previews of the following month’s Patch Tuesday rollout, you can simply wait until the following month to benefit from the included features and fixes.
