Microsoft yanks Windows 11 preview update after install failures

KB5079391 pulled after some devices hit errors, adding to recent quality woes

Microsoft has halted the rollout of a Windows update after some users encountered installation errors.

The update, KB5079391, was released last week as a preview rather than a security update. Installation on some devices failed with a 0x80073712 error, and Microsoft temporarily pulled the plug on Friday night.

The Windows giant has not disclosed the exact nature of the problem, although the message shown to affected users said: "Some update files are missing or have problems. We'll try to download the update again later."

Microsoft said: "To prevent additional impact while the issue is investigated, Microsoft has temporarily limited the availability of this update."

The problem affects Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2, and closely follows an out-of-band update to fix Microsoft account problems introduced in the March 2026 update.

The update isn't mandatory, although it includes many new features, including fixes for Settings. Monitors can also now report refresh rates higher than 1,000 Hz. The update does not appear to have broken any devices because it failed at the installation stage.

Microsoft did not indicate when the rollout would resume. April's Patch Tuesday is approaching, and failing to manage an installation, let alone allow interested users to check out the preview, is unfortunate. Microsoft said: "These production-quality updates are released ahead of the planned security update release for the following month."

Production quality?

Microsoft recently committed to improving the reliability of Windows. This latest issue highlights just how much work the company has to do to regain users' trust, though at least this error didn't render their devices inoperable.

Windows boss Pavan Davuluri recently wrote to users: "Thank you for holding us to a high standard," in response to concerns about the state of the operating system. If only Microsoft would hold itself to the same standard before releasing another problematic Windows update. ®