In a recent turn of events, Microsoft found itself in a challenging position after the rollout of an optional non-security update for Windows 11. The cumulative update, identified as KB5079391, was intended to enhance system performance with several quality improvements. However, it quickly became apparent that users were encountering significant installation issues, marked by the frustrating error code 0x80073712.
Emergency Update Issued
In response to the widespread difficulties, Microsoft has swiftly acted to mitigate the situation by introducing an out-of-band emergency update, KB5086672. This new update is designed specifically for affected Windows 11 systems, including versions 25H2 and 24H2. Microsoft has stated that KB5086672 “supersedes all previous updates and includes all protections and improvements from the March 2026 Windows security and non-security preview updates, as well as this installation fix.” Users can expect this update to be available for devices that have already installed KB5079473 or any later updates. For those who prefer a more hands-on approach, the update can also be manually downloaded from the Microsoft Update Catalog.
Beyond addressing installation issues, the latest update promises to enhance user experience with features such as:
- Refresh rates exceeding 1000 Hz
- Improved auto-rotation and HDR reliability
- Enhanced power efficiency for USB 4-connected monitors during sleep
Microsoft has committed to making necessary changes and improvements to the operating system, acknowledging past challenges. Earlier this year, the January security update, KB5074109, sparked considerable frustration among gamers, particularly those utilizing Nvidia GPUs. Reports of frame rate drops, visual artifacts, and overall instability prompted Nvidia to recommend that users uninstall the update as a temporary solution.
Moreover, this particular update introduced a more severe complication for some users, leading to instances where systems failed to boot entirely. An AskWoody forum post highlighted the “UNMOUNTABLEBOOTVOLUME” error that plagued certain devices post-installation, resulting in a message indicating that “Your device ran into a problem and needs a restart.” Additionally, users reported issues with their PCs refusing to shut down or enter hibernation, while cloud-based applications like Outlook, OneDrive, and Dropbox faced operational disruptions.