On March 31, Microsoft took decisive action by releasing emergency update KB5086672, a necessary response to the complications caused by the previous preview patch, KB5079391. This earlier update had inadvertently left numerous Windows 11 devices ensnared in a frustrating loop, marked by the error code 0x80073712, preventing users from accessing critical March security fixes. The company swiftly withdrew KB5079391, a non-security preview update that had been launched just days prior on March 26, and replaced it with the newly minted KB5086672.
KB5086672 is not merely a patch; it serves as a comprehensive cumulative update that consolidates all fixes from March 2026 into a single installation. This means that users who may have missed earlier patches can now catch up seamlessly. Microsoft emphasized that even those who encountered issues with KB5079391 can still benefit from all the changes made in March, effectively turning KB5086672 into a one-stop solution for recovery.
What the Replacement Update Includes
This latest update supersedes all previous ones, incorporating fixes from KB5079473, KB5085516, and the problematic KB5079391 itself. Microsoft’s release notes shed light on the challenges faced during the installation of the original patch, stating:
“While installing the March 2026 Windows preview update (KB5079391), some devices running Windows 11, version 25H2 or 24H2, might encounter the following error: Some update files are missing or have problems. We’ll try to download the update again later. Error code: (0x80073712)”
Microsoft (via Microsoft Support)
This situation highlights a significant flaw in the delivery mechanism of the patch, rendering the preview update process ineffective when it fails to install. Although some users managed to install KB5079391 without issues, many found the update persistently reappearing in Windows Update after each unsuccessful attempt. In this context, KB5086672 emerges as a streamlined recovery path, allowing users to update their systems without the hassle of tracking down multiple missed patches.
For those with the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” setting enabled, KB5086672 will be automatically offered via Windows Update. Alternatively, users can manually check for updates through Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates, or download the update directly from the Microsoft Update Catalog.
A Recurring Pattern of Emergency Fixes
The release of KB5086672 is part of a broader trend, as Microsoft has issued multiple emergency updates in a short span. Just a week prior, the company rolled out KB5085516 to address Microsoft Account sign-in failures, and earlier in March, an emergency hotpatch (KB5084597) was released to tackle Bluetooth visibility issues and security vulnerabilities in Windows 11 Enterprise devices. This pattern of frequent emergency fixes raises concerns about the overall quality of Microsoft’s update pipeline.
In January 2026, Microsoft had already issued emergency patches for various issues affecting Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server, including credential prompt failures and shutdown problems. The frequency of these updates, particularly in light of the over 20 significant issues reported in 2025 across just 12 security updates, suggests a systemic challenge within the company’s update processes. For IT administrators managing extensive deployments, the cycle of broken updates followed by emergency fixes undermines the intended safety net of optional preview releases.
As KB5079391 was designed to preview fixes for the upcoming April Patch Tuesday rollout, the likelihood of these issues resurfacing in the official April cumulative update remains uncertain, casting a shadow over future releases.
