Another Windows update has tripped over its own feet, and users are once again left staring at error screens instead of progress bars.
Microsoft has rolled back a recent non-security update after widespread installation failures. Designed to quietly improve performance and stability, it instead fails before it can even get off the ground. Unlike typical update issues that surface after installation, this one blocks users at the door, refusing to install or crashing midway through the process.
For many, the result is a familiar frustration: a cryptic error message, stalled systems, and no clear path forward. Microsoft has since paused the rollout entirely while it investigates the issue, leaving users waiting for a fix instead of the improvements they were promised.
Update files gone missing
The 0x80073712 error occurs when Windows encounters an incomplete or corrupted update file during a Windows Update installation. Although it’s usually a minor bug with no adverse system effects and users can simply restart their PC to continue normal usage, it can still be quite frustrating.
According to Tom’s Hardware, Microsoft pushed a non-security preview update to Windows 11 users on Mar. 26. The update was to bring “production-ready improvements” and generally ensure system stability by optimizing different Windows services. Its support for monitors with a refresh rate above 1,000 Hz, a new narrator wrapped around Copilot, and a new About page in Settings make it optional, but equally important, drawing many Windows users to it.
However, soon after its rollout, many users began getting stuck in the installation. Either the update refuses to install, or it crashes mid-installation with the popular 0x80073712 error. While this issue hasn’t been reported to affect all users, Microsoft had to roll back despite users who successfully installed reporting no post-update issues.
Microsoft has acknowledged the issue, saying:
“To prevent additional impact while the issue is investigated, Microsoft has temporarily limited the availability of this update. As a result, the update might not be offered through Windows Update.”
It also announced working on a fix for it:
“Microsoft is working to release an out-of-band update via Windows Update to resolve this issue in the coming days. Because Windows Updates are cumulative, the out-of-band update will include the new features, improvements, and fixes from this update. More information will be provided when it is available.”
It’s unclear whether the fix will arrive as an out-of-band update or be rolled into the next Patch Tuesday.
A pattern users know too well
For many, this is just another incident involving Windows Update issues. The first quarter of 2026 is not over yet, and Windows users have been hit with several buggy updates, despite Microsoft’s promise to make Windows updates less stressful.
However, KB5079391 was released as a preview, suggesting that expecting a flawless experience on every piece of hardware running Windows is impossible with this update. That is likely why some had a smooth update experience, while others either couldn’t start theirs or had theirs fail midway.
For users and IT teams, incidents like this, though with a minimal effect, reinforce a familiar lesson: preview updates come with trade-offs. While they offer early access to fixes and are branded as production-ready, it is best to stick to stable releases and leave preview builds to environments capable of withstanding any instability they may bring.
Related reading: Microsoft 365’s latest phishing threat shows attackers bypassing security codes, and here’s what you need to know to stay protected.
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