Microsoft has issued an unusual advisory, asking users to uninstall the Windows 11 update KB5074109 released in January 2026. The update, which upgrades systems to OS Build 26200.7623, has caused widespread problems.
Since the rollout on January 13, users have reported major issues, including black screens, app crashes, and Outlook Classic freezing. Outlook Classic users with POP email accounts or local PST files have been hardest hit, especially when PST files are stored in cloud-synced folders like OneDrive.
Affected users report that Outlook may freeze, fail to close, or repeatedly redownload emails. Microsoft has recommended switching to Outlook webmail or uninstalling the update until a permanent solution is released.
The problems go beyond Outlook. Users have experienced reset desktop settings, broken File Explorer customizations, and apps freezing when accessing cloud storage services like OneDrive or Dropbox. Many are choosing to uninstall the update temporarily while Microsoft investigates the issues.
Microsoft has outlined several temporary workarounds. Users can move PST files out of cloud-synced folders or use webmail. If these solutions fail, the update can be removed through Settings → Windows Update → Update history → Uninstall updates. However, Microsoft cautions that uninstalling may expose systems to security risks, as the patch included over 100 security fixes.
The company has already released out-of-band updates to fix other serious bugs, including Remote Desktop login and system shutdown problems. The Outlook Classic issue, however, remains unresolved.
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Microsoft said it is investigating the root cause and plans to deliver a comprehensive fix in a future update. The incident marks a challenging start to Windows 11 updates in 2026, following a year of disruptive patches in 2025.
