Windows update incident archive

Windows Update Problems in 2026

This archive documents 14 Windows update incidentsreported in 2026, from disruptive bugs to system-breaking failures. Each entry links to its KB number, affected Windows components, fix status, and sources.

4 catastrophic · 2 still marked unfixed

Frequently affected in 2026

Documented incidents

Jun 23, 2026KB5095093BrokenUnfixed
Preview update turns Dell laptops into shutdown-prone space heaters, blocks July security patches
- Performance
- Drivers
- Power
- Windows Update
- Dell
Jun 9, 2026KB5094126CatastrophicUnfixed
HP PCs boot-looped into recovery, OneDrive dead in File Explorer, Recycle Bin renaming files
- Boot
- BSOD
- BitLocker
- OneDrive
- File Explorer
- Office
- Enterprise
- Installation
May 12, 2026KB5089549BrokenFixed
Install failures on cramped EFI partitions and mysteriously slow internet
Apr 14, 2026KB5083769CatastrophicFixed
BSODs, BitLocker lockouts, BITS broken, and domain controllers down
- BSOD
- BitLocker
- Boot
- Login
- BITS
- Networking
- AutoCAD
Mar 10, 2026KB5079473BrokenFixed
Microsoft sign-ins break everywhere, Windows blames your internet connection
- Microsoft Account
- Teams
- OneDrive
- Office
- Edge
Feb 10, 2026KB5077181CatastrophicFixed
February's fix for January traps PCs in 15-restart boot loops
- Boot
- BSOD
- Wi-Fi
- DHCP
- Networking
- GPU
- Login
Feb 10, 2026KB5077212BrokenFixed
Reset this PC resets nothing on hotpatched enterprise devices
- Reset
- Recovery
Jan 29, 2026KB5074105BrokenFixed
The fix for the fix breaks cameras, Explorer, and booting
- Camera
- File Explorer
- Taskbar
- Start Menu
- Boot
- Storage
Jan 24, 2026KB5078127BrokenFixed
Emergency patch #2 fixes Outlook, breaks lock screen
- Cloud Storage
- Outlook
- OneDrive
- Lock Screen
Jan 24, 2026KB5078132BrokenFixed
Emergency patch #3: the emergency fixes now need emergency fixes
Jan 17, 2026KB5077744BrokenFixed
Emergency patch #1 only fixes two of nine issues
- Remote Desktop
- Secure Launch
- Sleep
Jan 17, 2026KB5077797BrokenFixed
Emergency shutdown fix doesn't actually fix shutdown
Jan 13, 2026KB5073455BrokenFixed
Windows forgets how to turn off, laptops cook in bags
Jan 13, 2026KB5074109CatastrophicFixed
PCs bricked, Outlook frozen, Microsoft's advice: uninstall the update
- Boot
- BSOD
- Outlook
- Remote Desktop
- File Explorer
- Sleep
- NVIDIA
- Cloud Storage
- Citrix