A critical flaw recently surfaced in Windows 11, disrupting the experience for some users and forcing Microsoft to act swiftly. The issue stemmed from an optional update released in late March, promising enhancements but delivering frustrating error messages instead.
Reports flooded in over the weekend, detailing a specific error code – 0x80073712 – halting installations and leaving users with incomplete updates. Microsoft quickly acknowledged the problem, pausing the rollout to prevent further disruption and begin crafting a solution.
The culprit was identified within updates to Smart App Control and other features intended for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. The initial update, KB5079391, seemed to trigger the installation failures on a subset of machines.
Now, Microsoft has released an emergency fix: update KB5086672. This isn’t just a patch; it’s a comprehensive update, incorporating all previous security and non-security improvements alongside the crucial fix for the installation issue.
Essentially, KB5086672 delivers everything the original update promised, but without the frustrating roadblocks. It addresses the “missing or problematic update files” error that plagued many users attempting to install KB5079391.
Who needs this update? If you encountered the 0x80073712 error after installing the March update, installing KB5086672 is highly recommended. Even if you skipped the initial update but are now curious about the new features, this is the path to a smooth experience.
Windows Update should automatically offer KB5086672 to systems that have already installed KB5079473 or a later update. Alternatively, the update is available for direct download through the Microsoft Update Catalog, providing a manual installation option.
This rapid response highlights Microsoft’s commitment to maintaining a stable and reliable Windows experience. The out-of-band release demonstrates a willingness to address critical issues quickly, even outside the regular update cycle.
