Microsoft is facing widespread criticism after a recent Windows 11 update caused serious system and application issues for users worldwide, prompting the company to issue the rare advice to uninstall the patch.
The January 2026 security update, identified as KB5074109, began rolling out automatically on January 13 and upgraded systems to OS Build 26200.7623 and related versions. Soon after its release, users started reporting problems ranging from application crashes to complete system instability.
Reports flooded online forums and support channels, with many users describing black screens, frozen apps, and unexpected changes to desktop settings following the update.
Outlook Classic Users Hit the Hardest
The most severe issues linked to the Windows 11 update have been reported by users running Outlook Classic, particularly those using POP email accounts or local PST files. The problem appears more common when PST files are stored in cloud synced folders such as OneDrive.
Also read: Pakistan Moves Toward Age Restrictions on Social Media
Affected users say Outlook frequently freezes, displays a Not Responding message, refuses to close properly, or repeatedly redownloads emails. In some cases, the application becomes completely unusable, disrupting both personal and professional communication.
Microsoft has advised impacted users to temporarily switch to Outlook webmail or move PST files out of cloud synced locations while a permanent fix is developed.
Broader System Issues Raise Alarm
The fallout from the update has not been limited to Outlook. Many users have reported black screens on startup, reset desktop layouts, broken File Explorer customizations, and apps freezing when accessing cloud storage services like OneDrive or Dropbox.
Due to the scale of the disruption, uninstalling the update has become the most common workaround. Microsoft has acknowledged the severity of the situation and published official guidance explaining how to remove the patch through Windows Update settings.
However, the company also warned that uninstalling the Windows 11 update could expose systems to security risks, as the patch included over one hundred security fixes addressing vulnerabilities across the operating system.
Fixes Still Under Investigation
Microsoft has already released out of band updates to address other problems from the same update cycle, including bugs affecting Remote Desktop connections and system shutdown behavior. The Outlook Classic issue, however, remains unresolved.
The company says it is actively investigating the root cause and plans to deliver a broader fix in an upcoming update. For now, the incident marks a troubling start to Windows 11’s 2026 update cycle and adds to growing frustration among users after a year already marked by disruptive patches.
