Microsoft Withdraws KB5079391 After Installation Failures
Microsoft pulled the Windows 11 KB5079391 non-security preview update from Windows Update servers on March 30, 2026, following widespread reports of installation failures. The optional update, which was released as part of Microsoft's monthly "C" week preview cycle, began triggering 0x80073712 error codes during the installation process for numerous users attempting to download and install the patch.
The 0x80073712 error typically indicates component corruption or missing files during the Windows Update process, preventing the system from completing the installation successfully. Users encountering this error reported that their systems would attempt to install the update multiple times, only to fail at various stages of the installation process and roll back to the previous system state.
Microsoft's decision to withdraw the update came after monitoring telemetry data and user feedback through the Windows Feedback Hub and support channels. The company's Windows Update infrastructure automatically stopped offering KB5079391 to new systems while investigating the root cause of the installation failures. This rapid response demonstrates Microsoft's improved update monitoring capabilities following previous problematic releases.
The KB5079391 update was designed to introduce several preview features and improvements to Windows 11, including enhancements to the Start menu, taskbar functionality, and various system components. However, the specific technical issue causing the 0x80073712 errors appears to be related to component manifest validation or file integrity checks during the installation process.
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According to Microsoft Support documentation, the company is actively investigating the installation failures and working to identify the underlying cause. The withdrawal affects all Windows 11 versions that were eligible for the KB5079391 update, including both Home and Pro editions across different hardware configurations.
Windows 11 Users Face Update Installation Roadblocks
The KB5079391 installation issues primarily affect Windows 11 users who attempted to install the optional preview update through Windows Update settings. This includes users running Windows 11 version 22H2 and 23H2 across both consumer and business editions. The error particularly impacts users who manually check for updates or have automatic updates enabled for optional preview releases.
Enterprise environments using Windows Update for Business or System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) may have been partially shielded from the issue if administrators hadn't approved the optional update for deployment. However, organizations that allow users to install optional updates independently could still encounter the 0x80073712 errors on managed devices.
The installation failure doesn't appear to cause permanent system damage, as Windows 11's update rollback mechanisms successfully restore systems to their previous state when the error occurs. However, users may experience temporary system slowdowns during the failed installation attempts and subsequent rollback processes. Some users reported multiple retry attempts before realizing the update had been withdrawn from distribution.
Home users who rely on automatic Windows Updates were most likely to encounter this issue, as the preview update would have been offered through the standard Windows Update interface. The error affects systems regardless of hardware manufacturer, suggesting the issue lies within the update package itself rather than specific driver or hardware compatibility problems.
Microsoft Investigates Update Package Issues
Microsoft's engineering teams are currently analyzing the KB5079391 update package to identify the specific component or process causing the 0x80073712 installation failures. The error code typically indicates problems with Windows component store integrity, manifest file corruption, or missing dependencies required for the update installation process.
Users who already attempted to install KB5079391 and encountered the error don't need to take any immediate action, as Windows 11's automatic rollback functionality should have restored their systems to the previous working state. However, Microsoft recommends running the Windows Update troubleshooter if users continue experiencing update-related issues after the failed installation attempt.
For organizations managing Windows 11 deployments, administrators should verify that KB5079391 hasn't been approved for distribution through Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) or Configuration Manager. If the update was already approved, Microsoft advises declining or removing the approval until a corrected version becomes available.
The company hasn't provided a specific timeline for when a corrected version of KB5079391 might be rereleased. Microsoft's standard practice involves thoroughly testing the fix in internal environments and with Windows Insider participants before making it available through Windows Update again. This process typically takes several days to weeks depending on the complexity of the underlying issue.
Users seeking the features and improvements originally included in KB5079391 will need to wait for either a corrected version of the same update or for the changes to be included in the next monthly cumulative update cycle. Microsoft continues monitoring system telemetry and user feedback to ensure any rerelease doesn't reproduce the installation problems that prompted the original withdrawal.
