Microsoft has hit pause on the Windows 11 preview update KB5079391 after some PCs started failing during installation with error code 0x80073712. The update, released as an optional preview on March 26, targets Windows 11 version 24H2 and 25H2 and is designed to deliver early fixes ahead of the next regular patch cycle. But after reports of installation problems, Microsoft limited the update’s availability while it investigates what’s going wrong.
The issue appears when certain devices attempt to install KB5079391 and receive a message stating that some update files are missing or have problems, followed by the error code (0x80073712). Microsoft has acknowledged the problem in its updated documentation and confirmed that the rollout is being restricted temporarily.
What this means for everyday users is straightforward: if you go to Windows Update and don’t see KB5079391 listed under optional updates, it may not be your computer at fault. Instead, Microsoft may simply not be offering the preview update to your device right now due to the rollout pause.
That’s a notable move because KB5079391 wasn’t just a minor tweak. It included a collection of quality-of-life improvements for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2, aiming to smooth out common annoyances and edge-case bugs. Among the changes were File Explorer improvements tied to unblocking downloaded files, expanded display support that allows monitors to report refresh rates beyond 1000 Hz, and a fix for an extra error message that could appear when running sfc /scannow. Microsoft also listed improvements to Windows Hello fingerprint reliability on some devices, which could be a meaningful upgrade for people who rely on biometric sign-in every day.
Beyond that, the preview update also addressed a mix of other Windows 11 trouble spots, including fixes related to Safe Mode, audio behavior, Voice Access, Start menu Group Policy behavior, and Remote Desktop handling through PowerShell.
For now, Microsoft hasn’t shared a specific workaround or released a revised version of the update. The only official guidance is that availability has been temporarily limited while the company investigates the installation failures. In practical terms, affected users will likely need to wait for Microsoft to either resume distribution of KB5079391, ship a corrected build, or include the same fixes in a future cumulative update.
If you’re on Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2 and were planning to install the KB5079391 preview, the safest move is to hold off and keep an eye on Windows Update for the next available release. Optional preview updates are meant to be early, non-security releases, but this pause is a reminder that even routine patches can run into unexpected problems once they reach a wider range of hardware and configurations.
