Windows 11 Support Thread

Remember when your 1990s 'dinosaur' computer was actually FASTER & MORE RESPONSIVE than your present 'hi-tech' 2026 one...

From startup to shutdown, loading Windows 3.1, MS Word, and MS Excel, on a computer several orders of magnitude slower and with 1000x less RAM than a modern PC.

Note how snappy everything is.
iT's dOinG mOre

No it isn't. We don't have to live like this!
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https://twitter.com/x/status/2036582412071870743

EDIT - this was done on emulated hardware - a video will be available soon showing performance on an ACTUAL PC...

https://twitter.com/x/status/2036625385853440213
 
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Windows 11 without adverts? Okay, maybe that's a pipe dream, but the amount of promotional activity Microsoft visits on its desktop OS is apparently going to be cut back.

As OC3D spotted, this is the latest word from Scott Hanselman, who is a VP, member of technical staff at Microsoft, and one of the major players in the whole 'fix Windows 11' campaign now underway with the software giant.

Hanselman posted on X that "a calmer and more chill OS with fewer upsells is a goal" with Windows 11.
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Chillax bro we got this lol yeah sod off M$ I hope you die a slow death.
 

Microsoft pulls Windows 11 KB5079391 preview after it causes install error loop on 25H2 and 24H2 - Windows Latest​

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Microsoft told Windows Latest it pulled Windows 11 KB5079391 after the optional update caused installation issues on some PCs, and added that it is internally investigating the root cause. This means the update may not begin rolling out again until Microsoft figures out what went wrong, and in the worst-case scenario, it may never get released.

Nine days ago, Microsoft promised to make Windows 11 a better operating system and improve Windows Update. While work is underway internally, recent updates are causing more trouble, and the time couldn’t be any worse.

First, a Windows update broke Microsoft account sign-in for inbox apps, and now Windows 11 KB5079391 is failing to install.

KB5079391 is an optional update that was briefly offered on March 26, and I installed it on my PC as soon as it showed up for download. I did not run into installation errors at that point, but Windows Latest has learned that March 2026’s optional update would not install on some PCs and gets stuck in an error loop.

It’s unclear what went wrong, as Microsoft won’t share the details, but the bug was discovered at the last minute, and if you were affected, you’d see error 0x80073712 on the Windows Update page. This error means assembly files, which are required by the update, are missing in the WinSxS folder.

“Rollout of this update is temporarily paused due to installation error 0x80073712,” Microsoft noted. Some devices might encounter the following error while installing this update: “Some update files are missing or have problems. We’ll try to download the update again later. Error code: (0x80073712).”

As of March 28, 2026, it is still not possible to download Windows 11 KB5079391. In fact, the update was only offered for about an hour or two when it began rolling out on March 26.

“To prevent additional impact while the issue is investigated, Microsoft has temporarily limited the availability of this update. As a result, the update might temporarily not be offered through Windows Update,” Microsoft said in a statement.

Microsoft rarely pulls Windows updates, so the move is a bit unusual and suggests that the problem was widespread.
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www.windowslatest.com

Microsoft pulls Windows 11 KB5079391 preview after it causes install error loop on 25H2 and 24H2

Microsoft told Windows Latest it pulled Windows 11 KB5079391 after the optional update caused installation issues on some PCs.
www.windowslatest.com www.windowslatest.com
 
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March 31, 2026—KB5086672 (OS Builds 26200.8117 and 26100.8117) Out-of-band - Microsoft​

This out-of-band update for Windows 11, version 25H2 and 24H2 (KB5086672) is cumulative and includes updates from previous security and non-security releases.

This update includes the improvements and features that were introduced in the March 26, 2026 non-security preview update (KB5079391), along with a fix for an installation issue that affected some devices attempting to install that update.

Improvements​

This out-of-band update contains quality improvements from KB5079473 (released March 10, 2026), KB5085516 (released March 21, 2026), and KB5079391 (released March 26, 2026 - no longer offered). The following summary outlines key issues addressed by this out-of-band update. The bold text within the brackets indicates the item or area of the change.
  • [Setup] Fixed: While installing the March 2026 Windows preview update (KB5079391), some devices running Windows 11, version 25H2 or 24H2, might encounter the following error:

    Some update files are missing or have problems. We'll try to download the update again later. Error code: (0x80073712)
This out-of-band update is offered through Windows Update for devices running Windows 11 that have already installed KB5079473 or a later update. It is also available for manual download from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

Devices that have Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available turned on may see this update offered automatically through Windows Update when it becomes available for their device. If this setting is turned off, you can install the update manually by going to Settings > Windows Update and selecting Download & install.
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March 31, 2026—KB5086672 (OS Builds 26200.8117 and 26100.8117) Out-of-band - Microsoft Support

support.microsoft.com support.microsoft.com
 

Windows 11 KB5086672 is out to fix broken feature update - Neowin​

Microsoft recently recalled the March 2026 feature update for Windows 11, and today's hotfix is here to bring it back.

Earlier this month, Microsoft released the March 2026 non-security update for Windows 11. As usual, the latest optional update brought some new features and various quality-of-life improvements across the operating system.

However, shortly after, Microsoft pulled the update due to installation issues, particularly error 0x80073712, with a "some update files are missing or have problems" message. Now, Microsoft has a fix for that.

KB5086672 is the final update in March 2025. This out-of-band release or hotfix patches only one issue: the 0x80073712 error in KB5079391. The changelog says the following:
  • [Setup] Fixed: While installing the March 2026 Windows preview update (KB5079391), some devices running Windows 11, version 25H2 or 24H2, might encounter the following error: Some update files are missing or have problems. We'll try to download the update again later. Error code: (0x80073712)
If you want changes and features in KB5079391, you can now head to Windows Update and click "Check for updates." The app will offer you to download KB5086672, which includes all the previously released features and improvements. Just keep in mind that some of them are rolling out gradually and might not be available right after installing the update.

Problems with KB5079391 came right after Microsoft pledged to fix Windows 11 and Windows Update in particular. The company will soon let you pause updates indefinitely, and the overall quality of each release is promised to go up. Unfortunately, that is not what happened to KB5079391. Fortunately, the misstep was not critical, and the hotfix arrived in less than a week.

If you want to learn more about what is new in KB5079391 (now KB5086672), check out our dedicated article here. While the update is not the biggest one, there is some interesting stuff you may find useful. All those features will make it to all Windows 11 users in the April 2026 Patch Tuesday update.
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Dell does the usual steps, have to reinstall everything. Which is the best approach:


We recommend reinstalling Windows using the Dell OS Recovery Tool.



NOTE: Please make sure all important data has been backed up before reinstalling the operating system. If data is not backed up, it might result in data loss.

Important: Before proceeding, please go to BIOS and change the storage settings from RAID On to AHCI.



Option 1: Dell OS Recovery Tool

This method allows you to create a bootable USB drive to reinstall the operating system.

Please click on the link below to download the Dell OS Recovery Tool:

Dell OS Recovery Tool

Follow the on-screen instructions to create the recovery media and reinstall Windows.

Dell Recovery Tool: Download and Create Windows Recovery Image | Dell UK



Option 2: Microsoft Media Creation Tool (Clean Installation)

This method will perform a clean installation of Windows. No data or apps will be backed up.

Video Guide: Watch Here

Steps:

  1. Connect an empty USB flash drive (minimum 8GB) to the computer.
  2. Download the Media Creation Tool:
    • Download Windows 10
    • Download Windows 11
  3. Click DOWNLOAD TOOL NOW and run the downloaded file.
  4. Accept Microsoft’s terms and choose Create installation media for another PC.
  5. Select USB as the destination and wait for the process to complete (1–2 hours).
  6. Once done, connect the USB to the non-working computer.
  7. Restart and press F12 repeatedly to access the boot menu.
  8. Select the USB drive and follow the on-screen instructions:
    • Choose region and language
    • Select Custom Installation
    • Delete all partitions until only Unallocated Space remains
    • Select Unallocated Space and click Next
Windows will now install. This process will erase all data and restore the system to factory settings.


Please click on the below link to go to the download option



For Windows 10: Download Windows 10

Windows 11: Download Windows 11
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