Microsoft shares workaround for Outlook freezes after Windows update
Recorded: Jan. 21, 2026, 6:03 p.m.
| Original | Summarized |
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Microsoft is currently addressing a widespread issue impacting Outlook desktop clients, specifically those utilizing POP email accounts and reliant on Windows 11 operating systems (versions 25H2 and 24H2). The core of the problem revolves around the recently deployed KB5074109 and KB5073724 security updates. Users experiencing this issue report a consistent inability to reopen Outlook without resorting to task manager process termination or a complete system restart. Further symptoms include instances of Outlook re-downloading emails, failures of emails to appear in the Sent Items folder, and the potential for Outlook to become unresponsive at times. This impact extends beyond Windows 11 to encompass Windows 10 deployments and multiple Windows Server platforms, including Windows Server 2025, Windows Server 2022, and Windows Server 2019. The immediate response from Microsoft’s technical teams has centered on providing a temporary workaround. Affected users are advised to access their email accounts via webmail interfaces, or, alternatively, to strategically relocate their Outlook PST files – which store email data – from cloud storage services like OneDrive, to a local storage location. This action aims to circumvent the reported instability impacting Outlook’s interaction with cloud-backed storage. Another immediate solution proposed by Microsoft involves the removal of the problematic KB5074109 and KB5073724 security updates. This process, accessible through the Windows Settings app under Updates > Update history > Uninstall updates, enables users to revert to previous versions of the operating system. However, the company explicitly cautions that uninstalling critical security patches could result in the heightened risk of malware attacks and other vulnerabilities since these updates often address weaknesses frequently exploited by malicious actors. The issue appears to be exacerbated in configurations where Outlook utilizes OneDrive to store PST files – a common arrangement. Microsoft’s internal diagnostics indicate that the specific update may disrupt Outlook’s ability to handle file synchronization and data management within this context. This is reflected in the observed instances of Outlook becoming unresponsive or failing to function correctly when attempting to open or save files stored in the cloud. The technical teams are actively investigating the root cause of this incompatibility, likely involving a conflict between the update and Outlook’s native file handling processes. Furthermore, this situation is compounded by similar, albeit distinct, problems reported across various Windows platforms. The outages specifically target aspects of file management and retrieval, hinting at a deeper system-level issue. The urgency with which Microsoft is treating this matter is evidenced by the release of out-of-band emergency updates for Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server, designed to address credential prompt failures impacting remote connection applications, and prevent devices with Secure Launch enabled from entering hibernation. This highlights the broader impact of the initial issue. Following this initial patch cycle, Microsoft also resolved another reported known issue wherein security applications began flagging a core Windows component as vulnerable to memory corruption attacks, solidifying the company’s commitment to a comprehensive and rapid resolution. The company’s response demonstrates a multifaceted approach, encompassing immediate workaround solutions, detailed investigation, and proactive patch deployment. The technical team’s focus on providing this brief workaround highlights the precarious state of the system which is actively disrupting critical applications for affected users. The provided mitigation strategy – moving PST files – is a short-term solution attempting to minimize the disruption while a permanent resolve is determined, but it underscores the underlying instability within the Outlook environment. The delay in a permanent fix, though, remains a considerable factor, and Microsoft's timeline for resolution is presently unknown. |