Microsoft has confirmed that November 2026 security updates can fail to install on Windows 11 devices that received October’s optional preview update, BleepingComputer reported on November 12. The company says an automatic repair will let affected devices download and install the security update without users taking action.
The problem affects a limited number of devices with the October 2026 non-security preview update, KB5127936, Microsoft said in a service update seen by BleepingComputer. Devices that did not install that preview are unaffected. The preview is an optional release of changes outside the monthly security update.
Users have widely reported failures involving KB5132061, with installation freezing partway through before showing errors. Microsoft’s confirmation narrows the affected population to devices with the October preview, rather than Windows 11 systems generally.
What affected users may see
Microsoft said affected devices may repeatedly try to install the November security update or display error code 0x80070306, 0x800f0989 or 0x800f0993. The user reports described by BleepingComputer included installations stopping midway and returning the latter two codes.
For affected users and IT teams, the immediate consequence is a delay in installing November’s security update. Microsoft’s stated prerequisite—the presence of KB5127936—gives administrators a way to distinguish this acknowledged issue from other installation failures.
Microsoft has addressed several update installation problems this year: in March it pulled Windows 11 preview update KB5079391 after 0x80073712 errors; in May it fixed KB5089549 failures involving 0x800f0922; and in June it warned of 0x80073712 or 0x800f0993 errors on some devices upgraded to Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2.
Automatic repair is being delivered
Microsoft told administrators that all affected devices should receive the repair within 24 to 48 hours starting November 11, 2026, at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. It also said the installation problems should resolve for affected customers by Friday morning.
Once a device receives the repair, Windows Update will automatically download and install the November security update, Microsoft said. End users do not need to take action to receive the fix. Administrators still receiving reports of installation failures after the stated 48-hour window should contact Microsoft Support.
