Why the new Windows 11 update is causing problems for users
We are seeing a large number of users experiencing serious problems with Outlook Classic after the Microsoft Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 updates. Following the installation of the January 2026 Patch Tuesday updates (KB5074109 and KB5073455), Outlook has become almost “completely unusable” for many professionals and business users. This problem is not limited to individual users but has spread to IT companies and enterprise networks.
What went wrong with Outlook after the KB5074109 update?
Based on our analysis and user reports, the following serious issues have emerged in Outlook Classic after the Windows 11 update:
Frequent freezing or hanging of Outlook
Failure to save email drafts
Outlook is not restarting after being closed
Crashing issues with POP account profiles
Unexpected unresponsiveness of Outlook
All these problems are directly impacting productivity, especially for users who rely on Outlook daily.
User Feedback: “Outlook has become completely useless.”
We observed a large number of users expressing their frustration on Microsoft’s support forums and community threads. One user, John W., clearly stated:
> “After this forced Windows 11 update, Outlook Classic has become completely unusable. Random hangs, emails not saving, and hours of troubleshooting have been fruitless.”
He also confirmed that after uninstalling KB5074109, Outlook started working normally, clearly indicating that this update is the root cause of the problem. IT Companies Also Confirm the Issue
We are also seeing that not only individual users, but also IT companies like Suncoast Information Systems, have confirmed that the Outlook issue on many devices in their networks was completely resolved after removing KB5074109. This makes it clear that this bug is having a widespread impact.
Also read: 10 Best Sandbox Applications for Windows (for System Security)
Microsoft’s Official Confirmation: Bug Acknowledged in Support Document
Microsoft has finally acknowledged this issue. According to the company’s support article:
> After updating Windows 11 to KB5074109, Outlook users with POP accounts are experiencing issues with Outlook not closing properly, not restarting, and freezing.
Microsoft has also acknowledged that other symptoms related to this bug may appear, which are currently under investigation.
Why Does the Outlook Problem Persist Despite Emergency OOB Updates?
Although Microsoft released Out-of-Band (OOB) updates KB5077744 and KB5077797 to fix other critical bugs, no official workaround has been released for this Outlook Classic issue. This situation is becoming even more frustrating for users.
Is Uninstalling KB5074109 the Only Solution?
Given the current situation, we can clearly say that uninstalling KB5074109 has proven to be the most effective solution so far. Many users have confirmed that after removing the update:
Outlook opens and closes smoothly
Email drafts are saved correctly
Freezing and hanging issues are resolved
Until Microsoft releases a permanent fix for this bug, this method is considered the safest.
Direct Impact on Professional and Business Users
We understand that Outlook is not just an email app, but the backbone of business communication. This type of update bug leads to:
Disrupted workflows
Increased risk of data loss
Additional pressure on IT teams
Eroded user trust in Microsoft
Questions raised about Microsoft’s update strategy
This entire incident has raised questions about Microsoft’s Windows Update Quality Assurance. An update that was released for security and stability purposes, completely destabilizing critical software like Outlook, is simply unacceptable.
What to expect next
We expect Microsoft to:
Release a dedicated fix for Outlook Classic in the coming days
Strengthen the testing process for Patch Tuesday updates
Prioritize the issues faced by enterprise and professional users
Until then, Windows 11 users need to exercise caution before installing updates.
Conclusion
Based on our detailed analysis, the Windows 11 KB5074109 update has severely impacted Outlook Classic. Confirmation from users, IT companies, and Microsoft itself proves that this is a significant and real bug. Currently, uninstalling the update is the most practical solution. This incident serves as a warning to Microsoft to prioritize stability and user experience in future updates.
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FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Question 1: Which Windows 11 update is causing problems with Outlook?
Answer: The Windows 11 KB5074109 (25H2/24H2) update has caused serious problems in Outlook Classic, such as freezing, hanging, and emails not saving.
Question 2: Does Outlook completely stop working?
Answer: According to many users, Outlook Classic becomes completely unusable because it doesn’t close properly and fails to restart.
Question 3: Which Outlook accounts are most affected?
Answer: According to Microsoft, Outlook users with POP account profiles are experiencing this problem the most.
Question 4: Has Microsoft officially acknowledged this problem?
Answer: Yes, Microsoft has confirmed in its support article that the KB5074109 update is causing freezing and hanging issues in Outlook.
Question 5: Has Microsoft released a fix for this problem?
Answer: No official workaround or permanent fix has been released for Outlook Classic yet.
Question 6: What is the best solution for this problem currently?
Answer: Currently, uninstalling the Windows 11 update KB5074109 is considered the most effective solution.
Question 7: Does uninstalling the update fix Outlook?
Answer: Yes, several users and IT companies have confirmed that Outlook starts working normally after removing the update.
Question 8: Is this problem limited to personal users only?
Answer: No, this problem has also been observed at the business and enterprise levels, affecting workflow and productivity.
Question 9: Did the OOB (Out-of-Band) update fix the Outlook problem?
Answer: No, the OOB updates released by Microsoft were for other bugs; the Outlook Classic problem persists.
Question 10: Will Microsoft fix this problem in the future?
Answer: Microsoft is expected to release a permanent solution for Outlook Classic in upcoming updates, but no specific date has been announced yet.

