Microsoft has advised users to uninstall the Windows 11 January 2026 security update after widespread reports of serious system and application issues, prompting concerns among both individual users and businesses.
Read More: Microsoft ‘exits’ Pakistan after 25 years
The update, identified as KB5074109, began rolling out automatically on January 13. Soon after its release, users started reporting a range of problems, including Outlook Classic freezing, black screens, and frequent application crashes.
Microsoft says remove the Windows 11 January 2026 Update if it breaks Outlook Classic. Or switch to webmail.
Microsoft is in damage-control mode after this year’s first major Windows Update caused issues.
According to early reports, reported issues include:
– Black screen on… pic.twitter.com/XEiqYPvgeg
— Windows Latest (@WindowsLatest) January 22, 2026
According to Microsoft, the most severely affected users are those running Outlook Classic with POP email accounts or local PST files, particularly when these files are stored in cloud-synchronised folders such as OneDrive. Users have reported that Outlook becomes unresponsive, fails to close properly, or repeatedly downloads the same messages, significantly disrupting daily workflows.
In response, Microsoft has recommended that affected users either switch temporarily to Outlook webmail or uninstall the January update until a permanent fix is released. The company acknowledged the impact of the bug, stating that Outlook Classic may be rendered largely unusable under certain conditions.
The issues are not limited to email services. Other reported problems include persistent black screens after login, reset desktop settings, broken File Explorer customisations, and applications freezing when accessing cloud storage platforms such as OneDrive and Dropbox.
Microsoft has published a support document outlining temporary workarounds, including relocating PST files away from cloud-backed folders. However, the company cautioned that uninstalling the update could leave systems exposed to unresolved security vulnerabilities addressed by the patch.
Read More: Musk seeks $134B from OpenAI, Microsoft
Despite this warning, Microsoft indicated that removing the update remains the most reliable temporary solution for users experiencing severe disruptions. The company said it is actively investigating the root cause of the problems and plans to issue a comprehensive fix in a future update. Users are advised to monitor official Microsoft channels for further guidance and updates.