Microsoft has rolled out an emergency update for windows 11 to fix a serious bug that was crashing computers and freezing the programs. This is a big issue because Microsoft usually waits for their scheduled “Patch Tuesday” to release updates, but this issue was urgent and ignoring it can cause major issues for users.
What was the issue
The problem started after the January 2026 security update. Users figured out that Microsoft Outlook was crashing, especially when users were trying to save or open specific data files, known as PST files, stored in folders that sync with the cloud.
Many users work at OneDrive to back up their files; this issue caused a lot of problems for users. The bug not only affected the Outlook, but it also affected other apps linked to OneDrive. They would simply stop responding or show weird error messages, making it almost impossible for people to get their work down.
This is not the first time that such a bug has occurred; this is the second time in 2026 that Microsoft has had to rush out a fix. Earlier this month, the company had rolled out another emergency update because users were not able to login properly, and their devices were failing to shut down or go into “Sleep” mode.
These kind of “out-of-band” updates are rear. The company only uses them when a bug is so bad that it disrupts business or affects a massive number of people. Having two bugs in such a short period of time has made users worried about how stable and safe Windows updates are really now.
How to Fix it
New update is “Cumulative” which shows that the users need not be worried or hunt down multiple files to fix their PC by installing this one latest package, users get
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The fix for the Outlook and OneDrive crashes
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All the previous fixes from the January security update.
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Corrections for other minor bugs have been found recently.
If the user has been experiencing freezes or trouble with outlook lately, they should check Windows Update in their setting immediately to download this fix and get their system back to normal.
Syed Ziyauddin is a media and international relations enthusiast with a strong academic and professional foundation. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Media from Jamia Millia Islamia and a Master’s in International Relations (West Asia) from the same institution.
He has work with organizations like ANN Media, TV9 Bharatvarsh, NDTV and Centre for Discourse, Fusion, and Analysis (CDFA) his core interest includes Tech, Auto and global affairs.
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