Microsoft has released another urgent fix after issues were found in its January 2026 Windows Security Update.
The issue affected cloud storage and caused apps like Outlook to freeze or stop working. This is the second emergency update in just two weeks.
For IT teams, 2026 is already proving to be a challenging year for patch management.
Microsoft Windows Update Issues: What Went Wrong
The problem started after the January 2026 Windows Security Update. Some apps stopped responding when users tried to open or save files stored in cloud locations.
These locations include OneDrive and other cloud-backed storage services.
Microsoft confirmed that Outlook was one of the affected apps. In many cases, Outlook froze or failed to open when PST files were saved in the cloud.
At first, Microsoft thought the issue was linked only to classic Outlook POP accounts. Later, it admitted the real cause was cloud storage usage. Outlook was not the only app affected.
The situation became more serious because the faulty update was a security patch. Users could not safely uninstall it. Removing it would expose systems to security risks. This left administrators with limited options until Microsoft released a fix.
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Emergency fix and what users should know
Microsoft released an out-of-band update over the weekend to fix the issue. This update is separate from the regular Patch Tuesday schedule. It aims to restore normal app behavior and prevent freezes linked to cloud storage.
Key details of the update:
- Fixes app freezes when using cloud-backed storage
- Addresses Outlook not opening with PST files in OneDrive
- Applies to all supported Windows versions
- Includes Windows Server editions
- Should be installed immediately by affected users
This is the second emergency update after the January security patch. An earlier fix on January 17 resolved problems with Remote Desktop credentials and hibernation.
Experts say two emergency updates in two weeks is not a good sign. More issues could still appear before the next Patch Tuesday. Many administrators now worry about stability and testing gaps.
For now, Microsoft advises users and IT teams to install the update as soon as possible. The message is clear. When it comes to Microsoft Windows update issues, more surprises may still be ahead.
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