Microsoft has pulled the KB5079391 update for Windows 11 after widespread reports of installation failures with error code 0x80073712. The update, released on October 8, 2024, was intended as a non-security preview update for Windows 11 versions 23H2 and 22H2, but users across multiple forums and social media platforms documented immediate installation problems.

The error 0x80073712 typically indicates a corrupted system file or component store issue that prevents Windows Update from completing installation. Users attempting to install KB5079391 reported the update failing at various percentages—commonly around 30-40%—before rolling back with the specific error code. Microsoft's official support documentation for this error code states it relates to \"component store corruption\" and recommends running the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool followed by System File Checker (SFC).

Technical Breakdown of the KB5079391 Failure

KB5079391 was a cumulative update preview build 22621.4249 for Windows 11 22H2 and build 22631.4249 for Windows 11 23H2. According to Microsoft's original release notes, the update included several fixes:
- Resolved an issue causing high CPU usage in certain scenarios
- Fixed problems with Windows Search indexing
- Addressed compatibility issues with some third-party applications
- Improved reliability for Windows Update components

The irony of that last bullet point hasn't been lost on users who couldn't install the update designed to improve update reliability. The update's failure appears to stem from a conflict with existing system components, particularly affecting users who had previously installed certain optional updates or had modified system files.

Community Impact and User Reports

Windows enthusiasts and IT administrators took to forums immediately after the update's release to document the problems. One system administrator reported: \"We attempted deployment across 150 corporate devices and had a 100% failure rate. The update consistently failed with 0x80073712, requiring manual intervention on every machine.\"

Home users faced similar challenges. Many reported spending hours attempting various troubleshooting steps only to encounter the same error repeatedly. The standard Microsoft-recommended fixes—running DISM and SFC commands—worked for some users but failed for many others, suggesting deeper systemic issues with the update package itself.

Microsoft's Response and Update Pull

Microsoft acknowledged the problems within 48 hours of the update's release and removed KB5079391 from Windows Update servers. The company hasn't provided an official statement about the specific cause but has updated its Windows Health Dashboard to indicate the update is \"under investigation\" and no longer being offered.

This marks the third significant update problem for Microsoft in 2024, following issues with KB5034441 in January (which required manual partition resizing) and KB5034765 in February (which caused boot loops for some users). The pattern suggests ongoing challenges with Microsoft's update validation and testing processes.

The Bigger Picture: Windows Servicing in 2024

2024 has been particularly problematic for Windows updates. The KB5034441 security update in January required users to manually resize their recovery partitions—a technical task beyond most average users. February's KB5034765 caused boot failures for systems with certain third-party security software. Now KB5079391 fails to install entirely for a significant portion of users.

These recurring issues raise questions about Microsoft's current approach to Windows servicing. The company has been pushing toward more frequent, smaller updates rather than major annual releases, but the reliability of these updates appears to be declining. Enterprise customers in particular are expressing concern about the impact on business continuity and IT support costs.

Workarounds and Solutions

For users who already attempted to install KB5079391 and encountered the 0x80073712 error, several workarounds have proven effective:

  1. DISM and SFC Commands: Running DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth followed by sfc /scannow in an elevated Command Prompt resolves the issue for many users by repairing the Windows component store.

  2. Windows Update Troubleshooter: Microsoft's built-in troubleshooter can sometimes automatically fix update-related problems. It's accessible through Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.

  3. Manual Update Installation: Downloading the standalone update package from Microsoft's Update Catalog and installing it manually bypasses some of the Windows Update components that may be causing the failure.

  4. Clean Boot Installation: Performing a clean boot (disabling all non-Microsoft services and startup items) before attempting the update installation has worked for users with conflicting third-party software.

Looking Ahead: What This Means for Future Updates

The KB5079391 debacle comes at a critical time for Microsoft. The company is preparing for the Windows 11 24H2 release expected later this year, and these recurring update problems could undermine user confidence in the platform's stability. Enterprise customers, who rely on predictable update cycles for business planning, are particularly sensitive to these reliability issues.

Microsoft faces increasing pressure to improve its update testing and validation processes. The company's shift toward more frequent updates was supposed to deliver faster fixes and improvements, but if those updates consistently break systems or fail to install, users may prefer the older model of less frequent but more thoroughly tested updates.

For now, users affected by the KB5079391 failure should wait for Microsoft to re-release a fixed version of the update. The company typically addresses these issues within 2-3 weeks, releasing a revised update with the same KB number but a different build number. In the meantime, the security posture of systems isn't compromised since KB5079391 was a non-security preview update—the next Patch Tuesday security updates will include all necessary fixes regardless of whether KB5079391 was installed.

The broader lesson from this incident is clear: even routine Windows updates now require careful consideration. Savvy users and IT administrators are increasingly adopting a \"wait and see\" approach, delaying non-critical updates for several days to monitor community feedback before deployment. This cautious approach, while practical, represents a significant shift in how users interact with what should be a reliable, automated system.

Microsoft's challenge going forward will be restoring confidence in its update delivery mechanism while maintaining the rapid release cadence that modern software development demands. The company needs to demonstrate that it can deliver frequent updates without compromising reliability—a balance that has proven elusive throughout 2024.