Microsoft has rolled out a second Windows 11 emergency update to address a critical bug causing the Outlook application to crash for many users. This out-of-band patch aims to resolve system issues that emerged shortly after the January 2026 security update, providing a much-needed fix for productivity disruptions.

New Windows 11 Emergency Update Solves Outlook Crash Issue

According to technical reports, the primary bug caused applications to lock up when opening or saving files located in cloud-based storage. The most common complaint from users involved Outlook data files (PST) stored on platforms like OneDrive. In these scenarios, the application would fail to launch, become unresponsive, or shut down unexpectedly.

This latest development marks Microsoft’s second emergency intervention to correct errors originating from the security package released earlier this year. Previously, the company had to fix a separate bug that prevented some Windows 11 devices from shutting down or entering sleep mode. Furthermore, remote connection problems affecting both Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems were also addressed during this period.

Why Microsoft Released an Out-of-Band Patch

Microsoft typically issues these types of updates, known as “out-of-band” releases, only for serious and urgent problems that cannot wait for the standard monthly update cycle. They are reserved for critical issues that significantly impact system stability or security.

Fortunately, this latest patch is cumulative. This means that users only need to download and install this single package to resolve all the issues that have surfaced since the January update. It simplifies the process and ensures all systems are brought up to date with the latest fixes.

So, what are your thoughts on this Windows 11 emergency update? Share your opinions with us in the comments!