Tag: KB5079473

  • Microsoft Warns Windows 11 KB5079473 May Disrupt Sign-Ins

    Microsoft Warns Windows 11 KB5079473 May Disrupt Sign-Ins

    Key Takeaways

    1. Microsoft acknowledged an issue with certain PCs after the March 2026 Windows 11 cumulative update KB5079473, affecting Microsoft account sign-ins across various apps.
    2. The problem is identified in Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, specifically OS Builds 26100.8037 and 26200.8037, released on March 10, 2026.
    3. Users may encounter error messages suggesting they need internet access, even when connected, during sign-in attempts for apps like Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, and Word.
    4. The issue is limited to Microsoft account sign-ins, and organizations using Entra ID for app authentication are not affected.
    5. As a temporary workaround, Microsoft recommends restarting devices while connected to the internet to restore connectivity and avoid recurring issues.


    Microsoft has acknowledged a new issue impacting certain PCs following the March 2026 Windows 11 cumulative update KB5079473. The company stated that some users might face difficulties logging in with a Microsoft account across various apps after the update is applied. The support documentation from Microsoft identifies KB5079473 for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 as OS Builds 26100.8037 and 26200.8037, which were issued on March 10, 2026.

    Update on the Issue

    On March 20, 2026, various media outlets reported that Microsoft updated its Windows release health information to recognize the problem. The reports indicate that this issue can affect applications like Microsoft Teams Free, OneDrive, Microsoft Edge, Excel, Word, and Microsoft 365 Copilot whenever they require a Microsoft account for signing in.

    Error Messages and Connectivity Problems

    According to Microsoft, devices that are impacted might display an error message indicating that internet access is needed, even if the PC is already connected. External sources have quoted Microsoft explaining that sign-in attempts may show messages resembling: “You’ll need the Internet for this. It doesn’t look like you’re connected to the Internet.” Furthermore, it seems the issue is associated with a specific network connectivity condition activated after the update was installed.

    Microsoft clarifies that this issue is confined to sign-in actions involving Microsoft accounts only. The same release health update mentioned by outside media states that organizations utilizing Entra ID for app authentication are not experiencing this particular issue.

    Suggested Workaround

    While a permanent solution is being developed, Microsoft has advised affected users to restart their devices while connected to the internet. The company asserts that this can restore the connectivity state and help stop the issue from happening again. However, Microsoft cautions that restarting without an active internet connection may lead the device back to the same problematic state.

    KB5079473 was rolled out as part of Microsoft’s March Patch Tuesday for supported Windows 11 versions. Microsoft’s support documents verify the update and build numbers, and the newly recognized sign-in issue adds to an increasing number of complaints following this month’s release.

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  • Windows 11 KB5079473 Update Issues: BSOD and Freezes Fixes

    Windows 11 KB5079473 Update Issues: BSOD and Freezes Fixes

    Key Takeaways

    1. Users are experiencing crashes, hard freezes, and continuous restarts after installing the cumulative update KB5079473 for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2.

    2. Complaints on Microsoft support forums include issues like multiple crashes, BSOD errors, and failures in applications like Office and Outlook.

    3. Despite user reports, Microsoft’s support page claims they are “not currently aware of any issues” with the update, highlighting a discrepancy between user experiences and official communication.

    4. Feedback from users on platforms like Reddit includes problems with system drives, graphical issues, and app crashes on specific laptop models, although these reports are unverified.

    5. Microsoft encourages users to report issues through the Feedback Hub, which allows for easier tracking and prioritization of problems related to the update.


    Some users of Windows 11 are experiencing issues like crashes, hard freezes, and continuous restarts after they installed the cumulative update KB5079473 from Microsoft in March 2026. This patch is meant for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2; however, Microsoft’s support page claims they are “not currently aware of any issues with this update.”

    User Complaints Surface

    Initial complaints have been seen in Microsoft support forums. A user shared on March 12 in a Q&A post that after installing KB5079473, their PC had “fully crashed 3 times,” with each incident needing a full reboot, leading to lost unsaved work. Following comments echoed these experiences, mentioning total screen freezes that forced hard restarts and repeated crashes while sharing screens in Zoom.

    Broader Issues Reported

    Another Microsoft Q&A thread suggests even more diverse problems. One user mentioned their system started to restart every 10 to 20 minutes post-update and shared an instance of a BSOD with the stop code ATTEMPTED_WRITE_TO_READONLY_MEMORY (0xBE). Additionally, another user stated that after applying the patch, Office and Outlook failed to initialize, and both Command Prompt and Print Screen stopped functioning, with error code 0x800704b3 noted. This thread also featured a complaint from another user who stated the update couldn’t be installed, only showing a retry message.

    Discrepancy in Reporting

    This situation highlights Microsoft’s status page, where the “Known issues in this update” section still claims no issues are recognized. The highlights for the update focus instead on improvements related to Secure Boot certificates, enhanced reliability for File Explorer searches, better behavior in WDAC COM allowlisting, and upgrades in Windows System Image Manager trust warnings.

    The contrast between user experiences and Microsoft’s official communication is quite common. Problems with Windows updates often emerge in community discussions and feedback platforms before they are acknowledged on an official known-issues page.

    Reddit Feedback

    Similar concerns have also begun to appear on Reddit, with users reporting inaccessible system drives on certain Samsung Galaxy Book laptops, graphical issues after the update, and app crashes on at least one Dell Precision workstation. However, these reports remain unverified claims.

    User feedback is crucial as Microsoft’s Feedback Hub is a primary tool for identifying patterns and prioritizing issues. Microsoft encourages users to search for related reports, upvote them, share their experiences, and attach screenshots or recordings to aid investigations.

    Additionally, Microsoft mentions that pressing Windows key + F opens the Feedback Hub and automatically captures a screenshot for the report. For users facing these issues, the Feedback Hub serves as the most straightforward way to submit concerns while Microsoft evaluates whether the crash reports related to KB5079473 require formal acknowledgment.

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