Microsoft has issued an urgent update for Windows 10 users facing a critical issue. The update addresses a recent failure that has prevented essential security updates from installing on their PCs. This emergency patch was released without prior warning, coinciding with the confirmation of November's critical security vulnerabilities. It affects Windows 10 users who are not enrolled in the extended security updates program, which Microsoft made free following the controversial end-of-life of Windows 10. The flaw was only recently discovered.
The out-of-band update, KB5071959, is designed to resolve an issue that prevented affected customers from receiving essential security updates. Microsoft explains that this update is cumulative, incorporating security fixes and improvements from the October 14, 2025, security update. Users are advised to navigate to the Windows Update settings page, check for updates, and install the OOB update. After installation, a device restart is required to complete the process.
To continue receiving updates as part of the Windows 10 Consumer ESU program, users must enroll their devices using the ESU enrollment wizard. This ensures they will receive Extended Security Updates via Windows Update. However, some users have encountered issues, as reported by Windows Latest, where Windows 10 ESU won't work on certain PCs, leaving Windows 11 as the only update option. The problem is particularly prevalent in Europe, where ESU is temporarily unavailable.
This emergency update coincides with November's 'Patch Tuesday' security updates, which were released on the same day. Microsoft's prompt action in fixing the bug on November 11 is notable, as it also released critical security updates that require ESU. Users are strongly advised to install the update immediately to ensure their devices remain secure and up-to-date.
