Microsoft’s Patch Tuesday Can’t Install for Some; Fix Rolling Out
Microsoft has confirmed that Windows update KB5132061 failed to install for some users with error codes 0x800F0993 and 0x800F0989. A fix is rolling out and needs no action, but the company says printing and activation problems have also appeared with the update.
Microsoft confirmed on November 12, 2026 that its November Patch Tuesday update for Windows, KB5132061, failed to install for some users, and said a fix is rolling out. Microsoft's Patch Tuesday can't protect anyone if it won't install, and the error reports began within hours of release.
The company says customers who are online and using Windows Update need to do nothing. The fix should reach them automatically.
What users saw
Complaints surfaced soon after the update went out. Downloads and installations failed, with some users getting error code 0x800F0993 and others 0x800F0989.
At first Microsoft listed no known issues for the update and offered no explanation. It has since acknowledged the problem.
New problems with printing and activation
The confirmation comes with a catch. Microsoft says the update also has issues involving printing and activation. The company has not yet given details on who is affected.
Workarounds before the fix
While Microsoft stayed silent, users went looking for answers. One, posting as Forceflow on the ElevenForum site, suggested the failure might be tied to Windows Sandbox. After disabling that feature and rebooting, the update installed.
Others said they hit the errors whether or not Windows Sandbox was enabled. Alternative fixes they tried included checking the package with DISM, the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool, or downloading the update manually.
Why the update matters
The patch is a big one. It addresses 726 vulnerabilities in Windows alone, so a failed install leaves those holes open on affected machines.
It also fixes a number of problems from earlier updates. One is a bug where USB Audio 1.0 devices might fail to start and show error code 10 in Device Manager.
A run of rough updates
This is not the first stumble in recent months. Microsoft rushed out an out-of-band release, meaning an emergency update outside the normal schedule, in September after the September 2026 Windows security update caused trouble for Remote Desktop Services.
October's Patch Tuesday for Windows Server sent Exchange Servers toppling, and a registry edit was suggested as a workaround. Microsoft issued no out-of-band update for that one, saying the problem had been resolved in the November update.
