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Microsoft: Out-of-band update fixes Windows 11 hotpatch install loop

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Microsoft has released the KB5072753 out-of-band cumulative update to fix a known issue causing the November 2025 KB5068966 hotpatch update to reinstall on Windows 11 systems repeatedly.

As the company explained in an update to the KB5068966 advisory, the Windows 11 25H2 hotpatch was being reoffered after installation.

"After installing the hotpatch update KB5068966 released November 11, 2025, affected devices repeatedly download and install the same update when a Windows Update scan is run," it said in a new Microsoft 365 Message Center entry.

However, Microsoft noted that this known issue doesn't affect system functionality and would only be noticed after checking the timestamp in the update history.

On Thursday, Microsoft addressed the bug in the KB5072753 out-of-band hotpatch, which is now rolling out to all Windows 11 25H2 devices via Windows Update.

This is also a cumulative update that includes improvements and security fixes from the KB5068966 security update.

"You do not need to apply any previous updates before installing this update, as it supersedes all previous updates for affected versions," Microsoft added.

"If you have not yet deployed the November 2025 hotpatch update (KB5068966) on Windows 11, version 25H2 devices in your environment, we recommend you apply this OOB update (KB5072753) instead."

Earlier this week, Microsoft released a Windows 10 emergency update to resolve issues with installing the November 2025 extended security updates. On affected systems, users found that the update failed with 0x800f0922 (CBS_E_INSTALLERS_FAILED) errors.

One week earlier, it also fixed a bug that triggered incorrect Windows 10 end-of-support warnings after installing the October 2025 updates on PCs with active security coverage or still under active support.

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