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Windows 11 update KB5051987 was released for version 24H2 on February 11, 2025. Some users later reported that File Explorer would not open common folders and that the update stalled or failed to install. These were reports, not a confirmed widespread defect: Microsoft’s release notes do not identify the File Explorer problem as a known issue.

What KB5051987 changed—and what Microsoft documented

KB5051987 was the February 11, 2025 cumulative security update for Windows 11 version 24H2. It applied to all editions and brought the operating system to build 26100.3194. Microsoft said it addressed Windows security issues and included improvements from the January 28, 2025 update, KB5050094. Microsoft’s KB5051987 release notes describe “miscellaneous security improvements to internal OS functionality” and say, “No additional issues were documented for this release.” That statement describes Microsoft’s published notes; it does not establish that users experienced no other symptoms.

The Microsoft article lists other issues, including some involving Roblox on ARM devices, OpenSSH, Citrix installations, and Remote Desktop. It does not list the File Explorer symptom described in later reporting, so those separately documented issues should not be confused with the Explorer reports.

What users reported about File Explorer and installation

In a February 16, 2025 report, Windows Latest described user complaints that File Explorer did not respond when opening folders such as Desktop, Documents, and Pictures. The report said affected users also tried opening folders through desktop shortcuts or Windows Search, and that Explorer could remain running in the background.

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The same report described update stalls and installation errors, including one example of a stall at 96% and a user-reported message: “Some update files are missing or have problems. We’ll try to download the update again later. Error code: (0x80070003).” It also mentioned camera problems and other complaints. These are examples from a secondary report, not evidence that every device was affected or that the examples were typical. No representative failure rate or confirmed universal cause was established.

How to handle a device affected now

Because KB5051987 is a historical update, start by identifying the Windows version and build currently installed rather than assuming this old package is still the cause.

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  1. Check the installed version and build. Open Settings and go to System > About. Review Windows specifications, including the edition, version, and OS build.
  2. Check current update status. Open Settings > Windows Update and check for updates. Also consult Microsoft’s Windows 11 version 24H2 release-health page for current known issues and resolutions. The page checked on October 8, 2026 did not list KB5051987 and recommends installing the latest update available for current issue resolutions.
  3. Use current guidance before removing an update. If File Explorer is still failing, check Microsoft’s current issue guidance and consider the device’s security and management requirements before attempting a rollback. Windows Latest advised affected users in February 2025 to uninstall KB5051987 through Settings and restart, but that was a dated recommendation, not a universal or current Microsoft instruction.

The current release-health page does not establish a specific official fix date for the Explorer symptom reported in 2025. Its status may change, so consult the live page rather than relying on an old package report.

Installing KB5051987 manually: historical instructions

Microsoft offered KB5051987 through Windows Update, Windows Update for Business, WSUS, and the Microsoft Update Catalog. The Catalog provided separate Windows 11 version 24H2 packages for x64 and ARM64. These are historical instructions for that package; for a device today, use the latest applicable update and current Microsoft guidance.

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Microsoft’s release article says administrators can deploy the required MSU files together from one folder using DISM, or install each MSU individually in order. The stated sequence starts with prerequisite KB5043080, followed by KB5051987. The relevant package and servicing instructions are in Microsoft’s KB5051987 article; do not install a package intended for a different Windows version or processor architecture.

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Why a WUSA uninstall command may not remove it

Microsoft says the combined servicing stack and cumulative update package cannot be removed with WUSA’s /uninstall switch because it contains the servicing stack update, which cannot be removed after installation. That limitation is distinct from Windows Latest’s historical Settings-based rollback advice. Whether removing an update is possible or appropriate depends on the device’s state and security needs.

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