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Microsoft says the Windows 11 Outlook problem linked to the January 13, 2026 updates is now fixed. The incident affected some Classic Outlook for Windows profiles—especially those using POP accounts or PST data files—not every Outlook installation or every Windows 11 computer.
If Outlook is still hanging, install Windows updates until Windows reports that the device is up to date. Then troubleshoot the Outlook profile or PST file only if the problem continues.
What caused the Outlook problem?
Microsoft linked the incident to Windows updates released on January 13, 2026. The security update most closely associated with the reports was KB5074109, which produced Windows OS builds 26200.7623 and 26100.7623.
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This was not documented as a failure affecting all Outlook users. The evidence does not support saying that every Windows 11 installation, every Outlook account, or New Outlook was broken. Microsoft’s current incident report applies to the specific Classic Outlook and POP/PST configurations it describes. See Microsoft’s incident notice for the affected Outlook profiles.
Microsoft now lists the issue as fixed
The original “no fix yet” description is out of date. Microsoft’s support page now shows the issue as STATUS: FIXED, with the page last updated on February 3, 2026.
The current remedy is delivered through Windows Update. Microsoft recommends installing available updates and restarting the computer as required, then checking again until Windows says the device is up to date.
How to apply the current fix
- Save your work and close Outlook.
- Open Settings from the Start menu.
- Go to Windows Update. In some Windows 11 layouts, this is under Settings > Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates.
- Install all available updates, including any cumulative or quality update offered for the device.
- Restart when Windows requests it.
- Return to Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates again.
- Repeat until Windows reports that the system is up to date, then test Classic Outlook.
Do not make uninstalling KB5074109 your default solution now that Microsoft says the issue has been fixed. Removing a security update can leave Windows less protected and does not address the remaining causes of an Outlook hang.
What symptoms did users see?
Microsoft documented several symptoms associated with the incident:
- Classic Outlook hangs and shows “Not Responding”.
- Outlook does not reopen after it is closed unless its process is ended in Task Manager or Windows is restarted.
- A message appears to send, but does not show up in Sent Items.
- Outlook redownloads email that was already downloaded.
Contemporary user reports also described repeated Outlook background processes and random freezes. Those reports help illustrate the disruption, but Microsoft’s support documentation is the primary source for identifying the affected configuration and remedy.
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Which computers and Outlook versions were affected?
Microsoft listed affected Windows client platforms including Windows 11 versions 25H2, 24H2, and 23H2, as well as several Windows 10 editions. The server list included Windows Server 2025, Windows Server version 23H2, Windows Server 2022, and Windows Server 2019.
That platform list does not mean every computer running one of those versions was affected. The documented trigger involved a particular combination of Classic Outlook, POP accounts, and PST data.
Classic Outlook versus New Outlook
Classic Outlook is the desktop application with long-standing support for local PST files and traditional POP configurations. New Outlook is the newer Windows mail application with a different architecture and feature set.
Microsoft’s incident notice concerns Classic Outlook. Microsoft’s separate New Outlook known-issues documentation does not identify this January 2026 hang as an active New Outlook problem. If you use New Outlook and are seeing an unrelated error, do not assume this incident explains it.
If Outlook still hangs after Windows Update
Once Windows reports that it is fully updated, continuing Outlook failures may have a different cause: a damaged profile, a PST problem, an incompatible add-in, or an Office installation issue. Work through the following steps in order.
1. End a stuck Outlook process
If Outlook will not reopen, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Select Microsoft Outlook or an Outlook-related process, choose End task, and try opening Outlook again. Restart Windows if the process cannot be ended cleanly.
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Ending the process is a recovery step, not a repair for the underlying problem. Avoid repeatedly killing Outlook while it is writing to a PST file, because interrupting data-file operations can increase the risk of corruption.
2. Test Outlook in Safe Mode
Safe Mode starts Classic Outlook without its normal add-ins. It can reveal whether an add-in is causing a separate freeze:
- Press Windows key + R.
- Enter
outlook.exe /safe. - Press Enter.
If Outlook works normally in Safe Mode, open File > Options > Add-ins. At the bottom of the window, set Manage to COM Add-ins, select Go, and disable add-ins. Re-enable them one at a time to identify the conflict.
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3. Create a new Outlook profile
A damaged profile can cause synchronization, startup, or folder-access problems even after Windows has been patched.
- Close Outlook.
- Open the Windows Control Panel.
- Search for and open Mail or Mail (Microsoft Outlook).
- Select Show Profiles.
- Select Add and create a new profile.
- Add the account and test Outlook with the new profile.
Do not delete the old profile until you have confirmed that you can access the required mail, contacts, calendars, and local data. POP accounts and PST files may contain mail that is not stored on the email provider’s server.
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4. Check or repair the PST file
If Outlook opens but folders are missing, messages do not display correctly, or synchronization remains abnormal, Microsoft points users to the Outlook Inbox Repair tool, commonly called ScanPST.
To find it, search the Start menu or File Explorer for SCANPST.EXE. The exact folder varies by Office installation and whether Microsoft 365 or a standalone Office edition is installed. Select the PST file when prompted, run the scan, and make a backup if the tool offers that option before repairing it.
Do not keep a working PST as an actively synchronized file inside OneDrive. A PST is a database-style file that Outlook may need to update continuously; cloud synchronization can create conflicts, locked-file states, or multiple versions. If you move a PST, close Outlook first, copy or move the file deliberately to a local folder, and then reconnect it through Outlook’s account or data-file settings. Keep a backup before changing its location.
5. Repair Microsoft 365 or Office
If the profile and PST appear healthy, repair the Office installation:
- Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find Microsoft 365 or your installed Microsoft Office edition.
- Select the three-dot menu, then Modify.
- Try Quick Repair first.
- If the problem remains, repeat the process and choose Online Repair.
Online Repair can take longer and may require an internet connection. Follow Microsoft’s general Outlook troubleshooting guidance for additional repair and recovery options.
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Before Microsoft marked the issue fixed, its guidance included using webmail temporarily and moving PST files out of OneDrive. Those suggestions may still help diagnose a profile or file-location problem, but they should not replace Windows Update as the primary remedy today.
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Use webmail as a temporary fallback
Sign in through your email provider’s webmail site if you need access while Classic Outlook is unavailable. This does not repair Outlook, but it can help you send and receive current messages without repeatedly opening a stuck desktop client.
Be careful with PST files
Do not delete a PST simply because Outlook is malfunctioning. It may contain locally stored mail, archives, contacts, or calendar information. Make a separate backup before running repair tools or changing its location. Microsoft’s ScanPST guidance is intended for repairing access problems; it is not a substitute for a backup strategy.
What you should not conclude from this incident
- It was not a universal Windows 11 failure. Microsoft identified specific affected Outlook profiles.
- It was not documented as a New Outlook failure. The incident concerned Classic Outlook.
- Every missing Sent Items message does not necessarily mean mail was lost. The message may have been sent while Outlook failed to update the local folder; verify through webmail or the recipient before sending duplicates.
- A third-party PC cleaner is not the fix. The Windows correction comes through Windows Update, and profile or PST issues need targeted Outlook tools.
- Uninstalling the security update is not the current default remedy. Install Microsoft’s available fix first.
Quick decision guide
| What you see | What to do |
|---|---|
| Classic Outlook hangs after the January 13 update | Run Windows Update repeatedly until Windows reports that it is up to date, then restart. |
| Outlook will not reopen | End the Outlook process in Task Manager or restart Windows, then apply all Windows updates. |
| Outlook works only in Safe Mode | Disable and test add-ins one at a time. |
| Folders or local messages are missing | Back up the PST and use ScanPST; do not delete the original file. |
| Synchronization remains broken after patching | Create and test a new Outlook profile. |
| Office components appear damaged | Run Quick Repair, followed by Online Repair if necessary. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Windows 11 January 2026 Outlook bug fixed?
Yes. Microsoft’s current support article marks the issue as fixed and directs users to install Windows updates until Windows reports that the device is up to date.
Did KB5074109 break Outlook for everyone?
No. Microsoft documented a problem affecting some Classic Outlook profiles, particularly profiles using POP accounts or PST files. It was not described as a failure affecting every Outlook or Windows 11 user.
Does this Outlook issue affect New Outlook?
Microsoft’s incident notice concerns Classic Outlook for Windows. It does not identify the January 2026 hang as a New Outlook issue.
Should I uninstall KB5074109?
Not as the default current solution. Microsoft now says the issue is fixed through Windows Update. Install all available updates first, then investigate profile, PST, add-in, or Office-repair issues if Outlook still fails.
The Bottom Line
The January 13, 2026 Windows updates did cause a real problem for some Classic Outlook profiles using POP accounts or PST files, but the “no fix yet” claim is no longer current. Install Windows updates until the system is fully updated. If Outlook remains unstable afterward, treat it as a separate profile, PST, add-in, or Office-installation problem and troubleshoot that component carefully.
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