Microsoft has released an out-of-band (OOB) update for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, known as KB5085516, to fix a serious sign-in bug that was caused by the March 2026 Patch Tuesday release This article explores affects authentication microsoft. . The update, which came out on March 21, 2026, outside of the normal monthly update schedule, includes OS builds 26200.8039 and 26100.8039.
Learn more Responding to a cyberattack Software for TVs The main reason for this emergency release is that users who installed the cumulative update KB5079473 on March 10, 2026, are having trouble signing in. After that update, some Windows 11 users couldn't log into apps with their Microsoft accounts.
Even though the internet connection was working and active, the system showed a "no Internet" error during the sign-in process, which stopped people from using Microsoft services and apps like Microsoft Teams Free and OneDrive. Microsoft made it clear that the problem only affects authentication through Microsoft accounts. This regression doesn't affect businesses that use Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) to verify apps.
The bug, on the other hand, is a big problem for regular people and small businesses that rely on personal Microsoft accounts for cloud storage and productivity tools. Windows 11 KB5085516 is an emergency update that includes all the fixes and improvements from previous security and non-security updates, as well as the specific sign-in fix.
As part of Microsoft's ongoing work to add AI features to Windows 11, the update also includes new AI components. The new versions of Image Search, Content Extraction, and Semantic Analysis are all at version 1.2602.1451.0. These AI parts make Windows 11's intelligent search, on-device content analysis, and semantic understanding features work.
This shows how Microsoft is always trying to add AI-powered features to the core operating system experience. Learn more Security consulting services and training on how to be aware of security issues Protecting Your Computer Microsoft has also included a servicing stack update (SSU) for Windows 11 version 24H2, known as KB5083532 (build 26100.8035), along with the LCU. The servicing stack is the most important part that gets Windows updates and installs them.
Keeping the SSU up to date makes sure that devices have a stable and reliable update pipeline. This is especially important when deploying out-of-band releases like this one. Windows Update is automatically sending the update to devices that have already installed KB5079473.
If you have the "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" setting turned on, you will automatically get KB5085516. People who have the setting turned off can go to Settings > Windows Update and choose Download & install to fix the problem by hand. IT managers who use Microsoft Intune or Windows Autopatch to manage fleets in businesses should use the faster update workflows that are built into those platforms.
Microsoft has put out specific instructions for both the Intune expedited updates feature and the Windows Autopatch expedited quality update deployment process to make sure that the updates can be rolled out quickly without interfering with regular maintenance windows. At the time of publication, Microsoft said that there were no known problems with KB5085516. LinkedIn, and X for daily updates on cybersecurity.
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