Windows 11 users started seeing the 2026-01 Update (KB5078127) with build 26200.7628 or 26100.7628 in Windows Update, and many were confused because it did not arrive on the regular Patch Tuesday schedule. This is an out-of-band emergency cumulative update released by Microsoft after the earlier January patch caused serious problems, especially for users working with OneDrive, Dropbox, and other cloud-synced folders. Many apps were freezing while opening or saving files, and Outlook Classic was hanging when PST files were stored inside OneDrive. This update is the direct fix for those issues and is strongly recommended for all Windows 11 users on 24H2 and 25H2. This update corrects app freezing when accessing cloud files, fixes Outlook data file issues with OneDrive, resolves programs becoming unresponsive in synced folders, and improves overall system stability while keeping all previous security fixes intact. Even if you did not notice the problem, installing this update ensures your system is on the corrected and stable build.
You can check if you need this update. Press Windows + R, type winver, press Enter, and check the build. If it is lower than 26200.7628 or 26100.7628, you should install this update.
To install the update, follow these steps.
Open Settings, go to Windows Update, click Check for updates, when you see 2026-01 Cumulative Update for Windows 11 (KB5078127) click Download & Install, restart your PC when prompted.
If the update is not showing.
Open Settings, go to Windows Update, turn ON Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available, click Check for updates again.
If it still does not appear, refresh Windows Update cache.
Press Windows + R, type services.msc, press Enter, stop Windows Update, open File Explorer, go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution, delete all files, start Windows Update again, go back to Windows Update in Settings and check again.
After installation, verify the build.
Press Windows + R, type winver, confirm the build shows 26200.7628 or 26100.7628.
This update does not add new features; it only fixes the serious problems created by the earlier January patch. If your PC was freezing while working with cloud files or Outlook, you should notice immediate improvement after installing this update.
