An unexpected hiccup in Windows 11’s latest update rollout forced Microsoft to quietly install a surprise patch—this time, automatically.
A software glitch affecting systems with certain gaming tools left users staring at failed update messages and error codes. Now, without much warning or user control, Microsoft is pushing out an emergency out-of-band update to clean up the mess.
A Patch That Didn’t Patch, Now Gets Patched
The trouble started when the June 2025 cumulative update—KB5060842—ran into issues on select machines. Most affected? Systems running Easy Anti-Cheat, a tool used by many PC games to curb cheating.
Microsoft had paused the rollout shortly after launch, suggesting it was ironing out kinks. The idea was to avoid mass chaos. Unfortunately, the fix didn’t stick.
Users never got the repaired update, and those who did see it… couldn’t install it. Instead, a generic-sounding error message popped up:
“Some update files are missing or have problems. We’ll try to download the update again later. Error code: (0x80073712)”
It became clear that something more direct was needed.
So What’s Actually Being Installed?
This isn’t just another regular Patch Tuesday fix. What’s different is how it’s being delivered.
Unlike traditional updates that users must approve or trigger, this out-of-band (OOB) patch doesn’t wait for permission. Microsoft says it’s installing this one automatically on impacted devices.
One sentence tells you all you need to know: “This OOB update downloads and installs automatically.”
It’s not often Microsoft bypasses manual triggers like this, but with gaming performance and stability on the line—and an earlier botched patch attempt—Microsoft took the steering wheel.
What Caused the Problem This Time?
There’s no single culprit, but the short answer points toward the intersection of gaming and system files.
To be more specific: Easy Anti-Cheat, which is bundled with many online multiplayer titles, appears to conflict with the KB5060842 update.
That’s not just speculation. Sources at Windows Latest reported the issue earlier this month and tied it back to the anti-cheat framework. Microsoft confirmed it soon after by halting the rollout on machines known to use the software.
Here’s where it gets a little more technical:
-
KB5060842 is part of the 24H2 preview build.
-
That’s the same build expected to power AI PCs with new silicon support later this year.
-
But preview builds can bring chaos on older or non-standard configurations.
Basically, the update was too fragile to coexist with certain system setups. A soft pause and patch were tried—but failed. Now the emergency update picks up the slack.
A Timeline of the Update Chaos
To keep things straight, here’s a snapshot of how this update drama unfolded:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Late May | KB5060842 begins rollout to Windows 11 PCs |
| Early June | Reports emerge of update errors with Easy Anti-Cheat installed |
| June 6 | Microsoft pauses the update rollout for some users |
| June 10 | Users continue to report failed update errors |
| June 11 | Microsoft issues silent emergency OOB update |
As of June 12, the automatic patch is already being pushed to eligible devices. No user action is required—and that’s intentional.
Not the First Time, Definitely Not the Last
This isn’t some freak event. In fact, it’s the latest in a string of messy updates from Microsoft in 2025.
Last month, multiple update failures required urgent hotfixes. In April, update rollouts caused unexpected boot loops for users on legacy AMD hardware. It’s become something of a monthly ritual now—patch, break, fix, repeat.
But here’s the weird part: most users probably never noticed.
Because Microsoft pulled the original patch from vulnerable systems, many PCs never even tried to install it. For them, this emergency update won’t mean much.
It’s the unlucky few, especially gamers with Easy Anti-Cheat running in the background, who will benefit the most.
What You Should Know as a Windows User
If you’re wondering whether you’ve been affected, check your update history. Look for the failed installation of KB5060842 or error code 0x80073712.
Still confused? Here’s what you can expect if the emergency update is headed your way:
-
Your PC might restart outside normal update schedules.
-
The update won’t show up like usual in Windows Update settings.
-
You won’t have to click anything—it just happens.
One sentence update notifications aren’t reassuring, but Microsoft is keeping things quiet for a reason: minimize panic and prevent support tickets.
Microsoft’s Tightrope Walk Between Innovation and Stability
Windows 11 24H2 is a critical release. It will bring AI integrations, redesigned settings, and optimizations for Snapdragon X and Intel Lunar Lake chips.
But rushing updates while maintaining support for legacy frameworks like Easy Anti-Cheat is proving tricky. Microsoft’s balancing act between innovation and compatibility is under strain.
They’re trying to push boundaries with AI PCs while ensuring older gaming rigs don’t fall apart in the process.
Let’s be real: something’s got to give.
