Microsoft confirms Windows 11 KB5077212, KB5079420 break PC reset on 25H2 and 24H2 systems

What happened

Microsoft has acknowledged that two recent cumulative updates — KB5077212 and KB5079420 — can interfere with the "Reset this PC" recovery feature on Windows 11 systems running 24H2 and 25H2. The company says the updates may prevent the reset process from completing or make the option unavailable, leaving some users unable to refresh or reinstall their OS the normal way. It has been reported that affected users first flagged the problem on Reddit and other support forums.

User impact and reports

The timing is rough. Reset this PC is a go-to tool when things go sideways, and suddenly it's not working for some people. It has been reported that users see the option greyed out, get error messages during the reset, or find that cloud and local reinstall paths both fail. For power users and IT admins who rely on predictable recovery flows, this is more than an annoyance — it's a real headache.

Workarounds and what users are doing

Allegedly, some users have had success uninstalling the offending updates or using external recovery media to restore systems, but those steps aren't ideal for everyone. Microsoft says it's investigating and working on a resolution; the company often follows up with guidance or a patch when known issues affect core recovery features. In the meantime, users running 24H2 or 25H2 may want to be cautious about applying these specific updates until there's a fix.

Outlook

Windows updates are supposed to solve problems, not create new ones. Microsoft’s acknowledgement is the first step; a formal fix or mitigation should follow. Keep an eye on Microsoft's support pages for an official advisory, and consider backing up important data before making system changes — because when recovery tools fail, that backup suddenly feels priceless.

Sources: reddit