The Windows 11 KB5051987 update, launched in February 2025, is a major update that has been challenging for many users to install and is causing significant issues. However, during our testing, we encountered no problems when upgrading our Windows 11 24H2 installation to KB5051987.
Summary of necessary information to understand.
- The KB5051987 update for Windows 11 caused issues in File Explorer, leading to difficulties in opening folders, along with camera malfunctions and decreased game performance.
- It is advised to remove the update by going to Settings > Windows Update to address the issues.
File Explorer is still running in the background, allowing users to locate the exploiter process .exe in Task Manager.
Clicking on a folder in the sidebar does not result in expanding the subfolders, causing confusion as File Explorer appears to be functioning partially. Certain components of File Explorer are experiencing issues, but the cause remains unclear.
Issues encountered during the installation of update KB5051987
Some Reddit users have experienced issues with the KB5051987 update remaining stuck at 0% progress for hours. It is suggested to clear the SoftwareDistribution folder where Windows saves update files if the download is stuck, but it may be best to allow Windows to complete the installation at its own pace.
What should you do if you encounter issues following the February 2025 update?
We suggest removing Windows 11 KB5051987 if you encounter issues post-update installation.
- Go to Access Settings, then navigate to Windows Update and click on Uninstall updates.
- Click on “Uninstall” next to the patch and confirm by choosing Uninstall again.
- Reboot your system.
After completing these actions, you will be downgraded to the January 2025 update. If you encounter the same issue after reinstalling the patch, it is advisable to postpone updates for a couple of weeks. Most of the issues are anticipated to be resolved in the optional February 2025 update, scheduled for release in the third week of the month.