Users of Windows 11 have encountered significant issues following the rollout of the latest security update, KB5051987, which took effect on February 11, 2025. What was intended to be a patch for various bugs and to provide quality-of-life enhancements has instead left many users grappling with unresponsive File Explorer and other operational glitches.
According to reports from Windows Latest, the update was meant to bring important fixes but has reportedly caused File Explorer to stop responding when attempting to open common folders such as Desktop, Documents, and Pictures. Many users find themselves unable to launch File Explorer through desktop shortcuts or the Windows search function, leading to growing frustration.
Interestingly, File Explorer appears to continue running within the system, as evidenced by its presence on the Task Manager. Users have noted it can sometimes still be accessed via the sidebar. Nonetheless, the inability to display folder contents renders it practically unusable, marking this as the most troublesome issue stemming from the KB5051987 update.
Installation of the update itself has also proven problematic for many. Reports indicate users are often caught in hours-long loops attempting to download and install the update, only to encounter messages indicating installation failures or missing update files. Some configurations, including certain MSI-based systems, have stalled entirely during the installation process, making the update seemingly inaccessible.
Additional problems reported after installation include difficulty with webcams, evident from user feedback highlighting the system’s failure to recognize their cameras. Gamers have noted performance drops, along with complications when installing applications within the Windows Sandbox. It also seems some users have experienced issues with features intended to facilitate user experience, such as clunky or faulty preview animations on the taskbar and faster mouse stutters.
For those frustrated by these problems, Windows Latest has suggested potential workarounds. Users can attempt to uninstall the KB5051987 update by going to Settings, selecting Windows Update from the menu, and clicking on Uninstall updates. Once the update is removed, users should find their Windows functionality, especially for File Explorer, returns to normal operation.
Despite these setbacks, it still remains unclear when Microsoft will address these recurring issues. The frequency with which updates are introducing new glitches—rather than resolving them—has drawn criticism from the user community. Many have expressed concerns about how this undermines the expectation for stability and reliability within their Windows experience.
File management is fundamental for Windows users, making the functionality of File Explorer particularly important. The current troubles not only impact basic productivity but also raise serious questions about the overall quality control associated with recent Windows updates. Given the integral role File Explorer plays, users are hopeful for timely corrections from Microsoft.
While these current issues might feel overwhelming, users affected by the problems stemming from the February update can still revert to previous versions of Windows to restore decent operational capability. But such workarounds are temporary solutions to what many hope are merely growing pains as Microsoft continues to refine its offerings.
Microsoft is under increasing pressure to resolve these issues, especially as users anticipate improvements leading up to the cutoff for Windows 10 support slated for October 2025. It’s pivotal for the company to show commitment to its user base, ensuring stable updates and customer satisfaction going forward.