The Windows KB5034765 update has been causing expanding disruption for millions of Windows 11 users since its release on Feb. 13. The cumulative update for Windows 11 edition 23H2, which fixes known security disruptions, has at least 3 widely reported disruptions that disrupt the functionality of Windows, except for its installation, or even cause functionality disruptions.
First, as reported via Neowin and in dozens of posts on Reddit, the update broke the Windows taskbar, preventing it from appearing and seriously hampering its ability to temporarily access systems and other taskbar features. Uninstalling the update solved the problem for some, but others found that other issues made it even more difficult to fix the problem.
For example, some people have reported that Windows Explorer started crashing after installing the KB5034765 update. Unfortunately, the error message that pops up suggests a problem with your PC’s memory and many users reported running memory tests after seeing it, as reported via Windowslatest. Ironically, this factor was introduced in an update released in January and was going to be constant with the KB5034765 update. According to Microsoft, the challenge was similar to a gamepad on your PC or laptop. It turns out that the challenge hasn’t been solved, or that it has brought something similar. Many other people have said that once installed, the factor wasn’t consistent or that their PC worked fine but didn’t crash after installation.
If you’ve recently experienced any of those issues on a solid PC from the past, the update is most likely to blame and there are a few steps you can take to check and fix it, as shown below. You can check if KB5034765 is installed by going to the Start menu and typing update, clicking on Windows Update, and locating the update history tab where you can see all the updates installed in the past.
In addition to the general functionality factors, be very lucky if the update installs. The most reported factor is that KB5034765 won’t install and gets stuck at 96%, a common and very annoying challenge with many Windows updates.
Thankfully, Microsoft at least recognizes this factor even if the taskbar and other functionality issues haven’t and has a workaround to allow KB5034765 to install properly. According to this update page, if you go to Windows File Explorer and delete the hidden folder C:$WinREAgent, after restarting your PC, the update installs successfully.
However, one step that Microsoft has skipped on its update page is that you’ll first want to see the hidden files and folders by going to Start and typing File Explorer Options and then tapping the View tab and clicking Show Hidden Files and Folders. and units as shown above.
The update is still worth installing because it includes other fixes and there’s a good chance that it installed smoothly as well. However, if you find that you’re stuck at 96%, check out the solution above. If you find that this is causing any of the other issues discussed here, uninstall it via Windows Update.