KB5074109 update can't uninstall due to error 0x800f0905

ohyocbz 5 Reputation points
2026-01-19T14:11:53.9766667+00:00

KB5074109 update is currently making my PC almost unusable especially when playing games as I can't even close the application properly after playing or when it became unresponsive (even Task Manager stops working ironically), trying to shutdown or restart will loop for hours instead in just seconds. Force shutdown is the only band-aid solution I could do every time. I already use sfc /scannow and DISM commands, but the results showed no errors or no store component corruption found.

I'm using Windows 11 Home and I never enable Windows Sandbox since I don't use any virtual machine. I already tried uninstalling the update via Settings and wusa command but both of them never worked and it still showed the same error code 0x800f0905. I repaired my PC last year due to a certain Windows update corrupting my BIOS, and I always turn off my Windows update every 5 weeks but this update forced me to install (January 15, 2026) since I already reached my 5 wk. limit and I can't find any solution how to get rid of it and reinstall it to remove its corrupted files.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Windows update

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  1. AI answer

    2026-01-19T14:12:05.31+00:00

    To address the issue with the KB5074109 update and the error code 0x800f0905, you can try the following steps:

    1. Use the Windows Update Troubleshooter: Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, and run the Windows Update troubleshooter. This may help identify and fix issues related to Windows Update.
    2. Try Safe Mode: Boot your PC into Safe Mode and attempt to uninstall the update from there. Safe Mode loads only essential drivers and services, which might help bypass the issues you're experiencing.
    3. Use the Command Prompt: Open Command Prompt as an administrator and try the following command to uninstall the update: 
         wusa /uninstall /kb:5074109
      If this fails, you might also try using the DISM tool to repair the Windows image: 
         DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
    4. Check for Pending Updates: Sometimes, pending updates can cause issues. Make sure there are no pending updates in the Windows Update settings.
    5. Manual Removal: If none of the above methods work, you may consider manually removing the update files from the system. This is more complex and should be done with caution. You can refer to the Microsoft Update Catalog to find the specific update files and instructions on how to manually remove them.
    6. Consider a System Restore: If you have a restore point from before the update was installed, you can restore your system to that point.

    If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to consider a more extensive repair option, such as resetting your PC while keeping your files, or seeking professional assistance to avoid further complications.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. DaveM121 939.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-01-19T14:49:08.6766667+00:00

    There are some problems reported with that January update and most people indicate it cannot be uninstalled, the best option is to open the Settings app, then go to System - Recovery, click the 'Reinstall Now' button in the 'Fix problems with Windows Updates' section, then wait for that process to complete, this process will not affect your files, settings or installed apps.

    Another option is to install the out of band update (KB5077744) that Microsoft released to fix the problems in the January KB5074109 update:

    https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB5074109

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  3. Marcelle 15 Reputation points
    2026-01-19T16:25:49.71+00:00

    I am having the same issue, but the only app that seems to be affected in Classic Outlook and Mail in Control Panel. This is a disaster! I tried the 'Fix problems with Windows Updates' - which took over 12 HOURS to complete - and still had the issues with Outlook when it finally finished. I have uninstalled and reinstalled Classic Outlook three times to no avail. After some research I learned about the issues with this update. The KB5074109 app shows that it was installed but does not show in the list of updates to uninstall. So I too tried the wusa command but have no way of knowing if the update was actually removed. It still shows as having been installed. Is this Microsoft's way of forcing us to use an inferior app - New Outlook? How the heck do I fix this? I have multiple email accounts in Outlook and it is critical that I get this fixed. I simply cannot deal with having to log into multiple webmail accounts to get my mail. Please help!

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